FORENSIC SCIENCE and subjects

[cyberlolz]

Hi , can someone please help me in finding a university IN melbourne that hosts a course for "bachelor of forensic science" to be specific – chemistry

And if possible could you please give me a website or tell me the minimum VCE enter score needed to get in to studying this at any univesity in melbourne i really need to know because im am thinking of studying forensic science in the future after completing my VCE at the same time being afraid of how well i do
these are the subjects i intend in doing :
Biology
chemistry
Maths methods
English
Japanese
Specialist
P.S i would also like to know the prerequisites to get into forensic science(how am i meant to kno the prerequissites for 2010, because that is when i do year 12) // also the way vce works.
Thanks Heaps
Thanks Heaps

[Monomer]

Since you're interested in forensic science then here's a good opportunity to develop some investigation skills.

Google is your friend. Do a search for a list of the universities in Melbourne and then see which one offers the course you want. Or you can do a search for "forensic science course in Melbourne".

As for the minimum VCE entrance score needed, check out the VTAC website. Search for the course you're after and it should give you the prerequisite subjects and scores required. If you have any questions then perhaps contact VTAC or speak to your science teachers or career counsellor if you have one.

[cyberlolz]

How much do forensic scientists get paid in Victoria??

[Monomer]

I don't exactly know how much Forensic Scientists earn, but you'll perhaps start at somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 a year when you first enter the field. With further qualifications and experience you'll earn more.

Also, if you want more info on forensic science check out the Job Guide online and the National Institute of Forensic Science Australia:

Job Guide 2008
Welcome to NIFS, the National Institute of Forensic Science

[cyberlolz]

thank u so much for your replies they helped me alot but 30 - 40 thousand a year is umm .. pretty low and does more qualification mean the more courses studied at university ?
if so where can i find the courses needed for me to study and i am also having trouble finding the VCE enter score needed to get into forensic science. i searched a few sites and they say in the 50 %'s and i really am feeling repelled form studying this because of- low pay
- and such a low enter score whcih may mean not such an important job after all.. in addition to alot of negative comments

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by cyberlolz

thank u so much for your replies they helped me alot but 30 - 40 thousand a year is umm .. pretty low and does more qualification mean the more courses studied at university ?
if so where can i find the courses needed for me to study and i am also having trouble finding the VCE enter score needed to get into forensic science. i searched a few sites and they say in the 50 %'s and i really am feeling repelled form studying this because of- low pay
- and such a low enter score whcih may mean not such an important job after all.. in addition to alot of negative comments

I would suggest that you do more research. Monomer said "perhaps" you would start at $30k-$40k. Do some fact checking.
At least here in the US, you will make more money if you have higher level degrees. Getting a bachelor degree can get you the job, but if you have a master's degree, you will get paid quite a bit more.

Science is usually not a field where people live luxurious lifestyles because of high salaries. As an ecologist, I have a very modest lifestyle (relatively). But the fact that I love my work brings me much more happiness than money ever could.

It's also worth noting that you're options are *wide* open! I started college as a philosophy major, then changed to botany, before finally settling on ecology. In early high school, I was certain that I was going to become an electrical engineer. Things change.

[Monomer]

If you want a job where you earn heaps of money in your first years out of uni then I suggest you go into engineering or law. They're the jobs that'll pay the decent salaries. Study finance or economics instead and become an investment banker.

But if you actually want to be a forensic scientist because that's where your interest lies then persue that line of work regardless of the salary. Like freeztar posted, your love of your job will bring your much more happiness and satisfaction. Don't expect to get paid $60,000 or $70,000 a year when you're fresh out of uni with a bit of knowledge and hardly any experience (foresnsic or life). You'll work your way up to that salary if you're willing to put in the effort. Doing a PhD will increase your salary, but from what I've noticed with my friends who have PhDs, those higher qualifications make it a lot more difficult to get a job.

I found this in a Deakin University brochure:

Prerequisites: VCE units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 20 in English (any), chemistry and mathematics (any).

http://www.deakin.edu.au/future-stud...de/science.pdf

Now, I'm not sure what a study score is because I've been out of school for a while, but your teachers will be able to explain this.

The Edith Cowan University listed a TER of 60 for forensic science. Just because it seems like a low entrance score doesn't mean the course will be easy. When I got into a Bachelor of Science some years ago the entrance score was 80 out of 100 (it had dropped from 88 the year before). That was kind of low compared to many of the other courses, but damn the course was hard work. Unless you're a science wizz I think you'll find the course challenging. But if you're worried about the low entrance score and low pay then pick something else to do.

[cyberlolz]

Say, i have another question , what is the job name for Computer Forensics because the 2008 Australian job guide does not have the name "computer forensics

[Monomer]

I think it's Computer Forensics, but I don't think the job guide is a completely comprehensive list of jobs. Computer Forensics is a branch of forensic science and it would be something you specialise in once you've completed the forensic science course.

The Melbourne University offers a graduate certificate in Digital Forensics and one of the subjects is computer forensics.
Melbourne University - SoE Digital Forensics

[cyberlolz]

So that means for example i want to do computer forensics
i have to complete a course for - Bachelor of Analytical chemistry, forensic science and medicine(VIC uni). After i finshed that i can choose to specialise. and then if i choose chemistry or computer or medicine.etc. - in this case computer, i hav to leave Vic uni and sign up for melb uni for this course {computer} .
After that if i want to complete a masters - do i complete a masters for computer or the base course (vic uni)

By the way if u can: can u explain masters, phd,, major, double major etc.. thanks alot