
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) Majoring in Forensic Analytical Science
Dunedin, New Zealand
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) Majoring in Forensic Analytical Science
Otago's unique Applied Science degrees link the excitement of science and the power of technology with the challenges of business. Applied Science programs help graduates to become innovative thinkers with an entrepreneurial spirit, the very attributes successful New Zealanders are well-known for. As a graduate you'll be in better control of your career, able to contribute to the success of any organization. And if innovation attracts you, an Applied Science degree combined with work experience will provide the right background if you decide to start your own business.
Why study Forensic Analytical Science?
The New Zealand kiwifruit is one of the most counterfeited items in the world. New Zealand's produce is often at the top end of the market, and well worth counterfeiting – if you can get away with it! The techniques you'll learn in this course can demonstrate the exact point of origin for foodstuffs. This protects our products abroad, and protects our growers at home as well by identifying the source of biosecurity risks when they hit our shores.
The techniques are applicable to criminal forensic work as well, and the analytical skills you will learn will have much broader applications across a wide range of scientific fields.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Curriculum
100-level
- Foundations of Biochemistry
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
- Human Body Systems 1
- Statistical Methods, or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
At least one of the following is recommended:
- Plants: How They Shape the World
- Chemistry: Molecular Architecture (highly recommended)
- Human Body Systems 2
- Mathematics 1
- Biological Physics (recommended)
200-level
- Analytical Chemistry
- Analytical and Forensic Science
- Genes, Chromosomes and Populations
- At least two of
300-level
- Analytical Forensic Biology
- Forensic Chemistry
- At least two of 300-level MICR and STAT papers
90 further points, including either requirements for an approved minor or second major subject or other approved papers.
Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours (BAppSc(Hons)) is also available.
Program Outcome
This degree will focus on the vital analytical techniques of Forensic Biology (including DNA) and Forensic Chemistry (spectroscopy, traceability). The key strength will be the analytical skills acquired.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Anyone involved with Resource Management Act needs staff who can understand analytical science. For example, in the management and custody of natural resources, the analytical techniques you'll learn in Forensic Analytical Science will help track down sources of contamination.
Traceability gives the edge in niche marketing for top-end products – now we can prove exactly where a product has come from, protecting it from counterfeiting and giving a market advantage.
Government agencies increasingly require people with this kind of analytical training. For example, Department of Conservation workers coming across questionable logging would be able to demonstrate whether timber had come from illegal sites.
Applicants should be aware that the job market in New Zealand for criminal forensic scientists is small and that this course is not a qualification for such a career without further study or employment experience.
Program delivery
Application details
Applicants must apply online. They should also attach all the necessary supporting documents which includes scanned copies of their official high school or foundation transcripts (awards gained, marks, grades); scanned copies of the relevant official transcripts of previous university study; and provide proof of their identity: this is usually achieved by providing a certified copy of the personal details page of their passport or a birth certificate (in English). Applicants may also be required to submit an Educational Credential Evaluators report (ECE). As soon as applicants have completed their online application, their proof of identity document must be posted to International Office, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. International student applications for semester 1/summer school study close: Oct-31; Semester 2 study close: Apr-30.