The expansion of the forensic sciences in Australia and countries overseas has seen an increase in the demand for trained forensic personnel. The Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology is a newly updated course, designed by industry for the biotechnology graduates of tomorrow. The course offers a solid base in the four key areas of biotechnology; namely molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology and microbiology. Graduates will be equipped with a good understanding of recent trends and applications of technology in the biotechnology industry with special emphasis on bioinformatics, genomics, intellectual property and ethical issues.
These aims will be achieved by complementing the theoretical material in the course with extensive practical work, case studies, seminars, and report writing.
Career opportunities exist for graduates in fields such as:
Technical expertise in biotechnology is applicable around the world in a diversity of industries and versatile biotechnology. Graduates will readily adapt their expertise to areas like biomining, plant industries (crop production, horticulture), marine biology, paleontology, ecology (biodiversity analysis), as well as environmental pollution control and waste management, where their skills are increasingly in demand.
Negotiations with the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) for the accreditation of the Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology are underway. Students from the Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology will be eligible for student membership to the society upon entry into the course and graduates will be eligible for recognition as a registered forensic practitioner after two years' practice within a forensic discipline.
All graduates of the Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology will be eligible for membership into AusBiotech and the Australian Society of Biotechnology.
To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
Students must complete a six-week compulsory professional training component to qualify for the award of Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology. Professional training can be carried out in blocks of three weeks if desired, preferably in the last 20 months of the course. Training locations can range from private companies to public research institutes and utilities (eg hospitals, CSIRO, medical institutes, forensic laboratories) but the site and project concerned must be approved by the Course Coordinator prior to commencement.
Students who can prove at least six to eight months of previous employment in an approved discipline are exempt from this component.
Distance education students attend up to eight days of residential school per session at the Wagga Wagga Campus.
CSU's Science Scholarships are available for on campus applicants to this course, providing $4000 per annum for up to four years (subject to satisfactory progress). Once awarded the Scholarship, the money is the student's to spend in the way that assists them most.
Applicants must achieve an ATAR (NSW) of 82 or above, or equivalent ENTER (VIC)
(inclusive of the Regional Bonus) to be eligible to receive the Scholarship.
To apply, download the Science Scholarships application form, complete all sections, then return the form to the Scholarships Officer before the end of October in the year prior to commencing your studies.
Refer to the Clinical requirements section for information on:
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points. Students will graduate from the Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology with the award BForensicBiotech.
Meritorious students are encouraged to apply for entry into an Honours year of research at CSU in areas such as microbiology, molecular biology, applied immunology and antimicrobials. Honours graduates may gain entry into the University’s postgraduate scientific research programs leading to the award of a Doctor of Philosophy.
| Study through | Wagga Wagga |
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| Fee information | Australian & New Zealand students International students |
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| Admission rank cut-offs | 72.55 |
| CRICOS registered | 007605C |
Choose your preferred method. Make note of the admission code as you will need this to complete your application. More information on application closing dates.
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| Apply online | Australian and New Zealand students Admission code:
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International students Admission code:
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| Mail your application | Australian and New Zealand students International students |
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| Recruitment agent | International students |
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An indicative course structure and enrolment pattern are available in the CSU Handbook.
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
Previous studies include:
NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.
Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.
Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:
All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.
Acceptable tests for English proficiency
Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:
An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University’s requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.
The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.
Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.
While there are no HSC subjects specified as prerequisites for admission to the Bachelor of Forensic Biotechnology, intending applicants are advised to include 2 Unit mathematics and 2 Unit chemistry.
Criminal Record Clearance
The Department of Health in NSW, and most other states, currently require all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement, to undergo criminal record checks. The checks are intended to identify people who have convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, who may put patients’/clients’ personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.
All students must therefore have a Criminal Record Clearance prior to placement in any capacity in the NSW Health system and most other State organisations. Prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a Criminal Record Clearance will make it impossible to complete this course satisfactorily as it will not be possible to arrange suitable clinical placements.
In addition, all students are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration indicating whether or not they are a prohibited person under the Child Protection Act 1998.
If you have any queries regarding these requirements, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Coordinator.
Immunisation - Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Infectious Diseases
NSW Health is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all clients in health care settings and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff and other clinical personnel, including students. This commitment includes adopting an assessment, screening and vaccination policy Occupational Assessment Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases (PD2007_006) that minimises the risk of acquiring infectious diseases. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement.
All students must undergo vaccination against infectious diseases prior to placement within the NSW Health System, and most other Australian State Health Systems. Results of these vaccinations are kept on a personal record card (available from the School through which the student is studying). This card must be presented, upon request, by NSW Health, or other State Health staff, whilst the student is on placement.
The Policy requires that you consult your local doctor to obtain written proof of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B.
NOTE: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the requirements of this policy have been met, and failure to comply with the requirements may jeopardise completion of your studies.
As a full course of vaccinations may take several months to complete, you are advised to consult your local medical practitioner well in advance of the commencement of your clinical experience placement. Please contact your medical practitioner to identify your local TB screening provider and ensure the screening is completed prior to your first clinical placement.
Further information is available from NSW Health.
For all inquiries about Charles Sturt University courses, please contact info.csu on:
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Telephone: 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) |