Bachelor of Science (Forensic)/Bachelor of Laws

This program is available only to students who have already commenced the program.

Students completing this combined degree become specialists in forensic science and also meet the academic requirement to practice law in NSW. However, a student who wishes to practice as a lawyer must also complete postgraduate professional training approved by the Legal Profession Admission Board.

The Bachelor of Science (Forensic)/Bachelor of Laws takes five years of full-time study to complete. Students who undertake the Bachelor of Laws Program in the final two years of a combined degree may enrol on a less than full-time basis. Graduates should refer to the information on the Bachelor of Laws. Alternatively, students completing this degree may apply for entry to the Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice - see separate handbook entry - which allows immediate admission to legal practice on graduation.

Forensic scientists are employed in all states of Australia. Combining studies in Forensic Science with Law greatly expands the employment opportunities available to graduates. Forensic scientists work in three main areas of crime investigation: the scene of the crime, the forensic laboratory and the court. The science component of the program will cover the first two areas and the law component will cover the third area.

Not available to new students

Student with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonable adjustments are provided in a timely manner. Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medial condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/ for more information.

Students in combined degree programs are advised to consult with the relevant Program Officers for the Bachelor of Laws (Faculty of Business and Law) and the Bachelor of Science (Forensic) (Faculty of Science and Information Technology).

The Bachelor of Science (Forensic)/Bachelor of Laws combined degree program is undertaken over five years of full-time study. To satisfy the current requirements of this combined degree, students undertake the following standard program, including the courses identified below for the Bachelor of Science (Forensic).

To meet the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws degree students must complete 240 units in the pattern indicated. The final two years of the combined degree program comprises study in LAWS courses only.

Credit towards the Bachelor of Science (Forensic) degree is granted for the 80 units of Bachelor of Laws courses completed in the first three years, taking the total of Bachelor of Science (Forensic) units to 240. Thus, on successful completion of the first three years of the combined degree program, students will have met the requirements for Bachelor of Science (Forensic) degree.