University of Technology Sydney
Master of Forensic Science (Extension)
- Sydney, Australia
- Shanghai, China
Master degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2027
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Master of Forensic Science (Extension) at the University of Technology Sydney combines core forensic subjects—Foundations of Forensic Science and Forensic Inference and Interpretation—with professional units like Advanced Communication Skills in Science and Understanding Data and Statistical Design. You’ll choose electives to build specialist skills in forensic toxicology, drug analysis, biometrics, chemical criminalistics, DNA analysis and trace evidence. A research internship elective provides hands-on experience in UTS labs, including Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research, or with external forensic and criminal justice organizations. Additional electives cover research ethics, proposal writing and topics such as risk assessment and intellectual property.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work with policing, intelligence, government science agencies, customs, immigration and private forensic providers, including the Australian Federal Police, state police agencies, ASIO, CSIRO and ANSTO. Roles include criminalist, trace evidence specialist, forensic toxicologist, DNA specialist, scene-of-crime officer, team leader in investigations, fire investigator, and fingerprint analyst, and positions in forensic laboratories, crime-scene units and forensic consultancy.
You can move into research or higher degrees by transferring into the Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science. The course’s mix of lab internships, data and communication training and specialist electives prepares you for work in forensic analysis, crime-scene examination, biometrics, taphonomy, quality assurance and research roles.
Course features Forensic Science subjects: Students complete two core subjects (Foundations of Forensic Science and Forensic Inference and Interpretation) designed to help them develop the practical, interpretive and investigative skills required to thrive in a forensic science career. From there, they can shape their degree by building specialist skills in domains of their choosing, from forensic toxicology and recreational drug analysis to biometrics, chemical criminalistics and more. Professional subjects: Students complete two core subjects common to many UTS postgraduate science degrees (Advanced Communication Skills in Science and Understanding Data and Statistical Design). They can then customise their remaining professional stream credit points with choices in science writing, risk assessment, business and intellectual property, and more, preparing them to master new ways of working in a diversity of professional environments. Research subjects: A research internship elective provides hands-on experience with a real-world forensic science challenge, either within a UTS lab, including the renowned Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research, or with external forensic science and criminal justice organisations, among others. Students also gain exposure to the administrative components of scientific research through additional electives in human and animal research ethics, research proposal writing and more.
Graduates can pursue employment with organisations such as the Australian Federal Police, state policing agencies, ASIO, CSIRO, ANSTO, customs, immigration, and private forensic agencies. Career options depend on elective subject choices; roles include criminalist, trace evidence specialist, forensic toxicologist, DNA specialist, scene-of-crime officer, team leader in investigations, fire investigator and fingerprint analyst.
The course aims to produce adaptable forensic scientists who are proficient with modern professional practice and technology, and have strong general professional skills such as scientific communication, critical analysis, and project management.
Depending on the area of specialisation, graduates may pursue employment with organisations such as the Australian Federal Police, state policing agencies, ASIO, CSIRO, ANSTO, customs, immigration, and private forensic agencies. Career options include criminalist, trace evidence specialist, forensic toxicologist, DNA specialist, scene-of-crime officer, team leader in investigations, fire investigator, and fingerprint analyst. Graduates may also proceed to a career in research by transferring into the Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science (C04393).
