HLTH SC 1000OL - Introduction to Forensic Sciences
Online - Semester 1 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code HLTH SC 1000OL Course Introduction to Forensic Sciences Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s Online Units 3 Contact 2 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Incompatible HLTH SC 1000 Assessment Online quizzes Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Mrs Melissa Walker
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Gain knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the forensic sciences and the law. 2 Understand the methods and principals of forensic investigations and how forensic science can be applied in criminal investigations. 3 Explain at an introductory level the organisational structures and procedures within forensic sciences. 4 Use and understand the basic terminology for forensic science correctly and contextually. 5 Gain a basic understanding of the history of forensic sciences and how forensic sciences in the real world differs from the forensic sciences in fictional depictions. University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-5 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1-5 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
1-5 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
N/A Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
N/A Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
N/A Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
N/A Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Max M. Houck, Jay A Siegel. Fundamentals of Forensic Science, 3rd Ed. 2015 (electronic book)
Joseph A. Prahlow and Roger W. Byard. Atlas of Forensic Pathology. 2012 (electronic book)Recommended Resources
Recommended textbooks (available through the Adelaide University library) are:
Siegel JA, Knupfer GC, Saukko PJ. Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences 3 Volumes. Academic Press, 2000, (also electronic).Online Learning
All lectures and assessment tasks for this course will be online
Lectures will be pre-recorded and uploaded to the weekly modules.
There are 4 assignments (each worth 15%) and a final exam (worth 40%). These will be run through MyUni as outlined in the timetable and the course information provided in MyUni -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The content of the course is delivered through lectures and online material accessible via MyUni (University online service).
Some material is delivered online in a teaching module.
Lectures will be pre-recorded and lecture notes will be available for each lecture.
Each lecture (and online module) will have a short introduction video, presenting the lecturer and the learning objectives for that lecture.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
There are 2 scheduled lectures per week together with online material accessed through MyUni as well as required reading.
There are 4 scheduled times where lectures have been replaced with revision time, and revision notes that provide a basic outline of the areas that are covered in the lectures are provided to help guide revision.
There are 4 online quizzes during the semester.Learning Activities Summary
1. Gain knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the forensic sciences and the law
Forensic science – an overview
Crime, injury and death
The coroner, the act and the system
The structure of the courts
2. Understand the methods and principals of forensic investigations and how forensic science can be applied in criminal investigations.
Genetics
DNA and CSI
Digital forensics
Forensic photography
Alternative light sources
Ballistics
Ancient DNA
Fingerprinting
Identification of a deceased person (not DNA)
Evidence handling
Document and traces
Entomology
Forensic diving and underwater criminal investigations
What on earth is a forensic pathologist
How dangerous is traffic
Anthropology
Forensic odontology
3. Understand at an introductory level the organisational structures and procedures within forensic sciences
Crime scene investigations – a police perspectiveInterpol and police organisations
DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) – global perspective and action
4,5. Use and understand the basic terminology for forensic science correctly and contextually. / Gain a basic understanding of the history of forensic sciences and how forensic sciences in the real world differs from the forensic sciences depicted on television.
Homicides, suicides and accidents in adults
CSI and the real worldSpecific Course Requirements
None Required -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
The final quiz is worth 40% of the course.
Assessment Task Cover Material in Lecture Cover Material in Online Module Assessment % Weighting Curse Learning Outcomes Quiz 1 1 - 6 1 15% 1 - 5 Quiz 2 7 - 12 - 15% 1 - 5 Quiz 3 13 - 18 2 15% 1 - 5 Quiz 4 19 - 23 - 15% 1 - 5 Final Quiz 1 - 24 1 - 2 40% 1 - 5 Assessment Detail
The four online assignments, each worth 15% of the total mark, will focus on the material covered in the lectures and online modules
provided prior to them (see table above for details) as well as the required reading.
The final quiz is worth 40% of the overall mark and will cover the entire content of the course. It will consist of different types of questions such as fill in the blank, MCQ, matching, and short answer. All of the material delivered during the course will be examined in the final quiz as described in the table above.
There will be no extensions given for assignments unless you have filed out an official assessment extension application request form (available on the Examinations website - https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/forms) and emailed it to ifs@adelaide.edu.au for consideration.
For the final quiz Replacement assessments will not be granted unless you have correctly completed an official replacement examination application request form (available on the Examinations website - https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/forms) and emailed it to ifs@adelaide.edu.au for consideration.Submission
Students will be required to complete four online assignments worth 15% each during the course. Failure to submit the online assignments by the due date and time could result in you failing the assignment.
The final quiz will be conducted in MyUni prior to the scheduled University examination week.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
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