IELTS Academic, IELTS score of 6.0 in the academic module (with no individual band below 5.5). IELTS Online is also accepted.
Internet-based TOEFL, Score of 80 (writing 20) TOEFL iBT Home Edition is currently accepted for applications for intakes commencing semester 2 2022 and 2023 intakes. The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is: 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores).
Paper-based TOEFL, Score of 550 (TWE 4.5) The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is: 9483
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169)
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169)
Solving mysteries, serving society
Your uniqueness isn’t limited to your DNA or your fingerprints. Forensic chemistry can pinpoint where you’ve lived, what you’ve eaten and even where that food once lived. That unarguable proof of origin is increasingly useful for food producers and biosecurity officers as well as crime fighters.
Analytical science is applied forensically in business for compliance with legislation, marketing, and the protection of products and brands from fraud.
This degree focuses on the vital analytical techniques of forensic biology (including DNA) and forensic chemistry (spectroscopy, traceability). These analytical skills are highly sought-after in industry, government agencies and among regulatory bodies tasked with managing natural resources.
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.
More info: Click here
100-level
BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry
CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1
STAT 110 Statistical Methods, or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
At least one of the following is recommended:
BIOL 123 Plants: How They Shape the World
CHEM 111 Chemistry: Molecular Architecture (highly recommended)
HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2
MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 1
PHSI 191 Biological Physics (recommended)
200-level
CHEM 206 Analytical Chemistry
FORS 201 Analytical and Forensic Science
GENE 222 Genes, Chromosomes and Populations
At least two of BIOA 201, BIOC 221, CHEM 201 or CHEM 205, FOSC 201, GENE 221, MICR 221, MICR 222, PHAL 211, PHAL 221, STAT 242, STAT 261, STAT 210, STAT 260, STAT 270
300-level
FORS 301 Analytical Forensic Biology
CHEM 306 Forensic Chemistry
At least two of BIOA 301, BIOC 352, CHEM 304, FOSC 301, GENE 312, GENE 315, PHAL 306, PSYC 325, 300-level MICR and STAT papers
90 further points, including either requirements for an approved minor or second major subject or other approved papers
Total 360
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.
Health Insurance: 600 per year
