Course overview

Description

The Master of Forensic Anthropology has been designed specifically for students to gain knowledge in current developments in forensic sciences and particularly those medical and social sciences which are of direct relevance to the application to forensic anthropology. The degree will enable students to undertake advanced studies in forensic anthropology. There is considerable diversity of research related to forensic anthropology, ranging from traditional morphometrics through to computer-graphic facial reconstruction.

Course title
Master of Forensic Anthropology (coursework and dissertation)
Award abbreviation
MForAnth
Course code
72580
Course type
Master's degree by coursework and dissertation
Status
Current / 2024
Administered by
Social Sciences
CRICOS code
093807B

Course details

Intake periods
Beginning of year and mid-year (mid-year intake for part-time study only)
Attendance type
Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
Credit points required
96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Standard course duration
2 years
Time limit
5 years
Delivery mode
Internal
Locations offered
UWA (Perth)
Domestic fee type
Postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
Available to international students
Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
Course Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Daniel Franklin
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2024 – may be available in 2025 or 2026

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

Take all units (90 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2FNSC5515Molecular Osteology
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology (72280) Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology (72380)
or Master of Forensic Anthropology (72580)
lectures: 8 x 1.5 hours; tutorials: 8 x 1.5 hours; lab work: approximately 2 hours per week
S1FNSC5516Forensic Odontology and Introductory Osteology
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology (72280), Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology (72380)
or Master of Forensic Anthropology (72580)
lectures: 8 x 1.5 hrs; tutorials: 8 x 1.5 hrs
S1FNSC5611Ethics and Research Methods in Forensic ScienceNonelectures: 2–3 hours per week; practicals: 1–2 hours per week; seminars: 6 x 2 hours
S1FNSC5612Forensic Anthropology I—Introductory Theory and Method
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology 72280
or the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology 72380
or the Master of Forensic Anthropology 72580
lectures and labs: 40 hours (2–3 hours per week)
S1FNSC5614Forensic Archaeology—Theory and Method
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology (72280) Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology (72380)
or Master of Forensic Anthropology (72580)
lectures/tutorials/practicals/a final examination: 50–60 hours
S2FNSC5622Scientific Expert Testimony
Incompatibility
FNSC5620 Expert Testimony Part 1, FNSC5621 Expert Testimony (Odontology) Part 1
workshops: 4 full days; mock court: 2 full days (1 as an observer, 1 assessed), practical work 2-3 hours per week.
S2FNSC5626Forensic Anthropology II—Advanced Theory and Method
Prerequisites
FNSC5612 Forensic Anthropology I—Introductory Theory and Method
lectures: 9 x 3 hours per week; practicals: 9 x 3 hours per week
S1, S2FNSC5627Forensic Anthropology Professional Project Part 1 (12 points)
Prerequisites
FNSC5626 Forensic Anthropology II—Advanced Theory and Method
Co-requisites
FNSC5649 Forensic Science Dissertation (Anthropology) Part 1
by arrangement with supervisor—laboratory/practical work: 10 hours total per week
S1, S2FNSC5628Forensic Anthropology Professional Project Part 2 (12 points)
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72580 Master of Forensic Anthropology
and Successful completion of
FNSC5627 Forensic Anthropology Professional Project Part 1
by arrangement with supervisor—laboratory/practical work: 10 hours total per week
S1, S2FNSC5649Forensic Anthropology Dissertation Part 1 (12 points)
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Master of Forensic Science Anthropology (72580)
by arrangement with supervisor
S1, S2FNSC5650Forensic Anthropology Dissertation Part 2 (12 points)
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72580 Master of Forensic Anthropology
and Successful completion of
FNSC5649 Forensic Anthropology Dissertation Part 1
by arrangement with supervisor

Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:

Group A
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
N/AFNSC4497Bio-Archaeology FieldschoolNone3 weeks full-time international field work (150 hours)
S2FNSC5615Medicolegal Death Investigation
Incompatibility
FNSC8503 Forensic Pathology, FNSC8561 Forensic Entomology
lectures: 2–3 hours per week; labs: approx. 2–3 hours per week.

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the CARS module is not required to repeat the module.

(3) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.

Admission requirements

4.(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;

and

(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;

and

(c) successfully completed prior study in a field relevant to Forensic Anthropology; or

(2) completed a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology or Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology at UWA.

Admission ranking and selection

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) The following courses form part of an articulated sequence:

  • 72280 Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology (24 points)
  • 72380 Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology (48 points)
  • 72580 Master of Forensic Anthropology (96 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Forensic Anthropology course before completing it, but after fulfilling the requirements of a lesser award in the above sequence, may apply for the relevant award.

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points.

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—

(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;

(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;

and

(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).