School of Chemical Sciences
Information for students
The Forensic Science programme requires that students have already obtained an undergraduate degree in science or have relevant professional experience. However, under exceptional circumstances students in four-year undergraduate programmes can request to take FORENSIC 701 or FORENSIC 702 in their final year. Please contact Dr Gordon Miskelly if you are interested in this option.
We do not prescribe undergraduate course to be taken as preparation for the Forensic Science programme, except to make a strong recommendation that students take at least one university-level chemistry course. We have had successful students with majors in anthropology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, geology, medical laboratory science, pharmacology, and zoology. However, certain undergraduate courses are required for forensic science specialisations:
- If you are interested in DNA analysis you should concentrate on biochemistry and molecular biology.
- If you are interested in glass, paint, physical evidence, or drugs analysis you should concentrate on chemistry.
If you would like more specific advice please contact our coordinators:
Dr Douglas Elliot
Building 301, room 435
Phone +64 9 373 7599 ext 85860 or 09 8153936
Email: douglas.elliot@esr.cri.nz
Dr Gordon Miskelly
Building 301, room 631A
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88338
Email: g.miskelly@auckland.ac.nz
Certificate of Proficiency Courses
The Certificate of Proficiency courses provide a unique qualification in forensic science for professionals, and journalists.These two courses are at the graduate level, so are best suited to people who already hold a university qualification.
Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science
This programme of study is for students who wish to obtain a more complete knowledge of forensic science. It is particularly useful for professionals wishing to broaden their expertise into the area of forensic science.The PGDipForensic qualification normally requires candidates to have completed degrees in science, medicine, technology or related topics. A candidate's professional experience is also taken into account in the selection process.
MSc in Forensic Science
This programme of study is for students who wish to perform independent research in forensic science after they have graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science with an average of B- or better, with the approval of the Director of the programme.
PhD in Forensic Science
Forensic Science is an approved subject for study towards a PhD at the University of Auckland. Candidates intending to study towards this degree should contact the Director of the Forensic Science programme. It is also possible to study towards a PhD in such fields as biology, chemistry, or statistics with forensic-related projects. The most appropriate option will depend on the scope of a given project and the background of the candidate. Except in extraordinary circumstances, only graduates with Forensic Science training equivalent to the University of Auckland Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science combined with the MSc (Forensic Science) will be considered for entry to the PhD in Forensic Science.
Find more detailed information about our postgraduate study options in Forensic Science
The forensic science courses are taught by University staff and by experts from forensic fields. The guest lecturers vary slightly from year to year. In recent years students have had lectures on:
- Examination of crime scenes from forensic scientists and scene of crime officers
- Sexual abuse cases from a member of Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care
- Fingerprinting from a member of the NZ Police
- Criminal law from a lawyer with the Crown Prosecutor's office
- Oil spill analysis from an environmental forensic scientist
The programme liaises closely with the Australian Forensic Science programmes, and is represented on the Australian Forensic Science Educators committee.
Students are also made aware of local meetings of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, which features lectures by members of the forensic science community.
In the last four years there have been approximately 4-5 positions become available each year for forensic scientists or technicians. Most of those positions have been filled by graduates of this programme. Many of our other graduates have chosen related careers or have decided to pursue further degrees.
Employment of our alumni (* indicates that person was already in that field prior to completing our course)
- Documents examiners
- Fingerprint examiners
- Forensic scientists or technicians with ESR
- Forensic geologist*
- Laboratory technicians
- Patent officer
- Pharmaceutical representative
- Police inspector*
