Bachelors of Forensic Science / Criminology and Criminal Justice(forensic chemistry)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Griffith University Gold Coast Campus

Program Overview

If you’ve ever been curious about how chemical evidence solves crimes — but you’re equally interested in understanding why crime happens and how the justice system responds — this double degree gives you both perspectives in one powerful qualification. Over four years, you’ll develop strong laboratory skills in forensic chemistry while also building deep knowledge of criminal behaviour, policing, courts and justice policy, preparing you for a career where science and law intersect.

This program is ideal for students who are analytical, detail-oriented and motivated to work in forensic laboratories, investigative agencies or justice-related fields. You won’t just learn how to test evidence — you’ll understand how that evidence fits into the broader criminal justice system.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building Scientific and Justice Foundations

Your first year sets the groundwork in both chemistry and criminology. You’ll study core science units such as Chemistry 1A and Chemistry 1B, developing essential laboratory and analytical skills, alongside Introduction to Forensic Science and Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice, where you explore how crimes are investigated and processed through the legal system. This combination helps you start thinking like both a scientist and a justice professional.

Year 2 – Connecting Evidence to the Courtroom

In second year, the link between laboratory work and legal processes becomes clearer. Units like Forensic Laboratory Accreditation and Quality Systems and Forensic Evidence and the Expert Witness show you how forensic results must meet strict standards and how scientists present evidence in court. At the same time, criminology studies deepen your understanding of criminal behaviour, justice institutions and law enforcement.

Year 3 – Advanced Investigation and Analysis

By third year, you’ll move into more specialised and applied areas. Through subjects such as Principles of Forensic Investigation and Forensic Evidence Imaging and Documentation, you’ll refine your skills in evidence handling, documentation and analysis. Criminology units such as Law, Crime and Justice expand your understanding of how legal systems operate and respond to crime in society.

Year 4 – Integration and Professional Preparation

Your final year brings everything together. You’ll consolidate your expertise in forensic chemistry, evidence interpretation and criminal justice policy, preparing you to step confidently into professional roles. This is where your scientific precision, ethical understanding and legal awareness combine — giving you a strong, career-ready profile.

Focus Areas:

Forensic chemistry, laboratory analysis, crime scene investigation, evidence handling, criminal behaviour, justice systems, expert witness practice.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop the ability to analyse forensic chemical evidence, apply laboratory quality standards, understand criminal justice processes, and communicate scientific findings clearly in legal contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The forensic science components align with recognised professional standards in forensic and chemical sciences, supporting credibility in laboratory and justice-related careers.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

Griffith University is home to one of Australia’s largest criminology communities and is highly regarded nationally for criminology and criminal justice, strengthening your professional network and career prospects.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This is not a sit-back-and-listen kind of degree. From early on, you’ll be inside real laboratories, working with forensic-style equipment, analysing samples, and learning how evidence is handled properly and ethically. At the same time, your criminology studies take you beyond the lab — into real case discussions, justice system analysis and industry-connected experiences that show you how science fits into the bigger legal picture.

Here’s what that practical experience looks like in action:

Forensic & Chemistry Teaching Laboratories: On the Gold Coast campus, you’ll complete extensive laboratory practicals where you develop skills in chemical analysis, evidence examination and laboratory quality procedures — the same standards required in professional forensic labs.
Forensic Evidence & Expert Witness Training: Through applied units, you’ll learn how scientific evidence is documented, validated and presented in court, preparing you for the real-world responsibilities of a forensic chemist.
Professional Practice Placement: The criminology component includes opportunities for Professional Practice, allowing you to gain supervised experience with agencies aligned to criminal justice and investigative fields.
Criminology Undergraduate Research Internship Program (CURIP): High-performing students can apply for competitive research internships, working closely with academic researchers on live criminology projects — a fantastic way to build your CV and research confidence.
Industry & Justice Engagement Activities: Through the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, students can engage in networking events, professional guest lectures, and field-based learning opportunities that expose you to real justice environments.
Library & Specialist Databases: You’ll have access to extensive forensic science journals, criminology databases, and law resources through the campus library — along with collaborative spaces for case-study work and group investigations.

What makes this degree powerful is the balance: you’re not only mastering forensic chemistry techniques, you’re also understanding how that evidence operates within real justice systems. By the time you graduate, you’ll feel comfortable in both the laboratory and the courtroom context.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This double degree puts you in a really powerful position when you graduate. You won’t just understand how evidence is analysed in a lab — you’ll also understand how crime works, how investigations unfold, and how the justice system operates. That combination opens doors to careers like Forensic Scientist, Crime Scene Investigator, Intelligence Analyst, or Policy Officer in justice agencies. Employers value graduates who can think scientifically and understand the bigger legal and social picture — and that’s exactly what this program develops:

Dedicated career support: Griffith’s Careers and Employment Service works with you throughout your degree — from CV and LinkedIn support to interview preparation and access to CareerHub job listings. They also host employer networking events and career fairs specifically relevant to science and justice students.
Industry engagement & professional practice: Through Griffith Sciences and the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, students have opportunities to connect with industry professionals, participate in professional placements, and engage in real-world projects that build practical confidence and networks.
Strong graduate outcomes: Graduates in forensic science and criminal justice fields are typically employed within months of finishing, particularly in government laboratories, law enforcement, intelligence units, and regulatory agencies. Demand remains steady for scientifically trained investigators and analysts. Students can expect to earn between AUD 55,000 and AUD 70,000 per annum.
Recognised scientific training: The forensic science component is aligned with national professional standards, giving your qualification long-term credibility across Australia and internationally.
Ongoing alumni access: After graduation, you remain part of the Griffith alumni network — meaning continued access to career resources, industry connections and professional development opportunities.

Further Academic Progression:

If you decide you’d like to specialise further, this degree gives you excellent options. Many graduates move into a Master of Forensic Science, Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice, or related postgraduate study. If research interests you — perhaps developing new forensic techniques or studying crime patterns — you could continue into a research honours pathway, Master by Research, or even a PhD.