Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Science and Technology

Qualification code: 90002
NQF level: 7
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 91932
APS/AS: 20
Rules:
Students should note that during the course of their studies they would be required to have access to a computer, printer and the internet. Students must follow the same stream from level one throughout to level three. Some of the pre-requisites and/or co-requisites outlined in this qualification may not apply as they do not form part of the curriculum. Students who have passed phased out modules will retain the credit and do not need to pass the replacement modules. However, phased out modules must have been passed for this specific qualification and it does not necessarily mean the modules are equivalent. CRW1501 Students do not need to register for HFL1501. CMP3701 Students do not need to register for CPR3701. EVI3701 Students do not need to register for LEV3701. EVI3702 Students do not need to register for MRL3702.
Purpose statement:
The main purpose of the qualification is to enhance the investigation knowledge and skills of investigators This qualification is aimed at students who work within the field of Forensic Investigation and who seek recognition for essential knowledge, skills and values needed up to the level of middle management. This qualification is also aimed at students aspiring to become Forensic Investigators up to the level of middle management. Furthermore, this qualification has been developed to promote efficiency with regard to: - Forensic methods and techniques. - Investigation of selected crimes and transgressions. - Litigation processes, interviewing and statement taking. - Scene of incident. - Information gathering. - Investigative resources. - Forensic crime intelligence. This qualification lays a foundation for career advancement and further studies in Forensic Investigation.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

First level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
ENN1504 - Practising Workplace English
FOR1501 - Forensic Methods and Techniques
FOR1502 - Investigation of Selected Crimes and Transgressions Co-requisite:FOR1501
HFL1501 - Historical Foundations of South African Law
INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
SJD1501 - Social Dimensions of Justice
Group B. Law Stream. Choose either Stream B or Stream C or Stream D
ILW1501 - Introduction to Law
SCL1501 - Skills Course for Law Students
Group C. Management Stream. Choose either Stream B or Stream C or Stream D
MNB1501 - Business Management IA
MNG1502 - Management IA
Group D. Criminology Stream. Choose either Stream B or Stream C or Stream D
CMY1501 - Introduction to Criminology: Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour
CMY1502 - Introduction to Criminology: Victims and Reduction of Crime

Second level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
CRW2603 - Selected Topics of Criminal Law Recommendation:Should be taken after completing CRW1501
EPP2601 - Applied Communication in Policing Module I Recommendation:Should be taken after ENG1503.
FOR2601 - Forensic Methods and Techniques II (Module A)
FOR2602 - Forensic Methods and Techniques II (Module B)
FOR2603 - Investigation of Selected Crimes and Transgressions (Module A) Pre-requisite:FOR1501
FOR2605 - Scene of Incident
FOR2607 - Forensic Crime Intelligence
FOR2608 - Information Gathering Recommendation:Should follow FOR1501
FOR2609 - Principles of Evidence in Forensic Investigation Recommendation:Should follow CRW1501 & CRW2603
Group B. Law Stream. Choose either Stream B or Stream C or Stream D
ADL2601 - Administrative Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & SJD1501
CRW2601 - General Principles of Criminal Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & SJD1501
CSL2601 - Constitutional Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PLS1502
Group C. Management Stream. Choose either Stream B or Stream C or Stream D
MNB1601 - Business Management IB Pre-requisite:MNB1501
MNG1602 - Management IB Pre-requisite:MNG1502
MNG2601 - General Management
Group D. Criminology Stream. Choose either Stream B or Stream C or Stream D
CMY2601 - Crime Risk Perspectives
CMY2602 - Principles of Crime Prevention, Reduction and Control
CMY2604 - Dealing with Young Offenders

Third level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
FOR3701 - Forensic Methods and Techniques: Module A Pre-requisite:FOR2601
FOR3702 - Forensic Methods and Techniques: Module B Pre-requisite:FOR2602
Recommendation:Should follow FOR3701
FOR3703 - Investigation of Selected Crimes and Transgressions: Module A Pre-requisite:FOR2603
Recommendation:Should follow FOR3702
FOR3704 - Investigation of Selected Crimes and Transgressions: Module B Recommendation:Should follow FOR3703.
FOR3705 - Advanced Forensic Crime Intelligence Pre-requisite:FOR2601, FOR2602 & FOR2607
FOR3706 - Forensic Investigative Resources Co-requisite:FOR3701 & FOR3702
SEP3707 - Criminal Justice Research Methodology
Group B. Law Stream. Choose either Stream B or Stream C or Stream D
CPR3701 - Criminal Procedure Pre-requisite:SJD1501, PLS1502 & CSL2601
LEV3701 - Law of Evidence Pre-requisite:SJD1501 & CRW2601
MRL3702 - Labour Law Pre-requisite:ADL2601
Group C. Management Stream. Choose either Stream B or Stream C or Stream D
MNG3701 - Strategic Planning IIIA Pre-requisite:MNG2601
MNG3702 - Strategic Implementation and Control IIIB Co-requisite:MNG3701
PRM3701 - Project Management Pre-requisite:MNB1601
Group D. Criminology Stream. Choose either Stream B or Stream C or Stream D
CMY3701 - The Explanation of Crime
CMY3702 - Crime Typologies
CMY3706 - Contemporary Criminological Issues