When The DNA Project was established in 2005, there was no specific training course for forensic DNA analysts being offered at any tertiary institution in South Africa. This became one of the key objectives of the DNA Project: namely to develop a group of competent, professional forensic scientists to perform forensic science examinations to assist the courts of law secure convictions through the use of DNA evidence. To meet this objective, the DNA Project worked together with the Criminal Justice System Review Task Team and leading academics from around the country to develop a postgraduate qualification at Honours level, aimed at training people with specific skills in forensic DNA analysis.
The first University to take on board this Honours course in 2010 was the University of the Free State, which is now in its third year of offering this course to students. Today, the UFS is taking our initial intiative one step further by now being able to offer an undergraduate BSc degree in forensic science – the first of its kind in South Africa. According to the department of genetics, the degree will target, among others, people working on crime scenes and criminal cases in forensic laboratories and the South African Police Services.
Entrance requirements for the undergraduate degree will be calculated on an admissions point score basis of at least 34, which will be based on an the results obtained in the applicant’s national school-leaving examinations – as well as a combined minimum point of 17 for maths, life sciences and physical science. Applications for this new degree close on 30 September 2013 and a minimum of 80 students will be selected for admission to the course next year. On completion of the undergraduate programme, postgraduate-level students can continue with forensic science, forensic chemistry, forensic genetics or forensic entomology.
Professor Johan Spies, chair of the department of genetics in the faculty of natural and agricultural sciences, said the university had already received more than 60 applications without any advertising which shows how many students are interested in this career path. Over-subscription to the new degree was a distinct possibility, and in the very long term, the UFS has plans to expand. However, at the moment the university is limited by laboratory and facility space. Spies said there was no doubt that television programmes like “CSI” had stimulated interest in the subject. “And not only in forensics, but others too. When those TV series are being aired, the genetics department always receives a spate of enquiries.”
The UFS
The new degree
Being the first higher education institution in South Africa to offer the degree was a coup, and Spies said that other universities had shied away from offering something similar mainly because the degree was so complex.
“If you want to do all aspects of it properly, you need to include medical, physics, genetics, IT, even accounting…there are many facets to the subject. We started with the postgrad course, and it went quite well, so began looking at it on an undergraduate level.
“I visited a number of different universities in the United Kingdom to see how they did it, and then used that as a model on which to base our own course.”
New staff have already been appointed, including a lecturer who studied at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, and another who is completing a doctorate in chemistry.
Forensic Hons Student at the UFS
At the moment, the department of genetics has nine lecturers, but Spies said it would also be involving staff from other departments to help with specific areas of certain modules.
This blog entry is an excerpt adapted from an article written by Peta Lee from The University World Press . To read the full article click here.
I have applied for first year FORENSIC Science with UFS. I just want to find out how far are the selection for this course and when will we be notified.
Hi Obakeng. Unfortunately the DNA Project is not involved with the selection process for prospective students to the new BSc in Forensic Science degree course at UFS. In this instance you will need to contact the UFS directly.
– DNA Project Team
Hi,im currently doing my
Bsc majoring in Genetics and Physiology at Unisa!am i at the right place there?
hi i want to study forensic pathology and i want to know what are the requirments and if i dont meet them is there any alternative for me
Good afternoon
I am currently doing my second year Biotechnology at the University of Johannesburg, but I would love to pursue a path in Forensics Genetics(DNA),my question is,what should I do?
Application forms for 2014 are ain’t out already?
Unfortunately, applications for 2014 have already closed for the BSc degree in Forensic Sciences at UFS.
Please contact UFS to request an application form for 2015. Admission is limited to 80 students per year.
Enquiries regarding the course can be made at the Department of Genetics:
Email: Genetics@ufs.ac.za
Tel: 051 401 2595
To whom it may concern
Iam Nondumiso Mzimela currently studying a BSc course at the University Of Zululand majoring in Chemistry and BioChemistry.
One day I would want to pursue a career as a forensic scientist,I want to know whether I chose a relevant course to do or not,if not please inform me with the requirements to qualify for this work.
Another thing that is troubling me the most is that after obtaining my degree,won’t I find my self sitting at home being unemployed?Are there too much job opportunities in this career here in South Africa?
Hi,i would like to know if it is possible to work at a forensic science laboratory if i did Bsc medical science and measured with medical genetics at an honours level.
Yes it would be possible. The FSL have their own training programme too which ensures that new recruits are trained appropriately.
Good morning,
My daughter is finishing her matric this year (2014) and wants to pursue a career in Forensic Science, I have please advise which university in Cape Town would be more suited for her to study at?
Thank you for taking the time to read my message
Hi Mary
Currently, the University of the Free Sate (UFS) is the only university offering a B.Sc. degree in Forensic Science. For more information on the Forensic Science degree please contact UFS at forensics@ufs.ac.za or on +27(0)51 401 9680 or +27(0)51 401 2776.
If your daughter is considering a career in Forensic Genetics (DNA) then she would need to complete a B.Sc. and major in Genetics and Biochemistry or Molecular Biology. This can be done at a number of Universities such as Pretoria, University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch, University of Free State and University of KZN. The B.Sc. degree takes 3 years to complete. Thereafter she would need to complete an honours degree (1 year) where she would specialise in forensic DNA analysis. Currently there are two Universities offering such a degree. These are the University of Free State and the University of Cape Town. Such a degree would qualify her for employment at the State Forensic Science Laboratory (part of SAPS) or other private laboratories offering services such as paternity testing.
– The contact person at UFS is Dr. Karen Ehlers: EhlersK.SCI@ufs.ac.za
– The contact person at UCT is Dr. Marise Heyns: marise.heyns@uct.ac.za
Alternatively, a diploma in forensic science is offered by a company called Forensics 4 Africa. In this regard you could contact Pierre Joubert at: pierre@forensics4africa.com or look at their website: http://www.forensics4africa.com/
Warm regards
DNA Project
I’m enquiring on behalf of my daughter, Courtney who also wish to have a career in Forensics.
In this regard she is doing 2nd year Bsc Chemistry @ University of Western Cape. She started out with Bsc Physics in 2012 and did not do too well though and changed to Chemistry.
Is she on the right path and which additional subjects should she take to make sure she is on the right path. Your assistance would be appreciated on the way forward.
Much appreciated & regards
I would like to know what to do if I do not meet the requirements for the undergraduate degree in Forensic Science course. I really want to do this course.
You may contact the Dr Karin Ehlers at UFS directly.