About Forensic Biology And Toxicology in Murdoch University

Course Description

Put your curiosity to work as you investigate crime from a scientific viewpoint. Our course is unique in WA as it focuses on biology and life sciences forensics as well as crime scene investigation and chemistry.

Industry terms such as forensic palynology (the use of pollen grains to connect a suspect to a crime scene), forensic anthropology (the identification of skeletal remains) and forensic entomology (the insects that decompose human remains) will become part of your professional vocabulary as you get hands-on training in these areas.

Learn how to recognise blunt and sharp force injuries and the weapons that cause them. Study the pathology of asphyxiation, electrocution, gunshot wounds and the injuries associated with fatal fires, be exposed to the techniques used for disaster victim identification and learn how to estimate time of death.

You’ll work in our labs learning witness imaging techniques, with hands-on training in facial approximation, using clay-based sculptures to ‘reconstruct’ facial features from a human skull.

You’ll also explore DNA sequencing and work on simulated crime scenes on and off campus collecting evidence and brushing and dusting fingerprints.

7 reasons to study Forensic Biology and Toxicology at Murdoch

• Work with international and local organisations on real projects as part of our work integrated learning program. In 2018, a group of our students travelled to Malaysia to take part in an elite forensic science program where they learnt from forensic investigators who worked on the MH17 case.
• Get hands-on experience as you apply DNA sequencing and other forensic techniques from the lab to simulated crime scenes on and off-campus.
• Study the latest analytical techniques for toxicology in our state-of-the-art laboratory, which is part of the Australian National Phenome Centre.
• Learn the latest real-world techniques and policies, with course input and guest lectures from forensic experts from PathWest, ChemCentre, WA Police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Coroner’s Office.
• Build your network of contacts by becoming a member of professional bodies and associations through our industry connections.
• Learn from respected forensic practitioners who take a practical approach and are experts in their field.
• In your final year, you’ll build on everything you have learnt throughout your degree by investigating a murder case from examining the crime scene to presenting evidence in a court room.

What you’ll learn

• forensic science and miscarriages of justice
• crime scene investigation
• forensic DNA analysis
• forensic anatomy and anthropology
• forensic toxicology.

Your future career

With a degree in Forensic Biology and Toxicology, you could pursue a range of roles in Australia or overseas.

Careers could include:

• Crime Scene Officer
• Forensic Biologist
• Forensic Investigator
• Forensic Toxicologist
• Wildlife Forensics Officer.

Academic qualification equivalents:

• Generally requires you to have completed a secondary school qualification equivalent to an Australian Year 12 certificate.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS        :      overall 6.0 with no band below 6.0 
• TOEFL      :      73 with no band less than 18
• PTE           :     50 with no band below 50

Murdoch University Highlights

Murdoch University Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

The tuition fee varies with course and degree. The cost of the complete program for some courses is tabulated below:

Cost of Living depends upon the lifestyle and preferences of the person. Approximately living expenses in Perth can be estimated to 500 AUD per week. Let us have a look at various expenses estimated per week: