Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Science
Murdoch University
About
This is the only degree of its kind in Western Australia.
Study a Bachelor of Criminology with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Biology and Toxicology to gain a unique set of skills and expand your career options.You’ll learn about a range of forensic disciplines including forensic palynology (the use of pollen grains to connect a suspect with a crime scene), the pathology of asphyxiation, electrocution, gunshot wounds and fatal fire injuries, as well as how to recognise blunt and sharp force injuries and the weapons that cause them.In criminology, you’ll have the option to specialise in Legal Studies, Criminal Behaviour, Crime Science or White Collar and Corporate Crime.
You’ll learn what’s behind the motivations and patterns of criminal behaviour in Australia, the science that helps solve major crime, and how our justice system works in Australia.10 reasons to study a combined degree in Criminology and Forensic Biology and Toxicology at MurdochThis combined degree is not offered anywhere else in Australia.
Use real local data on local crime to generate hypotheses about crime patterns and trends.
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 by forensic experts from PathWest, ChemCentre, WA Police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Coroner’s Office.
Build your network from within our Law, Psychology and Criminology disciplines, making use of our strong ties to the Western Australian legal, psychology and business community.
Learn from respected industry experts who often appear in the media to share their insights on current events and issues.
Choose from a range of majors, including two majors only available at Murdoch – Crime Science and White Collar and Corporate Crime.
Graduate with two qualifications, a unique skillset and even more career opportunities.
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.
Structure
Spine 9 credit points
Required Units 6 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| MSP100 | Career Learning: Managing Your Career | 3 |
| MSP200 | Building Enterprise Skills | 3 |
Specified Electives 3 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| MSP201 | Real World Learning | 3 |
| OR | ||
| ART208 | Presenting in Public: Writing and Performing for Professional Contexts | 3 |
| OR | ||
| KAC102 | Wandju Boodja (Welcome to Country) | 3 |
| OR | ||
| GRD204 | Design Thinking for Innovation | 3 |
| OR | ||
| CRM310 | CRM Internships (WIL) | 3 |
Course Core 21 credit points
Required Units - Criminology 6 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| CRM306 | Advanced Criminology | 3 |
| CRM307 | Culture, Diversity and Crime | 3 |
Specified Electives - Criminology 3 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| CRM388 | Treatment of Criminal Behaviour | 3 |
| OR | ||
| CRM301 | Crime Science | 3 |
| OR | ||
| BJU150 | Law in Context | 3 |
| OR | ||
| LEG100 | Law, Justice and Social Policy | 3 |
| OR | ||
| BSL165 | Foundations of Business Law | 3 |
| OR | ||
| LEG203 | Indigenous Peoples, Law and Society | 3 |
| OR | ||
| CRM310 | CRM Internships (WIL) | 3 |
| OR | ||
| CRM202 | Corrections | 3 |
| OR | ||
| CRM389 | Psychology and Law | 3 |
| OR | ||
| CRM302 | Children and Crime | 3 |
| OR | ||
| CRM219 | International and Transnational Crimes | 3 |
| OR | ||
| LEG323 | Social and Welfare Law | 3 |
| OR | ||
| LEG391 | Alternative Dispute Resolution | 3 |
| OR | ||
| BSL391 | Alternative Dispute Resolution | 3 |
| OR | ||
| BRD205 | Crime Through the Ages | 3 |
Required Units - Forensic Biology and Toxicology 6 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| BSC100 | Building Blocks for Science Students | 3 |
| BSC150 | What is Science? | 3 |
Specified Electives - Forensic Biology and Toxicology 6 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| BSC200 | Research in the Physical and Life Sciences | 3 |
| OR | ||
| MAS223 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| OR | ||
| MAS224 | Biostatistical Methods | 3 |
| OR | ||
| BIO388 | Forensic Science and Miscarriages of Justice | 3 |
| OR | ||
| BIO394 | Genetic Engineering | 3 |
| OR | ||
| BMS218 | Haematology | 3 |
| OR | ||
| BMS323 | Clinical Biochemistry I | 3 |
Major 54 credit points
Forensic Biology and Toxicology Major 30 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| MJ-FBTC | Forensic Biology and Toxicology | 30 |
Criminology Major 24 credit points
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| MJ-CRIB | Criminal Behaviour | 24 |
| OR | ||
| MJ-CRIS | Crime Science | 24 |
| OR | ||
| MJ-LEGS | Legal Studies | 24 |
| OR | ||
| MJ-WCCC | White Collar and Corporate Crime | 24 |
Option 12 credit points
For more information about the structure, please view the Handbook
General Electives 12 credit points
Entry requirements
Advanced Standing
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
Find out more
Adjustment for Murdoch RISE
Murdoch RISE is a selection rank adjustment, as part of our commitment to helping students from regional, Indigenous and low socio-economic backgrounds gain university entry.
If you achieve an ATAR of 60.00 - 89.95, a Murdoch RISE adjustment factor of up to 10.00 points may help you get into your preferred course. Murdoch RISE can increase your selection rank up to a maximum of 90.00.
There’s no application or need to register. If you are eligible, the adjustment factor is automatically added to your raw ATAR score when you apply.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai, Singapore and Myanmar campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Learning outcomes
- crime scene investigation
- children and crime
- forensic DNA analysis
- forensic anatomy and anthropology
- forensic toxicology.
Institution
