GraduateBiology & Life Sciences
Master of Forensic Science
Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
About this program
This course is aimed at science graduates, or those with a relevant bachelor degree, who want to work in criminal investigation and forensic analysis. Students build expertise in specimen preparation, sources of contamination, quality assurance, and statistical interpretation of evidence, along with the rules around admissibility of evidence and preparing courtroom testimony. Practical components cover crime scene reconstruction and the collection, processing, and interpretation of biological, chemical, and physical evidence. The standard Master of Forensic Science is a 1.5 year (18 month) degree. Students wanting a more research-intensive option can instead take the Master of Forensic Science (Professional Practice and Research), which adds a full year of research on top of the coursework and provides a pathway into PhD study within two years. Forensic science is not itself a standard skilled migration occupation in Australia; graduates typically work as forensic scientists or laboratory analysts within police forensic services or private laboratories, and many state and federal forensic roles require Australian citizenship or permanent residency to apply. This course is delivered by Murdoch University in Western Australia.
Fees & duration
English test scores
Verified murdoch.edu.au ↗
Course structure
- Core topics covered in this course include: Bloodstain pattern analysis Chemical criminalistics
- including forensic toxicology
- trace analysis
- illicit drug identification and HAZMAT scenes Digital
- cyber and emerging forensic disciplines Forensic anthropology and archaeology and clandestine grave examination Fingerprint and impression evidence collection and analysis Expert witness and courtroom skills Not only could I study a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Biology and Toxicology
- and a Bachelor of Criminology
- but I had the opportunity to study them as a combined degree. Danika
- Medical
- Molecular and Forensic Sciences
Admissions
University level (AQF Level 7) qualification in Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, "Other Natural and Physical Sciences" or relevant Health related fields (Medical, Veterinary or Dental Studies, Nursing, Pharmacy or "Other Health"). Majors in Criminology will be considered if they contain units in a Biological or Chemical Science (i.e. Crime Science) at the discretion of the Academic Chair. Majors in Criminology or other non-cognate degrees that do not contain units in a Biological or Chemical Science cannot gain direct entry to the M1255 because they have not yet demonstrated scientific competency at tertiary level. These students can apply for consideration by the Academic Chair to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science (Professional Practice) (C1131) or Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (Professional Practice) (G1085). Successfully completing 12 credit points in either of these courses will provide students with evidence of scientific competency required for subsequent admission to the M1255 Both C1131 and G1085 are nested programs within the M1255, thus students who successfully complete units within C1131 or G1085 will receive credit for those units if they transfer to M1255.
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