Program Overview

Foundation Studies prepares you for a successful transition to degree-level study, providing a pathway to the first year of study of a bachelor’s degree at Murdoch University.

This course is suited to you if you:

• Need an entrance qualification for Murdoch University
• Want to accelerate your university preparation after Year 11, or equivalent
• Want to change your degree stream after Year 11, or equivalent

Course Structure
For Foundation Studies you will complete eight units over two study periods, studying a combination of core and elective units. The units you will undertake will be determined by your chosen degree. All students must complete the two English units and at least one unit from each Discipline Group.

Each unit of study builds concepts from an introductory level through to university entrance level. The units are designed to develop your learning techniques as well as bridging gaps in your unit knowledge.

• English
  • Essential Australian Studies
  • Introduction to Academic Communication
• Mathematics
  • Introductory Mathematics
  • Mathematics for Science
• Science and Technology
  • Information Technology for Academic Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
• The Arts
  • Introduction to Media
  • Media Production
• Business and Legal Studies
  • Accounting
  • Management
  • Economics

Leading to: Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Examine crime from a range of perspectives – including law, sociology and psychology – as you learn how to reduce and prevent crime, and help both victims and offenders in the criminal justice system. Explore how the mind works, why people commit offences, and what can be done to rehabilitate them. You’ll have the option to specialise in Legal Studies, Criminal Behaviour, Crime Science or White Collar and Corporate Crime.

By combining your criminology degree with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, you’ll build your expertise in the social and developmental areas of psychology, and complete a unit in Family Relations and Social Development. You’ll examine leading-edge research and practical applications to explore how we make sense of ourselves.

Major: Criminal Behaviour
You’ll learn to challenge common perceptions of crime as you investigate why people commit offences, how to reduce or prevent crime, and how to help both victims and offenders involved in the criminal justice system.

You’ll examine punishment as a solution to crime while also considering the role of treatment as a response to criminal behaviour and the importance of reintegration.

Exploring criminal behaviour from a social, psychological, biological and legal perspective is an integral part of this course and you will consider the criminal behaviour of both adults and children. During your studies you’ll have the opportunity to learn the practical skills and ways of thinking that can help you forge a rewarding career after you graduate. Hear how these practical skills have fuelled Abbey's passion for criminology and unlocked her free thinking in the classroom.

3 reasons to study Criminal Behaviour at Murdoch

• Learn to make a difference in people’s lives as you explore what can cause criminal behaviour and how it might be prevented.
• Challenge common perceptions of crime with insights into why people commit offences, how to reduce or prevent crime, and how to help both victims and offenders involved in the criminal justice system.
• Learn from respected experts in their field who often appear in the media to share their insights on current events and issues.

What you’ll learn
Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn:

• Criminal behaviour
• Psychology and law
• Children and crime
• Policing and crime prevention
• Culture, diversity and crime
• Technology, crime and justice