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 Science (Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences)
In Biomedical Science you’ll explore human disease and its treatment and prevention, and learn both fundamental and specific laboratory techniques required across the medical fields, including in medical research. Or you’ll learn about medical technology and gain analytical skills needed to succeed in medical diagnosis in Clinical Laboratory Science.

Majoring in Forensic Biology and Toxicology will see you learn to apply scientific thinking to investigate crime and even participate in simulated crime cases.  You’ll discover the molecular basis of genetics and how to analyse and manipulate genes in the process of genetic engineering if you decide to major in Genetics and Molecular Biology.

You’ll also have the opportunity to increase your scope by choosing minors across other disciplines including anatomy, biology, bioinformatics, pharmacology, ethics, or science communication. Our leading academics will guide and mentor you, as you explore the human body, forensic investigation, and/or DNA and genetics in-depth through extensive hands-on practical classes.

You can also expand on your career prospects by undertaking a double major or double degree with another scientific area.

Major: Forensic Chemistry

• Forensic Chemistry is the application of chemical knowledge to problems in the field of Forensic Science. The sky is the limit for what you can apply this to - from identification of illegal drugs and poisons through tracking down novel performance enhancing drugs, detecting counterfeit over the counter and prescription drugs, to even assessing claims of contaminated food or art fraud.
• Forensic Chemists not only need to be able to analyse chemical materials they also need to be able to understand how the chemical signatures of illegal processes might be masked or hidden and that requires a chemical level understanding of material and drug synthesis and manufacturing and the environmental fate of chemical pollutants.
• This major will expose you to the underlying chemistry for these processes and allow you to develop the required skills to address issues in forensic science across all these areas. Get hands on practice using advanced instrumental analysis techniques and experience how we can use advanced simulation and modelling software to assist in understanding how a chemical substance might be manufactured or masked. Get the chance to also learn how we can modify current and emerging methods for application in the Forensic Sciences and how these sometimes complicated methods and results can be communicated in a legal context.

3 Reasons to study Forensic Chemistry at Murdoch

• Learn from and interact with lecturers who have experience applying chemistry in a forensic context across a range of areas, including traditional forensic chemistry, namely illicit drugs, gunshot residues, fibres, glass, and other physical evidence, through to emerging forensic areas such as environmental pollution, food fraud and contamination, and pharmaceutical authentication, among many more.
• Research-inspired and industry-led curriculum content, ensures that your level of knowledge is current and at the edge of innovative developments,
• Practical, hands-on, competency-based coursework, with access to advanced and industry-relevant analytical methods and instrumentation.

What you’ll learn  

• The underlying principles and concepts of forensic chemistry.
• Methods of forensic chemistry, including the processes involved in developing scientific knowledge.
• How to retrieve, analyse, synthesise and evaluate forensic information from a range of sources.
• Conveying scientific ideas, arguments and conclusions clearly and coherently through well-developed written and oral communication skills.
• Identifying, analysing and generating solutions to unpredictable or complex forensic Chemistry problems by applying scientific knowledge and skills with initiative and well-developed judgement.