Program Overview

This is the only degree of its kind in Western Australia. Study a Bachelor of Criminology with a Bachelor of Science to gain a unique set of skills and expand your career options.

In your Bachelor of Science coursework, you will 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 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.

Major: Legal Studies

If you’re looking for an exciting career and the chance to make a difference, a major in Legal Studies within the field of criminology could really take you places. You’ll examine the Australian legal system and the way it shapes our society through a range of issues such as welfare law and human trafficking.

Law transcends all industries. Find out how the law interacts with other areas, taking units in criminology as you study the foundations of business law and other areas of the law.

You’ll learn about dispute resolution and have the opportunity to develop your own dispute resolution skills through role play and interactive activities. You will learn a variety of dispute resolution processes including negotiation, conciliation, mediation and arbitration.  

You will investigate the interactions between law, crime, frameworks in societies and the various social grouping within society.

3 reasons to study Legal Studies at Murdoch

• Challenge the way you think about the world as you explore the legal system and how it shapes society.
• Learn to produce high quality and persuasive communications (for example research reports, court reports and policy reports) so you are job ready when you graduate.
• 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:

• Social and welfare law
• Criminological research methods
• Alternative dispute resolution
• International and transnational crimes
• Law, justice and social policy