Unravel the mysteries of the human body, explore how to detect diseases, decipher clues in forensic investigations, harness the power of genetics, or delve into the science of food at Murdoch Uni.

Let’s get the crystal ball out and take a peek into your future with our School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences.

A day in the life of a Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences (MMFS) student

There are so many interesting topics and activities across our undergraduate degrees. On any given day, you might:

• Develop the skills to diagnose and monitor medical conditions.
• Analyse evidence from a crime scene.
• Discover the power of genetics and molecular biology to feed a growing global population.
• Experience hands-on classes in cutting-edge forensic toxicology.
• Take classes in a variety of exciting subjects including biochemistry, physiology, pathology and more.
• Learn about vaccines and immune therapies.
• Create your own genetically modified microorganism.
• Actively learn how to develop novel food products.

The Murdoch difference

Our goal is to provide students with a personalised, friendly, and supportive university experience with a strong emphasis on practical skills, flexible approaches to learning, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Our academic staff are active researchers, enabling them to teach you the latest techniques in your chosen field.

Unique course opportunities

At Murdoch we allow students to mix and match their majors. With a double major, for example, students can complete two study areas in three years. Relevant minors can also be added to allow specialisations in particular areas of interest.

Study the only combined degree of its kind in WA

The Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Science is a WA-first. In the Science course, you’ll take Forensic Biology and Toxicology, and then you’ll choose a major for your Criminology course.

Advanced projects

Third-year students of Genetics and Molecular Biology, for example, have the chance to design their own unique genetic engineering or gene editing projects.

Learn at top-quality facilities

These include our Flexilab, a large open plan laboratory facility, our specialised teaching labs with state-of-the-art automation, just like what’s found in the industry, and our ultra-modern food innovation precinct where exploring the relationship between food products and nutrition can be done in partnership with industry. Read more about our facilities here.

Respected qualifications

Our Laboratory Medicine degree is one of a select group of degrees in Australia professionally accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS). This course prepares work-ready graduates trained in partnership with industry to start a career in medical diagnostics, monitoring of treatments, and disease prevention.

What blood can tell us about the human body. Read more.

Gain real forensics experience

Master of Forensic Science students obtain extensive, practical experience by using our farm at Whitby Falls to apply their skills to conduct authentic in-the-field crime scene examinations. Learn about the invaluable experiences at Murdoch’s own Whitby Falls Farm.

Scholarships

We are one of five Australian universities to partner with the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation in its Westpac Young Technologists Scholarship Program, where you could receive $15,000 to put toward your studies.

Beyond the classroom

What happens outside class is just as important for your future career and may even count towards course credit.

• Utilise our strong industry links. We have ongoing connections to major forensic agencies and the food and beverage industry, as well as the close-by Murdoch Health and Medical Precinct, which includes Fiona Stanley Hospital, St John of God Hospital, local private diagnostic pathology laboratories, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA.

• Work Integrated Learning. Is available in all of our courses. In our Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine, for example, final-year students spend 16 weeks in diagnostic pathology laboratories learning the skills required for employment in the sector. Currently, close to all of those students receive an offer of employment during work integrated learning, and in this course overall we are proud of our 100 per cent graduate employment rate.

• International study tours. You could go overseas on an international study tour, an example being our recent one to Malaysia for our program ‘Forensic Science: Breaking down barriers for justice: an intercultural approach to Crime Scene Investigation’.

• Spend a semester or two at a partner university overseas, seeing the world through the eyes of another culture.
• Peer mentoring. Students are invited to participate in this supportive mentoring program from first semester, onwards.

Choose your adventure: which degree and major will you pick?

We offer three undergraduate degrees at our school. Two of these are fully prescribed (the Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition and the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine), whilst the third (Bachelor of Science (Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences) has a variety of majors to choose from.

Students wanting to try a double major with a combination of two study areas (in medical science, forensic science and/or genetics and molecular biology) will find that in the Bachelor of Science. On the other hand, those specifically interested in food, nutrition and health may like the Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition. And those who want a career in the world of disease diagnosis may lean toward a Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine.

Discover more about the career opportunities open to our graduates. 

Your future awaits

Graduates from our School are sought-after in the industry, thanks to our rigorous training and world-class facilities. Notably, our student-centric teaching and purpose-designed specialised teaching labs have helped our Laboratory Medicine students obtain nation-leading rates of employment upon graduation.

As a student with us, you’ll have access to some of Australia’s leading academics and researchers, dedicated to excellence and progress in this fascinating and growing field. We’re building a brighter future, together, so please join us on the journey.