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Allan Barton and Bob Mead are university professors in the Division of Science and Engineering at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. Allan teaches chemistry and researches the production, properties, and applications of 1,8-cineole (from eucalyptus oil) and similar natural products, as well as the correlation of solubility properties on the basis of cohesion parameters. He is also interested in product innovation and technology transfer and the use of conceptual models in undergraduate learning. Bob is a molecular biologist with research interests in the toxicology and metabolism of fluorinated pesticides particularly fluoroacetate and 1,3 difluoro-2-propanol, the development of antidotes to combat accidental ingestion of toxins, and the mode of toxic action of plant secondary compounds particularly in relation to plant-animal interaction. Direct correspondence to Allan Barton or to Editor. |
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Forensic Biology & Toxicology
In Western Australia, as in many other place, Allan found there was a decline in interest shown by school-leavers in chemistry and the other physical sciences. This was despite an increasing dependence of the community on both chemical products and chemical analysis, and the relatively small numbers of chemistry graduates readily found jobs. By contrast, there was strong interest in biology and environmental science courses, but immediate employment on graduation was not assured.
Back in 1996, there were no forensic science courses at any of the universities in Western Australia, and after discussions with a wide range of professionals in the community, Allan proposed a broad degree in forensic science drawing on a variety of units already taught in the university in molecular biology, chemistry, other sciences, and law.
His reasoning was that there was a growing popular fascination with forensic science, and even if graduates of the course could not get positions as true “forensic scientists,” they would have a solid scientific qualification in an interdisciplinary area, together with training in the attention to detail and ethical responsibility and be well prepared for many other jobs. The techniques of molecular biology and analytical chemistry are highly transportable and apart from jobs in criminal forensics, graduates can expect to find employment in areas of medicine (production of vaccines, diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases, investigating the molecular basis of cancer), agriculture (production of disease-resistant crops), conservation biology (wildlife forensics and the analysis of ancient DNA), and in industry (pharmaceutical companies, Government health, and analytical laboratories).
Universities tend to be rather conservative places with multi-layered decision-making structures: Allan's proposal failed to receive the support it need for implementation, and there were two main criticisms. One was that the course would not be successful: there would be no demand for it. Paradoxically, the other was that the course would be too popular: the job market would be flooded with forensic science graduates, with no jobs available for them.
All that survived from Allan's original proposal was one new unit called simply “Forensic Science,” available as an elective in a wide range of courses, which has been offered every year since 1999, and its website is available here. One of the students in this unit in its first year was Anna Borowitzka.
For many seventeen year-olds, deciding on a career path is not easy. But it wasn't a problem for Anna. Even at school she was fascinated by the new technologies being developed for DNA analysis and how they could be used to help solve crimes. In the absence of a forensic biology degree in Western Australia at the time she left school, she decided to undertake a Bachelor of Science degree at Murdoch University, majoring in Bob's molecular biology course. She knew that this degree would provide her with the DNA technologies she needed to realize her dream. During her studies she acquired skills in DNA fingerprinting, biochemistry and microbiology and learnt about their application to forensics from Allan's forensic science unit. Then, after graduating, she moved to Sydney, on the other side of Australia. Fortunately, the New South Wales Government had identified a need to expand the use of molecular forensic techniques in the fight against crime, and Anna was soon appointed to the position of Forensic Biologist in the NSW Health Department. Her training and background were exactly what her new employers wanted, and the message came back to Murdoch University: "We want more like her!"
This prompted Bob to explore the concept of a new degree: not the general forensic science qualification previously proposed by Allan, but specific training in forensic biology. Reinvigorated by this approach, Allan drew up a parallel proposal in forensic toxicology. Bob as foundation program chair guided the Forensic Biology and Toxicology proposal through the tortuous university approval process, and it was launched in 2004. In retrospect, Allan now agrees that such a targeted qualification is far superior to a general degree in forensic science: as in any other area of endeavor it is essential to specialize. Breadth is provided by the planned “double majors” at Murdoch University. Another university in Perth introduced a Forensic Science degree centered on chemistry, but has now decided to offer it as Forensic Chemistry. (Perth 's four public universities have managed to avoid direct competition in their forensic degrees: concentrating on forensic biology and toxicology, forensic chemistry, forensic psychology and graduate courses respectively.)
In its is first year, Forensic Biology and Toxicology attracted 159 first-preference applications from school leavers in Perth, in comparison with 17 in chemistry and 20 in molecular biology. The university was overwhelmed by the response, because it had not made a specific quota of places available for this new area, but was able to admit 80.
In reviewing the new Forensic Biology and Toxicology degree at Murdoch, Anna felt that the new degree was more solid than other forensics programs she had looked at. “The emphasis on double and triple majors in relevant areas is very important, as is a good grounding in statistics.” Anna said that if the new program had been available at the time she was choosing her course, she would have applied for it! Anna chose Murdoch University for her Molecular Biology degree because of its reputation for quality. “Science degrees from Murdoch are very well respected and I'm sure this was a big factor in my favor when I applied for the position. Murdoch is very strong in research and I knew the University would be at the forefront of the technologies I needed. Not only is Murdoch student-friendly and staffed by lecturers who really know their stuff, but the courses are very hands-on."
The establishment of a national Australian DNA database to help identify criminals, the use of genetic analysis in paternity testing, and the increased application of DNA profiling in medicine, agriculture, and in conservation biology has resulted in increased employment opportunities for graduates with well-honed skills in molecular genetics. The acquisition of these skills together with hands on training in modern analytical techniques including gas chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, high performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry provides a breadth of employment opportunities for Forensic Biology and Toxicology graduates.
Murdoch University has developed a structure which facilitates interdisciplinary courses and the ability to change direction or emphasis during a course. Thus it is possible to study a Forensic Biology and Toxicology Major with Criminology and Biomedical Science Minors in the minimum three years, or Forensic Biology and Toxicology/Molecular Biology/Biomedical Science Triple Major with Criminology Minor in 4 years. In a new development Allan is planning for 2006, it should be possible to complete a triple major in Drug Design and Analysis/Forensic Biology and Toxicology/Molecular Biology in three years. Students from outside Australia are also welcome in these courses, and information can be obtained from the Murdoch University Prospective Students website.
Copyright 2005 by Allan Barton
| "Oh what a tangled
web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." |
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