Birch was educated at University of Melbourne, receiving a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 1939, and his first job was in the entomology department at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute at the University of Adelaide, where he earned a Doctorate of Science in 1941.
Birch was educated at University of Melbourne. Birch was receiving a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 1939. His first job was in the entomology department at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute at the University of Adelaide. He earned a Doctorate of Science in 1941.