Forensic Degrees Online

Forensic Science Technology (BS)
Application Code: 2023
Degree Received: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Academic Department: Physical and Life Sciences
Description:

The forensic science technology program is a technically rigorous four-year program culminating in a bachelor of science in forensic science. Students in the program will have the choice of focusing on biological applications within forensics, e.g., DNA fingerprinting, genetic analysis and microbiology, or can specialize in the chemical practicalities, notably: physicochemical analysis and identification of drugs, fibers, soils, glass, and other types of physical evidence. Majors will also have the opportunity to broaden and deepen their training by selecting three technical electives and two open electives. All majors in the program will be required to take a core course load that includes extensive preparation in physics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry as well as more advanced training in organic chemistry, biochemistry, instrumental methods, criminalistics, law, criminal justice, technical writing, and a senior internship and/or independent research experience.
Entrance Requirements & Recommendations:
Required: Math A & B (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry), Biology, Chemistry, SAT and/or ACT
scores with a recommended combined SAT score of 1000 (critical reading and math) or a composite ACT score of 21.
Physics strongly recommended.
Features & Facilities:

Dedicated laboratories include the complete arsenal of forensic methodologies: GC-MS, FTIR, polarizing and comparison microscopy, HPLC, GC, AAS, UV-VIS, fluorescence spectroscopy, PCR, and genetic analyzers. Hands-on mastery of bioanalytical and instrumental methods is strongly emphasized.
Graduation Requirements:
Completion of courses listed below
Minimum of 121 total credit hours, a minimum of 46 which must be from upper division course work
Completion of either a semester-long internship in a working forensic laboratory setting OR a semester-long directed research/independent study project
Grade of “C” or higher in all chemistry, biology, and forensic science courses
Completion of a “mock trial” capstone experience
Transfer Opportunities:

Depending on their choice of tracks and electives, graduates will also be able to continue their education at a graduate level in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, biology, or chemistry.
Career Opportunities:

The graduate of this program will be well prepared for forensic scientist positions in crime laboratories or employment in any laboratory-based enterprise which employs chemical or biological technologies.
Typical Semester Layout: First Semester credits
CHEM 1984 Chemical Principles I 4
BIOL 1104 General Biology I 4
FRSC 1001 Intro to Forensic Tech 1
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3
MATH 2124 Stat Methods & Analysis 4
16

Second Semester credits
CHEM 2984 Chemical Principles II 4
BIOL 2204 General Biology II 4
MATH 1084 Calculus I 4
SPCH 1083 Effective Speaking 3
15

Third Semester credits
CHEM 3514 Organic Chemistry I 4
PHYS 1044 College Physics I 4
HIST xxx3 Amer History Elective 3
SPAN xxx3 Foreign Lang Elective 3
HPED xxx1 Stat Methods & Analysis 1
15

Fourth Semester credits
CHEM 4524 Organic Chemistry II 4
PHYS 2044 College Physics II 4
CJUS 1003 Intro to Criminal Justice 3
xxx3 Technical Elective 3
14

Fifth Semester credits
CHEM 5414 Analytical Principles OR
BIOL 5254 Principles of Microbiology 4
CJUS 6003 Law & Criminal Evidence 3
COMP 5703 Technical Writing 3
FNAT xxx3 Fine Arts Elective 3
xxx3 Open Elective 3
16

Sixth Semester credits
CHEM 6854 Physical Chemistry OR
BIOL 6534 Genetics 4
CHEM 6614 Instrumental Analysis 4
PHIL 6053 Philosophy of Science 3
xxx3 Technical Elective 3
14

Seventh Semester credits
FRSC 7104 Criminalistics I 4
CHEM 7784 Biochemistry 4
xxx3 Technical Elective 3
HIST 1113 Western Civilization 3
ANTH 5113 Cross-Cultural Encounters 3
17

Eighth Semester credits
FRSC 8104 Criminalistics II 4
FRSC 8114 Senior Seminar 4
FRSC 8900 Research/Independent Study 3
SOCI 5213 Science, Technology & Society 3
xxx3 Open Elective 3
17

Approved Technical Electives credits
BIOL 1404 Anatomy & Physiology I 4
BIOL 2504 Anatomy & Physiology II 4
BIOL 2633 Histotechniques 3
BIOL 4403 Pathophysiology 3
BIOL 5223 Genetic Engineering 3
CISY 3023 Advanced Computer Spreadsheets 3
MATH 2094 Calculus II 4
MEDR 1132 Essentials of Pharmacology 2

One upper level technical or open elective must be taken for sufficient upper level credits.

Forensic Science Courses

Below is a list of the courses that comprise the core curriculum for the Forensic Science degree.

FSCI 500
Survey of Forensic Science
This survey course is a graduate level introduction to the many ways in which science and the law interrelate. It will provide the student with an understanding of the two primary arenas of Forensic Science-The Lab and The Courtroom. Topics covered will include forensic chemistry, forensic biology, the expert witness, physical evidence and the crime scene. Topics related to employability as a forensic scientist and workplace demands will also be introduced. In this course, students will begin to explore in detail their specific areas of interest within the broad discipline of Forensic Science. Three credits.

FSCI 610
Physical Evidence
The student will learn to identify physical evidence and recognize its value as it relates to the solution of crime. The concepts of Identification, Individualization, and Association will be discussed. The categories of physical evidence studied will include fingerprints, drugs, documents, soil, arson evidence, gunshot residue, hair, fiber, and the biological evidence categories, such as blood, saliva, and semen. The value of DNA evidence will be discussed. Four credits.

FSCI 615
Safety/Quality Control/Quality Assurance
This course prepares the student to be knowledgeable in the stringent safety and Quality Assurance procedures routinely in operation within an accredited forensic laboratory. Additionally, students will learn about the Quality Criteria that govern the work product of an accredited forensic lab. The course will emphasize the practices that protect the work product through good QC/QA with emphasis on current accreditation criteria, and those policies that protect the most important aspect of the lab-the employee. Two credits.

FSCI 655
Practicum Rotations
The student will rotate through forensic science disciplines at a local crime laboratory facility or law enforcement agency. The practicum rotation will provide students with first-hand experience in observing the activities of a working forensic laboratory. When possible, the student will be assigned a project in a forensic area. Three credits.

FSCI 720
Seminar in Forensic Science I
This course will cover a broad range of topics within the forensic science disciplines. The student will prepare presentations based on papers from peer-reviewed scientific journals and will present these papers to his/her peers for discussion and critique of the scientific merit of the paper. In addition, visiting forensic scientists will present periodically on new techniques, topics and research in the forensic sciences. Topics related to professional practice will also be emphasized, including standards for ethical behavior, workplace demands, and professionalism. One credit.

FSCI 721
Seminar in Forensic Science II
This course is a continuation of FSCI 720. A great emphasis on student presentations will be emphasized. One credit.

FSCI 760
Research and Thesis I
This is laboratory-based research project that will culminate in a formal master’s thesis or a formal scientific paper. This course is the first half of a two course, year-long sequence that will conclude with FSCI 761. The student will conduct a forensic science research project on campus or at one of the local police forensic science laboratories. Under the direction of the host mentor, each student will perform independent and original research that is part of the host laboratory’s ongoing research program. The student will develop a formal research proposal which he/she will then present to the faculty and fellow graduate students. The student will complete a minimum of 300 hours of laboratory work during this course toward the completion of the thesis. Written requirements include keeping a formal laboratory notebook, preparing the introductions/literature review section of the thesis, and completing initial drafts of the methods and results sections of the thesis. Three credits.

FSCI 761
Research and Thesis II
This is a laboratory based research project that will culminate in a formal master’s thesis or a formal scientific paper. This course is the second half of a two course, year-long sequence that began with FSCI 760. The student will complete the forensic science research project begun in FSCI 760 on campus or at one of the local police forensic laboratories. Under the direction of the host mentor, each student will perform independent and original research that is part of the host laboratory’s ongoing research program. The student will complete a minimum of 200 hours of laboratory work during this course toward the completion of the thesis. Requirements include keeping a formal laboratory notebook, and completing and defending the final draft of the Master’s thesis. Additionally, the student will present his/her research results to the scientific community in the form of a seminar and poster presentation. Three credits.

FSCOR 701
Mock Trial Capstone
This course prepares students to testify in court proceedings by requiring them to undergo examination in a mock grand jury setting, a mock trial cross-examination and/or a mock deposition. Oral communication skills as they relate to eliciting and giving testimony will be stressed. The effective use of exhibits as aids to testimony will be emphasized. Students will learn how to present physical and documentary evidence using technology that includes a document camera, SmartBoard, and projection media. Students will also prepare CVs. Class will focus on discussion of the American Court system, courtroom procedures, relevant Fourth Amendment cases, the admissibility of expert testimony, ethics and objectivity as they pertain to experts, and how to be an effective testifying expert. Legal cases will be analyzed with respect to the proper collection, analysis and presentation of evidence in court. Students will have the opportunity to discuss with practicing forensic scientists, technicians and members of the defense bar, issues that pertain to proper evidence collection and testifying in court. Prerequisites: 33 graduate credits, including all FSCOR courses. Four credits.

Curriculum

Master of Science in Forensic Science degree
Core courses in the Master of Science in Forensic Science curriculum offer a broad exposure to forensic laboratory equipment and instrumentation as well as exposure to criminal procedures and expert testimony, forensic biology, forensic chemistry, trace evidence, physical evidence, professional ethics, quality assurance, and current topics in research and development within the forensic sciences. In addition, students entering this program specialize within the field. Students are required to select a concentration track by the end of their first semester. Tracks offered include forensic biology, forensic chemistry/drugs and toxicology, forensic chemistry/trace, and the forensic physical (evidence) track. Regardless of the track selected, the curriculum is designed to prepare students for a career in a forensic science laboratory setting.

The Master of Science in Forensic Science requires 36 semester hours of course work; this includes 24 semester hours from required core course work and 12 semester hours from the specialized course work designed for each track. The graduate program is a full-time, two-year program designed to accommodate only full-time graduate students. Courses will vary depending on the track selected; however, required and elective courses are offered at various times throughout the weekdays (morning, afternoon and evening). The 2008-09 bulletin is available online at http://www.vcu.edu/bulletins.

Course requirements and descriptions

Master of Science in Forensic Science degree

Core Requirements (24 credits)

FRSC 570 Forensic Science Seminar (attend 3 semesters)
FRSC 661 Analysis of Pattern Evidence -OR-
FRSC 662 Firearm and Toolmark Identification
FRSC 670 Forensic Evidence and Criminal Procedure
FRSC 671 Instrumentation in Forensic Chemistry
FRSC 673 Forensic Microscopy
FRSZ 673L Forensic Microscopy Laboratory
FRSC 675 Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis
FRSZ 675L Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis Laboratory
FRSC 677 Expert Testimony in Forensic Science
FRSC 793 Forensic Science Laboratory Internship

Tracks (12 credits – choose one track)

Forensic Biology track
FRSC 676 Advanced Forensic DNA Analysis
BIOL 516 Population Genetics -OR-
STAT 543 Statistical Methods I
Approved electives (6 credits)

Forensic Chemistry/Drug analysis and Toxicology track
FRSC 672 Advanced Drug Analysis
PHTX 644 Forensic Toxicology
Approved electives (6 credits)

Forensic Chemistry/Trace analysis track
FRSC 681 Analysis of Fire Debris and Explosives
FRSC 682 Forensic Analysis of Paint and Polymers
Approved electives (6 credits)

Forensic Physical track
FRSC 661 Analysis of Pattern Evidence -OR-
FRSC 662 Firearm and Toolmark Identification
FRSC 665 Scientific Crime Scene Investigation
Approved electives (6 credits)

The Online Master of Science in Forensic Science(Report Option ONLY)

Department of Biological Sciences
Forensic Science Graduate Program Director
Director, Forensic DNA Profiling Facility

Note: This option is only available for working forensic laboratory scientists. No exceptions.

The Master of Science in Forensic Science report option is designed for practicing forensic scientists who wish to pursue the online program that requires the student to perform their research at their laboratory on a topic approved by a faculty member of IFRI and an onsite supervisor who oversees and supports the erfforts of the student. The student must be employed and have approval from their laboratory director to engage in this program. The courses are offered online, but certain courses require the presence of the student on campus for no more than a week in order to complete laboratory workshops, presentations and final examinations. Typically this is one week at the end of the semester. The findings and conclusions of the research project are written up and presented to a panel of faculty, but it does not involve a formal committee as with the traditional onsite thesis MS program.

The Certificate in Forensic Science is an Undergraduate Program

Dr. Anthony DeCaprio (adecapr@fiu.edu)
Department of Chemistry,
Director of the Forensic Science Certificate Program
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

This undergraduate Certificate in Forensic Science is designed to educate scientists who want to pursue a career in the forensic sciences and to work in a forensic laboratory as an examiner. This program is designed primarily for chemistry or biology majors but may also be completed by other natural science majors with a minor in chemistry and who meet all the pre-requisite and program requirements. Completion of the undergraduate certifcate program in forensic science in conjunction with a BS in Chemistry is recognized by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (FEPAC) as an accreditted program in Forensic Science.

Forensic Science

The forensic sciences form a vital part of the entire justice and regulatory system. Some of the different disciplines of forensic science have become identified primarily with law enforcement – an image enhanced by television and movies.

Forensic scientists have become increasingly involved with archaeology, solving ancient mysteries, and making new historical discoveries.

Forensic scientists or criminalists work in forensic laboratories in police departments, district attorney’s offices, regional and state agencies, medical examiners’ offices, private companies, colleges and universities, federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Postal Service (USPS), Secret Service (SS), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the military forces, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

New forensic scientists may start as a bench scientist after graduating from college and through education and dedication, work their way up to forensic laboratory director. Some may wish to pursue the many opportunities to teach at colleges and universities. As science advances, more criminalists will be needed to perform new tests in an ever-expanding field of work.

Forensic science is a rewarding career where the love of science can be applied to the good of society, public health, and public safety.

Master of Forensic Science Program

The Master of Forensic Science (MFS) degree is a 42-credit-hour program that prepares students to be leaders in the field of forensic science as law enforcement, crime scene investigators, or forensic laboratory specialists.

The first-year curriculum focuses on giving the student a broad-based knowledge of the forensic sciences. The second year classes offer students a choice of three tracks: behavioral sciences, biology and chemistry, and investigative sciences. The program provides all students with an understanding of the sciences employed in the rapidly expanding field of forensics.

Courses are offered mainly on Saturdays and Friday evenings. This unique schedule allows professionals to work full time while taking courses to obtain the advanced degree. Entering students are admitted only in the fall semester which means each class remains together throughout the program. For most students, the program takes two and a half years to complete. Tuition for the 2008-09 school year is $325 per credit hour.

The NWU Master of Forensic Science Program was established in 2000. The MFS program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.