Forensic Degrees Online

Degree Information: Forensic and Investigative ScienceGranted By Purdue University
Academic Unit Purdue School of Science
school website | view all majors in this school
Department Department of Forensic & Investigative Science
department website | view all majors in this department
Degree(s) Bachelor of Science
More information about this degree program

Master of Science
More information about this degree program

Overview In Fall of 2004, IUPUI began the first forensic science degree program in Indiana. Completion of this program leads to the Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic and Investigative Sciences. All students take a core of science classes and university requirements. Then each student chooses one of the current six concentrations: Chemistry, Biology, Computer forensics, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Environmental Science and Health Investigations.

The program also includes courses in imaging and photography, law and forensic science, and laboratory courses in forensic chemistry and biology as well as an opportunity to do an internship at a crime laboratory. Graduates of the program will be able to seek employment in crime labs, scientific industries, environmental agencies and federal or local law enforcement.

Degree Information: Forensic and Investigative ScienceGranted By Purdue University
Academic Unit Purdue School of Science
school website | view all majors in this school
Department Department of Forensic & Investigative Science
department website | view all majors in this department
Degree(s) Bachelor of Science
More information about this degree program

Master of Science

Overview In Fall of 2004, IUPUI began the first forensic science degree program in Indiana. Completion of this program leads to the Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic and Investigative Sciences. All students take a core of science classes and university requirements. Then each student chooses one of the current six concentrations: Chemistry, Biology, Computer forensics, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Environmental Science and Health Investigations.

The program also includes courses in imaging and photography, law and forensic science, and laboratory courses in forensic chemistry and biology as well as an opportunity to do an internship at a crime laboratory. Graduates of the program will be able to seek employment in crime labs, scientific industries, environmental agencies and federal or local law enforcement.

Prerequisites

Specific requirements for each track are listed below. Requirements may be waived upon request of evaluation of transcripts and/or work experience. Courses in anatomy and physiology are recommended for all tracks. A grade of B- or better is required for prerequisite courses

Forensic Biology/Chemistry
One semester biology or organic chemistry
Two semesters biochemistry (or one semester biochemistry and one semester molecular biology or molecular genetics)
One semester quantitative chemistry or analytical chemistry or statistics
One semester genetics or cellular biology
Recommended: one semester of anatomy or physiology

Behavioral Science
Personality psychology
Social psychology
Abnormal psychology
Statistics
Research methods
Recommended: clinical psychology, anatomy or physiology

Investigative Sciences
One semester of statistics
One semester of research methods
Recommended: one semester of anatomy or physiology

Master of Forensic Science Degree RequirementsCore Courses (required)
505 Fundamentals of Crime Scene Investigation 3 credits
506 Fundamentals of Evidence Processing 3 credits
507 Criminal Law and the Law of Evidence 3 credits
508 Medicolegal Death Investigation 3 credits
509 Cold Case Practicum 2 credits
597 Internship 2 credits

Forensic Science Specialty Area Courses
Behavioral Science Courses
(23 credits required)
515 Advanced Crime Scene Investigation 4 credits
516 Crime Scene House Practical 2 credits

530 Forensic Psychology 3 credits
531 Violence, Mental Illness and Risk Assessment 3 credits
532 Serial Offenders and Personality 3 credits
533 Criminal Investigative Analysis 3 credits
599 Internship/Research 6 credits
Forensic Biology/Chemistry Courses
(24 credits required)
516 Crime Scene House Practical 2 credits
540 Analytical Sciences as a Basis for Forensic Investigation 4 credits
541 Introduction to Forensic Biology 4 credits
542 DNA Testing, Quality Control and Lab Safety 6 credits
547 Forensic Chemistry 4 credits
599 Research Project 5 credits
Investigative Sciences
(23 credits required)
515 Advanced Crime Scene Investigation 4 credits
516 Crime Scene House Practical 2 credit
521 Forensic Archaeology 3 credits
522 Violence in Society 3 credits
523 Document Analysis 3 credits
599 Internship/Research 6 credits

Elective Seminars
(2 credits required for Behavioral Science & Investigative Science tracks; 1 credit required for Forensic Biology/Chemistry track)
572 Blood Spatter Analysis 1 credit
573 Advanced Blood Spatter Analysis 1 credit
576 Forensic Anthropology 1 credit
577 Expert Witness Testimony 1 credit
578 Forensic Linguistics 1 credit
579 Interviewing 1 credit

There are 42 Total Credits Required for a Master of Forensic Science Degree.

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.