Program

The Master of Science in Forensic Science consists of a minimum of 32 credits, including a report or thesis based upon the student's original research. For more information, consult the Graduate Catalog.

• Course Requirements

  Students must take at least 32 credits and earn a grade of "C" or higher in all courses, with an average of 3.0 or higher.

  Required Courses:

  • CHS 5542 Forensic Chemistry (3)
  • BSC 5406 Forensic Biology (3)
  • CHS 5535 Forensic Analysis (3)

  
  

  Electives (minimum 15 credits):

  • Thesis Research BSC 6971 or CHM 6970 or approved cognate 6 (minimum)
  • Thesis Proposal Seminar BSC 5931 or CHM 6935 or approved cognate 1
  • Thesis Defense Seminar BSC 5975 or CHM 6971 or approved cognate 1
    • Workshops and laboratories (up to 6 credits) may be substituted by lecture electives as described below.
    • At least nine credits of additional graduate-level courses (excluding research and seminars) approved by the student's thesis committee in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Criminal Justice, Legal Psychology, and Medical Laboratory Sciences courses may serve as electives with approval from the committee. Credits taken at the 4000 level beyond six credits, or taken at lower levels, will not count toward graduation.

  
  

  A maximum of six credits of post-baccalaureate coursework may be transferred from other institutions, subject to the approval of the Graduate Committee. The committee, which will consist of the Graduate Program Director and members from the Chemistry and Biology departments, meets at the end of the spring semester to consider the fall applications to the master's program.

• Core Course Descriptions

  CHS 5542 Forensic Chemistry (3): Advanced analytical methods in forensic chemistry for application to the analysis of controlled substances, materials (ie. paint, glass and fibers), flammable and explosive residues with an emphasis on new methods and method development. (Spring)

  BSC 5406 Forensic Biology (3): Advanced forensic applications of molecular biology including PCR, and STR techniques and other laboratory methods and data interpretation. (Fall)

  CHS 5535 Forensic Analysis (3): Advanced topics on the role that physical evidence plays in the criminal justice system. Topics include crime scene methods, laboratory management and the legal framework as it relates towards physical evidence. (Fall)

• MSFS 2021 Student Manuals

  academics/ms-forensic-science/program/mfsf-thesis-option-2021-jdw.doc

  academics/ms-forensic-science/program/msfs-report-option-2021-jdw.doc