Forensic Science (M.S.)

Admission Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale).
  2. An official transcript of the applicant’s undergraduate program showing successful completion of 48 credit hours of college science and mathematics courses, including the following coursework: one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry with laboratory, a course in analytical chemistry, one year of general biology (including cell biology), a course in genetics or population genetics, and a course in either molecular biology or biochemistry.
  3. A minimum GPA in the required chemistry and biology coursework of 2.9 (on a 4.0-point scale).
  4. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with the applicant’s academic record.
  5. A written statement concerning the applicant’s academic background, future plans, and areas of research interest.

In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (17 credit hours)
FOR 612PRINCIPLES OF FORENSIC SCIENCE3
FOR 614FORENSIC APPLICATIONS OF INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS4
FOR 616MICROSCOPY IN FORENSIC SCIENCE2
FOR 618DRUG CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY3
BIO/CHE 672FORENSIC MOLECULAR BIOLOGY4
CHE 698JOURNAL SEMINAR1
Approved Electives (6-9 credit hours) **
Choose from the following: 6
CHE 572
ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY
FOR 598
GRADUATE MICROCOURSE * (1-3)
CHE 626
SYMMETRY, GROUP THEORY, AND VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY (1)
CHE 627
X-RAY CRYSTALLOGRAPHY (1)
CHE 628
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY (1)
CHE 629
MASS SPECTROMETRY (1)
CHE 670
BIOMOLECULES: PROTEINS, NUCLEIC ACIDS, AND ENZYMES
CHE 680
ADVANCED ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
BIO 601
FOUNDATIONS OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
BIO 608
MOLECULAR GENETICS
GES 513
APPLIED FORENSIC GEOSCIENCE
CRJ 630
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Research Credit (4-8 credit hours)
Choose one of the following options:
1) Thesis Option (8 credit hours)
CHE 699
THESIS SEMINAR AND DEFENSE (2)
Select one research option:
FOR 795
RESEARCH THESIS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE (1-12)
CHE 795
RESEARCH THESIS IN CHEMISTRY (1-12)
BIO 695
RESEARCH THESIS IN BIOLOGY (1-6)
2) Project Option (4 credit hours)
FOR 690
MASTERS PROJECT (1-4)
or CHE 690
 MASTER'S PROJECT
Note : while students can sign up for CHE 795, FOR 795, BIO 695 in anywhere from 1-12 crs, they must take a total of 6 credits for the degree.
Total Required Credit Hours 31
*

A maximum of 3 credits of FOR 598 may be used to the satisfy the elective course requirement.

**

Students selecting the Thesis Option must take 6 credits of electives; students selecting the Project Option must complete 9 credits of electives.

Students will:

  1. develop expertise in areas of scientific knowledge that are essential to forensic scientists
  2. acquire skills and experience in the application of basic forensic science concepts and of specialty knowledge to problem solving
  3. be oriented in professional values, concepts and ethics
  4. acquire the basic knowledge necessary for effective testimony as an expert witness
  5. demonstrate effective oral communication of scientific information
  6. demonstrate integration of knowledge and skills through a capstone experience