Past Curriculum

Curriculum For Incoming Fall 2021 - Summer 2022

A total of 36 credit hours, for Plan II, or 37 credit hours, for Plan I, of coursework at the graduate level are required.

Core Coursework (6 Credit Hours)

• FORI 5400           Law, Evidence and Procedure (3)
  
• CRJU 6510            Seminar in Criminal Justice Ethics (3)

Required Coursework (25 credit hours)

• FSCI 5100             Principles of Crime Scene Investigation (3)
  
• FSCI 5230            Forensic Biology (3)   
  
• FSCI 5300            Pharmacology/Toxicology of Drug Addiction (3)
• FSCI 6100             Microscopy, Materials Analysis, & Pattern Evidence (4)
• FSCI 6200            Forensic DNA Analysis (4)
• FSCI 6300            Forensic Applications of Analytical Chemistry & Instrumental Methods of Analysis (4)
  
• FSCI 6700            Forensic Laboratory Management (3)
  
• FSCI 6800            Seminar in Forensic Science (1)

Laboratory Courses (Choose One- 2 Credit Hours)

• FSCI 6510             Forensic Chemistry Lab & Moot Court (2)
  
• FSCI 6520            Forensic Biology Lab & Moot Court (2)
  

Elective Courses (Not Required for MSFS)

• BIOL 5010*          Molecular Biology (3)
  
• BIOL 3500*         General Genetics (4) - Undergraduate Level
  
• CHEM 5450*       General Biochemistry (3)
  
• BIOL 6030*         Advanced Biostatistics (3)
  
• Other courses as approved by Graduate Coordinator

*Coursework required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the undergraduate or graduate level for DNA analysts, credits do not count toward MSFS.

Two Plans for Degree Completion (3- Up to 6 Credit Hours)

Plan I: Thesis Option

• FSCI 6790^          Research Proposal Writing (1)
  
• FSCI 6990            Thesis Research (3)

^Successful completion of course required prior to registration for Thesis Research (FSCI 6990)

OR

Plan II: Research Project

• FSCI 6910             Directed Research (3)

Note: The Master of Science in Forensic Science plan typically requires two full years including one summer semester.

Prior to Fall 2021 Curriculum

A total of 36 credit hours of coursework at the graduate level are required.

Core Coursework (12 credit hours)

• FORI 6010                  Elements of Forensic Science (3)
  
• FORI 6050                 Criminalistics (3)
  
• FORI 5400                 Law, Evidence and Procedure (3)
  
• CRJU 6510                  Seminar in Criminal Justice Ethics (3)
  
  

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY CONCENTRATION

Forensic Chemistry - Required Courses (15 credit hours)

• CHEM 5540               Instrumental Methods of Analysis (3)
• BIOL 5460                 Light and Electron Microscopy (3)
  
• CHEM 5450               Biochemistry (3)
  
• CHEM 5770                Forensic Chemistry (3)
  
• FSCI 5300                  Pharmacology/Toxicology of Drug Addiction (3)

Forensic Chemistry - Elective Courses (9 credit hours)

• FSCI 6700                  Forensic Laboratory Management (3)
• CHEM 5660               Spectrographic Methods in Organic Chemistry (3)
• CHEM 6250               Advanced Analytical Chemistry (3)
• FSCI 6820                 Topics in Laboratory Forensics (3)
• FSCI 6840                 Directed Readings n Forensic Science (3)
• FSCI 6990                 Thesis Research (3)
• Other courses as approved by Graduate Coordinator

FORENSIC BIOLOGY CONCENTRATION

Forensic Biology - Required Courses (15 credit hours)

• CHEM 5540               Instrumental Methods of Analysis (3)
  
• BIOL 5460                 Light and Electron Microscopy (3)
  
• BIOL 5030                 Advanced Microbiology (3)
  
• FSCI 5200                  Forensic and Molecular Biology (3)
  
• FSCI 6200                  Advanced Forensic and Molecular Biology (3)

Forensic Biology - Elective Courses (9 credit hours)

• FSCI 6700                  Forensic Laboratory Management (3)
• BIOL 5690                 Medical Entomology (3)
• BIOL 5320                 Plant Taxonomy and Forensic Applications (3)
  
• BIOL 6030                 Advanced Biostatistics (3)
  
• BIOL 5490                 Epidemiology (3)
  
• FSCI 6820                  Topics in Laboratory Forensics (3)
• FSCI 6840                  Directed Readings n Forensic Science (3)
• FSCI 6990                  Thesis Research (3)
• Other courses as approved by Graduate Coordinator