Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences
Associate Dean and Department Chair: Ellen Roskes, Ph.D.
Description
Stevenson University offers two program options in the study of forensic science. One option is a BS/MFS program where students can earn a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry in four years and a master's degree in forensic science in as little as one additional year. For additional information regarding the B.S. degree in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry, please see the biochemistry, biology, or chemistry sections of this catalog. The other option is a two-year master's degree program, which is described more fully in the Stevenson University Online Catalog and on the Stevenson website at stevenson.edu.
Forensic science is an interdisciplinary and applied course of study which plays a crucial role in the legal justice system. Advances in instrumentation and technology have opened up new approaches to solving crime, and the need for individuals trained in both science and the law is growing. Graduates of our program will be prepared for employment in local, state or federal government crime laboratories, forensics laboratories, DNA testing facilities, industry, and continued study at the doctoral level.
Application Process
Students apply for admission into the BS/MFS program during their junior year. Applications are available on September 1 and February 1. Admission to this program is based upon the following criteria:
- Cumulative and science/math GPA of 3.0 or higher in all course work attempted
- Grade of "C" or better in all science and mathematics courses
- Completion of at least 60 credit hours and enrollment in a minimum of an additional 15 credit hours
- Completion of FSCI 101
- Completion of Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 211 and 211L) and enrollment in a minimum of one 300 or 400 level science course
- Submission of a completed BS/MFS Program Application, including three letters of recommendation, prior to October 1 and March 1
Once accepted into the program, the undergraduate student may take up to 18 graduate credits beginning in the spring of his or her junior year.
Students, once accepted into the program, must submit a Graduate Application in the last semester of their undergraduate education. Application must be made prior to September 15 for a planned January start date and prior to February 15 for a planned August start date.
Option in Biochemistry Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in biochemistry and for entry into the biology or chemistry concentration of the master's in forensic sciences program. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BIO 230 | Genetics | 4 credits |
| BIOCH 327 | Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 345L | Integrative Laboratory I | 2 credits |
| BIOCH 427 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry I with Problem Solving | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 210L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 211 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 213 | Digital Information Literacy for Chemistry | 1 credit |
| CHEM 313 | Career Connections in Chemistry | 1 credit |
| FSCI 101 | Survey of Forensic Sciences | 3 credits |
| FSCI 400 | Senior Forensic Sciences Seminar | 3 credits |
| FSCI 655 | Practicum Rotations | 3 credits |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| PHYS 210 | General Physics I | 4 credits |
| | or | |
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics II | 4 credits |
| | or | |
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
Elective courses Group 1
Select two from the following list: (Students interested in the chemistry concentration must choose CHEM 310 and CHEM 430; students interested in the biology concentration must choose BIO 310 or BIO 330)
Elective courses Group 2
Select three from the following list:
At least two of the courses must be at the 300-level or higher; advisors help students choose electives based on the desired graduate concentration):
| BIO 203 | Microbiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 313 | Virology | 3 credits |
| BIO 322 | Human Physiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 335 | Immunology | 4 credits |
| BIO 362 | Independent Research Experience in Biology | 2 credits |
| BIO 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO 425 | Mammalian Nutrition | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 362 | Independent Research Experience in Biochemistry | 2 credits |
| BIOCH 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 206 | Herbal Medicines and Remedies | 3 credits |
| CHEM 221 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 346L | Integrative Laboratory II | 2 credits |
| CHEM 362 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 2 credits |
| CHEM 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 431 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 432 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 435 | Special Topics in Chemistry | 3 credits |
Option in Biology Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in biology and for entry into the biology track of the master's in forensic science program. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BIO 114 | General Biology II: Structure and Function of Organisms | 3 credits |
| BIO 114L | General Biology II Laboratory: Structure and Function of Organisms | 1 credit |
| BIO 115 | General Biology III: Ecology and Evolution | 3 credits |
| BIO 115L | General Biology III Laboratory: Ecology and Evolution | 1 credit |
| BIO 218 | Career Connections in the Life Sciences | 1 credit |
| BIO 230 | Genetics | 4 credits |
| BIO 235L | Diversity of Life | 2 credits |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry I with Problem Solving | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 210L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 211 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| FSCI 101 | Survey of Forensic Sciences | 3 credits |
| FSCI 400 | Senior Forensic Sciences Seminar | 3 credits |
| FSCI 655 | Practicum Rotations | 3 credits |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| PHYS 210 | General Physics I | 4 credits |
| | or | |
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| | and | |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics II | 4 credits |
| | or | |
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
Biology Electives (take 4 electives)
Take four courses from the following courses listed below according to the following criteria:
- A minimum of three courses at the 300- or 400 -level
- A minimum of two lab courses
- A maximum of two courses with the BIOCH, or ENV designation
- A maximum of one research course from BIO 362, BIO 365, BIOCH 362, BIOCH 365, ENV 362, ENV 365
BIO 203, BIO 210, BIO 217, BIO 222, BIO 310, BIO 312, BIO 313, BIO 314, BIO 315, BIO 322, BIO 326 BIO 330, BIO 335, BIO 362, BIO 365, BIO 425, BIOCH 327, BIOCH 345L, BIOCH 362, BIOCH 365, BIOCH 427, ENV 213, ENV 255, ENV 260, ENV 270, ENV 275, ENV 280, ENV 285, ENV 307, ENV 310, ENV 320, ENV 330, ENV 340, ENV 360, ENV 362, ENV 365, ENV 375, ENV 410, ENV 420, ENV 430.
Students can take BIO 322 or BIO 326 but not both.
Option in Chemistry Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in chemistry and for entry into the chemistry track of the master's in forensic sciences program. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BIOCH 327 | Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 345L | Integrative Laboratory I | 2 credits |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry I with Problem Solving | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 210L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 211 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 213 | Digital Information Literacy for Chemistry | 1 credit |
| CHEM 221 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 310 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 313 | Career Connections in Chemistry | 1 credit |
| CHEM 346L | Integrative Laboratory II | 2 credits |
| CHEM 431 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 432 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | 3 credits |
| FSCI 101 | Survey of Forensic Sciences | 3 credits |
| FSCI 400 | Senior Forensic Sciences Seminar | 3 credits |
| FSCI 655 | Practicum Rotations | 3 credits |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| MATH 221 | Calculus II | 4 credits |
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
Minor in Forensic Sciences
A minor in forensic sciences is not available.
Other Options
Master's of Forensic Science
Students who wish to enter the master's of forensic science program must have a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, chemistry or other equivalent natural sciences or forensic sciences. Candidates must meet specific course requirements and prerequisites. For further details, please see the Stevenson University Online Catalog or visit the Stevenson website stevenson.edu.
Course Descriptions
See Forensic Sciences Course Descriptions