Description
Stevenson University offers two program options in the study of forensic sciences. One option is a BS/MS program where students can earn a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry in four years and a master's degree in forensic sciences 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 Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog and on the Stevenson website at stevenson.edu.
Forensic sciences 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/MS 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 MSFS BS/MS 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 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 forensic sciences master's 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:
| ART 540 | Crime Scene Photography | 3 credits |
| SCI 100 | School of Sciences New Student Seminar | 1 credit |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
| 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 230 | Genetics | 4 credits |
| BIO 235L | Diversity of Life | 2 credits |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 115S | General Chemistry I SoLVE | 0 credits |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116S | General Chemistry II SoLVE | 0 credits |
| 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 Science | 3 credits |
| FSCI 400 | Senior Forensic Science 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 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 credits |
Elective Courses Group 1
Select three 200-level biology courses (one must be BIO 255).
Elective Courses Group 2
Select two additional biology courses.
Elective Courses Group 3
Select four additional 300- or 400-level biology courses.
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, chemistry or crime scene investigation track of the forensic sciences master's 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:
| ART 540 | Crime Scene Photography | 3 credits |
| SCI 100 | School of Sciences New Student 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 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 | Electronic Literature Searching | 1 credit |
| CHEM 313 | Career Development in Chemistry | 1 credit |
| FSCI 101 | Survey of Forensic Science | 3 credits |
| FSCI 400 | Senior Forensic Science Seminar | 3 credits |
| FSCI 655 | Practicum Rotations | 3 credits |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| PHIL 415 | Professional Ethics | 3 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 track must choose CHEM 430; students interested in the biology track must choose BIO 310 or BIO 330)
Elective courses Group 2
Select three from the following list:
(One must be CHEM, one must be BIO and at least two of the courses must be at the 300 level or higher; advisors help students choose electives based on the desired graduate track):
| BIO 203 | Microbiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 255 | Techniques in Molecular Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO 310 | Cell Biology | 4 credits |
| BIO 330 | Molecular Genetics | 4 credits |
| BIO 335 | Immunology | 4 credits |
| BIO 355 | | |
| BIO 362 | Independent Research Experience in Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biology | 3 credits |
| BT 430 | Bioinformatics | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 362 | Independent Research Experience in Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 221 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 310 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 330 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 4 credits |
| CHEM 340 | Medicinal and Drug Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 362 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 410 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 credits |
| CHEM 430 | Physical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 431 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 432 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | 3 credits |
Option in Biotechnology Requirements
The Option in Biotechnology has been discontinued effective with the 2015-2016 academic year. This option is available to current biotechnology majors on previous catalog years who have been accepted into the BS/MS program. The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in biotechnology and for entry into the biology track, chemistry track or crime scene investigation track of the forensic sciences master's program. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Major Requirements:
| SCI 100 | School of Sciences New Student 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 |
| BT 201 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 3 credits |
| BIO 217 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BT 205 | Biosafety and Quality Assurance | 2 credits |
| BT 255 | Techniques in Molecular Biology | 3 credits |
| BT 355 | Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology | 3 credits |
| 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 310 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 410 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 credits |
| FSCI 101 | Survey of Forensic Science | 3 credits |
| FSCI 400 | Senior Forensic Science Seminar | 3 credits |
| FSCI 655 | Practicum Rotations | 3 credits |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| PHIL 415 | Professional Ethics | 3 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 |
Electives:
Any two biology or chemistry courses
Any two biology or chemistry laboratory courses
*At least two elective courses must be at the 300-400-level or higher. One biology/chemistry elective is fulfilled by a forensic sciences track course in the master's program.
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 or crime scene investigation track of the forensic sciences master's 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:
| ART 540 | Crime Scene Photography | 3 credits |
| SCI 100 | School of Sciences New Student 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 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 | Electronic Literature Searching | 1 credit |
| CHEM 221 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 310 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 313 | Career Development in Chemistry | 1 credit |
| CHEM 410 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 credits |
| CHEM 431 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 432 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | 3 credits |
| FSCI 101 | Survey of Forensic Science | 3 credits |
| FSCI 400 | Senior Forensic Science Seminar | 3 credits |
| FSCI 655 | Practicum Rotations | 3 credits |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| MATH 221 | Calculus II | 4 credits |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
| PHIL 415 | Professional Ethics | 3 credits |
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 credits |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
One CHEM elective selected from the following list:
| BIOCH 427 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 203 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 330 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 4 credits |
| CHEM 340 | Medicinal and Drug Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 362 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 3 credits |
Minor in Forensic Sciences
A minor in forensic sciences is not available.
Other Options
Other Options for Students Interested in Forensic Sciences
Master of Science in Forensic Sciences
Students who wish to enter the master's program in forensic sciences must have a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or other equivalent natural sciences or forensic sciences. Candidates must meet specific course requirements and prerequisites. For further details, please see the Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog or visit the Stevenson website stevenson.edu.
Course Descriptions
See Forensic Science Course Descriptions