Master of Science in Forensic Science
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) curriculum totals 30-31 semester hrs. consisting of:
- Interdisciplinary Common Core (10 hrs)
- Emphasis Area (11-12 hrs)
- Forensic Science Internship/Thesis or Project (6 hrs)
- Capstone, Forensic Expert in the Courtroom experience (3 hrs)
I. Interdisciplinary Core Courses
The Interdisciplinary Core is designed to acquaint students with multiple facets of forensic science. It is important for students to understand how defferent emphases, or specialty areas, can be intertwined during an investigation. Students are not required to complete the overview within their own emphasis area.
| Course |
10 Credit Hrs. |
| Choose five of the following courses: |
| MSFS 6000 |
Overview of Forensic Law |
2 |
| MSFS 6010 |
Overview of Forensic Criminal Justice |
2 |
| MSFS 6020 |
Overview of Forensic Psychology |
2 |
| MSFS 6030 |
Overview of Forensic Biology |
2 |
| MSFS 6040 |
Overview of Forensic Chemistry |
2 |
| MSFS 6050 |
Overview of Forensic Computer Analysis |
2 |
II. Emphasis Options
The Emphasis options (11-12 semester hours) are designed to give students depth in a traditional academic area as it relates to Forensics.
Biology Emphasis
| Course |
11 Credit Hrs. |
| BIOL 6130 |
DNA Analysis & Quality Control |
3 |
| BIOL 6230 |
Forensic Microscopy and Lab |
3 |
| BIOL 6330 |
Readings in Forensic Biology |
3 |
| BIOL 6430 |
Forensic Biology |
2 |
Chemistry Emphasis
| Course |
11 Credit Hrs. |
| CHEM 6240 |
Advanced Analytical Chemistry |
2 |
| CHEM 6245 |
Advanced Analytical Chemistry Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 6340 |
Forensic Toxicology |
2 |
| CHEM 6345 |
Forensic Toxicology Lab |
1 |
| CHEM 6440 |
Forensic Drug Analysis |
1 |
| CHEM 6445 |
Forensic Drug Analysis Lab |
2 |
| CHEM 6540 |
Chemistry of Forensic Analysis |
2 |
Computer Science Information Systems Emphasis
| Course |
11-12 Credit Hrs. |
| CSIS 6150 |
Cyber-Crime (with lab) |
3 |
| CSIS 6250 |
Digital Forensics |
3 |
| CSIS 6450 |
Network and Internet Forensics |
3 |
| Choose at least two credits from the following: |
| Remaining overview course not selected for credit in the Interdisciplinary Core Coursework |
2 |
| OR |
| MSFS 6140 |
Forensic Firearms Examination |
2 |
| MSFS 6145 |
Forensic Firearms Examination Lab |
1 |
Criminal Justice Emphasis
| Course |
11-12 Credit Hrs. |
| CJ 6110 |
Crime Scene Techniques |
3 |
| CJ 6220 |
Serial and Mass Murder Investigations |
3 |
| CJ 6320 |
Surveillance and Intelligence in the Criminal Investigation |
3 |
| MSFS 6140 |
Forensic Firearms Examination |
2 |
| MSFS 6145 |
Forensic Firearms Examination Lab |
1 |
Psychology Emphasis
| Course |
11 Credit Hrs. |
| PSY 6100 |
Principles of Graduate Research |
3 |
| PSY 6120 |
Legal Psychology |
3 |
| PSY 6220 |
Psychology of Criminal Behavior |
3 |
| PSY 6830 |
Readings in Forensic Psychology |
2 |
III. Forensic Science Internship/Thesis/Project
This component of the curriculum provides experience in independent or group investigation and/or research in Forensic Science. Required 6 hour research component
| Course |
6 Credit Hrs. |
| MSFS 6890 |
Internship |
6 |
| MSFS 6892 |
Professional Project |
6 |
| MSFS 6900 |
Thesis* |
6 |
* NOTE- Students majoring in the Biology and Chemistry Emphasis must take Thesis
IV. Capstone Experience
This capstone courses provide experience in a moot court setting for the expert witness.
Required 3 hour capstone
| Course |
3 Credit Hrs. |
| MSFS 6910 |
The Forensic Expert in the Courtroom |
2 |
| MSFS 6915 |
The Forensic Expert in the Courtoom Lab |
1 |
