This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Student learning outcomes
- Students will be able to apply basic scientific principles and laboratory procedures to forensic science.
- Students will demonstrate capabilities, use, potential and limitations of forensic laboratory theory and techniques.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to perform (report and orally present) independent research in an area of forensic science.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of legal procedure, rules of evidence, ethical and professional duties, and responsibilities of the forensic scientist.
- Students will be able to assess and interpret scientific data, uncertainty and bias in forensic science practice.
- Students will be able to evaluate and analyze human biological evidence using current standard practices, and recommend alternative analysis methods where necessary to improve result outcomes.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Degree candidacy requirements
A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Additional admission requirements for concentration in forensic biology
In addition to the M.S. in Forensic Science general admission requirements, applicants to the forensic biology concentration must have completed a minimum of nine credit hours or equivalent of upper-level course work in the biological or biochemical sciences, including general biochemistry. This may also include, but is not limited to, course work in cell biology, genetics and/or molecular biology.
Degree requirements
The graduate program is a full-time, two-year program. Courses will vary depending on the concentration selected. Required and elective courses are offered at various times, day and night, throughout the week. The M.S. in Forensic Science requires 42 graduate credit hours of course work, including 21 credit hours of required core course work and 21 credit hours of specialized course work designed for each concentration (including electives). The required course work includes a directed research project, which is an extensive research experience conducted within a forensic laboratory setting.
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students are required to complete course work in core and elective courses and to conduct significant research.
- Credit hour requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 42 graduate-level credit hours as outlined in the list of core and concentration requirements, including electives.
- Grade requirements: Students must maintain an ongoing, cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0. Receipt of a grade of C in two or more courses will constitute an automatic dismissal from the graduate program in forensic science. Receipt of a grade of D or lower in any one course will constitute an automatic dismissal from the graduate program in forensic science.
- Other requirements: Students must maintain continuous, full-time enrollment. Interruption in continuous enrollment or full-time status for any reason without a leave of absence approved by the forensic science graduate committee will require that students reapply to the program. Request for credit for graduate course work taken at other institutions must be submitted to the director of graduate studies in forensic science and will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the forensic science graduate committee. If course work deficiencies are identified, students may be required to take additional foundational courses beyond those listed below. These will not count toward the 42 required credit hours.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FRSC 565 | Scientific Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| FRSC 570 | Forensic Science Seminar (one-credit course repeated for three credits) 1 | 3 |
| FRSC 580 | Applied Statistics for Forensic Science | 3 |
| or BIOS 543 | Graduate Research Methods I | |
| or STAT 543 | Statistical Methods I | |
| FRSC 660 | Toolmark Examinations | 3 |
| or FRSC 661 | Analysis of Pattern Evidence | |
| or FRSC 662 | Firearm Identification | |
| FRSC 670 | Forensic Evidence and Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| FRSC 677 | Professional Practices and Expert Testimony | 3 |
| FRSC 793 | Directed Research in Forensic Science | 3 |
| Forensic biology concentration courses | ||
| BIOL 516 | Population Genetics | 3 |
| FRSC 671 | Instrumentation in Forensic Chemistry 1 | 2 |
| FRSC 673 & FRSZ 673 | Forensic Microscopy and Forensic Microscopy Laboratory 1 | 3 |
| FRSC 675 & FRSZ 675 | Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis and Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis Laboratory 1 | 3 |
| FRSC 676 | Advanced Forensic DNA Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 686 | Emerging Molecular Applications for Forensic Biology | 3 |
| Recommended electives | ||
| Select four credit hours from the following: 2 | 4 | |
| Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics | ||
| Eukaryotic Biotechnology | ||
| Current Topics in Biology (molecular biology) | ||
| Essentials of Molecular Biology in Bioinformatics | ||
| Integrated Bioinformatics | ||
| Advanced Molecular Genetics: Bioinformatics | ||
| Forensic Entomology | ||
| Advanced Crime Scene Investigation | ||
| Applied Statistics for Forensic Science | ||
| Topics in Forensic Science | ||
| Forensic Taphonomy | ||
| Analytical Considerations in Forensic Toxicology | ||
| Applications in Forensic Toxicology | ||
| Toolmark Examinations | ||
| Firearm Identification | ||
| Forensic Medicine | ||
| Scientific Writing | ||
| Forensic Science Independent Study | ||
| Current Topics in Forensic Science | ||
| Research Techniques | ||
| Directed Research in Forensic Science | ||
| Introduction to Human Genetics | ||
| Genetics Research Seminar | ||
| Techniques in Molecular Biology and Genetics | ||
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Courses required during the first fall semester upon entry in to the program
In consultation with adviser; at least one elective must be a graduate-level molecular biology related course.
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 42.
Accelerated opportunities
The department offers opportunities for qualified undergraduate students to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. See the individual program pages in the Undergraduate Bulletin for details.
Contact
Baneshwar Singh, Ph.D.
Associate professor and graduate program director
bsingh@vcu.edu
(804) 828-8420
Program website: forensicscience.vcu.edu