The physical evidence concentration requires an additional 24 credits in chemistry, forensic science and elective credits beyond the core requirements and is well-suited for students interested in graduate study or careers in latent fingerprint examination and the analysis of impression evidence, as well as firearm and toolmark analyses. Students also will be prepared for work in private analytical laboratories. Students completing the forensic chemistry concentration will be eligible for a minor in chemistry.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:
Forensic science core outcomes
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the laws of criminal procedure and rules of evidence
- Demonstrate proper crime scene investigation and reconstruction
- Demonstrate ethical and professional duties and responsibilities of the forensic scientist
- Apply basic principles, theory and laboratory procedures of biology, chemistry and physics to forensic science
Physical evidence concentration-specific outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge, capabilities, use and limitations of forensic laboratory techniques
Special requirements
The forensic science program requires a minimum of 120 credits including completion of the general education requirements (see more information below), 34 forensic science core program credits and 24 concentration-specific credits.
For the physical evidence concentration, a minimum of four elective credit hours of advanced biology, chemistry and/or forensic science course work (300- to 500-level) must be taken.
All of the general education foundation courses will be automatically fulfilled through this degree by taking the following required courses: UNIV 111, UNIV 112, UNIV 200 and MATH 200 (13 credits).
Students will need to take a total of 17 credits from areas of inquiry (including nine credits from breadth of knowledge). Some of these general education areas of inquiry and breadth of knowledge requirements will also be automatically fulfilled through this degree by taking the following required courses: CHEM 101 and CHEZ 101 (four credits) both satisfy breadth of knowledge for natural sciences and area of inquiry for scientific and logical reasoning; and either PHYS 201 or 207 (four to five credits) satisfies area of inquiry for scientific and logical reasoning.
In addition to these required courses, students will need to select at least three additional general education courses from the remaining areas of inquiry. Three credits are required from each of the following areas of inquiry (nine credits total): diversities in the human experience; creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry; and global perspectives. Two of the selected general education courses should also fulfill the breadth of knowledge requirement from the areas of humanities/fine arts and social/behavioral sciences.
Lastly, students are required to complete the program achievement test during their final semester in order to graduate. However, a minimum score on the test is not a prerequisite to graduation.
Degree requirements for Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a physical evidence concentration
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements 1 | ||
| BIOL 152 & BIOZ 152 | Introduction to Biological Sciences II and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory II | 4 |
| BIOZ 151 | Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 102 & CHEZ 102 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | 4 |
| CHEM 301 & CHEZ 301 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 5 |
| CHEM 302 & CHEZ 302 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 5 |
| FRSC 300 | Survey of Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 309 | Scientific Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| FRSC 365 | Forensic Microscopy | 3 |
| FRSC 375 | Forensic Evidence, Law and Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| FRSC 490 | Professional Practices in Forensic Science | 3 |
| • Additional major requirements 1 | ||
| FRSC electives (any 300-500 level course) | 6 | |
| PHYS 202 | General Physics II | 4-5 |
| or PHYS 208 | University Physics II | |
| • Concentration requirements 1 | ||
| CHEM 309 & CHEZ 309 | Quantitative Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 320 | Inorganic Chemistry I | 3 |
| FRSC 385 | Forensic Serology | 3 |
| FRSC 410 | Forensic Pattern Evidence | 3 |
| FRSC 412 | Forensic Analysis of Firearms and Toolmarks | 3 |
| FRSC 566 | Advanced Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| Concentration electives 1 | ||
| Select four credits from 300- to 500-level BIOL/BIOZ, CHEM/CHEZ or these FRSC/FRSZ courses: 1 | 4 | |
| Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Forensic Medicine | ||
| Topics in Forensic Science | ||
| Forensic Chemistry | ||
| Forensic Molecular Biology | ||
| Forensic Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Forensic Toxicology and Drugs | ||
| Forensic Entomology | ||
| Developmental Osteology | ||
| Forensic Anthropology Applications | ||
| Topics in Forensic Science | ||
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 101 & CHEZ 101 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I (both satisfy general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) 1 | 4 |
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 4 |
| PHYS 201 | General Physics I (either satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) 1 | 4-5 |
| or PHYS 207 | University Physics I | |
| STAT 210 | Basic Practice of Statistics | 3 |
| Experiential fine arts 2 | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement) | 0-6 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 4-14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Students must receive a minimum grade of C in these courses, including concentration electives. If a course is a prerequisite for another course, a minimum grade of C must be obtained in the prerequisite course before proceeding to the subsequent course.
Course offered by the School of the Arts
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Note: This plan of study assumes that the student:
- Scored well enough on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test to place into MATH 200 or that student has completed MATH 151 with a minimum grade of C (a pre- or corequisite for BIOL 151, BIOZ 151 and CHEM 101; a prerequisite for CHEM 102).
- Scored well enough on the chemistry placement exam/assessment or has successfully completed CHEM 100 with a minimum grade of B (a prerequisite for CHEM 101).
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| BIOL 151 & BIOZ 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I 1 and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 101 & CHEZ 101 | General Chemistry I 1 and General Chemistry Laboratory I (both satisfy general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) 1 | 4 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 1 | 3 |
| General education course 2 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| BIOL 152 & BIOZ 152 | Introduction to Biological Sciences II and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory II | 4 |
| CHEM 102 & CHEZ 102 | General Chemistry II 1 and General Chemistry Laboratory II 1 | 4 |
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 4 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 1 | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CHEM 301 & CHEZ 301 | Organic Chemistry 1 and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 | 5 |
| CHEM 309 & CHEZ 309 | Quantitative Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | 5 |
| STAT 210 | Basic Practice of Statistics | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 1 | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CHEM 302 & CHEZ 302 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 5 |
| FRSC 300 | Survey of Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 375 | Forensic Evidence, Law and Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| Experiential fine arts | 1-3 | |
| General education course 2 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15-17 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| FRSC 309 | Scientific Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| FRSC 365 | Forensic Microscopy | 3 |
| PHYS 201 or PHYS 207 | General Physics I (either satisfies general education AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) or University Physics I | 4-5 |
| Foreign language 101 (or open elective) | 3 | |
| General education course 2 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16-17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| FRSC 385 | Forensic Serology | 3 |
| FRSC 412 | Forensic Analysis of Firearms and Toolmarks | 3 |
| PHYS 202 or PHYS 208 | General Physics II or University Physics II | 4-5 |
| Foreign language 102 (or open elective) | 3 | |
| Open elective | 1 | |
| Term Hours: | 14-15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CHEM 320 | Inorganic Chemistry I | 3 |
| FRSC 410 | Forensic Pattern Evidence | 3 |
| FRSC 490 | Professional Practices in Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC elective | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| FRSC 566 | Advanced Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| Concentration electives | 4 | |
| FRSC elective | 3 | |
| Open elective | 4 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Total Hours: | 120-124 | |
There is little, if any, flexibility regarding when to take these courses in order to enroll in FRSC 300 during spring semester of sophomore year.
At least three additional general education courses (nine credits) are required. Three credits come from each of the following areas of inquiry: diversities in the human experience; creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry; and global perspectives. The latter two areas of inquiry courses should also fulfill the breadth of knowledge requirement from the areas of humanities/fine arts and social/behavioral sciences.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.S. and M.S. in Forensic Science in a minimum of five and a half years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 150 credits rather than the 162 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
Students holding these degrees will have advanced training in forensic science through a combination of laboratory and classroom work and will gain important professional development skills. The goal of the accelerated program is to significantly enhance the student’s qualifications to pursue a career in the forensic science field. Alternatively, students who distinguish themselves may be able to pursue advanced study in doctoral or professional programs on an accelerated timetable.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 60 undergraduate credit hours including CHEM 301, CHEZ 301, FRSC 300 and an overall GPA of 3.3. Two reference letters (at least one from a forensic science faculty member) must accompany the Accelerated Program Declaration Form.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students in an accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate forensic science adviser and the forensic science graduate program director.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits substitute for required major courses or electives for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate forensic science courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are listed below. The specific courses to be taken (maximum of 12 credit hours) will be decided through advising and based on the student’s undergraduate concentration and chosen graduate concentration in forensic science.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FRSC 565 | Scientific Crime Scene Investigation (satisfies FRSC 309) | 3 |
| FRSC 581 | Forensic Analysis of Fire Debris and Explosive Evidence (satisfies FRSC elective) | 3 |
| FRSC 582 | Forensic Analysis of Paint and Fiber Evidence (satisfies FRSC elective) | 3 |
| FRSC 644 | Analytical Considerations in Forensic Toxicology (satisfies FRSC elective) | 3 |
| FRSC 670 | Forensic Evidence and Criminal Procedure (satisfies FRSC 375) | 3 |
| FRSC 673 & FRSZ 673 | Forensic Microscopy and Forensic Microscopy Laboratory (satisfies FRSC 365) | 3 |
| FRSC 677 | Professional Practices and Expert Testimony (satisfies FRSC 490) | 3 |
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| PHYS 201 | General Physics I | 4-5 |
| or PHYS 207 | University Physics I | |
| Concentration requirements | 3 | |
| Open electives and/or general education | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| PHYS 202 | General Physics II | 4-5 |
| or PHYS 208 | University Physics II | |
| Concentration requirements | 7 | |
| Open electives and/or general education | 4 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| FRSC 670 | Forensic Evidence and Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| FRSC 673 & FRSZ 673 | Forensic Microscopy and Forensic Microscopy Laboratory | 3 |
| Concentration requirements | 6 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| FRSC 565 | Scientific Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| FRSC 677 | Professional Practices and Expert Testimony | 3 |
| Concentration requirements | 4 | |
| Open electives | 4 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| FRSC 570 | Forensic Science Seminar | 1 |
| FRSC 671 | Instrumentation in Forensic Chemistry | 2 |
| FRSC 675 | Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis | 2 |
| FRSZ 671 | Instrumentation in Forensic Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| or FRSZ 675 | Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis Laboratory | |
| STAT 543 | Statistical Methods I 1 | 3 |
| or FRSC 580 | Applied Statistics for Forensic Science | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| FRSC 570 | Forensic Science Seminar | 1 |
| FRSC 660 | Toolmark Examinations | 3 |
| or FRSC 661 | Analysis of Pattern Evidence | |
| or FRSC 662 | Firearm Identification | |
| FRSC 793 | Directed Research in Forensic Science | 1 |
| Concentration requirements | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 11 | |
| Sixth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| FRSC 570 | Forensic Science Seminar | 1 |
| FRSC 793 | Directed Research in Forensic Science | 2 |
| Concentration requirements | 7 | |
| Term Hours: | 10 | |
Course selection depends on concentration; see adviser for confirmation of correct choice.