Forensic Science, BS Dual Admission / Accelerated Program Leading to the Forensic Science, MS
Description. The Accelerated, Dual Admission Program leading to the BS / MS is based on two existing programs, the BS and the MS in Forensic Science. This program will enable Forensic Science majors to pursue undergraduate and graduate education concurrently within a five-year time frame. This dual admission program will provide an opportunity for outstanding and determined undergraduate forensic science majors not only to obtain advanced knowledge and skills but accelerate obtaining their master’s degree and to advance their career goals.The graduate program is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). Students who have graduated from the MS-FOS program have gone on to work in crime labs across the country, private companies and academic and research institutes across the country. These qualified and highly motivated individuals are equipped with the knowledge to find employment in fields where they can put their considerable and desirable skills to good use.
BS Forensic Science description. The BS major in Forensic Science is designed to provide academic and professional training for students seeking to work in forensic science laboratories, or who are planning to pursue careers as research scientists, teachers or medical professionals. The major draws primarily from chemistry (organic, analytical and physical) with courses in biology, physics and law. Students may specialize in one of three tracks: Criminalistics, Molecular Biology, or Toxicology.
Learning outcomes for the BS. Students will be able to:
- Draw appropriate scientific conclusions from evidence and experimental data.
- Understand the role of creativity in problem solving.
- Apply scientific principles in gathering and interpreting scientific data.
- Acquire broad fundamental concepts, theories, and principles in physical and biological sciences.
- Use the primary scientific literature effectively in their own research.
- Describe the scientific progress that has led to their research project.
- Accrue hands-on laboratory and practical research skills, including emphasizing the role of quality assurance and objectivity in scientific data collection and how these relate to the system of professional ethics in science.
- Develop competence in oral and written forms of scientific communication.
MS in Forensic Science Mission and Learning Outcomes. The Master of Science in Forensic Science is designed to provide advanced educational opportunities for scientists, supervisors, administrators and other professionals currently employed in crime laboratories, medical examiners’ offices and in such related areas as public safety, arson investigation and environmental protection. The program also prepares individuals who are interested in entering such careers. Drawing from the areas of chemistry, biology, physics and law, the program offers specializations in criminalistics, molecular biology and forensic toxicology and involves the mastery of advanced techniques for application both in the laboratory and presentation in the courts. The curriculum meets an urgent national need for broadly trained forensic scientists and research specialists.
Learning outcomes for the MS in Forensic Science. Building on the four Science Department learning goals students in the MS FOS Program will develop a deep understanding of the physical laws that govern biology, chemistry and toxicology. The program focuses on teaching the fundamentals of science rather than on techniques that will change over time. In a profession that requires the mastering of constantly evolving techniques in the analysis of physical and biological evidence, this program gives them a unique professional advantage.
Students will enhance their skills in the following four categories:
1. Reasoning
Draw appropriate scientific conclusions from evidence and experimental data.
- Critically evaluate current biological, chemical, and physical knowledge, recognize the significance of the scientific process in problem solving and develop a valid research approach.
- Determine and compose appropriate conclusions based on scientific evidence.
2. Knowledge
Acquire broad fundamental concepts, theories, and principles in physical and biological sciences.
Develop a good knowledge of basic science and current scientific discoveries relevant to their study and research.
Correctly apply information from popular media and primary scientific literature to support their perspectives and research findings.
3. Practical skills
Accrue hands-on laboratory and practical research skills, including emphasizing the role of quality assurance and objectivity in scientific data collection and how these relate to the system of professional ethics in science.
- Apply research protocols and advanced experimental techniques for the analysis of biological, chemical and physical processes including using quality assurance/quality control systems.
- Design hypothesis-driven experiments and trouble-shoot or modify experimental protocols.
- Use appropriate statistical analyses.
4. Communication
- Develop competence in oral and written forms of scientific communication including testimony in an adversarial legal system and thesis writing.
- Use sound scientific reporting techniques.
Credits required.
| General Education |
42* |
| Forensic Science, BS |
62 |
| Undergraduate electives |
0-12 |
| Forensic Science, MS |
41-43 (depending on choice of MS specialization) |
| Total credits for the BS/MS |
145-147 |
Note: some courses in the undergraduate major also satisfy Gen ed math and science requirements.
General education. Students in the Forensic Science Major are required to take BIO 103 for the Required Core: Life and Physical Science requirement. Three credits count toward general education; the two additional credits for the STEM variant are counted toward the major. Students are required to take BIO 104 OR CHE 103 for the Flexible Core: Scientific World Gen Ed requirement. Three credits count toward general education; the additional credits are counted toward the major. MAT 151 (or MAT 241) Calculus I is required for the major if not taken for the Required Core: Math and Quantitative Reasoning area.
Undergraduate Coordinator. Professor Jennifer Rosati (212.393.6868, jrosati@jjay.cuny.edu), Department of Sciences.
Graduate Program Director. Professor Mechthild Prinz (212-621-3751, mprinz@jjay.cuny.edu), Department of Sciences.
Admissions. The program will seek successful undergraduates who have the academic background, ability, and motivation to be successful in the Forensic Science program. Admission to the program will be based upon the following criteria, which will be interpreted flexibly to consider individual experiences and situations:
- Completion of approximately 60 undergraduate credits with a minimum Math & Science GPA of 3.0 including completion of the courses listed below.
- Completion of an Accelerated Program application form, including complete college transcript.
- 500-1000 word personal statement of the candidate’s interest, qualifications & career goals that supports the applicant’s admission to the program.
- Two letters of recommendation from academic advisors or instructors, with at least one being from a science instructor.
- Interviews with candidates, as needed.
Students apply in the fourth semester after completing approximately 45 credits including BIO 102 or BIO 103, CHE 201, PHY 203, and MAT 152. Upon review they will immediately be notified about “conditional acceptance” and advised to enroll in a modified undergraduate course flow for the first semester of their junior year. Final admission decisions will be made after all fourth semester grades are recorded (approximately 60 credits including BIO 104, CHE 202, and PHY 204). Fully admitted students will keep the classes they were advised to take and start taking graduate classes with the incoming MS-FOS cohort in what would otherwise be their senior year.
Earning the BS degree
Students will be awarded the BS degree in Forensic Science after they have completed at least 120 credits and all the year 1-3 undergraduate classes, and the graduate level classes taken in year 4 (10 credits in Advanced Instrumental Analysis, and 14 credits covering Toxicology, Criminalistics, Forensic Molecular Biology, professionalism and ethics in forensic science).
Academic Standards. Students must maintain a Science GPA of 3.0 in the undergraduate portion of the program (year 1-3) and a graduate course GPA of 3.0 for their graduate classes (year 4-5) to remain in the Accelerated Program. If a student wants to leave the program or does not maintain these minimum GPAs they may be withdrawn from the Accelerated Program. Students may continue to pursue their BS degree fulfilling all requirements of the undergraduate major. Graduate courses taken may be used to satisfy some undergraduate requirements in this situation.
Tuition and Financial Aid information. This program is accelerated and intended for students to attend full-time (at least 12 cr. for undergraduate students, at least 9 cr. for graduate students). Full-time students pay undergraduate tuition rates until they complete 120 credits and earn their bachelor’s degree. Students are then graduate students and tuition is charged at the graduate rate. Students who have not yet earned the Bachelor’s degree continue to be eligible for consideration of federal and state financial aid programs including PELL and TAP. Once students move onto the Master’s portion of the program, undergraduate financial aid is not be applicable. Students may apply for federal loans to finance their Master’s degree.
If circumstances occur that require students to attend part-time, tuition rates will be determined by the level of the courses (undergraduate or graduate) they are registered for.
All students in the accelerated, dual admission programs are encouraged to consult with the Financial Aid Office about their eligibility for aid under federal and state guidelines and the Bursar’s Office about tuition charges when they are considering admission to these programs.
FORENSIC SCIENCE BS REQUIREMENTS
Freshman year
Sophomore year
Junior year
| CHE 302 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 315 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| FOS 402 | Undergraduate Research Internship | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
* Note: CHE 320 and CHE 321 Instrumental Analysis I and II normally required in the Junior year will be taken at the graduate level. The undergraduate specialization will also be taken at the graduate level. (FOS 721 & FOS 722 Advanced Instrumental Analysis I & II will substitute for CHE 320 & 321).
FORENSIC SCIENCE MS REQUIREMENTS
Thesis Requirement
The current MS-FOS program requires each student to complete a research thesis; this will also be the case for students admitted to the accelerated degree. The prospectus course series introduces students to forensic research topics pursued by individual science department faculty members and provides guidance on finding an advisor and generating a realistic timeline. The course also covers scientific writing, requires each student to complete a “responsible conduct of research” online training segment and submit a thesis prospectus. The mandatory research thesis is an important element of the MS-FOS program. No other curriculum component provides as much hands-on experience and requires the same amount of critical thinking and trouble shooting skills. Writing skills are much sought after by prospective employers and successful completion of a written thesis will have earned the student these writing credentials. Conducted thesis research should be relevant to forensic science and increase the knowledge in the field. Many graduate students have presented at scientific meetings and/or published their work.
Required
| FOS 706 | Physical and Biological Evidence | 3 |
| FOS 707 | Fundamentals of Forensic Toxicology | 3 |
| FOS 710 | Advanced Criminalistics I | 5 |
| FOS 721 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis I | 5 |
| FOS 722 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis II | 5 |
| FOS 795 | Thesis Prospectus I | 1 |
| FOS 796 | Thesis Prospectus II: Graduate Seminar | 1 |
| FOS 797 | Thesis Prospectus III | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
Specializations
Criminalistics
Note: FOS 730 will substitute for FOS 415 in the undergraduate major Criminalistics Specialization.
Required
Select one
| FOS 717 | Organic Compound Structure Determination | 3 |
| FOS 735 | Advanced Topics in Physical Science | 3 |
| FOS 736 | Forensic Examination of Firearms and Toolmarks | 3 |
Forensic Toxicology
Required
Note: FOS 730 will substitute for TOX 415 the undergraduate Toxicology Specialization.
Molecular Biology
Required
Note. FOS 704 will substitute for BIO 412 in the undergraduate Molecular Biology specialization.
Electives for All Specializations
Select two of the following:
| FOS 705/FCM 705 | Mathematical Statistics for Forensic Scientists | 3 |
| FOS 717 | Organic Compound Structure Determination | 3 |
| FOS 727 | Case Analysis in Forensic Toxicology | 3 |
| FOS 735 | Advanced Topics in Physical Science | 3 |
| FOS 736 | Forensic Examination of Firearms and Toolmarks | 3 |
| FOS 737 | Microscopy, Spectrometry and Diffraction with Electrons in Forensic and Chemical Analysis | 3 |
| FOS 738 | Crime Scene Investigation for Forensic Scientists | 3 |
| FOS 760 | Scientific Evidence, Expert Testimony, and Ethics for Research and Forensic Scientists | 3 |
| FOS 761 | Forensic Anthropology: Osteological & Genetic Identification | 3 |
| FOS 762 | Current Trends in Forensic Pathology and Entomology | 3 |
| CRJ 708 | Law, Evidence and Ethics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Note. One graduate elective taken in Spring 4 will substitute for BIO 413, FOS 416, or TOX 416 in the undergraduate major specialization.
For this Accelerated Program admitted undergraduate students will be required to complete one semester of faculty mentored research (FOS 402) in their junior year. This will give this cohort early access to faculty research projects and an immediate start for a subsequent thesis project.
Total Credit Hours: 145-147