Program of Study for the M.S. in Forensic Science

During the first year of academic study, students are required to write a research proposal and select their thesis committee as part of the 2-credit Thesis Prospectus course (FSC 500) which is offered during the spring semester.  The research committee will consist of a primary mentor and two other individuals.  All members of the research committee must have at a minimum a master’s degree. The primary mentor must be a member of the Cedar Crest College faculty and the second reader must be external to the Forensic Science Program and the Department of Chemical, Physical, and Forensic Sciences.  The selection of the second reader may, for instance, be a faculty member from another department at Cedar Crest College, a faculty member from another institution, or a forensic science practitioner.  The role of the second reader is to provide the student with technical guidance in consultation with the primary reader.  The third reader must be a faculty member from the Cedar Crest College Forensic Science Program.  The composition of the research committee must be approved by the faculty.

Undergraduate prerequisites include biochemistry and genetics.  Students accepted into the program without these courses must register for these courses at the undergraduate level normally during the first year.

Students will be required to perform the bulk of their master’s research during the summer between the first and second year.  Research can be performed on campus or at an external laboratory (requires prior approval from the Program Director and faculty).

During the second year Graduate Seminar course, each student will be required to present a one-hour seminar on the results of their research as part of FSC 504 (Seminar).  However, the seminar will only be conducted with the approval of the primary mentor and after a competed draft of the thesis or manuscript has been submitted to the student’s research committee.  Students requiring additional time to prepare for the seminar may do so as long as they do not exceed the required timeframe for completion of the degree.  A primary mentor is responsible for writing a review of the seminar and providing a grade to the instructor of the Graduate Seminar.  Students will also be required to write a thesis or manuscript for publication during the second year. Students requiring additional time to complete the thesis or manuscript may do so as long as they do not exceed the required timeframe for completion of the degree.  Students are also required to register for 1 credit of research in both semesters under FSC 599 in the academic year immediately after summer research.

Course Sequence

Fall I:
FSC 503 Professional Communication 2 credits
FSC 505 Chemical Separations 2 credits

FSC 506 Analytical Spectroscopy 2 credits
FSC 513 Advanced Microscopy 3 credits

FSC 515 Advanced Pattern Analysis 3 credits
CHE 307 Biochemistry I* 3 credits

*only required if not taken at the undergraduate level.   If students need to take CHE 307, they should not register for FSC 508.  If students have successfully completed biochemistry at the undergraduate level, they should register for FSC 508.

Spring I:
FSC 500 Thesis Prospectus 12 credits
FSC 510 Recent Advances in Forensic Biology 4 credits
FSC 511 Molecular Biology 3 credits

FSC 548 Research Design and Statistics 3 credits
BIO 313 Genetics* 3 credits
*only required if not taken at the undergraduate level

May I:

FSC 519 Using Multivariate Statistics in Forensic Analysis 1 credit

Summer:
FSC 501 Research 6 credits

Fall II:
FSC 507 Forensic Chemistry 3 credits
FSC 508 Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology 3 credits
FSC 516 Forensic Chemistry/Toxicology Laboratory 2 creditsFSC 599 Continuing Research 1 credits

Spring II:

FSC 504 Seminar 1 2 credits
FSC 509 Crime Scene Reconstruction 3 credits
FSC 517 Forensic Quality Assurance, Control & Management 2 credits
FSC 518 Legal, Ethical, and Administrative Issues in Forensic Science 3 credits
FSC 599 Continuing Research 1 credit

The general admissions requirements for the Master of Science in Forensic Science program are as follows:

• An applicant must have a completed application form.
• An applicant must have official transcripts sent to the School of Adult and Graduate Education.
• An applicant must possess a B.S. degree in a natural or forensic science (or its equivalent coursework in a relevant field).
• The applicant must submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s scientific ability.
• An applicant must submit an essay and curriculum vitae.
• Applicants from institutions other than Cedar Crest may be asked to undergo a successful interview with members of the forensic science faculty before acceptance into the program.

It is recommended that the applicant have completed the following coursework at the undergraduate level:

1. Two semesters of general (freshman) chemistry, two semesters of organic chemistry. one semester of analytical chemistry, and one semester of biochemistry.
2. Two semesters of calculus (differential and integral preferred).
3. Two semesters of physics.
4. Two semesters of general (freshman) biology and one semester of genetics.

Admissions Decisions

An Admissions Committee composed of full and half-time faculty members working in the program will make admission decisions based upon the criteria specified above. Each applicant will be considered from a holistic perspective. The Program Director reserves the right to ask the prospective candidate for additional information.