Master of Science
College of Arts and Science
Two tracks in the Master of Science in Forensic Science are provided to full-time students and practicing professionals who desire an advanced program of study in the forensic analysis of biological materials. The Forensic Analysis Track emphasizes the application of modern chromatographic, spectroscopic and micro-analytical techniques to problems in forensic science. The Forensic Biochemistry Track has a strong biochemistry-DNA focus to serve the needs of supervisory personnel in DNA sections of crime laboratories. National DNA standards mandate that such personnel have advanced degrees.
The forensic science core courses are unique and were designed for presentation as distributed learning courses using the World Wide Web. For more information, visit the Forensic Science Track website at: www.cas.ucf.edu/chemistry.
ADMISSIONS
Requirements
Students
are expected to have a BS degree in Forensic Science or a related field that
provides the background necessary to complete the required course of study.
Students must have the required prerequisites or the consent of the instructor
for all course work. Prerequisites for each course listed below, along with the
course description, can be found in the Graduate Catalog at
www.ucf.edu/catalog/ .
For
information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all
prospective students, please visit the Graduate Catalog. Applicants are encouraged
to apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the
established deadline(s).
In
addition to the general graduate admission requirements, applicants should
note: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants to
this program. Minimal requirements for admission include a grade point average
(GPA) of 3.0 for the last 60 attempted semester hours of undergraduate study or
a score of at least 1000 on the combined quantitative-verbal sections of the
GRE.
· The departmental evaluation requires two letters of recommendation and a resume with employment history.
· Each applicant must submit a short written statement describing their motivation for seeking an advanced degree in Forensic Science. The written statement should not exceed 150 words.
·
· For applicants from countries where English is not the official language, or for an applicant whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, an official score of at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.
Application
Due Dates
All
students applying for fellowships or assistantships must apply by the Fall
Priority deadline date.
U.S. Applicants
Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer
Feb 1 July 15 Dec 1 April 15
International
Applicants
Fall Priority Fall Spring
Feb 1 Feb 1 July 1
Curriculum Content:
(32 hours total)
Forensic Science is a highly interdisciplinary science, as reflected in the following program of study. The interdisciplinary nature of the program makes it imperative that students seek advising from faculty members on the content of courses to ensure that they have the appropriate background to master the course content. Up to 6 hours of graduate credit for advanced courses taken at another approved institution can be accepted with approval of the program administrator. A maximum of 6 semester credit hours at the 4000 level will be accepted.
Foundation Subjects:
(9 hours)
· CHS 5596 The Forensic Expert in the Courtroom 3(3,0) Web delivery
· CHS 5xxx Principles of Forensic Science 3(3,0) Web delivery
· CHS 6513: Quality Assurance Principles for Forensic Scientists 3(3,0) {previously, Quality Assurance and Bioinformation CHS 6513 3(3,0) web delivery}
Forensic Analysis
Track: (16 hours)
·
STA 5206: Statistical Analysis 3(2,3) or equivalent
·
CHM 5235: Applied Molecular Spectroscopy 3(3,0)
·
CHM 5xxx: Atomic Spectroscopic Methods 3(2,3)
·
CHM 6xxx: Forensic Analysis Laboratory 4(2,3). Web
delivery with 1-week UCF-residency requirement.
·
Specialization within the track, choose one of the
following
1.) CHS 6xxx: Explosives and Accelerants Analysis 3(3,0) Web delivery
2.) CHS 6xxx: Forensic Micro-analytical Techniques 3(3,0) Web delivery
Forensic Biochemistry
Track: (16 hours)
· CHS 6535L: Forensic DNA Analysis of Biological Materials 3(1,6) Web delivery with 1 week UCF-residency requirement
· CHS 6535: Forensic Molecular Biology 3(3,0) {Previously, Forensic Analysis of Biological Materials CHS 6535 2(2,0) Web delivery}
· CHS 6536 Population Genetics and Genetic Data Analysis for Forensic Scientists 3(3,0) (Previously, Forensic Analysis of DNA Data CHS 6536 2(2,0) Web delivery)
· PCB 5665C: Human Genetics 4(3,2)
· BCH 6xxx Advanced Biochemistry 3(3,0)
Thesis Research:
·
CHM 6971: Thesis Research (7 hours or as needed to meet
the required 32 hours). The grounding in scientific research methodology
provided by the Thesis requirement is a central focus of the proposed program.
Students will conduct research on site or at the professional laboratories
where they work. In either case, a member of the UCF Forensic Science faculty
will act as research advisor and approve the research topic. The research
culminates in the writing and presentation of the thesis. The student will
present the thesis for examination by committee consisting of two UCF faculty
members and at least one other acknowledged forensic expert in the field. The
thesis must be judged worthy of publication by the review committee, and may
not be submitted for examination until so deemed. The student’s research
advisor will select the thesis examination committee. For non-resident
students, the thesis advisor will visit the student laboratory, where the
research is to be performed, before the research begins and on a regular basis
until the work is complete.
Contact Information:
College of Arts and Sciences
Chemistry Department: 407-823-2246
http://www.cas.ucf.edu/chemistry
Forensic Biochemistry Track
Jack Ballantyne, Ph.D.
407-823-0163
Forensic Analysis Track
Michael Sigman, Ph.D.
407-823-2120