Description
Forensic Science is a burgeoning field of study that is partially driven by today’s
explosion of television programs and media coverage of advancements in the forensic
sciences. However, beyond the media glamour is the very serious endeavor of
applying science to the administration of law. The significant new challenge of
countering terrorism through the forensic analysis of evidence leading to the
identification of groups or individuals responsible for terrorist acts will play a
significant role in driving the future need for highly trained forensic analysts, as will
the need for new rapid and accurate DNA-based methods of identifying victims of
mass disasters.
The Forensic Science M.S. degree is comprised of 32 hours of study beyond the
B.S. degree with intensive specialization in one of two tracks, Forensic Analysis or
Forensic Biochemistry. The full-time student should complete the degree in two years
of continuous full-time study, while nonresident students will generally be expected
to finish the degree in four years. The Forensic Science M.S. degree is a research-based degree requiring original and independent research by each student that results in a written thesis to be defended before a committee consisting of two UCF faculty members and at least one other acknowledged forensic expert in the field.
Degrees OfferedMaster of Science in Forensic Science- Forensic Analysis Track
- Forensic Biochemistry Track
Admission
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).
The student must hold a B.S. degree in Forensic Science or a physical science. All
students will be expected to hold a B.S. degree in Forensic Science or another physical
science, based on at least 30 hours of college-level science subjects, that provides the
background required to be successful in the proposed program. Acceptable non-
Forensic Science B.S. degrees may include Chemistry, Physics, Molecular Biology, and
Chemical Engineering. The Forensic Science Graduate Committee will evaluate the
background of potential students applying for admission into the program. All
students must meet the UCF entry requirements for graduate study: a GPA
of 3.0 or greater over the last 60 attempted hours of a baccalaureate degree or a GRE
of at least 1000 (combined verbal-quantitative portions).
Application Due Dates
All students applying for fellowships or assistantships must apply by the Fall Priority deadline date.
U.S. Applicants
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Forensic Analysis Track |
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Forensic Biochemistry Track |
Feb 1 |
Mar 15 |
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International Applicants
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Forensic Analysis Track |
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Forensic Biochemistry Track |
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Master of Science in Forensic Science
Minimum hours required for M.S.—32 Credit Hours
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 director. A maximum of 6 semester
credit hours at the 4000 level will be accepted.
Foundation Courses—9 Credit Hours
- CHS 5596 The Forensic Expert in the Courtroom (3 credit hours)
- CHS 5XXX Principles of Forensic Science (3 credit hours)
- CHS 6513 Quality Assurance Principles for Forensic Scientists (3 credit hours)
Forensic Analysis Track—16 Credit Hours
- STA 5206 Statistical Analysis (3 credit hours) or equivalent
- CHM 5235 Applied Molecular Spectroscopy (3 credit hours)
- CHM 5XXX Atomic Spectroscopic Methods (3 credit hours)
- CHS 6XXX Forensic Analysis Laboratory (4 credit hours)
Specialization within the track, choose one of the following courses:
- CHS 6XXX Explosives and Accelerants Analysis (3 credit hours)
- CHS 6XXX Forensic Micro-analytical Techniques (3 credit hours)
Forensic Biochemistry Track—16 Credit Hours
- CHS 6535L Forensic DNA Analysis of Biological Materials (3 credit hours)
- CHS 6535 Forensic Molecular Biology (3 credit hours)
- CHS 6536 Population Genetics and Genetic Data Analysis for Forensic Scientists
(3 credit hours)
- PCB 5665C Human Genetics (4 credit hours)
- BCH 6XXX Advanced Biochemistry (3 credit hours)
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 either 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. This research culminated in the writing
and presentation of the thesis. The student will present their thesis for
examination by a 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’s laboratory, where their research is to be performed, before the research
begins and on a regular basis until the work is complete.
Financial Support
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Key points about financial support:
- If you’re interested in financial assistance, you’re strongly encouraged to apply for admission early. A complete application for admission, including all supporting documents, must be received by the priority date listed for your program under "Admissions."
- You must be admitted to a graduate program before the university can consider awarding financial assistance to you.
- If you want to be considered for loans and other need-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
- UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. All admitted graduate students are automatically considered in this nomination process. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. To receive need-based fellowship awards, the student must have demonstrated need as determined by FAFSA. Merit fellowship awards are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
- Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application).
- For information on assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) or tuition support, contact the graduate program coordinator of your major.
Contact Info
Master of Science in Forensic Science
Michael Sigman, Ph.D. , Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-3420
msigman@mail.ucf.edu Forensic Analysis Track
Michael Sigman, Ph.D. , Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-3420
msigman@mail.ucf.edu Forensic Biochemistry Track
Michael Sigman, Ph.D. , Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-3420
msigman@mail.ucf.edu
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Graduate Students
