OVERVIEW OF FORENSIC SCIENCES PROGRAMS
Requirements Applicable to All Degree Candidates
- Refer to the general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences at
http://www.gwu.edu/~bulletin/grad/csas.html.
- Students must complete a program of study consisting of 36 credit hours of approved course work.
- Within the 36 hour credit requirement, all
candidates are required to take a minimum of one credit of FORS 295
(Research) in their area of concentration.
- Students must pass a written Master's Comprehensive Examination in their concentration.
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Certificate in Forensic Investigation
Prerequisite:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with at least five
years experience as a forensic investigator for federal, state or local
law enforcement or a private agency.
Required: The
general requirements stated in the Bulletin of the Columbian College of
Arts and Sciences. The program of study consists of 18 credit hours of
approved course work.
Required courses (15 credits):
FORS 207 (Photography in the Forensic Sciences)
FORS 212 (Biological Aspects of Forensic Science)
FORS 221 (Criminal Law I)
FORS 251 (Crime Scene Investigation I)
FORS 256 (Forensic Pathology)
In addition, one elective course must be chosen from the following (3 credits):
FORS 203 (Examination of Questioned Documents)
FORS 204 (Firearms and Toolmark Identification)
FORS 206 (Trace Evidence Analysis)
FORS 252 (Crime Scene Investigation II)
FORS 253 (Homicide Investigation)
FORS 254 (Forensic Psychiatry)
FORS 255 (Investigation of Child Abuse)
FORS 257
(Medicolegal Death Investigation)
Or another mutually agreed
upon course.
The certificate will be successfully
completed upon completion of the 18 credit hours with an average GPA of
3.0. Upon completion of the certificate students can apply for the MFS
with a concentration in Crime Scene Investigation after taking the GRE
examination. The certificate will count toward 18 credits of the MFS
with a concentration in Crime Scene Investigation.
Note: The student must be accepted as a Certificate Student and register for classes under this designation.
The certificate is not a non-degree program.
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Master of Forensic Sciences --
Prerequisite: a
bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum of one
year of college biology and one year of college chemistry, or
permission of the department.
Required: the general
requirements stated in the Bulletin of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
This program of study consists of 36 credit hours of approved course
work. Successful completion of a Master's Comprehensive Examination is
required.
Required courses (12 credits):
FORS 211 (Physical Aspects of Forensic Science)
FORS 212 (Biological Aspects of Forensic Science)
FORS 221 (Criminal Law I)
FORS 222 or 223 (Criminal Law II: Evidence or Criminal Law II: Moot Court, respectively)
Three additional courses must be chosen from the following (9 credits):
FORS 201 (Forensic Biology)
FORS 202 (Instrumental Analysis)
FORS 203 (Examination of Questioned Documents)
FORS 204 (Firearms and Toolmark Identification)
FORS
206 (Trace Evidence Analysis)
FORS 207 (Photography in the Forensic Sciences)
FORS 208 (Terrorism)
Three additional courses must be chosen from the following (9 credits):
FORS 234 (Medicinal Chemistry I)
FORS 236 (Forensic Toxicology I)
FORS 254 (Forensic Psychiatry)
FORS 256 (Forensic Pathology)
Students must also complete 1-3 credits of FORS 295
research, and the remaining 3-5 credits will be chosen in consultation
with the departmental advisor. It is strongly recommended that students
participate in the forensic sciences practicum (FORS 298).
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Master
of Forensic Science in Crime Scene Investigation --
Prerequisite:
a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with at least one year in chemistry
and
one year of biology or permission of the department.
Required: the general
requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
The program of study consists of 36 credit hours of approved course
work. All candidates are required to pass a written Master's
Comprehensive Examination.
Required courses (27 credits):
FORS 207 (Photography in the Forensic Sciences)
FORS 212 (Biological Aspects of Forensic Science)
FORS 221 (Criminal Law I)
FORS 223 (Criminal Law III: Moot Court)
FORS 251 (Crime Scene Investigation I)
FORS 252 (Crime Scene Investigation II)
FORS 253 (Homicide Investigation)
FORS 256 (Forensic Pathology)
FORS 257
(Medicolegal Death Investigation)
Students are also required to complete 1-3 credits of FORS 295 research. The remaining 6-8 credits will be selected in consultation with
the departmental advisor. Recommended electives include:
FORS 203 (Examination of Questioned Documents)
FORS 204 (Firearms and Toolmark Identification)
FORS 206 (Trace Evidence Analysis)
FORS 254 (Forensic Psychiatry)
FORS 255 (Investigation of Child Abuse)
FORS 298 (Forensic Sciences Practicum)
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Master
of Forensic Science in Forensic Molecular Biology
--
Prerequisite:
a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences, for example Biology,
genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology etc. from an
accredited college or university. To meet the FBI standards for a
forensic DNA technical leader the students must have 12 credits of
course work either as an undergraduate or graduate student in genetics,
biochemistry, molecular biology/molecular genetics, statistics and or
population genetics. The department requires a course in population
genetics (FORS 228).
These courses may be taken as part of the undergraduate curriculum or
as part of the 36 credit hours of approved course work.
Required: the general
requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. The program of
studies consists of 36 credit hours of approved course work. All candidates are required to pass a written Master's
Comprehensive Examination.
Required
courses (18 credits):
FORS 201 (Forensic Biology)
FORS 211 (Physical Aspects of Forensic Science)
FORS 221 (Criminal Law I)
FORS 223 (Criminal Law III: Moot Court)
FORS 228 (Population Genetics; cross-listed with BISC 228)
FORS 241 (Forensic DNA Profiling)
Additional classes in molecular biology ( BISC
275; BIOC 250) are also generally taken. In addition, 1-3 credits of FORS 295 research are required. Remaining credits will be
chosen in consultation with the departmental advisor. The following courses are recommended electives:
FORS 202 (Instrumental Analysis)
FORS 206 (Trace Evidence Analysis)
FORS 207 (Photography in the Forensic Sciences)
FORS 251 (Crime Scene Investigation I)
BISC 227 (Genetics)
MICR
229 (Immunobiology of Infections)
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Master
of Forensic Science in Forensic Chemistry --
Prerequisite:
A bachelor's degree in chemistry from an accredited university with
course work through instrumental analysis or permission of the
department. Preference will be given to students who have extensive
laboratory experience with instrumentation (e.g. undergraduate
research, internships, and work-study programs).
Required: the general
requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. The program of study consists of 36 credit hours of approved course work. All candidates are
required to pass a written Master's Comprehensive Examination.
Required courses (24 credits):
FORS 206 (Trace Evidence Analysis)
FORS 211 (Physical Aspects of Forensic Science)
FORS 221 (Criminal Law I)
FORS 223 (Criminal Law III: Moot Court)
FORS 234 (Medicinal Chemistry I)
FORS 235 (Medicinal Chemistry II)
FORS 238 (Forensic Chemistry I)
FORS 239
(Forensic Chemistry II)
Twelve credits will be chosen in consultation
with the departmental advisor, including 1-3 required credits of FORS 295 research. Additional appropriate courses may be selected from those
offered by the Departments of Forensic Sciences, Chemistry,
Biochemistry, Pharmacology, etc. It is
strongly recommended that students participate in FORS 298, the forensic sciences
practicum.
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Master of Forensic Science in Forensic Toxicology --
Prerequisite:
A bachelor’s degree in chemistry from an accredited university with
course work through instrumental analysis or permission of the
department.
Required:
the general requirements stated under the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. The program of study consists of 36 credit hours of approved
course work. All candidates are required to pass a written Master’s
Comprehensive Examination.
Required courses (30 credits):
FORS 211 (Physical Aspects of Forensic Science)
FORS 212 (Biological Aspects of Forensic Science)
FORS 221 (Criminal Law I)
FORS 223 (Criminal Law III: Moot Court)
FORS 231 (Principles of Toxicology)
FORS 232 (Analytical Toxicology)
FORS 234 (Medicinal Chemistry I)
FORS 235 (Medicinal Chemistry II)
FORS 236 (Forensic Toxicology I)
FORS 237 (Forensic Toxicology II)
Six elective credits will be chosen in consultation with the departmental advisor, including 1-3 required credits of FORS 295 research. Additional appropriate courses may be selected from the other
courses offered by the Departments of Forensic Sciences, Pharmacology,
etc. It is strongly recommended that students
participate in FORS 298, the forensic sciences practicum.
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Five-Year Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Chemical Toxicology --
See the Undergraduate Programs Bulletin and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Chemistry homepage.
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Master
of Forensic Science in High Technology Crime Investigation --
See the High Technology Crime Investigation program information. Electronic
evidence and information gathering have become the critical component
in an increased number of crimes and conflicts. From criminal cases,
civil disputes, medical malpractice and employee misconduct to acts of
terrorism, if there is a computer or other media device involved, the
chances are very good that there will be valuable evidence that
requires recovery and analysis, possibly for presentation in court.
This increase in technology-related crime has generated an urgent need
for a new type of investigator who can combine the science of
information technology and forensics with the art of investigation and
critical thinking.
Prerequisite: FORS 115, 116, 117, 118, and 119, or equivalents.
Required:
the general requirements stated in the Bulletin of the Columbian College of Arts and
Sciences. The program of study consists of 36 credit hours.
Required courses (27 credits):
FORS 259 (Computer Related Law)
FORS 261 (Security Management)
FORS 262 (Risk Analysis and Loss Prevention)
FORS 264 (Protection of Information Systems)
FORS 265 (Ethics, Morality and Leadership)
FORS 273 (Research Methods for Security Professionals)
FORS 277 (Computer Forensics I: Investigation and Data Gathering)
FORS 279 (Computer Intrusion I: Understanding and Identifying Network-Based Attacks)
FORS 285 (High Technology Crime Investigation Capstone Course)
Three additional courses must be chosen from the following (9 credits):
FORS 268 (Industrial Espionage and Corporate Privacy Issues)
FORS 269 (Corporate Fraud)
FORS 271 (Forensic Psychology)
FORS 274 (Video Forensic Analysis)
FORS 278 (Computer Forensics II: Evidence and Analysis)
FORS 280 (Computer Intrusion II: Investigating Network-Based Attacks)
FORS 281 (Forensic Accounting)
FORS 282 (Telecommunications Systems for Security Professionals)
FORS 283 (Steganography and Electronic Watermarking)
FORS 290 (Special Topics)
FORS 295 (Research)
FORS 298 (Forensic Sciences Practicum)
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Master of Forensic Science in Security Management --
See the Security Management program information.
The
challenges of the twenty-first century have shifted the focus of the
traditional security function. Security professionals are now being
called upon to provide vital information and strategies regarding the
true vulnerabilities and risks associated with protecting their
organization’s employees and assets while continuing to do business in
the short and long term. It has become mandatory for them to develop
advanced decision-making and problem-solving skills to gather and
synthesize information, cull fact from fiction, conduct threat
assessments and security surveys of all their facilities and revise
security plans. They are now expected to rapidly disseminate
information and educate their employers and personnel, whether the
issue is biological threat, travel security, evacuation procedures,
disaster recovery or business continuity planning. They are expected to
operate effectively in an environment that includes information
technology.
Prerequisite: FORS 115, 116, 117, 118, and 119, or equivalents.
Required:
The general requirements stated in the Bulletin of the Colombian
College of Arts and Sciences. The program of study consists of 36
credit hours.
Required courses (12 credits):
FORS 261: Security Management
FORS 262: Risk Analysis and Loss Prevention
FORS 264: Protection of Information Systems
FORS 273: Research Methods for the Security Professional
Concentration courses (15 credits):
FORS 260: Security Case Law
FORS 265: Ethics and Leadership
FORS 266: Emergency Planning and Business Continuity
FORS 267: Issues in Organizational Behavior
FORS 284: Security Management Capstone Course
Three additional courses must be chosen from the following (9 credits):
FORS 259: Computer Related Law
FORS 263: Issues in Crisis and Disaster Management
FORS 268: Industrial Espionage and Corporate Privacy Issues
FORS 269: Corporate Fraud
FORS 270: Security Contracting with Federal and State Entities
FORS 271: Forensic Psychology
FORS 281: Forensic Accounting
FORS 286: Personnel Security
FORS 290: Selected Topics: Current Issues in Security Management
FORS 295: Research
FORS 298: Practicum
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Master
of Science in Forensic Science in Forensic Molecular Biology --
Prerequisite: a bachelor's degree in the biological or physical sciences from an
accredited college or university. Students are presumed to have had
basic biology, genetics, and biochemistry prior to entering this
program. Required:
see the requirements stated above for the Master of Forensic Science in
Forensic Molecular Biology. In addition to these requirements, Master
of Science candidates are required to conduct thesis research.
Master
of Science in Forensic Science in Forensic Chemistry --
Prerequisite: A bachelor's degree in chemistry from an accredited university with
course work through instrumental analysis or permission of the
department. Preference will be given to students who have extensive
laboratory experience with instrumentation (e.g. undergraduate
research, internships, and work-study programs).
Required:
see the requirements stated above for the Master of Forensic Science in
Forensic Chemistry. In addition to these requirements, Master of
Science candidates are required to conduct thesis research.
Master
of Science in Forensic Science in Forensic Toxicology --
Prerequisite: A bachelor’s degree in chemistry from an accredited university with
course work through instrumental analysis or permission of the
department.
Required:
see the requirements stated above for the Master of Forensic Science in
Forensic Toxicology. In addition to these requirements, Master of
Science candidates are required to conduct thesis research.
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