Study Forensic Science
The forensics program was recently profiled in Mason Spirit. Learn more.
The Forensic Science Program is an interdisciplinary academic collaboration that offers such courses as Forensic DNA, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Toxicology, among others. The program is designed to give students a broad theoretical and practical background in the scientific, legal, and investigation principles of forensic science. It is jointly run by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Department of Molecular and Microbiology, the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, and the Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Undergraduate Minor in Forensic ScienceThe minor in forensic science addresses the growing national and regional interest in forensics by introducing students to the technical, psychological, and legal aspects of the field. The minor provides an attractive option for students with majors in the natural sciences, engineering, or computer science, and the curriculum structure makes it particularly suitable for students with majors in biology and chemistry. Learn more... Forensic Science Masters Degree
Forensics Graduate CertificateThis college-wide interdisciplinary graduate certificate program is designed for students seeking training in forensic science, as well as for current professionals employed by the federal government, local law enforcement, and private security corporations. Forensics refers to the application of scientific methodologies to the analysis of crime scenes, the collection of evidence, and the laboratory analysis of that evidence in support of criminal investigations. Related legal aspects are also considered as part of a comprehensive approach to forensics. Students enrolled in the forensic science concentration obtain the specific scientific skills necessary for laboratory employment in the field. Students enrolled in the general forensics concentration obtain a more general background in the field with a focus on criminal law and anthropology. At the time of completion, depending on the concentration, students will be able to
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The interdisciplinary MS program in Forensic Science is designed to train students in the technical and legal aspects of the field, and it is especially relevant for the many area professionals holding positions in government and private laboratories specializing in the analytical investigation of criminal and terrorist activities. Graduates will be qualified to work in high-technology forensics laboratories that analyze and interpret a wide variety of evidence and data in support of investigations and prosecutions. The demand for graduates with these skills is especially strong in the Northern VA region, where several new FBI and police forensics labs are being built or expanded. 
