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M.S. Forensic Science, Chemistry/Toxicology Track

A candidate for the master's degree in the forensic science must complete a total of at least 49 credits of graduate coursework. Up to 9 graduate credits in forensic science, natural science, or engineering may be transferred from other institutions.

Only one C or C+ and a maximum of 9 credits may be counted toward the 49 credits. To remain in good standing, students may only receive one C+ grade or lower during their course of study. Students who receive more than two C+ grades will be dismissed from the program.

Please note that certain states require forensic chemists or related careers to have taken Quantitative Analysis or Analytical Chemistry.

Coursework - 36 credits of lecture coursework must be completed from:

50:640:331 Probability and Stochastic Processes (3 credits, G-Prefix) (may be substituted with 56:121:520 Essentials of Biomathematics I [3 credits] or other equivalent course with approval from the graduate program director)

56:412:525 Forensics: Theory and Policy (3 credits)

56:412:527 Forensic Pattern Evidence (3 credits)

56:412:529 Forensic Trace Evidence (3 credits)

56:115:570 Forensic Serology or 56:115:530 Forensic and Analytical Molecular Biology (3 credits)

56:115:573 Forensic Serology Laboratory (1 credit) or 56:115:531 Forensic DNA Laboratory (1 credit)

56:160:580 Forensic Chemistry (3 credits)

56:160:582 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)

56:160:584 Forensic Toxicology (3 credits)

56:160:586 Forensic Toxicology Laboratory (1 credit)

56:160:611 Fundamentals of Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics (3 credits) (may be substituted with equivalent course with prior approval of graduate program director)

56:160:601 Graduate Chemistry Seminar (1 credit)

56:160:602 Graduate Chemistry Seminar (1 credit)

56:412:680 Forensic Science Symposium (1 credit)

56:412:681 Research Methods in Forensic Science (2 credits)

56:412:800 Internship in Forensic Sciences and Moot Court (4 credits)

In addition, students must complete at least

6 credits of advanced forensic science, chemistry, biochemistry, or computational and integrative biology courses from the list below. These must be distinct courses from the requirements listed above.

56:412:500 level Any 500-level graduate forensic science course

56:160:500 level Any 500-level graduate chemistry lecture course
56:115:500 level Any 500-level graduate biochemistry lecture course

56:121:500 level Any 500-level graduate computational and integrative biology lecture course
56:160:500 level Any 500-level chemistry laboratory course
56:115:500 level Any 500-level biochemistry laboratory course

In addition, students must complete at least

7 credits of Research in Forensic Science, which are taken under the supervision of a faculty adviser.
56:412:700 Research in Forensic Science (variable)

56:412:701 Research in Forensic Science (variable)
56:412:702 Research in Forensic Science and Capstone Presentation (4 credits)

Note: The four credits of 56:412:702 must be taken during the final semester in which the student will prepare a final paper in the form of a journal article submission and will publicly present their research project. This presentation is given during the semester in which the student completes his or her course of study. The presentation is open to the public and is scheduled as a research seminar.

Note: Graduate students may enroll in up to two upper-level (300 or 400 level) undergraduate 115, 160, 640 (or 960), or 412 courses to count toward this graduate program with approval of the graduate program director and associate dean of the Graduate School by using a "G-Prefix Approval Form." See the Graduate School-Camden website for details.

A diploma application must be submitted online in accordance with the deadlines that can be found at https://graduateschool.camden.rutgers.edu/graduation. The Application for Admission to Candidacy for Degree (side one) should be completed by the candidate and submitted to the graduate director prior to the capstone. Application forms are available at https://graduateschool.camden.rutgers.edu/files/Application-for-Admission-to-Candidacy-for-Degree.pdf. The student must inform the graduate director of the intent to complete the capstone presentation. The capstone must be completed in accordance with the schedule established by the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School-Camden and the master of science in forensic science program. In the event of an unfavorable decision, the capstone may be repeated twice.

M.S. Forensic Science, Biochemistry/Biology Track

Please note that students interested in careers in forensic DNA analysis should consult the DNA Advisory Board Requirements, which articulate that forensic DNA analysts must have the taken the following courses: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Recombinant DNA Technology, Population Genetics, or Statistics and Genetics.

Coursework - 33 credits of lecture coursework must be completed from:

56:412:525 Forensics: Theory and Policy (3 credits)

56:412:527 Forensic Pattern Evidence (3 credits)

56:412:529 Forensic Trace Evidence (3 credits)

56:115:530 Forensic and Analytical Molecular Biology (3 credits)

56:115:531 Forensic DNA Laboratory (1 credit)

56:115 (or 120):571 Forensic Serology (3 credits)

56:115 (or 120):573 Forensic Serology Laboratory (1 credit)

56:160:584 Forensic Toxicology (3 credits) or 56:160:580 Forensic Chemistry (3 credits)

56:160:586 Forensic Toxicology Laboratory (1 credit) or 56:160:582 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)

56:160 (or 120):601 Graduate Chemistry (or Biology) Seminar (1 credit)

56:160 (or 120):602 Graduate Chemistry (or Biology) Seminar (1 credit)

56:412:680 Forensic Science Symposium (1 credit)

56:412:681 Research Methods in Forensic Science (2 credits)

56:412:800 level Internship in Forensic Sciences and Moot Court (4 credits)

In addition, students must complete at least

9 credits of advanced forensic science, biology, biochemistry, or computational and integrative biology courses from the list below. These must be distinct courses from the requirements listed above.
56:412:500 level Any 500-level graduate forensic science course

56:120:500 level Any 500-level graduate biology lecture course
56:115:500 level Any 500-level graduate biochemistry lecture course

56:121:500 level Any 500-level graduate computational and integrative biology lecture course
56:120:500 level Any 500-level biology laboratory course
56:115:500 level Any 500-level biochemistry laboratory course

In addition, students must complete at least

7 credits of Research in Forensic Science, which are taken under the supervision of a faculty adviser.
56:412:700 Research in Forensic Science (variable)

56:412:701 Research in Forensic Science (variable)
56:412:702 Research in Forensic Science and Capstone Presentation (4 credits)

Note: Graduate students may enroll in up to two upper-level (300 or 400 level) undergraduate 121, 120, 115, 640 (or 960), or 412 courses to count toward this graduate program with approval of the graduate program director and associate dean of the Graduate School by using a "G-Prefix Approval Form." See the Graduate School-Camden website for details.

A diploma application must be submitted online in accordance with the deadlines that can be found at https://graduateschool.camden.rutgers.edu/graduation. The Application for Admission to Candidacy for Degree (side one) should be completed by the candidate and submitted to the graduate director prior to the capstone. Application forms are available at https://graduateschool.camden.rutgers.edu/files/Application-for-Admission-to-Candidacy-for-Degree.pdf. The student must inform the graduate director of the intent to complete the final capstone presentation. The capstone must be completed in accordance with the schedule established by the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School-Camden and the master of science in forensic science program. In the event of an unfavorable decision, the capstone may be repeated twice.