Criminalistics, M.S.

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Criminalistics is an interdisciplinary field, in which the physical and natural sciences are employed to analyze and evaluate physical evidence in a judicial context. The Criminalistics program provides advanced, discipline specific knowledge for those wishing to enter the field of criminalistics. The Master of Science Degree program emphasizes current analytical and scientific methods. A broad understanding of the concepts underlying the forensic sciences is provided through a sequence of required and effective courses.
In addition to University requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants must hold a baccalaureate in one of the natural or physical sciences (examples include chemistry, biology, biochemistry, molecular genetics, physics or related disciplines)..
Students are advised that background checks similar to those required for law enforcement officers are likely to be a condition of employment (NIJ Report NCJ 203099 - “Qualifications for a Career in Forensic Science.” PP. 7-10)

Applicants may be admitted to the M.S. degree program in Classified or Conditionally Classified Standing. Classified Standing is granted to accepted applicants who have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units and 3.0 in the undergraduate major.

Conditionally Classified Standing is granted to accepted applicants whose grade point average in their last 60 semester units is less than 3.0 with a minimum of 2.75.

Conditionally Classified Students must achieve a 3.0 grade point average after completing four qualifying courses (that have been approved by the Graduate Advisor) by the end of their second semester of graduate study in order to be granted Classified Standing.

Requisites to the Program

These courses are not included in the 41 units required for the master’s degree.

The following courses or their equivalents must have been completed prior to admission to graduate study.
BIOL 1100 - Cellular Basis of Life [5]
BIOL 1200 - Diversity of Life [5]
BIOL 3000 - Biostatistics [4]
CHEM 1100 - General Chemistry I [5]
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry II [5]
CHEM 3500 - Quantitative Analysis [4]
CHEM 2200 - Organic Chemistry I [4]
CHEM 3200 - Organic Chemistry II [4]
CHEM 2201 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I [1]
CHEM 2211 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II [1]
PHYS 2100 - General Physics I: Mechanics [5]
PHYS 2200 - General Physics II: Electromagnetism and Circuits [5]
The following course or equivalent may be taken concurrently.
CRLT 4090 - Applications of Forensic Science [3]

Requirements for the Degree (41 units)

A total of 41 units is required.

Required Courses (38 units)

Electives (3 units)

With adviser approval, select one course (minimum 3 units) in Criminal Justice or related fields from the following.

*Check catalog for prerequisite courses.

Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT)

Students are required to take the Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT) during the spring semester of their second year. The FSAT is an on-site examination that is administered by the program director or another faculty member. The test consists of 220 multiple-choice questions of which 200 will be scored. The remaining 20 questions are being piloted for future FSAT examinations. This is not a pass/fail test. A numerical score out of a possible 1200 points will be provided to the student.

Thesis (3)

The research project may only be selected after approval from the school graduate committee. The results of the research project will be presented orally in a public forum for evaluation.

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