Bachelor of Science: Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology
VCU
The Department of Forensic Science offers programs leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The Bachelor of Science is for students who plan a career or graduate study in the forensic sciences. The forensic science program provides students with fundamental learning in forensic laboratory analyses and crime scene investigation, with academic emphasis in biology, chemistry and criminal justice. The program offers three concentrations: forensic biology, forensic chemistry and physical evidence. Students will select one of the three concentrations prior to the second semester of their sophomore year. The B.S. in Forensic Science supplies students with the necessary skills for professional careers in forensic laboratories, public and private, basic research laboratories, clinical laboratories, and/or to pursue graduate studies. Students also will be prepared to pursue advanced degrees in the physical sciences, biological sciences, forensic science, law, allied health and medicine, to name a few.
The forensic biology concentration requires an additional 33 credits in biology, forensic science and elective credits beyond the core requirements and is well-suited for students interested in graduate study or careers in the forensic biology section of forensic laboratories. Students also will be prepared for work in molecular biology laboratories in both the public and private sectors. Students completing the forensic biology concentration will be eligible for a minor in chemistry. Additionally, students who complete BIOL 317 or BIOL 318 will be eligible for a minor in biology.
Students will be prepared for graduate study including medical school, or careers in the forensic biology section of forensic laboratories. Students will also be prepared for work in molecular biology laboratories in both the public and private sectors.
- Biological Technician
- Environmental Science and Protection Technician
- Food Science Technician
- Forensic Science Technician
- Histotechnologist and Histologic Technician
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Secondary School Teacher
- Attorney
- Forensic Odontologist
- Medical Examiner
- Psychologist
Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
- MATH 200 and STAT 314
- 5+ additional science courses
- Yes
- Yes
- 2.0
Bachelor of Science: Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology
Germanna Community College (Associate of Arts & Sciences: Science, Biology Track)
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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Explore | Year 1 |
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Experience | Year 2 |
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MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Explore the VCU Forensic Science department website.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
- Attend diversity-focused events on campus or in your community.
- Identify a mentor in a diversity organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
- Browse careers related to Forensic Science through the career coach.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Take a career assessment through the career coach.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Use SDV 100 to create a weekly and monthly budget.
- Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
- Work with career services to build resume.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Visit the VCU Forensic Science department website to become familiar with upcoming course offerings, syllabi, and professors.
- Prepare for organic chemistry at VCU by reviewing CHM 111-112 notes and textbook.
- Use Navigate to remain on your pathway.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Research housing for next year.
- Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU Forensic Science department, consider joining a VCU club, or meeting with VCU students to make professional and personal connections.
- Participate in the STEM Transitions: Transfer Success Program after you’re admitted to VCU.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
- Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
- Attend diversity-focused events on campus and in your community (i.e. international festival).
- Get involved with service-learning opportunities.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Find out about VCU REAL.
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year.
- Acquire career related experience (e.g., job, internship, organization involvement).
- Run for leadership in your student organization.
- If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
- Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
- Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Bachelor of Science: Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology
Germanna Community College (Associate of Arts & Sciences: Science, Biology Track)
Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
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SDV 100 | College Success Skills | UNIV 101 | 1 | Elective |
ENG 111 | College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
Lab Science (I) | CHM 111 General Chemistry I | CHEM/Z 101 | 4 | Major |
Lab Science (II) | BIO 101 General Biology I | BIOL/Z 151 | 4 | Major |
HIS | History elective (select 1): HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 | HIST | 3 | General education |
ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
MTH 167 | Precalculus with Trigonometry (or MTH 161-162) | MATH 151 | 5 | General education |
Lab Science (III) | CHM 112 General Chemistry II | CHEM/Z 102 | 4 | Major |
Lab Science (IV) | BIO 102 General Biology II | BIOL/Z 152 | 4 | Major |
Humanities (PHI) | PHI 220 Ethics | PHIL 201 | 3 | Major |
Social Science | Social Science (select 1): PSY 200, SOC 200, 211, PLS 211, PLS 241 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
MTH 263 | Calculus I | MATH 200 | 4 | Major |
Science elective | BIO 206 Cell Biology | BIOL 300 + BIOZ 391 | 4 | Major |
Science Capstone | Science Capstone Presentation | VCU equivalent | 1 | Elective |
Social Science | Social Science (select 1): ECO 201, ECO 202, PSY 200, SOC 200, SOC 211, PLS 211, PLS 241 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
MTH 245 | Statistics I | STAT 210 | 3 | Major |
Humanities | Humanities/Fine Arts (select 1): ART 101, 102, 106, HUM 100, or REL | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
Transfer elective | PHY 201 General College Physics I | PHYS 201 | 4 | Major |
Transfer elective | Transfer elective | VCU equivalent | 1 to 3 | Elective |
Germanna credits transferred to VCU | 60 to 62 |
Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
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Foreign language through the 102 level. (This requirement can be fulfilled by means of completion of the 102-level of a language or waived if the student completed up through the third level of a foreign language in high school. Additionally, language waiver and placement testing options are available for native or heritage speakers of a non-english language.) | 0 to 8 | General education | |
PHYS 202 | General Physics II | 4 | Major |
BIOL 310 | Genetics | 3 | Major |
BIOZ 476 | Molecular Capstone Laboratory | 2 | Major |
CHEM 301 + CHEZ 301 | Organic Chemistry I + Laboratory | 5 | Major |
CHEM 302 + CHEZ 302 | Organic Chemistry II + Laboratory | 5 | Major |
CHEM 403 | Biochemistry I | 3 | Major |
FRSC 300 | Survey of Forensic Science | 3 | Major |
FRSC 309 | Scientific Crime Scene Investigation | 3 | Major |
FRSC 365 | Forensic Microscopy | 3 | Major |
FRSC 375 | Forensic Evidence, Law and Criminal Procedure | 3 | Major |
FRSC 385 | Forensic Serology | 3 | Major |
FRSC/BIOL 438 | Forensic Molecular Biology | 3 | Major |
FRSZ/BIOZ 438 | Forensic Molecular Biology Laboratory | 2 | Major |
FRSC 490 | Professional Practices in Forensic Science | 3 | Major |
Concentration electives: select 5 credits of 300- to 500-level courses from BIOL/BIOZ, CHEM/CHEZ, or FRSC/FRSZ (see VCU advisor for course options | 5 | Major | |
Open electives | 8 to 10 | Elective | |
Credits completed at VCU | 58 to 60 | ||
Bachelor's degree total | 120 |