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
Northern Virginia Community College (Associate of Science: Science)
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
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Register for SDV 100 or 101.
- Meet with your academic advisor or counselor each semester.
- Start your math sequence and pass ENG 111-112.
- Cultivate relationships with your professors.
- Use Navigate to connect with your advisor and create a program plan.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Learn about the admissions process by speaking with the VCU Transfer Admissions representative at NOVA.
- Visit the VCU Transfer Admissions webpage.
- Review the Forensic Science department website for course requirements and possible connections with faculty and peers.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend diversity-focused events at NOVA and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
- Attend VCU's annual intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Browse careers related to Forensic Science through the NOVA career planning system.
- Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Take a career assessment through the NOVA career planning system.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and explore VCU's Career Pathways.
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
- Understand how you will fund your education by taking advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Meet with your academic advisor or counselor.
- 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.
- Explore the 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.
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 Forensic Science department.
- Join a professional organization related to forensic science: American Academy of Forensic Science, American Board of Criminalistics
- 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 at VCU.
- Attend diversity-focused events on campus and in your community (i.e. international festival).
- Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Forensic Science department-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Find out about VCU REAL.
- Speak with employers that visit campus throughout the year.
- Plan to complete at least two job experiences (e.g., internships) before your senior year of college.
- Create a resume.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- 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.
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
Bachelor of Science: Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology
Northern Virginia Community College (Associate of Science: Science)
Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
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SDV | SDV 100 or SDV 101 | 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 |
History | Select 1: HIS 101 History of Western Civilization I OR HIS 102 History of Western Civilization II OR HIS 111 History of World Civilization I OR HIS 112 History of World Civilization II OR HIS 121 United States History I OR HIS 122 United States History II | HIST | 3 | General education |
MTH 167 | MTH 167 Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry (Students taking the two semester sequence of precalculus must take both MTH 161 and 162 for a total of 6 credits) | MATH 151 | 5 | Major |
CST | CST 100 Principles of Public Speaking OR CST 110 Introduction to Communication OR CST 126 Interpersonal Communication | SPCH 121 | 3 | Elective |
ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
MTH 263 | MTH 263 Calculus I | MATH 200 | 4 | Major |
General Education (or ITE 115/119) | BIO 101 General Biology I | BIOL/Z 151 | 4 | Major |
Humanities/Fine Arts | Select 1: ART 101 History and Appreciation of Art I OR ART 102 History and Appreciation of Art II OR CST 151 Film Appreciation I OR MUS 121 Music Appreciation I OR PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy I OR REL 231 Religions of the World I | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
MTH 245 | Statistics I | STAT 210 | 3 | Major |
Science #1 | BIO 102 General Biology II | BIOL/Z 152 | 4 | Major |
Social/Behavioral Science #1 | Select 1: PLS 135 American National Politics OR PLS 211 United States Government I OR PSY 200 Principles of Psychology OR SOC 200 Principles of Sociology OR SOC 211 Principles of Anthropology I | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
Social/Behavioral Science #2 | PLS 241 International Relations I | POLI 105 | 3 | General education |
Math or Science #1 | CHM 111 General Chemistry I | CHEM/Z 101 | 4 | Major |
MATH or Science #2 | CHM 112 General Chemistry II | CHEM/Z 102 | 4 | Major |
MATH or Science #3 | PHY 201 General College Physics I | PHYS 201 | 4 | Major |
Humanities/Fine Arts | PHI 220 Ethics | PHIL 201 | 3 | Major |
Science #2 | PHY 202 General College Physics II | PHYS 202 | 4 | Major |
Northern Virginia Credits transferred to VCU | 61 |
Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
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Bachelor of Science: Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology | |||
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 | |
BIOL 300 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 | Major |
BIOL 310 | Genetics | 3 | Major |
BIOZ 476 | Molecular Capstone Laboratory | 2 | Major |
CHEM 301 + CHEZ 301 | Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory | 5 | Major |
CHEM 302 + CHEZ 302 | Organic Chemistry II and 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 438 | Forensic Molecular Biology | 3 | Major |
FRSZ 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 | 10 | Elective | |
Credits completed at VCU | 59 | ||
Bachelor's degree total | 120 |