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
Piedmont Virginia Community College (Associate of Science: 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
- Review PVCC Steps to Enrollment information.
- Register for SDV 100.
- Schedule an advising appointment with your advisor.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use Academic Support Services or the Student Success Office to get ahead.
- Start your math sequence and pass ENG 111-112.
- Cultivate relationships with your professors.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
- Review VCU's Forensic Science Department website for course requirements and possible connections with faculty and peers.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend cultural events at community college 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 Virginia Wizard.
- Review the resources of the Student Financial Resource Center to look into building a financial future.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
- Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on the VCU website.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an advising appointment every semester.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use Academic Support Services or the Student Success Office to get ahead.
- Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
- Explore the VCU Forensic Science department website to become familiar with upcoming course offerings, syllabi and professors.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Research housing for next year.
- 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.
- Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
- 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.
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
- Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
- Create a draft resume and bring it to career services advisor or workshop for review.
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
Piedmont Virginia Community College (Associate of Science: 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 |
ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
HIS | Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 | HIST | 3 | General education |
HIS | Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 | HIST | 3 | General education |
MTH 167 | Precalculus with Trigonometry | MATH 151 | 5 | General education |
MTH 263 | Calculus I | MATH 200 | 4 | Major |
CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | CHEM/Z 101 | 4 | Major |
CHM 112 | General Chemistry II | CHEM/Z 102 | 4 | Major |
CHM 241 + 243 | Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory | CHEM/Z 301 | 4 | Major |
CHM 242 + 244 | Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory | CHEM/Z 302 | 4 | Major |
BIO 299 | Supervised Study in Science | BIOL 2XX | 2 | Elective |
BIO 101 | General Biology I | BIOL/Z 151 | 4 | Major |
BIO 102 | General Biology II | BIOL/Z 152 | 4 | Major |
BIO 206 | Cell Biology | BIOL 300 + BIOZ 391 | 4 | Major |
CSC 110 or CSC 119 | CSC 110 Introduction to Computing or CSC 119: Information Literacy | VCU equivalent | 3 | Elective |
Humanities | Select 1: ART 101, 102; MUS 121; CST 250; PHI 100, 200; REL 230 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
Humanities | Select 1: ENG 200-level literature; ART 101, 102; MUS 121; CST 250; PHI 100, 200; REL 230 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
Social Science | Select 1: PSY 200, SOC 200, 210, PLS 135, 211, 241 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
PVCC credits transferred to VCU | 64 |
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 | |
STAT 210 | Basic Practice of Statistics | 3 | Major |
PHIL 201 | Critical Thinking about Moral Problems | 3 | Major |
PHYS | Select either PHYS 201 or PHYS 207 | 4 to 5 | Major |
PHYS | Select either PHYS 202 or PHYS 208 | 4 to 5 | Major |
BIOL 310 | Genetics | 3 | Major |
BIOZ 476 | Molecular Capstone Laboratory | 2 | 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 | 0 to 9 | Elective | |
Credits completed at VCU | 56 | ||
Bachelor's degree total | 120 |