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2020-2021

Bachelor of Science: Forensic Science with a concentration in physical evidence

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Science: Science (Brightpoint Community College (program-specific pathway))
Brightpoint Community College
Associate degree

Associate of Science: Science

Program description

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 physical evidence concentration requires an additional 31 credits in chemistry, criminal justice, forensic science and elective credits beyond the core requirements and is offered for those students who are interested in graduate study or careers in latent fingerprint examination, the analysis of impression evidence, as well as firearm and tool mark analyses. Students also will be prepared for work in private analytical laboratories.


Career opportunities
This concentration prepares students for graduate study or careers in latent print examination, the analysis of impression evidence, as well as firearm and tool mark analyses. Students will also be prepared for work in private analytical laboratories.
Bachelor-level job titles
  • Chemical Technician
  • Criminal Investigators and Special Agent
  • Fire Investigator
  • Forensic Science Technician
  • Police Identification and Records Officer
  • Police Patrol Officer
  • Secondary School Teacher
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Attorney
  • Chief of Police
  • Crime Scene Investigator
  • Federal Agent
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better

Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 200
  • STAT 314
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0
VCU Major Maps

View VCU Major Map for Forensic Science with concentration in Physical evidence

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Bachelor of Science: Forensic Science with a concentration in physical evidence

Brightpoint Community College (program-specific pathway) (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
Explore Year 1
  • Attend Tyler Orientation.
  • Log into Navigate and view its features to help you on your pathway.
  • Register for SDV course.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Visit the Academic Resource Center on either campus.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester and cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator to discuss options and create a plan for a successful transition to VCU.
  • Attend diversity-focused events on campus or in your community.
  • Identify a mentor in a diversity organization.
  • Browse careers related to forensic science through the career coach.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Create LinkedIn profile.
  • Understand how you will fund your education. Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • 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."
  • Create, upload and update your resume to the College Central Network.
Experience Year 2
  • Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator to discuss options and create a plan for a successful transition to VCU.
  • Meet with your academic advisor.
  • Use Navigate to remain on your pathway.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Visit the Academic Resource Center on either campus to get ahead.
  • Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Prepare for organic chemistry at VCU by reviewing CHM 111-112 notes and textbook.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options at VCU.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend Tyler Orientation.
  • Log into Navigate and view its features to help you on your pathway.
  • Register for SDV course.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Visit the Academic Resource Center on either campus.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester and cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator to discuss options and create a plan for a successful transition to VCU.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend diversity-focused events on campus or in your community.
  • Identify a mentor in a diversity organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Browse careers related to forensic science through the career coach.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Create LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Understand how you will fund your education. Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • 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."
  • Create, upload and update your resume to the College Central Network.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator to discuss options and create a plan for a successful transition to VCU.
  • Meet with your academic advisor.
  • Use Navigate to remain on your pathway.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Visit the Academic Resource Center on either campus to get ahead.
  • Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Prepare for organic chemistry at VCU by reviewing CHM 111-112 notes and textbook.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options at VCU.
  • 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).
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.
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.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Bachelor of Science: Forensic Science with a concentration in physical evidence

Brightpoint Community College (program-specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Science)

Brightpoint Community College (program-specific pathway) courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
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
MTH 161 Precalculus I (or MTH 263 Calculus I) MATH 141 3 General education
CHM 111 General Chemistry I CHEM/Z 101 4 Major
ENG 112 College Composition II UNIV 200 3 General education
Foreign Language or CST SPA 101, FRE 101, or CST 100 (students who have not completed 3 years of same language in high school should complete language for this requirement) VCU equivalent 3 General education
MTH 162 Precalculus II (or MTH 264 Calculus II) MATH 151 3 Major
CHM 112 General Chemistry II CHEM/Z 102 4 Major
Social/Behavioral Science Social/Behavioral Science elective (select 1): PSY 200, SOC 200, SOC 211 (PSY 230 will be accepted if Associate degree is completed) VCU equivalent 3 General education
MTH 245 Statistics I STAT 210 3 Major
PHY 201 or PHY 241 General College Physics I or University Physics I PHYS 201 or PHYS 207 4 Major
BIO 101 General Biology I BIOL/Z 151 4 Major
Social/Behavioral Science Social/Behavioral Science elective (select 1): PSY 200, SOC 200, SOC 211 (PSY 230 will be accepted if Associate degree is completed) VCU equivalent 3 General education
ENG Any 200-level ENG literature course (select 1): ENG 241, 242, 243, 244, 251, 252 ENGL 3 General education
PHY 202 or PHY 242 General College Physics II or University Physics II PHYS 202 or PHYS 208 4 Major
BIO 102 General Biology II BIOL/Z 152 4 Major
History elective History elective (select 1): HIS 111, 112, 121, 122 HIST 3 General education
PHI 220 Ethics PHIL 201 3 Major
Transfer elective Select 1: HLT 160, ART 101, ART 102, EDU 200, ITE 115, ITE 119 VCU equivalent 3 Elective
John Tyler credits transferred to VCU 61
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
Foreign language through the 102 level (if not completed at JTCC). (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
MATH 200 Calculus with Analytic Geometry (if not completed at John Tyler) 0 to 4 Major
CHEM 301 + CHEZ 301 Organic Chemistry I + Laboratory 5 Major
CHEM 302 + CHEZ 302 Organic Chemistry II + Laboratory 5 Major
CHEM 309 + CHEZ 309 Quantitative Analysis and Laboratory 5 Major
CHEM 320 Inorganic Chemistry 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 410 Forensic Pattern Evidence 3 Major
FRSC 412 Forensic Analysis of Firearms and Toolmarks 3 Major
FRSC 490 Professional Practices in Forensic Science 3 Major
FRSC 566 Advanced Crime Scene Investigation 3 Major
Concentration electives: select 4 credits of 300- to 500-level courses from BIOL/BIOZ, CHEM/CHEZ, or FRSC/FRSZ (see VCU advisor for course options) 4 Major
Open electives 6 Elective
Credits completed at VCU 59
Bachelor's degree total 120