2021-2022
Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology, Bachelor of Science
VCU
Community college:
Associate of Science: Science-Biology Track (Piedmont Virginia Community College)
Associate degree
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.
Students will be prepared to pursue advanced degrees in the physical sciences, biological sciences, forensic science, law, allied health and medicine, to name a few. Students will gain REAL experience by participating in internships and research opportunities within the major.
Career opportunities
The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science prepares students for graduate study or careers in latent print examination, the analysis of impression evidence; firearm and tool mark analyses; and private analytical laboratories; clinical diagnostic laboratories; drug analysis and toxicology; and trace evidence analysis.
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
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.
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 210
Science required
- 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
- Yes
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
Transfer major map
2021-2022
Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology, Bachelor of Science
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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Explore
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
- 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.
- Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- 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.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use Academic Support Services or the Student Success Office to get ahead.
- Schedule an advising appointment every semester.
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.
- Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
- 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.
- Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
Recommended courses
2021-2022
Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology, Bachelor of Science
Piedmont Virginia Community College (Associate of Science: Science-Biology Track)
| 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 |
| 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 (Ancillary) |
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | CHEM/Z 101 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
| 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 (Ancillary) |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in 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 | |
| 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 490 | Professional Practices in Forensic Science | 3 | Major |
| PHYS | Select either PHYS 201 or PHYS 207 | 4 to 5 | Major (Ancillary) |
| 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 385 | Forensic Serology | 3 | Major |
| FRSC 438 | Forensic Molecular Biology | 3 | Major |
| FRSZ 438 | Forensic Molecular Biology Laboratory | 2 | 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 | |
| STAT 210 | Basic Practice of Statistics | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| Open electives | 9 | Elective | |
| Credits completed at VCU | 56 | ||
| Bachelor's degree total | 120 | ||