Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology, Bachelor of Science
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.
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.
- Chemical Technician
- Criminal Investigators and Special Agent
- Fire Investigator
- Forensic Science Technician
- Police Identification and Records Officer
- Police Patrol Officer
- Secondary School Teacher
- Attorney
- Chief of Police
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Federal Agent
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
- STAT 210
- 5+ additional science courses
- Yes
- Yes
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology, Bachelor of Science
Reynolds 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 | ||
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Explore | Year 1 |
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Experience | Year 2 |
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MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Register for SDV 101.
- Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Start your math sequence and pass ENG 111-112.
- Explore the three different forensic science concentrations of the B.S. in Forensic Science.
- Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator to discuss options and create a plan for a successful transition to VCU.
- Attend Reynolds Orientation (SOAR).
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.
- 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
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
- Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Meet with your academic advisor.
- 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.
- Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator.
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
- Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
- 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
- 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.
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
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.
Forensic Science with a concentration in forensic biology, Bachelor of Science
Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Science)
Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
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SDV 101 | Orientation to STEM Disciplines | UNIV 101 | 1 | Elective |
MTH 167 | Precalculus with Trigonometry (or MTH 161-162 Precalculus I-II) | MATH 151 | 5 | General education |
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 |
Laboratory Science I | CHM 111 General Chemistry I | CHEM/Z 101 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
History Elective | Select 1: HIS 101 or HIS 121 | HIST | 3 | General education |
CSC 155 | Computer Concepts and Applications | INFO 160, 161, 162 | 3 | Elective |
ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
Laboratory Science II | CHM 112 General Chemistry II | CHEM/Z 102 | 4 | Major |
Math elective | MTH 263 Calculus I | MATH 200 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
HLT/PED | Personal Wellness Elective | VCU equivalent | 1 | Elective |
History Elective | Select 1: HIS 102 or HIS 122 | HIST | 3 | General education |
Laboratory Science III | BIO 101 General Biology I | BIOL/Z 151 | 4 | Major (Ancillary) |
Laboratory Science Elective | CHM 241 + 245 Organic Chemistry and Laboratory | CHEM/Z 301 | 5 | Major |
Social/Behavioral Science | Select 1: PSY 200, 230, ECO 201 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
Humanities/Fine Arts | PHI 220 Ethics | PHIL 201 | 3 | Major |
Laboratory Science IV | BIO 102 General Biology II | BIOL/Z 152 | 4 | Major |
Laboratory Science Elective | CHM 242 + 246 Organic Chemistry II and laboratory | CHEM/Z 302 | 5 | Major |
Humanities/Fine Arts | Select any approved Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
Elective | MTH 245 Statistics I | STAT 210 | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
Reynolds credits transferred to VCU | 64 |
Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
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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 |
FRSC electives (any 300-500 level course) | 6 | 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 300 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 | 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 | |
Credits completed at VCU | 56 | ||
Bachelor's degree total | 120 |