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2026-2027

Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science

VCU

Community college:
AS in Science (Virginia Community College System)
Virginia Community College System
Associate degree

Associate of Science in Science 

Completing the associate degree will waive VCU's general education requirements.

Program description

The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science prepares students for graduate study or careers in variety of disciplines in forensics and criminalistics, including body fluids and DNA; controlled substances; crime scene investigation and reconstruction; fingerprints, firearms, tool marks, and other impression evidence; medicolegal death investigation; toxicology; and trace evidence. Students are also highly prepared for private analytical laboratories and clinical diagnostic laboratories.

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
  • Autopsy Technician
  • Biologist
  • Chemist
  • Crime Scene Investigator
  • Forensic Chemist
  • Forensic DNA Analyst
  • Forensic Toxicologist
  • Latent Fingerprint Examiner
  • Medicolegal Death Investigator
  • Trace Evidence Examiner
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Forensic Pathologist
  • Research Scientist
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 210
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
VCU Major Maps

View VCU Major Map for Forensic Science with concentration in Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, 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
2026-2027

Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science

Virginia Community College System (AS in Science)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Complete your math, english and CHM 111-112 requirements in your first year.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges and utilize tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Explore community college financial aid resources and submit your FAFSA on time.
  • Explore the different concentrations of the forensic science degree: forensic biology, forensic chemistry, and physical evidence.
  • Enroll in the SDV student success course.
  • Schedule an appointment with your community college advisor to map out your associate degree course plan.
  • Check on G3 funding for your AS program.
  • Explore the VCU Forensic Science department website.
  • Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
  • Get involved with student clubs and organizations at your community college.
  • Volunteer for community service projects.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
  • Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
Experience Year 2
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year.
  • Acquire career related experience (e.g., job, internship, organization involvement).
  • If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • 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.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Complete your math, english and CHM 111-112 requirements in your first year.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges and utilize tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Explore community college financial aid resources and submit your FAFSA on time.
  • Explore the different concentrations of the forensic science degree: forensic biology, forensic chemistry, and physical evidence.
  • Enroll in the SDV student success course.
  • Schedule an appointment with your community college advisor to map out your associate degree course plan.
  • Check on G3 funding for your AS program.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Explore the VCU Forensic Science department website.
  • Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
  • Get involved with student clubs and organizations at your community college.
  • Volunteer for community service projects.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
  • Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year.
  • Acquire career related experience (e.g., job, internship, organization involvement).
  • If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • 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.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2026-2027

Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science

Virginia Community College System (AS in Science)

Virginia Community College System courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 100 or 101 College Success Skills UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I UNIV 111 3 General education
ENG 112 College Composition II UNIV 200 3 General education
MTH 263 Calculus I MATH 200 4 Major (Ancillary)
MTH 245 Statistics I STAT 210 3 Major (Ancillary)
Humanities/Fine Arts Select one of the following (UCGS Block II): ART 100, ART 101, ART 102, CST 130, CST 151, MUS 121, MUS 221, MUS 222, MUS 226, HUM 201, HUM 202, HUM 210, HUM 216, HUM 220, HUM 256, HUM 259, PHI 100, PHI 111, PHI 220, REL 100, REL 230, REL 237, REL 240. VCU equivalent 3 General education
Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature Select one of the following (UCGS Block II): ART 100, ART 101, ART 102, CST 130, CST 151, MUS 121, MUS 221, MUS 222, MUS 226, HUM 201, HUM 202, HUM 210, HUM 216, HUM 220, HUM 256, HUM 259, PHI 100, PHI 111, PHI 220, REL 100, REL 230, REL 237, REL 240, ENG 225, ENG 245, ENG 246, ENG 250, ENG 255, ENG 258, ENG 275 (the course must come from a different group than the previous requirement). VCU equivalent 3 General education
Social Science Select one of the following (UCGS Block III): ECO 150, ECO 201, ECO 202, GEO 210, GEO 220, PLS 135, PLS 140, PLS 241, PSY 200, SOC 200, SOC 211, SOC 268. VCU equivalent 3 General education
History Select one of the following (UCGS Block VI): HIS 101, HIS 102, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 121, HIS 122. VCU equivalent 3 General education
BIO 101 General Biology I BIOL/Z 151 4 Major (Ancillary)
BIO 102 General Biology II BIOL/Z 152 4 Major
CHM 111 General Chemistry I CHEM/Z 101 4 Major (Ancillary)
CHM 112 General Chemistry II CHEM/Z 102 4 Major
Select one: CHM 241 + CHM 245 Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory (both lecture and lab must be taken) OR PHY 201 General College Physics I OR PHY 241 University Physics I CHEM/Z 301 or PHYS 201 or PHYS/Z 207 4 to 5 Major
Select one: CHM 242 + CHM 246 Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (both lecture and lab must be taken) OR PHY 202 General College Physics II OR PHY 242 University Physics II CHEM/Z 302 or PHYS 202 or PHYS/Z 208 4 to 5 Major
Complete requirements for associate degree (may include prerequisites for MTH 263) VCU equivalents 12 Elective
Community college credits transferred to VCU 62
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science with a concentration in forensic biology
CHEM/Z 301 Organic Chemistry I + Laboratory (if CHM 241/245 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major
CHEM/Z 302 Organic Chemistry II + Laboratory (if CHM 242/246 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 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 490 Professional Practices in Forensic Science 3 Major
FRSC FRSC electives (any 300-500 level course) 9 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
Select five credits from 300- to 500-level courses with a laboratory from BIOL/BIOZ, CHEM/CHEZ or FRSC/FRSZ courses (see VCU advisor for course options) 5 Major
Physics Select either PHYS 201 or PHYS/Z 207 (if PHY 201 or PHY 241 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major (Ancillary)
Physics Select either PHYS 202 or PHYS/Z 208 (if PHY 202 or PHY 242 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major
Credits completed at VCU 58
Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree 120
Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science with a concentration in forensic chemistry
CHEM/Z 301 Organic Chemistry I + Laboratory (if CHM 241/245 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major
CHEM/Z 302 Organic Chemistry II + Laboratory (if CHM 242/246 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 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 490 Professional Practices in Forensic Science 3 Major
FRSC FRSC electives (any 300-500 level course) 9 Major
CHEM/Z 309 Quantitative Analysis and laboratory 5 Major
CHEM 314 Physical Chemistry I with Math Modules 4 Major
CHEM/Z 409 Instrumental Analysis and laboratory 5 Major
CHEZ 313 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I 2 Major
FRSC 400 Forensic Chemistry 4 Major
FRSC 445 Forensic Toxicology and Drugs 4 Major
MATH 201 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II 4 Major
Physics Select either PHYS 201 or PHYS/Z 207 (if PHY 201 or PHY 241 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major (Ancillary)
Physics Select either PHYS 202 or PHYS/Z 208 (if PHY 202 or PHY 242 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major
Credits completed at VCU 62
Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree 120
Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science with a concentration in physical evidence
CHEM/Z 301 Organic Chemistry I + Laboratory (if CHM 241/245 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major
CHEM/Z 302 Organic Chemistry II + Laboratory (if CHM 242/246 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major
FRSC 300 Survey of Forensic Science 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 490 Professional Practices in Forensic Science 3 Major
FRSC FRSC electives (any 300-500 level course) 9 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 566 Advanced Crime Scene Investigation 3 Major
Select at least six credits from 300- to 500-level BIOL/BIOZ or CHEM/CHEZ courses (see VCU advisor for course options) 6 Major
Select at least six additional credits from 300-500 level courses with a laboratory from BIOL/BIOZ, CHEM/CHEZ or FRSC/FRSZ courses which include chemistry and/or biology concepts 6 Major
Physics Select either PHYS 201 or PHYS/Z 207 (if PHY 201 or PHY 241 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major (Ancillary)
Physics Select either PHYS 202 or PHYS/Z 208 (if PHY 202 or PHY 242 were not taken at community college) 0 to 5 Major
Credits completed at VCU 64
Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree 120
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.S. and M.S. in Forensic Science in a minimum of five and a half years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 60 undergraduate credit hours including CHEM 301, CHEZ 301, FRSC 300 and an overall GPA of 3.3.