Forensic Science
General information:
Forensic Science is an emerging interdisciplinary area of science that includes elements of social science and involves the use of scientific principles to analyze evidence for legal investigations. The BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science is distinguished by a strong scientific base in biology and chemistry, with allied courses related to forensic aspects of psychology, toxicology and law.
The Forensic Science program incorporates a foundation in chemistry, biology, physics and calculus. Through elective courses, students may acquire a deeper knowledge of either chemistry or biology, providing them with additional opportunities, including post-degree and graduate studies.
In keeping with UOIT's mission to prepare students for careers, science programs also include development in leadership skills.
Careers:
The following career options are simply a starting point to the variety of career opportunities available in the field of Forensic Science. Forensic science graduates can find career success as forensic scientists and crime scene investigators within organizations such as police agencies, insurance companies, and private practice firms. Graduates may choose to continue on to higher education in such areas as medical school, law school, graduate school, and teacher's college.
Benefits of Forensic Science at UOIT:
In the below videos you will hear a professor's and a student's perspective on the benefits of studying Forensic Science at UOIT.
Program map:
YEAR 1
Semester 1 (15 credit hours)
- BIOL 1010U Biology I
- CHEM 1010U Chemistry I
- CSCI 1000U Scientific Computing Tools
- MATH 1000U Introductory Calculus or MATH 1010U Calculus I*
- PHY 1010U Physics I or PHY 1030U Introductory Physics*
Semester 2 (15 credit hours)
- BIOL 1020U Biology II
- CHEM 1020U Chemistry II
- MATH 1020U Calculus II
- PHY 1040U Physics for Biosciences**
- FSCI 1010U Introductory Forensic Science
*All students who have completed grade 12 Advanced Functions and Introductory Calculus or 12U Calculus and Vectors should take MATH 1010U and PHY 1010U. Students without one of these high school courses or equivalent are directed to take MATH 1000U and PHY 1030U.
**Students who wish to take upper year physics courses must take PHY 1010U or PHY 1030U and PHY 1020U. However, students who achieve a B standing or higher in PHY 1040U will be permitted to proceed to higher level physics courses.
YEAR 2
Semester 1 (15 credit hours)
- BIOL 2010U Introductory Physiology
- BIOL 2030U Cell Biology
- CHEM 2020U Introduction to Organic Chemistry
- FSCI 2010U Crime Scene Science
- STAT 2020U Statistics and Probability for Biological Science
Semester 2 (15 credit hours)
- BIOL 2020U Genetics and Molecular Biology
- BIOL 2040U Biochemistry
- BIOL 2050U Human Anatomy
- CHEM 2120U Organic Chemistry
- PSYC 1000U Introductory Psychology
YEAR 3
Semester 1 (15 credit hours)
- BIOL 3020U Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology
- CHEM 2030U Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 3140U Physical Chemistry for Biosciences
- FSCI 3010U Criminalistics
- Elective***
Semester 2 (15 credit hours)
- CHEM 3830U Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
- FSCI 3020U Forensic Biology
- FSCI 3030U Criminalistics II
- FSCI 3040U Forensic Chemistry
- Elective***
YEAR 4
Semester 1 (15 credit hours)
- FSCI 4020U Interdisciplinary Topics in Forensic Science
- FSCI 4030U Forensic Drug Chemistry and Toxicology
- FSCI 4430U Directed Studies in Forensic Science or FSCI 4410U Forensic Science Thesis Project I****
- Elective***
- Elective***
Semester 2 (15 credit hours)
- FSCI 4010U Forensic Psychology
- FSCI 4050U Law for Forensic Scientists
- Senior biology or chemistry elective or FSCI 4420U Forensic Science Thesis Project II****
- Elective***
- Elective***
*** Note: Electives and breadth requirements Students must complete 18 elective credit hours. Nine credit hours must be in courses offered by the Faculty of Science. The senior biology or chemistry elective required with FSCI 4430U may not be used to meet this science elective requirement. In order to satisfy breadth requirements nine credit hours must be in courses outside the Faculty of Science, and must include BUSI 2000U Collaborative Leadership.
****Note: Directed Studies and Thesis Project Courses Students in clear academic standing who have completed 90 credit hours of their program and six third-year required courses in their area of specialization are eligible to take FSCI 4430U Directed Studies in Forensic Science plus a senior biology or chemistry elective. FSCI 4430U may be offered in either semester depending on demand. Students who meet these qualifications may optionally apply to do a two-course sequence consisting of FSCI 4410U and FSCI 4420U Thesis Project in Forensic Science I and II in place of FSCI 4430U and a senior biology or chemistry elective. A senior biology or chemistry elective is defined as any fourth-year (BIOL 4000U or CHEM 4000U) series biology or chemistry course not explicitly specified in the program map.
Opportunities for the thesis option are limited; students must apply to the forensic science fourthyear thesis co-ordinator by March 30 following completion of the first three years of the program.
Note: No more than 42 credit hours may be taken at the first-year level.
Program progression requirements:
Progression through the Forensic Science program is restricted. By June of each year, students must be in clear academic standing and have successfully completed the full set of required courses, including electives, of the prior academic terms in order to progress into the program's next academic year. Clear academic standing requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00.
Students who do not meet this requirement will not be permitted to continue in any FSCI courses regardless of course prerequisites and will have the option to select another program offered by the Faculty of Science. After a period of one full academic year, students who have achieved clear academic standing and have completed all missing courses may re-apply to the Forensic Science program. Readmission to the program will be dependent upon program space and resource availability and the grades of the student.
