Graduate Forensic Science

The Forensic Science Master Program is designed to service the needs of both practicing professionals and full-time students who desire an advanced program of study in the forensic analysis of biological materials.

Three concentrations are offered:

Forensic Analysis Concentration: The Forensic Analysis concentration emphasizes the application of modern chromatographic, spectroscopic and micro-analytical techniques to problems in forensic science. This specialized program option is not designed for international applicants.
Forensic Biochemistry Concentration: The Forensic Biochemistry concentration has a strong biochemistry-DNA focus to serve the needs of supervisory personnel in DNA sections of crime laboratories. National DNA standards mandate that such personnel have advanced degrees. This specialized program option is not designed for international applicants.
Forensic Professional Concentration: The Forensic Professional concentration is comprised of 34 credit hours of study beyond the Bachelor of Science degree but does not require an original laboratory-based research project. The Forensic Professional concentration culminates in a one-credit-hour independent study capstone project performed under the direction of one of the faculty members in the program. This program is completely online.

Opportunities and Partnerships

The National Center for Forensic Science (NCFS) is a research center at the University of Central Florida with an 18-year history of research and partnership with the forensic science community. NCFS was formed in support of an industrial need as expressed in the results of a 1994 survey of UCF Forensic Science graduates working in crime laboratories. The NCFS has focused on research in the areas of Physical Evidence (ignitable liquids, explosives, etc.), Biological Evidence (DNA, RNA, body fluids, etc.) and Digital Evidence (recovery of digital evidence, digital tools validation, etc.). The Chemistry Department at UCF has also developed an extensive network of partnerships with Central Florida businesses and industry. These alliances enrich the learning experience and provide unique opportunities both during and after the advanced degree programs. Companies recently offering partnership programs for UCF Chemistry students include Lucent Technologies, NASA, Lockheed-Martin Corporation, MBI International, Cirent Corporation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, M. D. Andersen Cancer Center of the Orlando Regional Medical Center, and the Walt Disney Cancer Institute at Florida Hospital.

Graduate Forensic Advising

As a graduate student you may seek advising from your selected research advisor, the graduate coordinator, and the graduate program assistant. Additionally, the graduate program handbook should serve as your main advising guide. The handbook includes curriculum, timeline for completion, graduate milestones and useful links.

Forensic Science M.S Handbook