Program of Study for the M.S. in Forensic Science

During the first year of academic study, students are required to write a research proposal and select their thesis committee as part of the 2-credit Thesis Prospectus course (FSC 500) which is offered during the spring semester.  The research committee will consist of a primary mentor and two other individuals.  All members of the research committee must have at a minimum a master’s degree. The primary mentor must be a member of the Cedar Crest College faculty and the second reader must be external to the Forensic Science Program and the Department of Chemical, Physical, and Forensic Sciences.  The selection of the second reader may, for instance, be a faculty member from another department at Cedar Crest College, a faculty member from another institution, or a forensic science practitioner.  The role of the second reader is to provide the student with technical guidance in consultation with the primary reader.  The third reader must be a faculty member from the Cedar Crest College Forensic Science Program.  The composition of the research committee must be approved by the faculty.

Undergraduate prerequisites include biochemistry and genetics.  Students accepted into the program without these courses must register for these courses at the undergraduate level normally during the first year.

Students will be required to perform the bulk of their master’s research during the summer between the first and second year.  Research can be performed on campus or at an external laboratory (requires prior approval from the Program Director and faculty).

During the second year Graduate Seminar course, each student will be required to present a one-hour seminar on the results of their research as part of FSC 504 (Seminar).  However, the seminar will only be conducted with the approval of the primary mentor and after a competed draft of the thesis or manuscript has been submitted to the student’s research committee.  Students requiring additional time to prepare for the seminar may do so as long as they do not exceed the required timeframe for completion of the degree.  A primary mentor is responsible for writing a review of the seminar and providing a grade to the instructor of the Graduate Seminar.  Students will also be required to write a thesis or manuscript for publication during the second year. Students requiring additional time to complete the thesis or manuscript may do so as long as they do not exceed the required timeframe for completion of the degree.  Students are also required to register for 1 credit of research in both semesters under FSC 599 in the academic year immediately after summer research.

Course Sequence

Fall I:
FSC 503 Professional Communication 2 credits
FSC 505 Chemical Separations 2 credits

FSC 506 Analytical Spectroscopy 2 credits
FSC 513 Advanced Microscopy 3 credits

FSC 515 Advanced Pattern Analysis 3 credits
CHE 307 Biochemistry I* 3 credits

*only required if not taken at the undergraduate level.   If students need to take CHE 307, they should not register for FSC 508.  If students have successfully completed biochemistry at the undergraduate level, they should register for FSC 508.

Spring I:
FSC 500 Thesis Prospectus 12 credits
FSC 510 Recent Advances in Forensic Biology 4 credits
FSC 511 Molecular Biology 3 credits

FSC 548 Research Design and Statistics 3 credits
BIO 313 Genetics* 3 credits
*only required if not taken at the undergraduate level

May I:

FSC 519 Using Multivariate Statistics in Forensic Analysis 1 credit

Summer:
FSC 501 Research 6 credits

Fall II:
FSC 507 Forensic Chemistry 3 credits
FSC 508 Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology 3 credits
FSC 516 Forensic Chemistry/Toxicology Laboratory 2 creditsFSC 599 Continuing Research 1 credits

Spring II:

FSC 504 Seminar 1 2 credits
FSC 509 Crime Scene Reconstruction 3 credits
FSC 517 Forensic Quality Assurance, Control & Management 2 credits
FSC 518 Legal, Ethical, and Administrative Issues in Forensic Science 3 credits
FSC 599 Continuing Research 1 credit

Our Distinguished Program

The Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) program at Cedar Crest differs from other programs in two key ways: First, it places a heightened emphasis on student research, and second, it focuses on developing students’ leadership qualities. We believe that there is no better way to develop scientists than by positioning research as the foundation of our program. Our program is designed to inspire you not only to work in forensic science but also to play a leadership role in the field. Given the pertinent role that forensic science plays in today’s criminal justice system, the development of future leaders is necessary for the field to continue to fulfill its professional mandate.

Our Goal

Help produce a future generation of competent, credible and ethical forensic scientists who will be prepared to assume positions of authority in forensic science research, administration and public policy.

Accredited by the FEPAC

Cedar Crest College was one of the first institutions to have an accredited forensic science program and is one of just eight institutions in the nation to have both its graduate and undergraduate studies accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Our MSFS students benefit from an unsurpassed education that makes them highly desirable to prospective employers.

Nationally Recognized Professors

Our faculty members have more than 75 years of professional forensic science experience, and they routinely publish in peer-reviewed publications and present original research at forensic science conferences. Our program director, Lawrence Quarino, Ph.D., is past chair of FEPAC, the leading accreditation commission in the field (see above). Our program has three faculty members who are certified by the American Board of Criminalistics.

A Unique Curriculum

Our programs will take you from the crime scene to the courtroom. Here, you will receive instruction in subjects as diverse as DNA analysis, toxicology, trace evidence examination, and how to testify as an expert witness. This generalist approach will prepare you to compete for a wide array of careers.

Extensive Research Opportunities

Our forensic science students have won numerous research competitions and grants, as well as scholarships from professional organizations. Since 2011, our students and faculty have given approximately 100 presentations at regional and national conferences.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Here, you will be trained on the leading-edge tools and technology currently utilized by forensic science professionals in the workplace. For example, we provide access to Tandem Mass Spectrometry technology, which is used for determining masses of particles and their composition.

A Focus on Leadership

Students present at major forensic science conferences, serve in a leadership capacity in the Forensic Science Student Organization (FSSO) and host the College’s annual forensic science symposium, which takes place every spring.

Impressive Career Placement

Over 95% of all students who have graduated from our master’s degree program have found immediate employment related to their MSFS degree after graduation.

About Cedar Crest College

Founded in 1867, the College is located in a suburban, park-like setting in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Cedar Crest College has recently been recognized as one of the best in the nation by Colleges of Distinction.

Our faculty of esteemed scientists emphasizes a curriculum in which students learn by doing, gaining valuable hands-on experience throughout their studies. Each of our science programs—including the Master of Science in Forensic Science—provides both a strong background in the fundamental concepts of science, as well as the tools students need in order to contribute to the betterment of the scientific community and society as a whole. When our students graduate, they are prepared for exciting careers in their chosen field, continuing their education, and more.