Forensic Science M.Sc.F.S.
The first Canadian Masters of Science in Forensic Science has been designed for you to learn and implement best practices in forensic science.
The M.Sc.F.S. program is a professional course-based program that will allow you to:
- further your understanding of current topics, methods and research in forensic science
- gain hands-on experience with techniques used in various subdisciplines of forensic science
- develop effective communication techniques to present technical scientific analysis to scientific, legal and non-scientific audiences
- explore the relationship between forensic science research and professional practice
Program Options
Course Based stream:
You will be engaged for three semesters in 8 core courses and 2 electives. The electives are aligned to your intended area of study (for example: Bioinformatics, Forensic Biosensor Development, and Forensic Psychology). In the third semester, you will complete an independent, hands-on forensic placement resulting in a final report and a symposium presentation
Courses:
Students will be taking 5 core courses and 1 elective course. One of these core courses is FRSC5090 Preparation for Work-Integrated Learning. This course prepares students for later summer placement. In the winter semester, students take 4 core courses and 1 elective course.
In the third semester (spring-summer), students complete a one-term research placement which culminates in an oral presentation at the annual Trent MScFS Experiential Learning Symposium, in late August.
Core Courses (subject to change)
- FRSC5001 Communication Science and Forensic Reporting
- Students choose either:
- FRSC5010 Advanced Forensic DNA Typing
- FRSC5020 Advanced Forensic Chemical Analysis
- FRSC5003 Research Design and Statistics in Forensic Science
- FRSC5030 Presentation of Expert Evidence and the Courts
- FRSC5040 Complex Crime Scene Analysis
- FRSC5007 Advanced Forensic Toxicology
- FRSC5006 Leadership in Forensic Science
- FRSC5070 Advanced Topics in Forensic Science
- FRSC5090 Preparation for Work-Integrated Learning
Elective Courses (subject to change)
- FRSC5110 Firearms and Ballistics
- FRSC5320 Forensic Psychology
- FRSC5570 Biocrime and Bioterrorism
- FRSC5700 Chemical Sensors & Biosensors in Forensic Science
- FRSC5800 Bioinformatics
- FRSC5990 Special Topics
Major Research Paper stream:
You will design and carry out forensic research under the supervision of a faculty member and write a major paper. Permission of the program and availability of a faculty supervisor are required. Students will be interviewed by potential supervisors for the available major research paper positions. Available projects will be posted on the website.
Courses:
Students will take 3 half credit courses in each term (Fall and Winter) chosen from a subset of required and elective courses. Additionally students will complete the Major Research Paper 1 course (FRSC5950) in the Fall-Winter and the Major Research Paper 2 course (FRSC5970) in the Spring-Summer. In contrast to the course-based stream, students in the Major Research Paper stream begin working on their projects in September. They continue through August, where they present their work at the symposium alongside the course-based stream students.
Required:
- FRSC 5950D (Fall & Winter), FRSC5970H (Spring & Summer)
- FRSC 5001H, FRSC 5030H, and one of the following FRSC 5007H, FRSC 5010H. FRSC 5020H.
Elective Courses (subject to change)
The remaining 3 courses will be selected in consultation with the faculty research supervisor.
For more information about the program please contact mscforensics@trentu.ca or the program office at 705.748.1011 @ 7516.