Forensic science is the application of scientific principles and procedures to legal contexts. The program deals with a variety of applications in the legal system including, but not limited to, DNA, fingerprint analysis, hair and fibre analysis, forensic anthropology, forensic botany, forensic entomology, and forensic toxicology. The Department of Forensic Science provides hands-on training in various scientific disciplines within the context of forensic applications. Faculty and staff of the program are practicing forensic scientists. In addition to their regular academic duties, they also consult in a variety of legal cases for police services, the Office of the Chief Coroner, and internationally.The Department of Forensic Science offers four programs of study, each leading to an honours bachelor of science in forensic science.
Most students take the Forensic Science Single Specialization, which allows the most flexibility. Students who are sure they want to specialize may take one of the Combined Specialization programs, which consist of Forensic Science combined with one of Chemistry, Anthropology, or Psychology. The department's Academic Advisor can assist students to choose the program that is most appropriate to their career goals.
Campus resources include: Forensic casework reference collection, forensic entomology reference collection, Intoxilyzer 8000C, Forensic Osteology Laboratory, Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Forensic Entomology Laboratory, and the documented human dental collection. These resources are accessed by the students, faculty and staff for teaching and research, and by various agencies for case consultations.
Prospects: Our students have gone on to graduate programs, teacher's college, medical school, law school, and various other postgraduate educational pursuits. Our graduates are now working in such diverse careers as police officers, forensic laboratory technologists, hospital technologists, teachers, sexual assault nurse examiners, and lawyers, in Canada, the United States, and elsewhere around the world.
Offered in English.
Admission requirements
Ontario secondary schools
- 1 grade 12 4U English
- 1 grade 12 4U Biology
- 1 grade 12 4U Chemistry
- 1 grade 12 4U Advanced Functions
- plus two other 4U/M Courses (4U Calculus and Vectors, and 4U Physics are strongly recommended)
The top 40 applicants with a minimum overall average of 80% in these courses are accepted.
To maintain good academic standing in this program students must maintain an overall average of at least 70% and fail no more than 6 credits in an academic year.
See Admissions for other requirements.
General information
This limited enrolment program is designed to provide students with an undergraduate degree that focuses on the application of scientific principles in legal contexts. This is achieved through classroom learning with an emphasis on hands-on training in laboratory sessions. Students may also participate in thesis-level research and/or internships.
Programs
Course descriptions