Master’s Degree in Forensic DNA & Serology

Master's Degree in Forensic DNA & Serology

The Forensic DNA & Serology concentration is provided by UF’s College of Pharmacy. It is structured to provide students with a strong foundation in serology, blood spatter interpretation, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and the theory of DNA analysis. Interested applicants can start with a course or two, then continue on to earn the full master's degree later—if admitted. This master's degree program is designed to meet the guidelines established by the FBI National Standards educational requirements for DNA Technical Leaders and Supervisors. This program may be of interest to those currently working or seeking employment in the following areas:

• Law enforcement agencies
• Military services
• Medical professions
• Crime laboratories
• High school and college science teachers

Upon completion of this program, graduates will earn a Master of Science in Pharmacy with a major in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a concentration in Forensic DNA & Serology, issued by the Graduate School of the University of Florida. Your transcripts will read Master of Science in Pharmacy, graduation date, major Pharmaceutical Sciences, concentration Forensic DNA and Serology. Your diploma will read Master of Science in Pharmacy.

The courses included in this program have been designed to meet the educational requirements of the FBI National Standards.

DNA & Serology Master’s Program - Course Overview

Core-Required Courses

Core-Required Courses MUST be completed before your final semester.

Note: Forensic Immunology and Forensic Genetics should be taken before Forensic Analysis of DNA.

Required Courses

Required Courses can be taken in any order and any semester prior to the final semester. Literature Survey and Special Topics must be taken in your final semester.

Recommended Course Order

• Biological Evidence & Serology and Blood Spatter and Distribution should be taken early and prior to the final semester.
• Forensic Genetics and Forensic Immunology should be taken before Structure and Function of Nucleotides, Metabolic Biochemistry and Forensic Analysis of DNA, and prior to the final semester.
• Mammalian Molecular Biology should be taken after all of the above listed courses and prior to the final semester.
• Laboratory QA/QC and Applied Statistics for Data Analysis can be taken any time prior to the final semester.
• Special Topics and Literature Survey must be taken in the final semester.

Course Syllabus Catalog

The general course policies and the most recent course syllabus catalog are available as a PDF for download here.

Requirements To Earn Degree

In order to graduate, you must meet the following conditions:

• Completion of all required courses and necessary electives (32 total credits)
  • Only courses completed with a grade of C or higher can be counted toward a degree
• An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• A major GPA of 3.0 or higher

Grade Requirements

The only passing grades for graduate students are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, and C. Please note C+ and C grades count toward the degree only if an equal number of courses numbered 5000 or higher have been earned with B+, A-, or A, respectively. If a grade of C- or below is earned, the student will need to re-take the course when it is offered again to have it count toward a M.S. degree.

Please also note, as stated below, courses taken before being in the M.S. status must be earned as a B grade or higher to transfer toward the M.S. degree. Grades earned with a B- or less will not transfer.

Transferring Credits Toward a Master’s Degree

A maximum of 15 transfer credits are allowed to count toward a M.S. degree. These can include no more than 9 credits from institutions approved by UF, with the balance obtained from non-degree and/or certificate courses at the University of Florida. These courses must be graduate-level (5000–7999) and earned with a grade of B or better, and the course(s) cannot have been taken longer than 7 years from the term you begin as a M.S. student. To have credits reviewed for transfer from another university, please email dess@ahc.ufl.edu with the following:

• Copy of your transcript (including a transcript key usually found on the back of the transcript)
• Course syllabus to review what was covered in the course
• Course(s) you would like to be considered for transfer and course(s) you think the course(s) will replace in UF’s forensic science program

We will forward the request to the Supervisory Committee for your major who will then make a decision. Also, if your official transcript is not already on file with the Office of Admissions, please send it to:

Special Topics Course

The 1-credit Special Topics course will consist of 3 days of reviews, oral examination, and comprehensive final examination. Refer to the Critical Dates page for specific dates the course will be held each term.

Examinations

In addition to tests, examinations, and other assessments incorporated in the individual courses, master’s degree students will be required to take a comprehensive final examination on the courses covered in this program.

Academic Advisor

The academic advisor for this program is Dr. Donna Wielbo.

Library Access

Students taking UF forensic science courses will also be granted online access to UF's Health Center Libraries.