Forensic Sciences (MFS)

A research-intensive accelerated Master's degree within 12 months.

The program is designed to advance the scientific skills of graduates of undergraduate programs in forensic science.

About the Department of Forensic Science

Laurentian University's Forensic Science education began in 1998 with the Forensic Biology Option. Two decades later, we maintain our status as a distinguished, premier, high-quality, hands-on program. In 2004 Laurentian University lead the country with the establishment of a full, independent Department of Forensic Science. This means that our department has its own dedicated research labs, teaching labs, curator, professors and adjunct professors. We are the first in the country to have such dedicated resources. With small class sizes and professors who are practitioners and researchers in forensic science, your education will be second to none. 

The Master of Forensic Science (MFS) has been approved to be delivered in May 2020.

In order to be considered for admission, applicants must present a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent in Forensic Science. A minimum average of 75% is required.

Application process

Step 1.

Click here to submit the online application. Once students have applied, they will receive instructions (typically within 48 hours) from the Office of Admissions leading them to the MyLaurentian portal. Students can access the portal at my.laurentian.ca; sign-in credentials will be provided in the correspondence received from the Office of Admissions upon successful completion of an application. The following documents will be required in order to complete an application.

Documents for Internal Candidates:

• Statement of Forensic Discipline Interest* (to be uploaded via MyLaurentian)
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume (to be uploaded via MyLaurentian)
• Official Academic Transcript(s) from all post-secondary studies* (Please note that current or prior Laurentian University students do not need to request transcripts from Laurentian)  

Documents for External Candidates: 

• Three Reference Forms (to begin the process at my.laurentian.ca click on "Reference Submission" on the left-hand navigation menu)
• Statement of Forensic Discipline Interest* (to be uploaded via MyLaurentian)
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume (to be uploaded via MyLaurentian)
• Official Academic Transcript(s) from all post-secondary studies* (Please note that current or prior Laurentian University students do not need to request transcripts)  

Step 2.

Once the Admissions Office receives all information and the application is deemed complete, the application will be forwarded to the department.  An Admissions Committee meets to review the applications.

Step 3.

The Admissions Committee will review all applications on file and make a decision regarding the suitability of each applicant.  The Admissions Committee will then make a recommendation to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Laurentian University. The Graduate Studies office will verify the dossier and if satisfactory, the Dean of Graduate Studies will forward the recommendation to the Office of Admissions at Laurentian University for admission. 

Step 4: 

If approved for admission, the Office of Admissions will send the student an Offer of Admission via MyLaurentian.  Applicants wishing to accept the offer of admission must indicate their response on MyLaurentian within 3 weeks of receiving the offer. Once the student has accepted the offer, a transition to the registration process occurs.

*Statement of Forensic Discipline of Interest

Describe your career interests in forensic practice, including the specific forensic discipline that you wish to specialize in. Specifically, describe how the Master of Forensic Science program structure will help you to achieve those goals.

Students must follow these regulations while in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

M. Forensic Science - General Specialization

Trimester 1:    

     FORS 5026EL                   Principles of Quality Assurance in Forensic Science 

     FORS 5016EL                   Seminar in Forensic Science Research and Practice

     Two courses from among:

          FORS 5036EL              Advanced Topics in Forensic Chemistry and Instrumentation

          FORS 5056EL              Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Analysis

          FORS 5046EL              Advanced Topics in Forensic Toxicology

          FORS 5066EL             Selected Topics in Forensic Science 

Trimesters 2 &3:

     FORS 5005EL                   Major Applied Project

M. Forensic Science - Molecular Biology Specialization

Trimester 1:    

     FORS 5026EL                   Principles of Quality Assurance in Forensic Science

     FORS 5056EL                   Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Analysis

     FORS 5016EL                   Seminar in Forensic Science Research and Practice

     One  course from among:

          FORS 5036EL              Advanced Topics in Forensic Chemistry and Instrumentation

          FORS 5046EL              Advanced Topics in Forensic Toxicology

Trimesters 2 & 3:

     FORS 5005EL                   Major Applied Project

M. Forensic Science - Chemistry/Toxicology Specialization

Trimester 1:    

     FORS 5026EL                   Principles of Quality Assurance in Forensic Science

     FORS 5036EL                   Advanced Topics in Forensic Chemistry & Instrumentation

     FORS 5046EL                   Advanced Topics in Forensic Toxicology

     FORS 5016EL                   Seminar in Forensic Science Research and Practice

Trimesters 2 & 3:

     FORS 5005EL                   Major Applied Project