Master's in Forensic DNA & Serology
The Forensic DNA and Serology concentration is provided by the College of Pharmacy. It is structured to provide the student with a strong foundation in serology, blood spatter interpretation, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and the theory of DNA analysis. You can start with a course or two, then continue on to earn the full master's degree later. The master's program is designed to meet the guidelines set out by the FBI National Standards education 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 the program, your diploma will state Master of Science in Pharmacy 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.
The courses included in this program have been designed to meet the educational requirements of the FBI National Standards.
Application Information:
We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2013 term. For further information, please contact us.
Courses:
| Master of Science in Forensic DNA and Serology | Spring | Summer | Fall | ||
| PHA 6853 | Biological Evidence and Serology | credits: 3 | x | x | |
| PHA 6856 | Blood Distribution and Spatter | credits: 3 | x | x | |
| PHA 6851 | Forensic Analysis of DNA | credits: 3 | x | x | x |
| PHA 6855 | Forensic Genetics | credits: 3 | x | x | x |
| PHA 6854 | Forensic Immunology | credits: 3 | x | x | |
| VME 6766 | Laboratory QA/QC | credits: 3 | x | x | x |
| PHA 6936 | Literature Survey (DNA and Serology) | credits: 2 | x | x | x |
| PHA 6852 | Molecular Biology and Genetics | credits: 3 | x | x | |
| PHA 6935 | Metabolic Biochemistry | credits: 3 | x | x | |
| PHA 6935 | Applied Statistics for Data Analysis | credits: 3 | x | x | x |
| PHA 6936 | Special Topics in DNA and Serology (on location in Gainesville) | credits: 1 | x | x | x |
| PHA 6535 | Principles of Nucleotide Activity | credits: 2 | x | x | x |
| Additional Non-Credit Electives | |||||
| PHA 69351 | Forensic Medicine II | credits: 4 | x | x | |
| PHA 69352 | Principles of Forensic Science | credits: 3 | x | x | x |
| 1. | Forensic Medicine II does not satisfy credit requirements for Master's Degrees or Certificates. Students wishing to take this course should contact de-support@ahc.ufl.edu. |
| 2. | Principles of Forensic Science is optional and does not satisfy credit requirements for Forensic Toxicology and DNA & Serology. Students wishing to take this course should contact de-support@ahc.ufl.edu. |
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:
32 credits are required to earn this MS degree.
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 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 MS degree.
Please also note, as stated below, courses taken before being in the MS status must be earned as a B grade or higher to transfer toward the MS degree. Grades earned with a B- or less will not transfer.
Transfer of Credits Toward MS:
A maximum of 15 transfer credits are allowed to count toward a MS degree. These can include no more than 9 credits from institution/s approved by UF, with the balance obtained from nondegree 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 seven years from the term you begin as a MS student. To have credits reviewed for transfer from another University, please fax (352-273-8716) or email (de-support@ahc.ufl.edu) the following:
- a copy of your transcript (including a transcript key usually found on the back of the transcript)
- a course syllabus for review of what was covered in the course, and
- a letter containing which course(s) you would like to be considered for transfer and which course(s) you think the course(s) will replace in the 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 University Registrar, please sent it to:
| University of Florida |
| Office of Registrar |
| 201 Criser Hall |
| Gainesville, FL 32611-4000 |
Graduation Requirements:
Please read the information regarding the Master's graduation credit requirements for your last term.
Recommended Course Order:
The following is a recommended course order for DNA and Serology:
- Biological Evidence & Serology and Blood Spatter and Distribution should be taken early.
- Forensic Genetics and Forensic Immunology should be taken before Principles of Nucleotide Activity, Metabolic Biochemistry and Forensic Analysis of DNA.
- Mammalian Molecular Biology should be taken after all of the above listed courses.
- Laboratory QA/QC and Applied Statistics for Data Analysis can be taken anytime.
- Special Topics and Literature Survey should be taken in the final semester.
Special Topics Course:
The 1-credit special topics course will consist of three days of reviews, oral examination, and comprehensive final examination in Gainesville, Florida. Refer to Critical Dates for specific dates the course will be held each term.
Examinations:
In addition to tests, examinations and other assessments incorporated in the individual courses, masters students will be required to take a comprehensive final examination on the courses covered in this program.
Supervisory Committee/Academic Advisor:
A faculty member within the department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, and with graduate faculty status, will supervise all of the students enrolled in this program. If students have inquiries about the program curriculum or their schedule of courses they should contact the faculty advisor. Currently this person is Dr. Donna Wielbo.
Library Access:
Students taking UF Forensic Science courses will also be granted online access to UF's Health Center Libraries.