Forensic Sciences, PhD
Requirements for Students Matriculating in or before Academic Year 2025-2026. Learn more about Graduate College Academic Regulation 7.0.
Total Hours: 60 (Beyond the Master's Degree)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Core | ||
| FRNS 5743 | Forensic Science Seminar | 3 |
| FRNS 6083 | Advanced Forensic Statistics | 3 |
| FRNS 6723 | Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| Per faculty advisor's recommendation, six hours of directed electives from electives list below. | 6 | |
| Hours Subtotal | 15 | |
| Dissertation 1 | ||
| Fifteen to forty-five (15-45) hours from: | 15-45 | |
| Doctoral Dissertation | ||
| Hours Subtotal | 15-45 | |
| Electives 1 | 0-30 | |
| Survey of Forensic Sciences | ||
| Ethical Research and Scientific Writing | ||
| Quality Assurance in Forensic Science | ||
| Ethics in Forensic Leadership | ||
| Internship in Forensic Sciences (Maximum of 6 hours can apply to this degree.) | ||
| The Chemistry of Pyrotechnics | ||
| Essential Science for Explosive Operators | ||
| Fire Dynamics in Forensic Investigations | ||
| Ordnance Identification and Recognition | ||
| Methods in Fire and Explosion Investigation NFPA 921/1033 | ||
| Explosives Research, Testing and Evaluation Methods | ||
| Computer Fire Modeling | ||
| Molecular Biology for the Forensic Scientist | ||
| Population Genetics for the Forensic Scientist | ||
| Forensic Threat Assessment and Management | ||
| Methods in Forensic Sciences | ||
| Violence in Forensic Settings | ||
| Forensic Investigation of Impaired Vehicle Operation | ||
| Forensic Microbiology | ||
| Forensic Chemistry | ||
| Forensic Investigation of Clandestine Laboratories | ||
| Forensic Investigations Involving Radiological/Nuclear Materials | ||
| Forensic Investigations of Chemical/Biological Incidents | ||
| Forensic Pathology and Medicine | ||
| Blast Injuries and Effects | ||
| Interdisciplinary Post Blast Investigation | ||
| Fingerprints and Their Role in Forensic Science | ||
| Blood Stain and Pattern Analysis | ||
| Forensic Crime Scene Processing | ||
| Forensic Bioscience | ||
| Forensic Toxicology | ||
| Drug Toxicity | ||
| Advanced Forensic Toxicology | ||
| Introduction to Forensic Crime Analysis | ||
| Theories in Forensic Crime Analysis | ||
| Policing Strategies in Forensic Crime Analysis | ||
| Data and Statistics in Forensic Crime Analysis | ||
| Criminalistics and Evidence Analysis | ||
| Crime Scene Laboratory and Moot Court Experience | ||
| Law and Expert Evidence: Firearms and Toolmarks | ||
| The Law and Expert Evidence | ||
| Destructive Devices/Explosives: Law and Regulations | ||
| Introduction to Forensic Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Digital and Multimedia Evidence for Investigators | ||
| Battlefield Forensics and the Global War on Terror | ||
| Psychology of Forensic Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Forensic Psychology | ||
| Advanced Forensic Psychology | ||
| Forensic Victimology | ||
| Criminal Behavioral Analysis | ||
| Circuit Exploitation of Destructive Devices | ||
| Building Construction and Fire/Explosion Forensic Examination | ||
| Forensic Examination of Fire Protection Systems | ||
| Identification of Destructive Device Fuzing Systems | ||
| Electrical Theory and Failure Analysis in Forensic Fire Investigations | ||
| Firearms and Toolmarks | ||
| History of Firearm Identification | ||
| Admissibility of Firearm Identification | ||
| Forensic Management and Organizational Development | ||
| Forensic Problem Solving through Applied Research | ||
| Forensic Statistics | ||
| Directed Readings in Forensic Sciences (Maximum of 6 hours can apply to this degree.) | ||
| Special Topics in Forensic Sciences (Maximum of 15 hours can apply to this degree.) | ||
| Advanced Forensic Statistics | ||
| Advanced Energetic Materials Chemistry and Engineering | ||
| Advanced Fire Dynamics | ||
| Blast Modeling | ||
| Advanced Interdisciplinary Post Blast Investigation | ||
| Advanced Computer Fire Modeling | ||
| Historical Evolution of Forensic Genetics | ||
| Threat Assessment and Management of Violent Extremism | ||
| Threat Assessment and Management of Workplace Violence | ||
| Threat Assessment and Management of Violence in Schools | ||
| Threat Assessment and Management of Stalking | ||
| Case Studies in Forensic Science (Maximum of 9 hours can apply to this degree.) | ||
| Advanced Blast Injuries and Effects | ||
| Advanced Methods in Forensic Genetics | ||
| Network Forensics | ||
| Mobile Device Forensics | ||
| Computer Forensics, Extractions and Analysis | ||
| Applied Forensic Theory | ||
| Research Design and Methods | ||
| Juvenile Issues in Forensic Sciences | ||
| Critical Readings in Forensic Sciences (Maximum of 3 hours can apply to this degree.) | ||
| Advanced Identification of Destructive Device Fuzing Systems | ||
| Advanced Destructive Device Circuit Exploitation | ||
| Advanced Electrical Theory and Failure Analysis in Forensic Fire Investigations | ||
| Advanced Forensic Examination of Firearms | ||
| Advanced Toolmark Examination and Identification | ||
| RCIED - Advanced Analysis and Mitigation | ||
| Shooting Reconstruction for Examiners | ||
| Advanced Directed Readings in Forensic Sciences | ||
| Advanced Special Topics in Forensic Sciences (Maximum of 9 hours can apply to this degree.) | ||
| Other courses not listed here, but deemed relevant to completion of dissertation research, may satisfy electives requirement with permission from student's Graduate Faculty Advisory Committee. | ||
| Admission to candidacy must occur at least six months prior to the date of the final dissertation defense. | ||
| Hours Subtotal | 0-30 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Elective hours based on hours needed to supplement less Dissertation hours.
Graduate College Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Requirements
Learn more about Graduate College 2025-2026 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree Program Requirements. Check the General Graduate College academic regulations for minimal GPA, language proficiency and other general requirements.