Forensic Science (MFS)
Learn by doing in one of Canada’s only two Masters of Forensic Science Programs
A research-intensive accelerated Masters degree within 12 months.
The program is designed to advance the scientific skills of graduates of undergraduate programs in forensic science accredited by the Forensic Science Education Program Education Commission (FEPAC), a standing committee of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).
Laurentian University’s Department of Forensic Science was the first in Canada to be granted full accreditation of undergraduate Forensic Science degrees through the American Academy of Forensic Sciences’ (AAFS) Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).
Academic Advisor
Dr. James Watterson
Telephone: 705-675-1151 ext 4349
Email: jwatterson@laurentian.ca
Office: F-325, Science II Building, Sudbury Campus
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In order to be considered for admission, the applicant must present with an undergraduate Forensic Science degree accredited by the Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) with a 75% (Min. 6.5) overall average in their last 2 years of study.
Application Process
Step 1. Contact the Graduate Coordinator and/or individual faculty member about the possibility of becoming a student. Students are encouraged to consult the faculty list on the Faculty Members tab in order to identify a potential supervisor and discuss research and projects.
Step 2. 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 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 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)
*Please note that official transcripts or WES course-by-course (for institutions attended outside of North America) must come directly to the Office of Admissions from the previous post-secondary institution by requesting at the time of your application or by contacting the institution's Registrar's Office.
Step 3. 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 4. 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 5: 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.
For Current Students
The degree options listed below are for the upcoming academic year, not the current academic year. If you are a current student looking for which courses to take in order to complete your degree options from a previous academic year's curriculum, please consult with an academic advisor.
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
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