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Program checklist · BS

Forensic Science, BS

George Mason University · Fairfax, VA

A checklist is the list of requirements to complete this program and receive the award, as the college publishes it in its catalog. It is the same for everyone. It does not say what you have completed; that comes from applying your own record.

Program
Award
BS
Credential class
ceterms:BachelorDegree
CIP
43.0406
Total credits (published)
40
Credits (computed from items)
277-300
Catalog edition
2026-2027
Checklist type
degree-program
Identifiers
IPEDS UNITID
232186
CourseShelf checklist
CK_232186_c00a59a4
CollegeTransfer.Net
Institution Transfer Profile
Source
CourseShelf publish 59

Requirements to complete

Every course or condition the catalog lists, in the catalog's order.

Core Courses

major core · 0 items

    Forensic Science Core Courses

    major core · 4 items
    1. FRSC 200
      3
    2. FRSC 201
      3
    3. FRSC 302
      Forensic Trace Analysis
      As published: “Forensic Trace Analysis (Mason Core) 1”
      3
    4. CRIM 100
      Introduction to Criminal Justice
      As published: “Introduction to Criminal Justice (Mason Core)”
      3

    Natural Science Core Courses

    major core · 10 items
    1. BIOL 213& BIOL 215
      Cell Structure and Functionand Cell Structure and Function Laboratory
      Not resolved to a course
      4
    2. BIOL 214
      Biostatistics for Biology Majors
      or: STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)
      3-4
    3. BIOL 311& BIOL 313
      General Geneticsand General Genetics Laboratory
      Not resolved to a course
      4
    4. CHEM 211& CHEM 213
      General Chemistry I (Mason Core)and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core)
      Not resolved to a course
      4
    5. CHEM 212& CHEM 214
      General Chemistry II (Mason Core)and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core)
      Not resolved to a course
      4
    6. CHEM 313& CHEM 315
      Organic Chemistry Iand Organic Chemistry Lab I
      Not resolved to a course
      5
    7. CHEM 314& CHEM 318
      Organic Chemistry IIand Organic Chemistry Lab II
      Not resolved to a course
      5
    8. MATH 113
      Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
      As published: “Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core)”
      or: MATH 123& MATH 124 Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part Aand Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part B (Mason Core)
      4-6
    9. PHYS 243& PHYS 244
      College Physics I (Mason Core)and College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) 2
      Not resolved to a course
      4
    10. PHYS 245& PHYS 246
      College Physics II (Mason Core)and College Physics II Lab (Mason Core) 2
      Not resolved to a course
      4

    Concentration in Criminalistics (FRCR)

    concentration · 0 items

      Forensic Science Extended Core

      major core · 5 items
      1. FRSC 303
        3
      2. FRSC 304& FRSC 305
        Forensic Chemistryand Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
        Not resolved to a course
        4
      3. FRSC 401
        3
      4. FRSC 405
        Independent Research Methods
        or: FRSC 406 Forensic Internship
        3
      5. FRSC 460& FRSC 461
        Forensic DNA Analysisand Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory
        Not resolved to a course
        4

      Required Concentration Courses

      concentration · 13 items
      1. Select two lecture and laboratory pairings for a minimum of 8 credits:
        Not resolved to a course
        8-12
      2. FRSC 325& FRSC 326
        Molecular Biologyand Molecular Biology Laboratory
        Not resolved to a course
      3. BIOL 305& BIOL 306
        Biology of Microorganismsand Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory
        Not resolved to a course
      4. BIOL 405
        4
      5. BIOL 407
        4
      6. BIOL 430
        4
      7. BIOL 431
        4
      8. BIOL 452& BIOL 453
        Immunologyand Immunology Laboratory
        Not resolved to a course
      9. BIOL 465
        4
      10. BIOL 483
        General Biochemistry
        or: CHEM 463& CHEM 465 General Biochemistry Iand Biochemistry Lab (Mason Core)
        4
      11. BIOL 484& BIOL 485
        Cell Signaling and Diseaseand Cell Signaling Laboratory
        Not resolved to a course
      12. CHEM 321
        4
      13. CHEM 331& CHEM 336
        Physical Chemistry Iand Physical Chemistry Lab I (Mason Core)
        Not resolved to a course

      Supporting Science Electives

      electives · 39 items
      1. Select a minimum of 7 credits (not previously taken) from the following:
        Not resolved to a course
        7-10
      2. FRSC 325
        3
      3. FRSC 326
        1
      4. FRSC 404
        4
      5. FRSC 450
        60
      6. FRSC 470
        4
      7. BINF 401
        3
      8. BINF 402
        3
      9. BIOL 305
        3
      10. BIOL 306
        1
      11. BIOL 382
        3
      12. BIOL 385
        3
      13. BIOL 401
        3
      14. BIOL 404
        3
      15. BIOL 405
        4
      16. BIOL 407
        4
      17. BIOL 411
        3
      18. BIOL 412
        3
      19. BIOL 417
        Selected Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology
        As published: “Selected Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology (when the topic is "Illumina Sequencing")”
        1-4
      20. BIOL 421
        3
      21. BIOL 430
        4
      22. BIOL 431
        4
      23. BIOL 452
        3
      24. BIOL 453
        1
      25. BIOL 460
        Infectious Diseases Wildlife
        or: EVPP 460 Infectious Diseases of Wildlife
        3
      26. BIOL 465
        4
      27. BIOL 482
        3
      28. BIOL 483
        4
      29. BIOL 484
        3
      30. BIOL 485
        2-3
      31. BIOL 486
        2
      32. CHEM 321
        4
      33. CHEM 331
        3
      34. CHEM 336
        Physical Chemistry Lab I
        As published: “Physical Chemistry Lab I (Mason Core)”
        2
      35. CHEM 427
        3
      36. CHEM 446
        3
      37. CHEM 463
        4
      38. CHEM 464
        3
      39. CHEM 465
        Biochemistry Lab
        As published: “Biochemistry Lab (Mason Core)”
        2

      Concentration in Forensic Biology (FRBL)

      concentration · 0 items

        Forensic Science Extended Core

        major core · 5 items
        1. FRSC 303
          3
        2. FRSC 304& FRSC 305
          Forensic Chemistryand Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
          Not resolved to a course
          4
        3. FRSC 401
          3
        4. FRSC 405
          Independent Research Methods
          or: FRSC 406 Forensic Internship
          3
        5. FRSC 460& FRSC 461
          Forensic DNA Analysisand Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory
          Not resolved to a course
          4

        Required Concentration Courses

        concentration · 3 items
        1. FRSC 325& FRSC 326
          Molecular Biologyand Molecular Biology Laboratory
          Not resolved to a course
          4
        2. FRSC 470
          4
        3. BIOL 483
          4

        Supporting Science Courses

        26 items
        1. Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following courses:
          Not resolved to a course
          3-6
        2. FRSC 450
          60
        3. BINF 401
          3
        4. BINF 402
          3
        5. BIOL 305
          3
        6. BIOL 306
          1
        7. BIOL 382
          3
        8. BIOL 385
          3
        9. BIOL 401
          3
        10. BIOL 404
          3
        11. BIOL 405
          4
        12. BIOL 407
          4
        13. BIOL 411
          3
        14. BIOL 412
          3
        15. BIOL 417
          Selected Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology
          As published: “Selected Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology (when the topic is "Illumina Sequencing")”
          1-4
        16. BIOL 421
          3
        17. BIOL 430
          4
        18. BIOL 431
          4
        19. BIOL 452
          3
        20. BIOL 453
          1
        21. BIOL 460
          Infectious Diseases Wildlife
          or: EVPP 460 Infectious Diseases of Wildlife
          3
        22. BIOL 465
          4
        23. BIOL 482
          3
        24. BIOL 484
          3
        25. BIOL 485
          2-3
        26. BIOL 486
          2

        Concentration in Forensic Chemistry (FRCH)

        concentration · 0 items

          Extended Forensic Science Core

          major core · 5 items
          1. FRSC 303
            3
          2. FRSC 304& FRSC 305
            Forensic Chemistryand Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
            Not resolved to a course
            4
          3. FRSC 401
            3
          4. FRSC 405
            Independent Research Methods
            or: FRSC 406 Forensic Internship
            3
          5. FRSC 460& FRSC 461
            Forensic DNA Analysisand Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory
            Not resolved to a course
            4

          Required Concentration Courses

          concentration · 3 items
          1. FRSC 404
            4
          2. CHEM 321
            4
          3. MATH 114
            4

          Supporting Science Courses

          14 items
          1. Select a minimum of 7 credits from the following courses:
            Not resolved to a course
            7-10
          2. CHEM 331
            3
          3. CHEM 336
            Physical Chemistry Lab I
            As published: “Physical Chemistry Lab I (Mason Core)”
            2
          4. CHEM 332
            Physical Chemistry II
            As published: “Physical Chemistry II 1”
            3
          5. CHEM 337
            2
          6. CHEM 422
            Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis
            As published: “Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis 1”
            3
          7. CHEM 423
            2
          8. CHEM 424
            Principles of Chemical Separation
            As published: “Principles of Chemical Separation 1”
            3
          9. CHEM 427
            3
          10. CHEM 441
            Properties and Bonding of Inorganic Compounds
            As published: “Properties and Bonding of Inorganic Compounds 1”
            3
          11. CHEM 446
            3
          12. CHEM 463
            4
          13. CHEM 464
            3
          14. CHEM 465
            Biochemistry Lab
            As published: “Biochemistry Lab (Mason Core)”
            2

          Concentration in Interdisciplinary Forensic Science (FRIN)

          concentration · 0 items

            Extended Forensic Science Core

            major core · 1 item
            1. Select 6 credits (not previously taken) of any 300-400 level FRSC courses
              Not resolved to a course
              6

            Interdisciplinary Courses or Minor

            0 items

              Select one option from the following:

              0 items

                Option One: Interdisciplinary Coursework

                1 item
                1. Select 15 credits (not previously taken) from the following courses:
                  Not resolved to a course
                  15

                Any 300-400 level FRSC courses

                33 items
                1. BINF 401
                  3
                2. BINF 402
                  3
                3. BIOL 305
                  3
                4. BIOL 306
                  1
                5. BIOL 382
                  3
                6. BIOL 385
                  3
                7. BIOL 401
                  3
                8. BIOL 404
                  3
                9. BIOL 405
                  4
                10. BIOL 407
                  4
                11. BIOL 412
                  3
                12. BIOL 411
                  3
                13. BIOL 417
                  Selected Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology
                  As published: “Selected Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology (when the topic is "Illumina Sequencing")”
                  1-4
                14. BIOL 421
                  3
                15. BIOL 430
                  4
                16. BIOL 431
                  4
                17. BIOL 452
                  3
                18. BIOL 453
                  1
                19. BIOL 460
                  Infectious Diseases Wildlife
                  or: EVPP 460 Infectious Diseases of Wildlife
                  3
                20. BIOL 465
                  4
                21. BIOL 482
                  3
                22. BIOL 483
                  4
                23. BIOL 484
                  3
                24. BIOL 485
                  2-3
                25. BIOL 486
                  2
                26. CHEM 321
                  4
                27. CHEM 331
                  3
                28. CHEM 336
                  Physical Chemistry Lab I
                  As published: “Physical Chemistry Lab I (Mason Core)”
                  2
                29. CHEM 427
                  3
                30. CHEM 446
                  3
                31. CHEM 463
                  4
                32. CHEM 464
                  3
                33. CHEM 465
                  Biochemistry Lab
                  As published: “Biochemistry Lab (Mason Core)”
                  2

                Option Two: Complementary Minor

                1 item
                1. Select one minor from the following:
                  Not resolved to a course
                  8-15

                Any minor offered by the College of Science

                0 items

                  Anthropology Minor

                  0 items

                    Bioengineering Minor

                    0 items

                      Computer Science Minor

                      0 items

                        Data Analysis Minor

                        0 items

                          Criminology, Law, and Society Minor

                          0 items

                            Forensic Psychology Minor

                            0 items

                              Information Technology Minor

                              0 items

                                Intelligence Studies Minor

                                0 items

                                  International Security Minor

                                  0 items

                                    Legal Studies Minor

                                    0 items

                                      Photography Minor

                                      0 items

                                        Psychology Minor

                                        0 items

                                          Statistics Minor

                                          0 items

                                            Mason Core and Electives

                                            electives · 0 items

                                              Foundation Requirements

                                              4 items
                                              1. Written Communication (lower-level)
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                3
                                              2. Oral Communication
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                3
                                              3. Quantitative Reasoning
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                3
                                              4. Information Technology and Computing
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                3

                                              Exploration Requirements

                                              6 items
                                              1. Arts
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                3
                                              2. Global Contexts
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                3
                                              3. Global History
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                3
                                              4. Literature
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                3
                                              5. Natural Science
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                7
                                              6. Social and Behavioral Sciences
                                                Not resolved to a course
                                                3

                                              Just Societies (optional) 1

                                              0 items

                                                Integration Requirements

                                                3 items
                                                1. Written Communication (upper-level)
                                                  Not resolved to a course
                                                  3
                                                2. Writing Intensive 2
                                                  Not resolved to a course
                                                  3
                                                3. Mason Apex 3
                                                  Not resolved to a course
                                                  3

                                                BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

                                                0 items

                                                  Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B or higher:

                                                  7 items
                                                  1. FRSC 200
                                                    3
                                                  2. FRSC 201
                                                    3
                                                  3. FRSC 302
                                                    Forensic Trace Analysis
                                                    As published: “Forensic Trace Analysis (Mason Core)”
                                                    3
                                                  4. FRSC 303
                                                    3
                                                  5. BIOL 213& BIOL 215
                                                    Cell Structure and Functionand Cell Structure and Function Laboratory
                                                    Not resolved to a course
                                                    4
                                                  6. CHEM 211& CHEM 213
                                                    General Chemistry I (Mason Core)and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core)
                                                    Not resolved to a course
                                                    4
                                                  7. CHEM 212& CHEM 214
                                                    General Chemistry II (Mason Core)and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core)
                                                    Not resolved to a course
                                                    4

                                                  Advanced Standing Courses

                                                  12 items
                                                  1. FRSC 500
                                                    3
                                                  2. FRSC 510
                                                    Basic Crime Analysis
                                                    As published: “Basic Crime Analysis 1”
                                                    3
                                                  3. FRSC 514
                                                    Survey of Forensic Chemistry, Biology, and DNA Analysis
                                                    As published: “Survey of Forensic Chemistry, Biology, and DNA Analysis 2”
                                                    3
                                                  4. FRSC 530
                                                    3
                                                  5. FRSC 570
                                                    Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts
                                                    As published: “Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts 3”
                                                    3
                                                  6. FRSC 540
                                                    Advanced Forensic Chemistry
                                                    As published: “Advanced Forensic Chemistry 4”
                                                    3
                                                  7. FRSC 541
                                                    Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
                                                    As published: “Forensic Chemistry Laboratory 4”
                                                    1
                                                  8. FRSC 560
                                                    Advanced Forensic DNA Sciences
                                                    As published: “Advanced Forensic DNA Sciences 5”
                                                    3
                                                  9. FRSC 561
                                                    Forensic DNA Laboratory
                                                    As published: “Forensic DNA Laboratory 5”
                                                    1
                                                  10. FRSC 600
                                                    Forensics Seminar
                                                    As published: “Forensics Seminar 6”
                                                    1
                                                  11. FRSC 601
                                                    Quantitative Methods for Forensic Scientists
                                                    As published: “Quantitative Methods for Forensic Scientists 6”
                                                    3
                                                  12. FRSC 610
                                                    Forensic Research Project
                                                    As published: “Forensic Research Project 6”
                                                    1

                                                  Advanced Standing Courses

                                                  0 items

                                                    Select from the following options:

                                                    0 items

                                                      Up to one 500-600 level specialized course from the following:

                                                      19 items
                                                      1. ASTR 601
                                                        3
                                                      2. BINF 690
                                                        3
                                                      3. CS 583
                                                        3
                                                      4. CS 630
                                                        3
                                                      5. CS 635
                                                        3
                                                      6. CSI 690
                                                        3
                                                      7. ECE 511
                                                        3
                                                      8. ECE 547
                                                        3
                                                      9. ECE 633
                                                        3
                                                      10. ECE 647
                                                        3
                                                      11. GGS 579
                                                        3
                                                      12. MATH 625
                                                        3
                                                      13. MATH 685
                                                        3
                                                      14. MATH 686
                                                        3
                                                      15. OR 541
                                                        3
                                                      16. OR 542
                                                        3
                                                      17. OR 646
                                                        3
                                                      18. PHYS 510
                                                        3
                                                      19. PHYS 613
                                                        3

                                                      Remaining credits are selected from the following:

                                                      7 items
                                                      1. QSE 500
                                                        3
                                                      2. QSE 501
                                                        Mathematical Foundations of QSE
                                                        As published: “Mathematical Foundations of QSE 1”
                                                        3
                                                      3. QSE 502
                                                        Programming Foundations of QSE
                                                        As published: “Programming Foundations of QSE 1”
                                                        3
                                                      4. QSE 505
                                                        3
                                                      5. QSE 511
                                                        3
                                                      6. QSE 520
                                                        3
                                                      7. QSE 570
                                                        Quantum Computing System Design
                                                        or: ECE 570 Quantum Computing System Design
                                                        3

                                                      Reserve Credit Courses

                                                      0 items

                                                        Select up to 6 credits of not previously completed courses from the following:

                                                        7 items
                                                        1. QSE 500
                                                          3
                                                        2. QSE 501
                                                          Mathematical Foundations of QSE
                                                          As published: “Mathematical Foundations of QSE 1”
                                                          3
                                                        3. QSE 502
                                                          Programming Foundations of QSE
                                                          As published: “Programming Foundations of QSE 1”
                                                          3
                                                        4. QSE 505
                                                          3
                                                        5. QSE 511
                                                          3
                                                        6. QSE 520
                                                          3
                                                        7. QSE 570
                                                          Quantum Computing System Design
                                                          or: ECE 570 Quantum Computing System Design
                                                          3
                                                        Source. George Mason University, catalog 2026-2027 — https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-schools/science/forensic-program/forensic-science-bs/. Captured page pages/0729.html.gz. Assembled from the institution's published catalog as captured; every record names its captured page and source URL. Assembled, not asserted.