UB Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts
Division of Criminology, Criminal Justice & Social Policy

"What I do and how I do it affects the quality of the evidence and our ability to get a conviction. Through this program, I have learned how to make my cases stronger and write reports with greater impact."

Angela Buchner
Police Officer
Baltimore City
Student, Forensic Studies

Faculty Information

For Criminal
 Justice programs
B.S. Undergraduate Program
M.S. Graduate Program

Forensic Studies
B.S. Undergraduate Program

In this Forensic Studies program, students receive comprehensive training in the evidentiary process. They become familiar with the major components of the criminal justice process, from the investigation and collection of crime scene evidence to its scientific evaluation and subsequent presentation in court.

Developed and delivered in partnership with the Baltimore Police Department, the Forensic Studies program integrates theoretical and applied coursework. This unique partnership allows students to complete a portion of their coursework in the Baltimore City Police Department, an experiential component that gives students some of the forensic experience needed to assume a position as a forensic science specialist or criminal investigator.

Students choose one of two distinct concentrations of study: forensic science, focused on the scientific aspects of criminal investigation, or police science, focused on the legal and procedural aspects of criminal investigation.

Forensic Science Concentration
The forensic science concentration requires that students complete coursework in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics before entering the program. Students will be learning in the Baltimore City Police Department's state-of- the-art crime laboratory. This working lab environment allows students to interact with forensics professionals and gain experience with sophisticated equipment. In the campus laboratory, students learn the basics of evidence collection, processing and analytical techniques.

Police Science Concentration
There are no course prerequisites for the concentration in police science. Police science students work with law enforcement professionals in the Baltimore City Police Department's Criminal Investigation Bureau to gain a practical understanding of current investigative procedures and techniques.
Program Admissions Requirements
  • Cross-institutional GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Forensic Science Requirement: A grade "B" or better in all preparatory science courses which include:
    • Biology I*
    • Chemistry I and II
    • Organic Chemistry I and II
    • Physics I and II
      * Prior to fall 2006, students may substitute Biology II for Organic Chemistry II
  • Completion of COSC 100: Introduction to Microcomputers or an equivalent transferable course (a general education requirement)
  • Criminal background check and urinalysis
  • Completion of admissions process by these dates:
    • March 1: Application Deadline
    • April 1: Completed background check & urinalysis
    • May 1: Admitted notification letter sent to applicant
    • June 1: Applicant notifies UB of intent to enroll

For further information, contact Dr. Jami Grant, Program Director, Forensic Studies, at (410) 837-5302 or jgrant@ubalt.edu.

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Updated July 23, 2004