27,March 2024
To have a successful career in one of the top fields like Forensic science, it is advisable that you must have completed your graduation followed by post-graduation in the same discipline. A candidate with a master’s degree is considered to be more efficient in his work as compared to someone who is just a graduate. In the year of your master’s degree, candidates will be taught the skills of sample collection, crime scene investigation, and interrogation techniques along with other essential skills. Here in this blog, we have given the complete details on what a master’s program in forensic science is, eligibility criteria, scope, etc.
What is a Master’s Program in Forensic Science?
The next step after the completion of your undergraduate degree is to do research for a master’s program in forensic science. After getting graduated from a recognized institute, candidates should choose the field of post-graduation in which they wish to pursue their forensics course. Master’s program is a 2-year degree in the same discipline. This program aims to sharpen the skills and methods used in forensic science to help in crime investigation. Some of the subjects like psychology, toxicology, DNA analysis, etc. will be taught during the course.
Eligibility Criteria for Master’s Program in Forensic Science:
The admission process of a master’s program varies from university to university and so the eligibility conditions for getting admission vary. The eligibility criteria for a master’s program in forensic science are subjective, meaning they are not standard for all such institutes that offer forensics programs. If you wish to get admission to this program, you need to fulfill these conditions else your candidature will be cancelled and you will not be allowed to take admission in the respective course. Once the admission process begins candidates will be able to check the eligibility conditions disclosed by the institutes in their admission brochure. The criteria for a master’s in forensic science are mentioned below:
- Candidates must have passed class 10th and 12th in the science stream with a minimum of 50% marks,
- Candidates must have passed a bachelor’s degree in science or equivalent stream from a recognized university with at least 50% marks.
Modes of Master’s Program in Forensic Science:
With the advancement in the education system of the country, the modes of education have also become advanced. Now it is not mandatory for a candidate to visit the campus on a daily basis and attend the classes regularly. There are other modes of getting a degree also. For example, now candidates can opt for modes like full-time, part-time, or distance mode for the completion of their degree.
- Full-time Course: The regular mode of post-graduation is known as the full-time mode of education. Candidates who opt for this mode need to attend the classes on a regular basis along with attending the laboratory classes.
- Part-time Course: It is a mode of education in which candidates are not required to regularly visit the campus. Instead, they just need to go to the campus to appear in the examinations once or twice a year as per the curriculum of the university.
- Distance Course: In this mode of education, candidates who can’t travel to the university or the campus can pursue their course by just sitting at their home. They can cover their entire course through the modules given by the institute and through online lectures.
Courses Available in Master’s Program in Forensic Science:
At the post-graduation level, the candidates have the option of choosing from a wide range of courses available to them in the field of forensics. Candidates can opt for any of the master’s programs in forensic science mentioned below based on their choice. Some of the master’s degrees that can be done after pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline are as follows:
1. M.Sc. (Forensic Science):
This is a program of 2 years divided into 4 semesters. For someone to get admission to this program, it is mandatory that they complete their graduation in science background. Candidates can either apply directly for this program or can also appear for entrance examinations for PG courses.
2. M.Tech. (Forensic Science):
This is also a 2 years program that is spread over 4 semesters. There are very limited colleges in India that offer M.Tech. in forensics. Candidates who want to pursue this course need to appear for competitive exams just like engineering exams. Admission to this program is solely based on the entrance exam marks scored by the students.
3. M.Phil. (Forensic Science):
Just like other courses, this is also 2 years program for 4 semesters. This is a research-based course and candidates need to complete their post-graduation before getting admission to this particular program.
Master’s Program in Forensic Science Colleges:
Choosing the right college is as important as choosing the right course. Colleges are one of the important pillars of career building of a candidate’s professional journey. Some of the best colleges that offer master’s courses in this field are mentioned below in the table along with the fee structure:
| Serial No. | College Name | Mode | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University | Full Time | INR 2,00,000 |
| 2. | Vinayaka Missions University | Full Time | INR 2,25,000 |
| 3. | University of Mumbai | Full Time | INR 27,265 |
| 4. | B.K Birla College of Arts Science and Commerce | Full Time | INR 28,800 |
| 5. | Kalasalingam Academy | Full Time | INR 35,000 |
| 6. | Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute | Full Time | INR 40,000 |
| 7. | Maharshi Dayanand University | Full Time | INR 30,000 |
| 8. | Banaras Hindu University | Full Time | INR 1,50,000 |
| 9. | Amity University | Full Time | INR 1,20,000 |
| 10. | Jain University | Full Time | INR 1,24,000 |
| 11. | Shardha University | Full Time | INR 1,50,000 |
| 12. | Manipal University | Full Time | INR 1,75,000 |
| 13. | Andhra University | Full Time | INR 2,00,000 |
| 14. | GD Goenka University | Full Time | INR 2,55,000 |
| 15. | SGT University | Full Time | INR 3,00,000 |
| 16. | Lovely Professional University | Full Time | INR 2,00,000 |
| 17. | Indira Gandhi National Open University | Part-Time | INR 60,000 |
| 18. | Shobhit University | Part-Time | INR 1,23,600 |
| 19. | Chandigarh University | Full Time | INR 1,50,000 |
| 20. | Galgotias University | Full Time | INR 1,00,000 |
| 21. | Gujarat University | Full Time | INR 30,000 |
Master’s Program in Forensic Science Syllabus:
To give a better understanding of the course curriculum here we have given the syllabus for a master’s in forensic science. Though the subjects of this course vary from institute here we have given the common ones in semester-wise format.
| Semesters | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Forensics Techniques |
| Physical Instrumental Methods | |
| Biological Instrumental Methods | |
| Forensic Photography | |
| Semester 2 | Finger Prints Impressions |
| Questioned Documents | |
| Forensic Chemistry | |
| Forensic Toxicology | |
| Semester 3 | Forensic Physics |
| Forensic Biology | |
| Forensic Serology | |
| Recent Advances | |
| DNA Isolation | |
| Semester 4 | Forensic Physics |
| Forensic Chemistry | |
| Forensic Ballistics | |
| Forensic Photography | |
| Finger Print Analysis | |
| DNA Profiling | |
| Practical | |
| Dissertation |
Scope of Master’s Program in Forensic Science:
To solve the crimes and reduce their number in society it’s important to have some dedicated experts who excel at their work. These professionals are known as forensic scientists. The scope of Forensic Science is vast and hence the scope for such experts is also wide. These people are always in demand because these people help the crime branches and the police departments to solve cases efficiently and in less time period.
These people make the judiciary and investigating officers pay attention to such small details that are usually ignored during the investigation. It is because these people can analyze the handwriting patterns, DNA samples, and fingerprints as well that act as important sources of evidence in case solving.
Top Recruiters:
The companies that hire such professionals after the completion of a master’s in the same domain are multiple. Some of the top ones are mentioned below in the table:
| Serial No. | Government Organizations | Private Organizations |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Central Bureau of Investigation | Hospitals |
| 2. | Forensic Laboratory | Detective Agencies |
| 3. | Income Tax Department | Laboratory |
| 4. | Crime Branch | Insurance Companies |
| 5. | Quality Control Bureau | University/Colleges |
| 6. | Government Hospitals | Banks |
Work Profiles:
Once you are done with the post-graduation in forensic science, now you can work with various sectors on different work profiles based on your interest. Some of the top work profiles that you can choose for your career after the completion of a master’s degree in forensics are:
- Corrections Officer,
- Forensic Expert,
- Customs Agent,
- DNA Analyst,
- Forensic Psychologist,
- Compliance Officer,
- Document Examiner,
- Coast Guard.
Areas of Action:
These professionals work in multiple domains on several posts after being hired by well-known companies. However, some of the common work specializations that these people work as forensic experts after completion of their master’s degree are as follows:
- In the defense sector for Anti-terrorist operations,
- For protection of the human rights and environmental laws,
- For the purpose of disaster management,
- For the purpose of cyber-crime investigation,
- Implementation of consumer and intellectual property rights.
To get an upper hand in the field of forensics, candidates should pursue a master’s program in forensic science. This is because you will learn more skills and acquire more knowledge in this discipline which will make you a better candidate to be hired by the companies.
References:
- https://collegedunia.com /courses/master-of-science -msc-forensic-science
- https://www.careers360.com /courses/msc-in-forensic-science
- https://ifsc.puchd.ac.in /show-courses.php