Science X Criminology Undergrads
The fields of criminology and science can often seem on completely different ends of the career spectrum, and students often have a difficult time choosing between pursuing their passions for working in the lab or working out on a crime scene. Look no further, because, in fact, the two fields come together to form one of the most important fields responsible for criminal investigations, known as the field of forensic science. If you simply cannot sever your ties with your inner investigator, or inner scientist, be sure to keep on reading about the undergraduate program that may be a perfect fit for you!
The Program
The University of Toronto Mississauga campus is the host of a unique program tailored for students who seek to apply their love for science to a more investigative setting. It is the first of its kind in Canada and is designed to provide you with a greater understanding of scientific approaches to legal applications. As they say, it is best defined as “science in service to the courts” (University of Toronto Mississauga). U of T’s Forensic Science undergraduate program is exclusively offered at the Mississauga campus and offers a wide variety of study areas for you to pursue. Since the program has a heavy science focus, the admission requirements for entry into this program are very similar to that of many science undergraduate programs across Canadian universities. Specifically, the prerequisite courses for this program include:
- Grade 12U Biology
- Grade 12U Advanced Functions
- Grade 12U Chemistry
- Grade 12U English
As you can tell, the courses above are similar to what most science undergraduate programs expect from grade 12 students as prerequisites. As an added bonus, if the fear of taking calculus and vectors is stressing you out, I have some good news for you because it is not even a requirement! Anyways, continuing on from the prerequisite courses necessary for admission into this program, you will also need an additional two U/M courses. It is also stated that you must have a cumulative average between the mid and high 70s.
Specialist Programs
If this program is not already interesting enough, let me tell you about the five specialist programs that are exclusive to this forensic science program. U of T offers two distinct pathways that you can take in order to fulfill the requirements and complete your Honours Bachelor of Science degree. The first option is the forensic science program in which you will major in forensic science with the addition of a double major from the list of pre-approved majors including Biology, Chemistry, Anthropology, and Psychology. These programs allow you to focus on two areas of interest in more of a broad context that will hopefully assist you in determining what type of career pathway your heart is set on. The second option, and one of the most intriguing aspects of this program, in my opinion, is the option to complete a specialist program beginning in your second year of studies. If you choose to pursue a specialist program, you will have the opportunity to choose from four amazing programs that provide you with an in-depth look at how the respective field of study has important applications within the field of the forensic scene. The four specialist programs include the Anthropology Specialist Program, Biology Specialist Program, Chemistry Specialist Program and Psychology Specialist Program. Now, I know what you may be thinking: how do these specialist programs differ from the major programs in option 1? Well, although the areas of study are identical, the specialist programs allow you to experience a specialized stream that emphasizes the applications of their specialization within the field of forensics. As well, if you choose to specialize, you will be able to participate in exclusive hands-on experiences through field study courses. In both the specialist and major programs, you will have the opportunity to complete several elective courses that pertain to science fields including chemistry, biology, physics, etc…, as well as more legal and social fields of forensics including civil and criminal law, sociology, and many others. The wide variety of courses that you are eligible to take during the course of your studies, offers an interdisciplinary education and a wide range of knowledge from many different fields.
Experiential Opportunities
UTM’s forensic science program offers experiential opportunities through the several field schools that come along with each of the specialist programs. Specifically, UTM’s Forensic Anthropology Field School allows you to work with your peers and other students in the same program as you, to assess, search, locate, and identify a ‘missing person’ through different cases presented to them. You will learn how to analyze evidence, collect evidence, and transfer their applications of anthropological science, to the scene to complete their investigation. This is just one of the ways that the program allows you to gain unique experiences, and a skill set to add to your resume that many other programs do not offer. In addition to the unique field schools that are accessible to you in the forensic science program, in the specialist programs, you are guaranteed enrollment in an internship opportunity. This is one of the features that attracts many students from all across Canada to apply to this program, and especially, what makes the admissions to the specialist programs so limited. UTM partners with several organizations that offer internship positions, including companies like the Centre for Forensic Sciences, the Office of the Chief Coroner for the Province of Ontario, the RCMP, and many others. The internship will take place in your senior year and allow you to take part in a major research project.
Career Opportunities
The forensic science program is certainly advantageous, in that it allows you to explore two areas of studies that you may be deeply passionate about, whilst also developing a dual skill set for future career pathways. The program allows you to develop many scientific-based skills to help you enter into a more science-focused discipline including laboratory techniques, a scientific perspective on handling situations, and a general overview of both biological and chemical knowledge. Some of the careers that you may pursue that focus more on science include graduate schools, medicine, research, environmental science, academia, and many others. In addition, you will have the ability to develop a strong background that will help you, if you choose to pursue a career in a legal setting, with the opportunity to explore different areas of law, investigate criminal cases and crime scenes, and evaluate evidence to form conclusions. Some of the careers that you may want to pursue that follow a strict legal pathway may include law, criminology, police academy, and many others. Of course, the strongest skill set that this program will offer you is within the field of forensic science. You will have the opportunity to gain a strong background in compiling scientific evidence and relating it to a modern legal context in the matters of court cases and criminal investigations. In addition to becoming a forensic scientist, which may be the obvious path for some but not others, you can also pursue a career in toxicology, forensic anthropology, and many others. For additional information on this program and some of the career pathways that real students have pursued after completing the forensic science program at UTM, click here to watch an interactive panel held by UTM students and faculty.
Overall, the forensic science program at the University of Toronto Mississauga offers you an education that is fit for a wide variety of pathways and offers many experiential opportunities to guide you in determining what path is best suited for you. The program’s renowned status, being the first of its kind, gives it a reputation to educate and prepare you for both the investigative and scientific world of forensics.
About the Writer: Wynter Sutchy is a first-year undergraduate student at McMaster University studying Life Sciences and is from King City, ON. She is very passionate about the healthcare field and enjoys sharing her volunteering experiences through writing. She plans to pursue a career in medicine in the future and plans to explore the field of healthcare through research and volunteering throughout her undergraduate career. In her free time, you can expect her to be watching her favorite show, Greys Anatomy, teaching children how to swim, or baking some delicious desserts!
Sources
https://utm.calendar.utoronto.ca/section/Forensic-Science
https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/forensic/sites/files/forensic/public/shared/pdfs/
https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/forensic/about-forensic-science-program
https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/programs/forensic-science
