Forensic Science Degrees in Montana



montana forensic science degree

Forensic Science

Forensic science is the scientific method of gathering and examining information about the past which is then used in a court of law and it requires very intense training and formal education.If you made it this far, though, congratulations! You’re taking the first steps in joining a very rewarding profession and itsGOV is here to guide you through what you need to know and what you need to do to join a forensic science program in Montana.

Depending on the type of forensic science practiced, different degrees and educational backgrounds may help a candidate get a job and excel in this field. Regarding formal education, requirements vary across jobs, but you should definitely have a solid background in mathematics, biology and chemistry.



The National Institute of Justice, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, offers guidelines for model undergraduate and graduate forensic science degree programs. According to the American Academy of Forensic Science, strong programs should offer a curriculum that concentrates on scientific writing, laboratory skills, public speaking, and computer software application training.

Forensic Science Requirements in Montana

CSI and forensic science jobs in Missoula involve working with some of the state’s most unnerving crimes. One such case occurred 22 years ago when Missoula CSI detectives were called to the scene of a double homicide involving two married vacationers. After stopping at a campground near Lake Inez the couple was gunned down and a few items were stolen from their truck. At the time detectives could not develop any leads and carefully stored recovered evidence for later analysis.



Now forensic scientists at the Missoula State Crime Lab hope to crack this case wide open, using new advancements in technology and new methods of analysis to obtain DNA from the killer that was most likely scattered throughout the crime scene. The crime laboratory is capable of conducting any of the following:

Forensic Science training in Montana

The vision of the Forensic Science Division (FSD) laboratory is to ensure an adequately funded and robust forensic science laboratory environment, staffed with engaged, certified forensic scientists working with high quality instrumentation and using validated procedures to provide accurate, objective and timely analyses in accordance with international accreditation standards in service of the criminal justice community and the citizens of Montana.



The mission of the Montana Forensic Science Division is to use operationally efficient and financially responsible practices as the laboratory provides accurate, objective, and timely forensic analyses to the criminal justice community in order to maximize value to the citizens of Montana. On January 9, 2011, the Montana State Crime lab was awarded accreditation by ASCLD/LAB (American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board) under the International Testing requirements ISO 17025:2005 and ASCLD/LAB International Supplemental Requirements. The Montana lab joins other national and international laboratories who have achieved this accreditation status. Laboratory accreditation is a continuing process that involves a number of audits that review and evaluate management practices, personnel qualifications, technical procedures, quality assurance program and facilities.The laboratory has been accredited since 2005 by ASCLD/LAB, previously under their Legacy Program requirements. Forensic laboratory accreditation is voluntary, but is required to receive some federal funding.

Forensic Science Salary in Montana

Forty forensic science technicians worked in Montana in 2012 according to information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They made an average salary of $56,450 in 2012 with those in the top tenth percent of their field making an average of $74,770. In addition to work in the lab, some forensic scientists travel to crime scenes to document them and collect physical evidence for further lab analysis.  This is the case for some of the forensic scientists with the State Crime Lab.  They provide assistance to law enforcement agencies throughout the state.



While many CSIs work as civilians, others are sworn officers with many years of investigative experience who work a crime from the site of the initial crime all the way through the trial.

Because of the differences in the types of jobs and the backgrounds of CSIs, their salaries can be highly variable.  The average salary of a crime scene investigator in Montana was $46,000 in the one year period leading up to October 2013.



Forensic Science Schools and Colleges in Montana

Bachelor’s Degree

University University of Montana, Forensic Chemistry, B.S.
Duration 4 years
Type Full time, Part time
Tuition and fees $6,464 in-state, $18,606 out-of-state per year
Program link
Prospective students desiring further information on any program of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry should visit the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biochemistry Program websites. High School Preparation: In addition to the general University admission requirements, it is strongly recommended that a student take four years of mathematics, four (or more) years of science (earth and space science, biology, chemistry, and physics), four years of a foreign language, and four years of English. The core modules are:

  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Forensic Research
  • Laboratory Safety
  • Organic Spectroscopy
  • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry + Laboratory
  • Physics: Thermodynamics

UM’s Office of Research and Creative Scholarship supports the educational and research mission of the University through advocacy and advancement of basic and applied research, creative work, and academic scholarship, and fosters an environment where research, scholarly activities, entrepreneurship, and economic development thrive.

Use the Administration link to find the appropriate office within Research and Creative Scholarship to assist you, or Resources to find information on our facilities, equipment, core facilities, and UM Centers and Institutes. The Outreach link provides information on the variety of methods we are using to inform the community about our achievements in innovation and imagination from print media, such as Research Vision and Research View.

University University of Great Falls, Forensic Science, B.S.
Duration 4 years
Type Full time, Part time
Tuition and fees $10,456 per year
Program link

Forensic Science is the application of scientific principles to matters defined by civil and criminal law. It is a compilation of all the hard core sciences, including the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and mathematics in the solving of crimes by the evidence left behind at a crime scene. All three of the major tracks and the minor are designed to prepare students with a strong scientific background directed to the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence.



The major, minor and tracks focus on the main elements of criminalistics, including analysis of blood, fibers, glass, paint, soils, hair and the fields of toxicology, DNA analysis, serology, forensic anthropology, human pathology and numerous other areas germane to the scientific study of evidence. Forensic Science at UGF is unique compared with the many other programs in the USin that most programs spend their time on criminal justice topics. UGF’s program spends the majority of time on forensic sciences, hard-core sciences, and mathematics necessary to be a well-rounded and educated forensic investigator or laboratory expert. This is reinforced by the numerous laboratory classes for the diverse areas of forensic investigation.

The entire range of forensic sciences topics are covered at UGF, ranging from the most useful, such as fingerprint analysis, DNA analysis, serology, and blood spatter analysis, to the less well-studied, such as evidence and lab analysis of hair, glass, soils, bones, drugs, poisons, and some thirty other areas. The current literature in a variety of fields is used to ascertain the students know the most up-to-date techniques and methods applicable, either in field investigations or for laboratory analysis. As an additional aid to becoming proficient in the field, numerous opportunities have been developed for internships during the summer, including working at real crime laboratories in Montana, other states, and for the federal government. The core modules are:

  • Introduction to Law Enforcement
  • Patrol Operations and Procedures
  • Criminal Investigation
  • Introduction to Forensic Science
  • Physical Evidence for Forensic Science
  • Impression Evidence Lab Analysis
  • Patterned Evidence Lab Analysis
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Introduction to Forensic Studies

In addition to the courses offered, the unique character of the program depends on the faculty. Dr. Arthur Alt has ten degrees, including a doctorate in science education and degrees in chemistry, mathematics, anthropology, archaeology, history, and computers, with minors covering other sciences, and a passion for teaching that has sustained him for more than 30 years. A tremendous variety of teaching techniques in addition to lectures, are applied.

This forces students to become creative and develop abilities in critical analysis and problem-solving. Dr. Diane Lund is an expert in biology and chemistry, with special expertise in DNA analysis and cellular biology. She has a wide range of interests in student undergraduate research. Dr. Craig Ganster has over 25 years of experience as a practicing police/homicide investigator and brings a wealth of knowledge to the program on dealing with forensic investigations. Professor Cynthia Matthews, head of the Criminal Justice program, reinforces the learning for students on criminal procedures and dealing with the legal system. Finally, Professor Steve Nelson teaches the law and how it applies to solving crimes, procedures in court, and being a competent witness for forensic investigations.



 

University University of Great Falls, Forensic Biology B.S.
Duration 24 months
Type Full time, Part time
Tuition and fees $20,960 per year
Program link

 

For the Forensic Sciences program, there are three possible tracks: Forensic Sciences for students wanting to be crime scene investigators, to law school or to graduate school, or work outside of a laboratory field mandating extensive chemistry or biology backgrounds (such as Forensic Anthropology or Fingerprint Analysis; Forensic Chemistry for working in laboratory environ­ments dealing with chemistry problems; Forensic Bi­ology for working in laboratory environments special­izing in biology problems, particularly DNA analysis. Forensic Science at UGF is unique compared with the many other programs in the USin that most programs spend their time on criminal justice topics. UGF’s program spends the majority of time on forensic sciences, hard-core sciences, and mathematics necessary to be a well-rounded and educated forensic investigator or laboratory expert. This is reinforced by the numerous laboratory classes for the diverse areas of forensic investigation.

The entire range of forensic sciences topics are covered at UGF, ranging from the most useful, such as fingerprint analysis, DNA analysis, serology, and blood spatter analysis, to the less well-studied, such as evidence and lab analysis of hair, glass, soils, bones, drugs, poisons, and some thirty other areas. The current literature in a variety of fields is used to ascertain the students know the most up-to-date techniques and methods applicable, either in field investigations or for laboratory analysis. As an additional aid to becoming proficient in the field, numerous opportunities have been developed for internships during the summer, including working at real crime laboratories in Montana, other states, and for the federal government. The core modules for the Forensic Biology track are:



  • General Biology
  •  General Zoology
  • Microbiology
  • General Botany
  • Genetics
  • Introduction to Criminal Justice System
  • Introduction to Forensic Sciences
  • Physical Evidence + Lab
  • Impression Evidence Lab Analysis
  • Patterned Evidence Lab Analysis
  • Blood, Body Fluids and DNA Lab Analysis
  • Forensic Biology and Microscopy
Forensic Science is the application of scientific principles to matters defined by civil and criminal law. It is a compilation of all the hard core sciences, including the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and mathematics in the solving of crimes by the evidence left behind at a crime scene. All three of the major tracks and the minor are designed to prepare students with a strong scientific background directed to the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence. The major, minor and tracks focus on the main elements of criminalistics, including analysis of blood, fibers, glass, paint, soils, hair and the fields of toxicology, DNA analysis, serology, forensic anthropology, human pathology and numerous other areas germane to the scientific study of evidence. In addition to the courses offered, the unique character of the program depends on the faculty. Dr. Arthur Alt has ten degrees, including a doctorate in science education and degrees in chemistry, mathematics, anthropology, archaeology, history, and computers, with minors covering other sciences, and a passion for teaching that has sustained him for more than 30 years. A tremendous variety of teaching techniques in addition to lectures, are applied. This forces students to become creative and develop abilities in critical analysis and problem-solving. Dr. Diane Lund is an expert in biology and chemistry, with special expertise in DNA analysis and cellular biology. She has a wide range of interests in student undergraduate research. Dr. Craig Ganster has over 25 years of experience as a practicing police/homicide investigator and brings a wealth of knowledge to the program on dealing with forensic investigations. Professor Cynthia Matthews, head of the Criminal Justice program, reinforces the learning for students on criminal procedures and dealing with the legal system. Finally, Professor Steve Nelson teaches the law and how it applies to solving crimes, procedures in court, and being a competent witness for forensic investigations.
University University of Great Falls, Forensic Chemistry B.S.
Duration 24 months
Type Full time, Part time
Tuition and fees $20,960 per year
Program link

For the Forensic Sciences program, there are three possible tracks: Forensic Sciences for students wanting to be crime scene investigators, to law school or to graduate school, or work outside of a laboratory field mandating extensive chemistry or biology backgrounds (such as Forensic Anthropology or Fingerprint Analysis; Forensic Chemistry for working in laboratory environ­ments dealing with chemistry problems; Forensic Bi­ology for working in laboratory environments special­izing in biology problems, particularly DNA analysis. Forensic Science at UGF is unique compared with the many other programs in the USin that most programs spend their time on criminal justice topics. UGF’s program spends the majority of time on forensic sciences, hard-core sciences, and mathematics necessary to be a well-rounded and educated forensic investigator or laboratory expert. This is reinforced by the numerous laboratory classes for the diverse areas of forensic investigation.

The entire range of forensic sciences topics are covered at UGF, ranging from the most useful, such as fingerprint analysis, DNA analysis, serology, and blood spatter analysis, to the less well-studied, such as evidence and lab analysis of hair, glass, soils, bones, drugs, poisons, and some thirty other areas. The current literature in a variety of fields is used to ascertain the students know the most up-to-date techniques and methods applicable, either in field investigations or for laboratory analysis. As an additional aid to becoming proficient in the field, numerous opportunities have been developed for internships during the summer, including working at real crime laboratories in Montana, other states, and for the federal government. The core modules for the Forensic Chemistry track are:

  •  General Chemistry I and II
  •  Organic Chemistry I and II
  •   Physical Chemistry
  •  Quantitative Analysis
  • Biochemistry
  • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  •  Introduction to Forensic Science
  •  Impression Evidence Lab Analysis
  • Patterned Evidence Lab Analysis
  • Forensic Chemistry
  •  Calculus
  • Classical and Modern Physics
Forensic Science is the application of scientific principles to matters defined by civil and criminal law. It is a compilation of all the hard core sciences, including the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and mathematics in the solving of crimes by the evidence left behind at a crime scene. All three of the major tracks and the minor are designed to prepare students with a strong scientific background directed to the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence. The major, minor and tracks focus on the main elements of criminalistics, including analysis of blood, fibers, glass, paint, soils, hair and the fields of toxicology, DNA analysis, serology, forensic anthropology, human pathology and numerous other areas germane to the scientific study of evidence. In addition to the courses offered, the unique character of the program depends on the faculty. Dr. Arthur Alt has ten degrees, including a doctorate in science education and degrees in chemistry, mathematics, anthropology, archaeology, history, and computers, with minors covering other sciences, and a passion for teaching that has sustained him for more than 30 years. A tremendous variety of teaching techniques in addition to lectures, are applied. This forces students to become creative and develop abilities in critical analysis and problem-solving. Dr. Diane Lund is an expert in biology and chemistry, with special expertise in DNA analysis and cellular biology. She has a wide range of interests in student undergraduate research. Dr. Craig Ganster has over 25 years of experience as a practicing police/homicide investigator and brings a wealth of knowledge to the program on dealing with forensic investigations. Professor Cynthia Matthews, head of the Criminal Justice program, reinforces the learning for students on criminal procedures and dealing with the legal system. Finally, Professor Steve Nelson teaches the law and how it applies to solving crimes, procedures in court, and being a competent witness for forensic investigations.

Master’s Degree

University Department of Anthropology College of Arts and Sciences The University of Montana
Duration 24 months
Type Full time, Part time
Tuition and fees $6,464 in-state, $18,606 out-of-state per year
Program link

Department of Anthropology College of Arts and Sciences The University of Montana Program Information

Students may develop and demonstrate research skill by formulating a research project designed to contribute original knowledge to the field of forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, human variation, or human skeletal biology, with the findings presented in a thesis. Pursuing this track will help the student prepare to pursue a career as a forensic or physical/biological anthropologist, or to continue their graduate education toward a doctorate. Students who complete the core requirements and one of the tracks described below will earn the M.A. Degree in Anthropology with the Forensic Anthropology Option. The core modules are:

  • Forensic anthropology
  • Osteology
  • An archaeological field experience
  • General forensic science
  • Statistics
Students may design a MA program in which they specify aset of goals and a set of courses and other experiences that lead to achievement of these goals. Students demonstrate progress toward and satisfaction of their goals by collecting the work produced in their courses and other experiences into a portfolio. This track requires more course work than the thesis track or professional paper track. This track is designed for students who do not plan to work professionally as a forensic orphysical/biological anthropologist or who plan to use their MA degree inanother context (for example, educators seeking an MA degree in a field of science).

 

 

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