Forensic Science

Ontario Tech University · North Oshawa, Ontario Tech University.

Criminology and Justice Studies: blue ink subject illustration

4–5 years
Duration (years)
4 or 5 years
Forensic Science · official programme information
~Low 70s
Entering average
Published approximate guidance: Low 70s. 2027–28 entry. Ontario high-school applicants; DSN. Published qualitative guidance, not a guaranteed offer or an invented numeric range.
OUInfo · Forensic Science DSN; 2027–28 cycle

Deadlines

November 2026

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Next deadlineThursday, November 19, 2026

OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades
2027 entry
School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.
Official deadline

Other deadline details

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
No single OUAC deadline
University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply

Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked Aug 14, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

Check the university’s requirements for your province and applicant category.

Application steps

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
Ontario Tech University Ontario programme admission requirementsOntario Tech University Ontario programme admission requirements
Step 2Apply through OUAC
- Create your application and select this program.
OUACOUAC
Step 3Official secondary school transcript
- Current Ontario secondary school applicants applying through OUAC have their transcript sent by their school through OUAC. Other applicants have it sent directly by the issuer. If direct submission is unavailable, Ontario Tech accepts an issuer-signed, sealed envelope delivered or mailed by the applicant.
Ontario Tech secondary school transcript rulesOntario Tech secondary school transcript rules

Applicant pathways

Ontario secondary entry

Current Ontario secondary school students

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and two of Biology (SBI4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U) or Physics (SPH4U). In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in prerequisite math and science courses is required. It is recommended that all four of MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and SPH4U be taken. Note : Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

English proficiency for Ontario applicants

Ontario secondary-school applicants; meet one published English-proficiency pathway

English as first language satisfies the stated requirement.
Alternatively, complete at least three years of formal full-time secondary/postsecondary study in English, with at least three courses per semester and English instruction and examinations.
Otherwise meet the required proficiency on a university-accepted English-language test.

Ontario OSSD with individual IB courses

Ontario OSSD applicants taking individual IB courses without the full IB Diploma

Individual IB courses may be considered with a recognized secondary-school graduation credential. Your school must send official transcripts and proof of graduation directly to Ontario Tech.
Keep the Ontario prerequisites for your chosen program. The IB Career-related Programme does not replace proof of secondary-school graduation.

Full IB Diploma: Engineering and Science mathematics

Applicants assessed on the full IB Diploma for an Engineering or Science degree

The accepted mathematics courses are Analysis and Approaches SL/HL or Applications and Interpretation HL.
This is the full IB curriculum rule. It does not replace Ontario U/M prerequisite credits when you apply with the OSSD.

Home-school independent examination evidence

Home-schooled applicants

Ontario Tech evaluates examinations delivered through distance learning or alternative education centres. Parent-generated transcripts may document courses/marks, but must accompany standardized test scores. Include marks from completed distance/alternative-education courses.
Exact programme subjects and other admission requirements still apply. This institutional policy does not certify an unlisted home-school qualification or a test waiver.

Canadian provincial and U.S. secondary credentials

Applicants educated in another Canadian province or the United States

Other Canadian provincial applicants must complete secondary school and satisfy the chosen programme’s subject requirements. U.S. applicants must graduate from high school with the required subjects; individual programme academic thresholds remain separately held.
U.S. applicants provide SAT/ACT results if written. The procedure rejects test results older than five years and says grades are the primary basis, with SAT results not disadvantaging applicants. Country/curriculum-specific subject equivalencies remain separate.

Prior postsecondary entry basis

Applicants applying from another postsecondary institution

Be in good academic standing at the previous institution and present the chosen programme’s prerequisite subjects at a competitive level. The prerequisites may be met through a combination of secondary and postsecondary study.
The faculty sections of the Undergraduate Calendar govern exact subjects. This does not waive special entry, bridge or progression requirements, and admission is separate from transfer-credit assessment.

Mature admission definition

Canadian citizens/permanent residents who do not qualify as secondary-school graduates

Meet all stated category conditions: no completed postsecondary education, at least two years away from formal education, and age21 by December31 of the application year. Required secondary-level programme subjects and a competitive academic record remain necessary.
Mature status alone is insufficient. Exact programme availability and equivalence decisions remain with Admissions.

Approved English for Academic Purposes pathway

Applicants meeting every admission requirement except English proficiency

The procedure permits an approved on-campus or off-campus EAP programme. Successful completion permits the degree programme to begin without further English testing. Approved-provider, programme and individual offer conditions must be checked; no unspecified language school is accepted automatically.

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements

The named annual plan is Forensic Science’s Biology specialization. Year 1 is 30 credits; it does not establish a plan for every Forensic Science route.

References

Program facts

Entering average~Low 70s

Ontario high-school applicants; DSN. Published qualitative guidance, not a guaranteed offer or an invented numeric range.

Majors & specializations

Forensic Biology

BSc

Study biological evidence through courses such as Population Genetics and Forensic Biology.

Published requirements

Courses

Biology specialization only, including thesis/directed-study alternatives and science elective pools. Chemistry and Physics routes have different requirements.

Forensic Biology first year: common required courses8 listed

The Biology specialization’s Year 1 requirements; no class times or semester allocation are inferred.

BIOL 1010UBiology I: Molecular and Cellular Systems3 credits
Cell function, energy, DNA, gene expression and the evolution of multicellular life.
BIOL 1020UBiology II: Diversity of Life and Principles of Ecology3 credits
Organism diversity, evolutionary relationships and principles of ecology.
CHEM 1010UChemistry I3 credits
Reactions, stoichiometry, atomic structure, bonding and introductory nuclear chemistry.
CHEM 1020UChemistry II3 credits
Thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria, organic reactions and electrochemistry.
CSCI 1040UIntroduction to Programming for Scientists3 credits
Programming, algorithms, data structures and computational applications in science.
FSCI 1010UIntroductory Forensic Science3 credits
Evidence admissibility, crime-scene searches, fingerprints, trace evidence and digital forensics.
MATH 1020UCalculus II3 credits
Integral and multivariable calculus, differential equations and series.
PHY 1040UPhysics for Biosciences3 credits
Physics applications in biology, including electricity, optics and nuclear medicine.

Forensic Biology first year: calculus alternatives2 listed

With MHF4U and MCV4U or equivalents, take MATH1010. Otherwise take MATH1000. These are alternative courses.

MATH 1000UIntroductory Calculus3 credits
Limits, derivatives and integration, with applications to science.
MATH 1010UCalculus I3 credits
Differential calculus and introductory integration for science and engineering.

Forensic Biology first year: introductory physics alternatives2 listed

With MHF4U and MCV4U or equivalents, take PHY1010. Otherwise take PHY1030. These are alternative courses.

PHY 1010UPhysics I3 credits
Calculus-based mechanics, waves, fluids and thermodynamics for students with high-school calculus.
PHY 1030UIntroductory Physics3 credits
Introductory calculus-based mechanics, including motion, forces, rotation and oscillations.

Additional published courses

BIOL 2010UHuman Physiology3 credits
Human organ-system physiology, with experimental laboratories and clinical examples.
BIOL 2020UGenetics and Molecular Biology3 credits
Inheritance, DNA replication, gene expression, genetic disorders and recombinant-DNA methods.
BIOL 2030UCell Biology3 credits
Cell structure, signalling, cell-cycle regulation and coordinated functions in multicellular organisms.
BIOL 2050UHuman Anatomy3 credits
Human bones, joints, muscles, nerves, vessels and the structure of major organs.
BIOL 2080UBiochemistry I3 credits
Biological molecules, enzymes, membranes, genetic information and introductory metabolism.
CHEM 2020UIntroduction to Organic Chemistry3 credits
Organic structure, reactions, synthesis, stereochemistry and spectroscopic identification.
CHEM 2120UOrganic Chemistry3 credits
Organic reaction mechanisms, functional-group transformations, biomolecules and spectroscopy.
FSCI 2010UCrime Scene Science3 credits
Document crime scenes, photograph and collect evidence, and maintain its chain of custody.
STAT 2020UStatistics and Probability for Biological Science3 credits
Probability, statistical inference, experimental design and regression for biological data.
BIOL 3020UPrinciples of Pharmacology and Toxicology3 credits
Drug action and toxicity in major organ systems, alongside toxic effects of food and industrial products.
CHEM 2030UAnalytical Chemistry3 credits
Analytical measurements using equilibrium, volumetric and electrochemical methods and statistical data analysis.
FSCI 3010UCriminalistics I3 credits
Recover and analyze forensic evidence, validate methods and communicate findings for expert testimony.
FSCI 3030UCriminalistics II3 credits
Analyze photographic and bloodstain evidence and present findings in mock court.
FSCI 3040UForensic Chemistry3 credits
Chemical analysis of fingerprints, drugs and gunshot residue using microscopy, chromatography and spectroscopy.
FSCI 3110UPopulation Genetics3 credits
Population genetics, evolution and allele databases used to assess forensic DNA matches.
FSCI 3120UForensic Biology3 credits
Extract and analyze forensic DNA, interpret profiles and apply laboratory quality assurance.
FSCI 4020UInterdisciplinary Topics in Forensic Science3 credits
Changing interdisciplinary forensic topics, including anthropology, archaeology, digital surveying and their ethical limits.
FSCI 4030UForensic Drug Chemistry and Toxicology3 credits
Identify drugs and metabolites in forensic samples, using analytical methods and quality controls.
FSCI 4050ULaw for Forensic Scientists3 credits
Canadian courts, evidence admissibility, constitutional rights and the duties of expert witnesses.
FSCI 4120UAdvanced Forensic Biology3 credits
Advanced DNA technologies, mixed-profile interpretation and preparation for expert testimony.
FSCI 4410UForensic Science Thesis Project I3 credits
Begin a supervised forensic research project and submit a first-semester progress report.
FSCI 4420UForensic Science Thesis Project II3 credits
Continue the first thesis project, present the research and submit a written thesis.
FSCI 4430UDirected Studies in Forensic Science3 credits
Critically review a forensic research topic and communicate it through a literature review and presentation.
FSCI 4460UMock Crime Scene Practicum3 credits
Investigate a simulated crime scene through laboratory analysis, reporting and mock-court testimony.
BIOL 2060UFundamentals of Microbiology3 credits
Microbial structure, genetics and diversity, infectious organisms, antimicrobial treatment and immune responses.
BIOL 3010ULaboratory Methods in Molecular Biology3 credits
Laboratory methods for recombinant DNA and transgenic organisms, with analysis of experimental results.
BIOL 3032UAdvanced Microbiology3 credits
Advanced microbial physiology, genetics, host interactions and applications in industry and medicine.
BIOL 3040UAnimal Physiology3 credits
Animal physiological regulation, nervous and endocrine signalling, and muscles and glands, with laboratories.
BIOL 3060UFundamentals of Neuroscience3 credits
Neural mechanisms from cells to behaviour, learning, memory, thought and language.
BIOL 3080UBiochemistry II3 credits
Integration of metabolism, energy conversion and biochemical regulation of genes and hormones.
BIOL 3610UComparative Zoology3 credits
Compare vertebrate and invertebrate form, function, ecology, evolution and adaptation.
BIOL 3620UConservation Biology3 credits
Measure and manage biodiversity at Ontario, Canadian and global scales.
BIOL 3640UPlant Biology3 credits
Vascular-plant structure and function, nutrition, soil interactions and biotechnology.
BIOL 3650UFundamentals of Nutrition3 credits
Nutrition guidelines, food labels, nutrient metabolism and nutritional needs across the lifespan.
BIOL 3660UEcology3 credits
Ecological interactions at the individual, population, community and ecosystem levels.
BIOL 4030UAdvanced Topics in Environmental Toxicology3 credits
Advanced environmental toxicology, contaminant monitoring, experimental design and communication.
BIOL 4031UInfection and Immunity3 credits
Host-pathogen interactions, immune responses, vaccines and immune disorders.
BIOL 4040UApplied Molecular Biology3 credits
Molecular techniques used in biotechnology, medicine, food production and forensic science.
BIOL 4050UAdvanced Topics in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology3 credits
Pharmaceutical biotechnology, protein engineering, drug discovery and safety and quality assurance.
BIOL 4070UAdvanced Biochemistry3 credits
Integrated biochemical structure, enzyme regulation and metabolic responses to the environment.

Elective choices

Forensic Biology elective block: 24 credits, including 12 science credits with at least 6 in biology, 9 outside science and 3 general credits.

Study locations

Teaching location: North Oshawa, Ontario Tech University.ontariotech exact programme teaching location

References

Careers

Career examples

Laboratory scientist
Research scientist
Forensic scientist
Forensic technologist
Forensic biomechanist

Career sectors

Forensic biomechanist

Career sectors

Scope and qualifications

Some examples require further education, professional examinations, registration or work experience. No employer, salary, placement guarantee or automatic professional designation is inferred.

University-published career examples for Forensic Science, including its published routes; some require further training or registration. These are examples, not ranked graduate outcomes.

The literal career examples in the university’s Forensic Science undergraduate profile, the exact held source attached to this programme record. They are published possibilities, not graduate-outcome measurements or proof that every route qualifies for each role.