Committee weighs master's degree

By Rory Sa

Building on the footsteps of the Forensic Science building, members of the Science department hope to introduce a Masters of Science degree in Forensic Science within the next few years.

The proposal for a Forensic Science Master’s degree is currently going through the University Budget Committee. After the committee approves the proposal, it may undergo a final round of corrections and amendments before it is brought before the Academic Senate.

The proposal is a collaboration between the Science and Math college, the Forensic crime lab and California’s department of justice, as well as members of the science and math faculty.

The program will be funded in part from outside sources such as the California Department of Justice.

The Math and Science department was awarded $55,000 from the Sloan Foundation and the Council of Graduate Schools,

Dr. K.P. Wong, dean of the college of science and mathematics, has also earmarked $10,000 for course materials and equipment once the proposed program is approved.

“ When the state crime lab was dedicated, we were told… [the] state needs 67 DNA analysts with masters in forensic science,” Wong said.

Wong said that the need for students with training in forensic science will increase substantially. “We’re here to train the future human resource needs for society. If we see the future needs, we have to educate them,” Wong said.

Chemistry professor Jarrad Wagner will serve as program director for the proposed program. “[The forensic lab] will be important resource for students,” Wagner said.

One goal of the program will be to draw students interested in the degree into a wider variety of programs. Biochemistry students, for instance, would be drawn to computer science classes to keep up to speed with the latest in DNA technology and bioinformatics.

In the proposal, proponents claim that even if they decide to charge laboratory fees, earning the degree at Fresno State will be less expensive than the $18,000 flat fee charged to students at UC Davis.

The program will be organized in annual class cohorts; enrollment will only be accepted during fall semesters. Necessary subjects may range from chemistry and physics to calculus, criminal law and statistics. Students will need a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field, such as chemistry or criminal law, in order to enter the program.