Our associate degree program in Forensic DNA Science is the first and only undergraduate degree program in this field in the world. The training of the program is unique for several reasons. First, students are trained by their participation in actual criminal and anthropological cases involving DNA evidence collection and analysis. Second, forensic training is entirely hands-on and confers on students extensive skills in DNA analysis. Third, students learn to perform mitochondrial DNA analysis, a high-demand forensic methodology used to determine the identity of unidentified human remains. Further, students intern with the world’s most renowned forensic institutions, including the FBI, Armed Forces DNA Identification Labs, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Upon completion, the Associate in Science Degree in Biotechnology with a concentration in Forensic DNA Science is awarded.

Career Forecast

• There is an exceedingly high demand in law enforcement for forensic technicians with DNA analysis skills, especially in the area of mitochondrial DNA analysis. (Worldwide standards require all forensic technicians to hold a baccalaureate science degree. Hence, the forensic DNA science program offers articulated transfer agreements with baccalaureate institutions with complementary forensic programs or relevant science degrees).
• Technicians with forensic DNA analysis skills are also in demand at institutions such as museums, anthropological laboratories, and many government agencies that use the technology to identify and monitor organisms ranging from endangered species to trees.

Program Requirements:

Program Footnotes:

* Pre-calculus (MA 104) may substitute.
A grade of C or better is required for all Biotech program courses.

Humanities Electives: Art, Communications, Film, French, Humanities, Literature, Philosophy, Photography, Spanish, Sign Language, Oral Communication, Theater Arts

Social Science Electives: Anthropology, Geography, History, Economics, Government, Psychology, Sociology, Law & Society

Recommended: Ethics; Drugs, People and Problems

This program qualifies for Joint Admissions with certain Massachusetts State Colleges.

Course Descriptions

BT 101 Rotation I: Introduction to Biotechnology
In this hands-on laboratory course students are introduced to the scientific method and key biotechnology methodologies through their participation in an ongoing molecular research project(s) conducted by the Biotechnology Program called the Grand Project. The research and training focus will be at the molecular level and emphasize electrophoresis-based methodologies: Western-, Northern, and Southern-blot hybridization analysis. Students will also be introduced to mammalian cell culture.
Pre-requisites/Co-requisites: CH 110, BI 110

BT 107 Forensic Science I
In this hands-on laboratory course students learn DNA typing and allele frequency analysis through the two most commonly used methodologies for human identification in criminal cases involving DNA evidence: Co-FilerTM and Pro-Filer PlusTM. Students will develop and refine their DNA analysis skills by their direct involvement in actual criminal- and/or cold-cases.
Prerequisites: CH 110, BI 110, BT 101
Lab: 6 hours per week.

BT 205 Forensic Science II
In this hands-on laboratory course students learn the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)- based DNA typing procedures Short Tandem Repeat (STR) and amelogin sex typing in human identification. Students will also be trained in Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and the integration of this procedure with STR analysis.
Prerequisites: CH 110, BI 110, BT 101, BT 107
Lab: 6 hours per week.

BT 215 Forensic Science III
This is a highly rigorous, hands-on laboratory course in which students learn mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of human remains and human mtDNA haplotyping. Emphasis will be placed on the sequencing and characterization of the hypervariable region (HVr)-1 and HVr-2 of human mtDNA for purposes of establishing identify, determining ethnic origin, and linking remains to maternal family lineages.
Prerequisites: CH 120, BI 110, BT 107, BT 201
Lab: 6 hours per week.

BT 241 Forensic Science Internship
Students will apply their forensic DNA training by engaging in criminal forensic or forensic anthropological work. Internships will be minimally 120 hours in duration. Internships will be minimally 120 hours in duration. At the discretion of the instructor, students will conduct either internal internships at MassBay or external internships at sites such as: the Armed Forces DNA Identification Labs (AFDIL), the FBI, Scotland Yard (London), New Hampshire Archaeology Laboratories, Royal Montserrat Police Headquarters, Massachusetts Medical Examiner Morgue and other police and anthropological agencies and laboratories. Internship grades will be based on an evaluation of the student’s performance by the host institution and assigned by the forensic faculty.
Prerequisites: CH 120, BI 120, BT 107, BT 201, BT 205

BI 210 Molecular Biology
This course is an in depth examination of the principles that govern the structure and function of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes. Emphasis is placed on gene structure, function, expression, and regulation. The laboratory presents a concise presentation of the state-of-the-art methods utilized in molecular biology, as well as an overview of the far-reaching applications of recombinant DNA technology.
Prerequisites: BI 120, CH 120

CH 210 Biochemistry
A one-semester study of the facts and principles of chemistry as they apply to biological macromolecules and biological systems, with emphasis on the structure-function correlation. This course has a mandatory lab that complements the lecture. Topics include reemphasis of lab safety; water in biological systems; protein chemistry – including the structure, function, purification, sequencing and synthesizing of peptides; carbohydrate chemistry – including thermodynamics and mechanism of glycolysis and the Kreb’s cycle; nucleic acids – including solid phase nucleotide synthesis; enzymes – including, mechanism, kinetics and regulation; lipids – including biological membranes and transport, fatty acid metabolism; biosignaling; oxidative phosphorylation; endocrine regulation.
Prerequisite: CH 201 or the equivalent, MA 102 or higher