Forensic Science is the study of physical evidence in a modern legal context. It is best defined as "science in service to the courts."

There are many subfields of Forensic Science including Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Psychology, etc. The single, unifying paradigm of Forensic Science is the search for truth and the meaning of evidence in both criminal investigations and through courts of law.

U of T Mississauga's Forensic Science BSc program, the first of its kind in Canada, is designed to provide the student with an understanding of scientific analyses, theories, laboratory skills, applications, and field techniques -- while allowing the student to emphasize one particular area in greater detail. This is accomplished through the requirement of a either a Forensic Science Major program -- which must be pursued together with a second science major program in an approved area of study (see below for listings of approved second science majors) OR a Forensic Science Specialist program where students pursue one of the streams of specialization (see below for listings of areas of specializations).