Program Support

Graduate Student Orientation (GSO)

Incoming students will be invited to a Graduate Student Orientation prior to their start. Additionally, there will be a mandatory Forensic Science program orientation for new graduate students at the beginning of Fall semester, usually during Welcome Week (the week before this first official day of classes). This will include accelerated MSFS students, even those who may have started the master’s program in the previous Spring or Summer.

GSO is a program primarily designed to facilitate the transition to Graduate Education for fulltime graduate students. This includes a number of informative seminars aimed at acclimating graduate students to BGSU and answering their questions. Part-time students are not required to attend the sessions, however in the past part-time students have participated in the program to gain a better understanding of the University and Graduate College. Additional sessions are required for students working as research assistants under grant funding.

The staff of GSO and the BGSU Graduate College extend a warm welcome to participants of the Program. It is the goal of GSO to provide information and training that will help students meet the challenges and responsibilities of graduate education. GSO will introduce students to the excellent faculty at BGSU, the vast array of technology and services available on campus, connect fellow graduate students, and introduce them to the Graduate College. Your first few weeks in Bowling Green are busy and exciting. GSO week is designed to help make this transition as smooth as possible whether you are just beginning your graduate degree, returning to college, or coming to BGSU as an international student.

Additionally the Graduate College may host some required programming. For more information please visit here.

Photo ID/BG1 Card

The BG1 Card is the official identification card for BGSU students, faculty and staff. Your BG1 Card is more than just an ID card. It provides access to meal plans, events, and campus facilities. Also, if you are a PNC Bank customer, it can be linked to your bank account to serve as an ATM card. Lastly by adding funds to your BG1 Bucks account, your card can then be used for printing, on-campus vending, and at multiple off campus locations.

Student must be registered for at least one course to be issued a student identification card. Taking a photo at BG1 Plus is simple. Just swing by the information desk in the student union. You will need to have your government issued ID with you. There is a $25 fee for the BG1 Card. It will be billed to the student’s Bursar account and this is not covered by any fee waivers from assistantships.

MyBGSU

MyBGSU is a secure Intranet – Enterprise Portal environment that helps to enhance campus communications and integrate multiple administrative systems into one centralized environment. All applications and communications take place in a secure environment, accessible by authorized audiences only. With only one sign-on, students, faculty and staff are able to access e-mail, Canvas, PeopleSoft HCM, Registration Services, Financial Services, Meeting Maker, etc.

Features and benefits of the enterprise portal include:

Unified access to multiple systems, which streamlines processes across organizational boundaries by providing unprecedented access to information interrelating multiple systems and databases.
Personalization, which provides a Web-based experience tailored by role and job function. Single access point, which gives access to virtually all authorized systems and collaboration tools with one password.
Advance search and navigation capacity, which streamlines navigation of multiple databases.
Accessibility, from anywhere at any time via Internet and Web browsers.
Log on to MyBGSU by going to www.bgsu.edu and clicking on the MyBGSU icon. Then enter your BGSU username and password.

DARS

Each semester, students should review their Degree Audit or DARS report through “MyBGSU”. The report is a computer-generated document that checks your various graduation requirements. DARS reviews all BG Perspective, college and university-wide requirements. To access the report, follow these simple steps:

Log on to your “MyBGSU” from the BGSU homepage, click on “Degree Audit” under Quick Links at the top right of the screen.
Click “Run Audit” located at the bottom of the page.
On the “Completed Audit Requests” page, select the most recent audit and click “view audit”.
If you have not declared a major or wish to see how your credits will apply to a different major, use the “Run Selected Program” feature. Select the program you desire in the center drop-down list, choose the most current semester, and then click on “Run Audit.”
Open the audit, navigate through individual sections by clicking on the icon to the left of each requirement or click on “Open All Sections” to open the entire audit. Color notes: purple dots indicate “In Progress;” red X indicates “Incomplete;” green check indicates “Completion.”
Click on “Course History” to see a list of all your courses and a historical display of your GPA.
Review your audit and utilize it to plan your schedule for each term. Discrepancies should be reported/discussed with your advisor. If you have questions or concerns or need assistance accessing your DARS, contact the Graduate College.

Advising

During your time at BGSU, you will be assigned a forensic science faculty member to assist you to ensure you have the appropriate coursework and advising. Additionally graduate students will receive a "grad plan" prior to their start here at BGSU which will list courses to take and when they should register for those courses.

Graduate Student Senate (GSS)

The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) is an elected body, composed of and administered by graduate students, with the objective of representing the interests of graduate students at BGSU. GSS serves an important role as liaison between the Graduate College and graduate students. Each graduate program is afforded representation in the Graduate Student Senate. GSS also maintains representation on the various standing committees of the University. The GSS also supports student research and development through its Professional Development Fund. In addition to its involvement in academic and financial issues, GSS coordinates a variety of cultural, educational, and recreational events throughout the year. The GSS holds open meetings every three weeks. Every graduate program on campus is required to have a GSS representative that attends GSS meetings in order for students in that program to be eligible for GSS awards and opportunities. Its office is located in 429 Bowen-Thompson Student Union or contact gss@bgsu.edu.

Delta Delta Epsilon

Delta Delta Epsilon, the international forensic science honor society, was founded in 2010 by the Forensic Science Institute at the University of Central Oklahoma. Delta Delta Epsilon (DDE) is dedicated to stimulating academic achievement, promoting community understanding, and advancing the fields of forensic science. Colleges and universities which grant baccalaureate or advanced degrees in one or more forensic science disciplines that support the DDE mission may establish chapters with the Society. In 2019-2020, Bowling Green State University was approved to start the Alpha Pi Chapter. Membership is limited to students within the disciplines of forensic science which meet high academic criteria and have displayed excellence during their collegiate career. As established by the national organization, students are eligible for membership into this society if they are majoring in forensic science and have maintained an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher, or are in the graduate forensic science program, having maintained a graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher. DDE is intended as an academic honor society; however, community service has become an integral component of our programs. For more information on joining the organization, visit the website.

DDE also maintains a list of forensic science job resources.

Professional Involvement

The BGSU forensic science degree programs provide service to the forensic science profession and to the community through a combination of communication, collaboration, consultation, technical assistance and continuing education programs that facilitate sharing the program’s professional knowledge and competence. The purpose of this involvement is to provide opportunities for faculty and students to contribute to the advancement of the field of forensic science and to ensure the academic programming offers current technologies/methods and credible with practitioners and forensic science laboratory administrators.

Interaction with Forensic Science Laboratories

The BGSU-Attorney General’s Office (AGO) partnership agreement creates a unique, dynamic capacity for seamless interaction between the University and the AGO’s Ohio BCI. It is instructive to know, BGSU forensic science degree programs were developed in consultation with Ohio BCI forensic scientists; and both current and former Ohio BCI staff routinely provide degree specific course instruction.

Formal interaction with forensic science laboratories is demonstrated through multiple mechanisms, including:

Student internships;
Training opportunities in which the program provides instruction to laboratory personnel;
Faculty serving on laboratory advisory committees;
Coordinated research initiatives between the laboratory and academic program;
Professional activities coordinated between the laboratory and the academic program; and
Laboratory personnel serving as adjunct faculty; guest instructors; and in an advisory capacity to the academic program.

Documentation of formal interactive activities is maintained in accordance with FEPAC retention requirements.

Interaction with Forensic Science Organizations

BGSU forensic science recognizes on-going interaction with forensic science organizations which offers a mechanism to ensure program instruction remains current with emerging professional technologies and methods; introduces BGSU students to professional practice and prospective future employers; and creates opportunity to help advance the profession.

Interactive activities include:

Faculty membership and regular conference participation in numerous professional forensic science organizations (e.g. American Academy of Forensic Science; American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors; Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers; Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists; Forensic Science Institute of Ohio);
Student membership in professional forensic science organization;
Student attendance/participation in forensic science conferences;
Service activities to or for professional organizations; and
Hosting educational, training, or outreach with external professional organizations.

Student Support Services

BGSU offers all the student support services expected of a major university, including learning commons; technology support; career center; financial aid; health and counseling; peer mentoring; legal aid; student employment; study abroad; undergraduate research; accessibility services; LGBTQ resources; non-traditional student support and more. Links to many of the services provided through:

See It. Hear It. Report It

Bowling Green State University is committed to community well-being and belonging. In turn, it is the responsibility of each person within the University community to take action when an issue or concern arises. Click the link to Report an Incident or Concern. Please call the Office of the Dean of Students at 419-372-2843 if you have a question about which form to complete. If this is an emergency – someone’s health, safety and/or property is at risk, please call 911. These forms are not designed as an emergency response notification process, and staff typically review and respond to reports within one business day.

Accessibility Services

Accessibility Services is to help provide equal access and reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities attending BGSU. Students wishing to discuss their eligibility for such accommodations are encouraged to contact the office at 419-372-8495, 38 College Park Office Building, or on the web.

BGSU Libraries (Jerome Library) & The Learning Commons

Many of the resources available through the Jerome Library are easily accessible online. These resources include but are not limited to an extensive database of journals and periodicals, local and national newspapers, books and government documents.

If you need research assistance, visit the Ask Us! webpage to contact us by IM, text, email, or phone. You can also book a 1-hour research consultation with a librarian.

The Learning Commons provides free tutoring services to all BGSU students and is located on the 1st floor of Jerome Library. If you need online help with the writing process, visit https://www.bgsu.edu/learning-commons/writing.html.

OhioLINK

OhioLINK is a statewide library and information network linking universities, colleges, technical and community colleges, and the State Library of Ohio.

Some of your classes will require moderate to extensive library research. As a registered student you can make use of BGSU’s Jerome Library as well as the resources of over 82 academic libraries across the state of Ohio. The following information provides a brief introduction to these resources as well as helpful websites that can further answer your questions.

The main features of OhioLINK include:

An online central catalog of the holdings of member libraries
Online access to research and reference databases
A document delivery service for books, periodical articles, and other materials.
User-initiated online borrowing

OhioLINK is a library information system provided for the faculty, students and staff of OhioLINK participating institutions. The system contains menus with instructions on how to use the resources presented. Patrons are authorized to make selections and follow keystroke instructions as provided by on-screen displays.

Any attempts to leave the menus through keystrokes not suggested by the system may be interpreted as unauthorized use of the system. Unauthorized use of OhioLINK is prohibited and will be considered to be in violation of OhioLINK's rules and policies for use of its computers and network.

OhioLINK's home page is http://www.ohiolink.edu/

Writing Center

The Writing Center staff is committed to the success of campus and community writers throughout various stages of their writing projects, with primary emphasis on the development of student writers. The staff envisions their service as one of writers helping writers. In providing a real audience for writers, they ask writers questions to encourage them to revise their drafts for increased clarity of ideas, logical organization, and overall effectiveness. Rather than serving as a proofreading or editing service, the lab staff works with writers to help them learn to edit their own work. Because they believe ideas have consequences, they work with writers to bring their ideas into focus. The lab encourages creativity, critical thinking, and communication as a means toward building stronger communities. They look at writing not only as a static text but also as a process of learning and problem solving in order to create new meaning and greater understanding.

The Writing Center strives to create a unique space, where writers feel comfortable to discuss and develop their ideas and where they can grow confident in their ability to communicate with diverse readers.

To Schedule a Writing Appointment:

Call the Learning Commons at 419-372-2823
Visit the Learning Commons on the first floor of Jerome Library Writers Lab

Technology Support

Information Technology Services (ITS) Provides a central point of contact for faculty, staff and students for questions, problem reports, service requests and inquiries for University computer systems and communications technologies at BGSU. Students can get help by phone (419-372-0999) or by visiting their web page.

Computer Resources

The University provides students, faculty, and staff with access to 13 laboratories equipped with PC and Apple computers. There are four computer laboratories located in the College of Business Administration. The entire campus has wireless networking accessibility.

Canvas

Canvas is the Learning Management System (LMS) system used at BGSU. Canvas is accessible to BGSU account holders by logging in to MyBGSU and selecting the Canvas link from the top navigation panel.

Career Planning and Placement Services

The Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections provides comprehensive career planning and placement services for students and alumni of the University. The professional staff helps students clarify and implement their career goals. Services offered include: a Career and Life Planning course offered each semester; individual counseling appointments; personality and occupational interest inventories; SIGI+ an interactive computer career guidance and information system; classroom presentations on all phases of the career decision-making recruiters; career days and job fairs; job listings and resume referrals; credential services; the Falcon Career Connection, and alumni placement services.

Worknet, a web-based system powered by eRecruiting was adopted by Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections as a way to capture student and alumni resumes using the internet. It connects you with employers, co-ops, internships, and jobs at the click of a mouse. By using Worknet students can provide information for the referral system that lets potential employers know the students and their qualifications. In addition, Worknet gives students access to schedule on-campus interviews and view job listings of full-time, internship, summer, and part-time positions. Instructions explain this process can be found in the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections office.

Any student who needs assistance clarifying their academic interests or related career options is encouraged to schedule a counseling appointment or participate in a career exploration group or course. It is recommended that students attend career search programs and job fairs, register for resume referral and campus interviewing, and utilize placement-counseling services.

Stop by the office in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union on the second floor or online.

Updated: 11/20/2025 03:16PM