Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science Degree
The major in Forensic Science is designed to provide training for students seeking to work in forensic science laboratories or who are planning to pursue careers in the field of forensic science. The major draws from the biological sciences, physics and chemistry as well as from the fields of criminal justice and the law. The degree is generated from a cross-disciplinary perspective, blending faculty expertise from both the criminal justice and science program areas. A principal focus of the program is to prepare students for entry-level positions and for advancement in various occupations and professions in the criminal justice and science areas. The faculty encourages wide and varied preparation in both the liberal arts and sciences to provide students with an appreciation of the scientific and social environment of crime and criminal justice. As students prepare for a career in forensic sciences, they should be reasonably informed on which area to focus. For example, if one wishes to work in a crime laboratory, most positions are of the 'criminalist' category, but various areas will require specific coursework. Examples are as follows:-
Criminalist I - Physical Evidence. Coursework
should include at least two natural science classes,
algebra, and trigonometry (coursework in
calculus can be substituted for the algebra and
trigonometry).
Criminalist I - DNA. Coursework should include 20 semester hours in biology (course credit in genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology or other subjects which provide a basic understanding of the foundations of forensic DNA analysis should be included in hours).
Criminalist I - Trace Evidence. Coursework should include at least 20 hours of chemistry (organic and inorganic).
Criminalist I - Toxicology. Coursework should include at least 20 hours of chemistry including two semesters of general chemistry and two semesters of organic chemistry, and one semester of quantitative analysis, with a minimum acceptable grade of C.
Criminalist I - Latent Prints. Coursework should include at least two natural science classes, with a minimum acceptable grade of C.
Criminalist I - Questioned Documents. Baccalaureate degree should be in one of the Natural Sciences or Criminal Justice.
Students majoring in this degree should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure proper coursework is taken for the student's preferred career option.
Department:
Degree Requirements:
| A. | General Education Requirements | 38-41 sem. hrs | ||
| Ethics Course Requirement | 3 hrs | |||
| CJAD 345 |  | Ethics & Morality in Criminal Justice or | ||
| PHIL 330 | | Ethics | ||
| B. | Multicultural Requirement | 3 sem. hrs | ||
| C. | Core Requirements | 46 sem. hrs | ||
| (All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Courses in the major cannot be taken as Pass/Fail.) | ||||
| BIOL 110 | | Principles of Biology I | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 110L | | Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 324 | | (PSYC 324, SOCI 324) Statistics for the Behavioral and Natural Sciences | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 395 | | (CHEM /ENVS 395) Research Design in the Sciences | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 110 | | Chemistry I | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 111L | | Introductory Chemistry Laboratory Experience | 2 hrs | |
| CHEM 112 | | Chemistry II | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 112L | | Chemistry II Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| CHEM 310 | | Organic Chemistry I | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 310L | | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| CJAD 335 | | Criminalistics | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 335L | | Criminalistics Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| CJAD 475 | | Senior Seminar in Forensic Science | 3 hrs | |
| MATH 201 | | Calculus & Analytic Geometry I | 5 hrs | |
| MATH 222 | | Calculus & Analytic Geometry II | 5 hrs | |
| PHYS 111 | | College Physics I and | 3 hrs | |
| PHYS 111L | | Physics I Laboratory or | 2 hrs | |
| PHYS 211 | | Calculus-based Physics I | 5 hrs | |
| In addition to successful completion of the core requirements listed above, students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree must complete one of two tracks: Chemistry or Biology. The decision to choose one of these two options is based on the student's career objectives which can be very specific about which coursework is required. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the student to be familiar with their targeted career track to ensure they have taken the correct coursework to be a competitive candidate for the position desired. Please note: As you schedule your classes, please ensure that you have a sufficient number of upper-level hours to satisfy the 39 upper-level requirement. | ||||
| D. | Chemistry Track | 15 sem. hrs | ||
| CHEM 306 | | Analytical Chemistry I | 5 hrs | |
| CHEM 312 | | Organic Chemistry II | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 312L | | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| PHYS 112 | | College Physics II and | 3 hrs | |
| PHYS 112L | | College Physics II Laboratory or | 2 hrs | |
| PHYS 212 | | Calculus-Based Physics II | 5 hrs | |
| E. | Biology Track | 15 sem. hrs | ||
| BIOL 342 | | Genetics | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 342L | | Genetics Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 410 | | Molecular Biotechnology | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 410L | | Methods in Molecular Biotechnology | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 420 | | (CHEM 420) Biochemistry | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 420L | | (CHEM 420L) Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| F. | Electives for Chemistry & Biology Tracks | 12-17 sem. hrs | ||
| BIOL 290 | | Principles of Cell Biology | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 290L | | Principles of Cell Biology Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 395 | | (CHEM/ENVS 395) Research Design in the Sciences | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 420 | | (CHEM 420) Biochemistry | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 420L | | (CHEM 420L) Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| CHEM 307 | | Analytical Chemistry II | 5 hrs | |
| CHEM 322 | | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 hrs | |
| CHEM 401 | | (PHYS 401) Introduction to Physical Chemistry/Chemical Physics | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 406 | | Expert and Scientific Evidence | 3 hrs | |
| MATH 380 | | Advanced Calculus | 3 hrs | |
| G. | General Forensic Science Area Electives | 12-18 sem. hrs | ||
| BIOL 221 | | Clinical Microbiology | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 221L | | Clinical Microbiology Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 223 | | Anatomy | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 223L | | Anatomy Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 312 | | Microbiology | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 312L | | Microbiology Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| CJAD 101 | | Introduction to Criminal Justice Administration | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 201 | | Criminal Investigation | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 203 | | Crime Scene Investigation | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 303 | | Crime Scene Photography | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 305 | | Forensic Anthropology | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 413 | | Bloodstain Evidence | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 415 | | Criminal Procedures | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 445 | | Forensic Pathology | 3 hrs | |
| CJAD 499 | | Criminal Justice Internship | 1-3 hrs | |
| PHIL 210 | | Logic and Critical Thinking | 3 hrs | |
| PHIL 303 | | (HIST 303) History & Philosophy of Modern Science | 3 hrs | |
| PSYC 450 | | Abnormal Psychology | 3 hrs | |
| H. | Crime Scene Investigation Certificate (Optional) | 15 sem. hrs | ||
| I. | TOTAL | 126-143 sem. hrs | ||
| J. | A candidate for a baccalaureate degree with a major in Forensic Science must pass, with a satisfactory rating (grade of C or higher), CJAD 475 Senior Seminar in Forensic Science, as a culminating evaluative experience. | |||
Locations
The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree is available at the following locations:| Main Campus, Day Program |
| Main Campus, Evening Program |