Columbia College Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science
A Forensic Science degree from Columbia College combines science and legal topics.
Residential classes
Jan
08
next start date
16
week semester
5
year locked-in tuition
Available program formats: In class: BS
Contribute to the criminal justice system in the field or in the lab
Serve an integral role in the criminal justice system with a degree in forensic science from Columbia College. This program goes far beyond police work, bringing together the disciplines of biology, chemistry, criminal justice and law to prepare you for a rewarding career in this exciting and fast-growing field.
The experts in our well-respected, cross-disciplinary program help students build skills and real-world experience for work in a crime laboratory as well as in the field.
Some of the specialty areas students can focus on include physical evidence, DNA, toxicology, latent prints and questioned documents. Academic advisors can point students toward the coursework for these and other areas of expertise.
Opportunities to study:
- Drugs and toxicology
- Fingerprint identification
- Explosives chemistry
- DNA analysis
- Evidence analysis
- Advanced instrumentation
- Expert testimony
Prepare for a career in a diverse range of forensic science fields
Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree have the skills and knowledge to gather and analyze evidence and forensic samples to find details about a crime that has occurred. From collecting physical evidence at a crime scene to conducting laboratory analyses to reporting on the facts of the case, you will learn how important it is to be systematic and thorough at all times during an investigation.
When you enroll to earn your degree in forensic science, you’ll learn hands-on applications of scientific principles, as well as the ins and outs of related professions like law, criminal justice, and communications.
Some possible paths include:
- Forensic Chemist
- Forensic Toxicologist
- Trace Evidence Examiner
- Medicolegal Death Investigator
- Crime Scene Technician
- Forensic Anthropologist
- Fingerprint Specialist
Columbia College Global offers traditional classroom instruction for many courses at nationwide locations. Students at nationwide locations are expected to engage with multiple learning methods, including online and virtual while completing their degree. Columbia College offers on-campus programs with traditional classroom instruction at the Residential Campus in Columbia, Missouri.
Dr. Kent Strodtman
"Whether he’s teaching students going into medical school or working with art majors fulfilling a general education requirement, Strodtman does it with humor and understanding."
Read about KentView more faculty profiles
Find your path
Submit this form to get information about applying to Columbia College.
Questions about admissions? Call the main line.
Main line: (573) 875-8700
Want to know more about our programs? Contact the department.
Department phone: 573-875-7568
Office: STC 319
Email: NSM@CCIS.edu
Your degree starts here Take these courses
Available program formats
- Core requirements 65 credit hours
- Total degree requirements 120 credit hours
Some courses you may take
Techniques and methods of crime scene investigation focusing on practical suggestions as well as theoretical viewpoints of the field. Topics include fundamentals of preliminary investigation, identification, protection and collection of evidence, sketching and photographing the crime scene, interpreting blood stain evidence and fingerprinting techniques. Prerequisite: CJAD 201.
Examination of the theoretical foundations of microscopy, with an emphasis on steromicroscopy and polarized light microscopy. Techniques are applied to the analysis of forensic evidence. Prerequisites: FRSC 210 and CHEM 112; PHYS 112 and PHYS 112L or PHYS 212.
Examination of professional topics and current issues relevant to the forensic scientist. This course is only open to Forensic Science majors or minors, unless an exception is granted. Prerequisite: FRSC 210.
The first of a two semester course that outlines the structure, function, and chemical properties of biological molecules. Topics include protein function, enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, membrane transport, cell signaling pathways, DNA information technology, and central intermediate metabolism. Cross-listed as CHEM 420. Students majoring in Biology or Chemistry must earn a grade of C or higher. Prerequisites: BIOL 345 and CHEM 310. CHEM 312 is strongly encouraged.
- Core requirements 65 credit hours
- Total degree requirements 120 credit hours
Some courses you may take
A course focusing on laboratory problems requiring classical and modern physical principles and inorganic/organometallic synthetic techniques. Includes one hour of lecture and three hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 306; CHEM 312: CHEM 312L.
Exploration of the techniques and methods of identification, capture and analysis of fingerprint evidence, including consideration of the fundamentals of fingerprint patterns, classification formulas and extensions, scarred patterns, amputations and missing fingers, filing sequence, searching and referencing, Henry Classification, techniques for taking good fingerprints, problems in fingerprinting, latent impressions, powdering and lifting latent impressions, preparation of fingerprint charts for court testimony, and practical exercises for capturing fingerprints on a ten print card and live scan fingerprint machines. Prerequisites: CJAD 101 and a declared Criminal Justice or Forensic Science major.
An introduction to the methods and instrumentation used in the analysis of chemical evidence. Thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and other relevant separation techniques, as well as UV-visible spectroscopy, infared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, will be discussed in depth. Cross-listed with CHEM 425. Prerequisites: FRSC 210, CHEM 306, CHEM 312, and CHEM 312L. Co-requisites: FRSC 425L
An introduction to forensic science, including discussion of the role of the forensic scientist in the criminal justice system, forensic evidence, basic techniques and instrumentation used to analyze forensic evidence.