Forensic Science, B.S. (Day)

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The major in Forensic Science is designed to academically prepare students seeking to work in a forensic science laboratory or who are planning to pursue careers closely related to the field of forensic science. The major draws from the biological sciences, chemistry, and physics, as well as from the fields of criminal justice and the law, and includes significant hands-on laboratory training.

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 forensic 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 science, they should be aware of various sub-disciplines within the broad category of forensic science, in which they may direct their focus. For example, forensic laboratory positions may be categorized as Forensic Scientist, Forensic Technician, Forensic Examiner or Criminalist, but various disciplines will require specific coursework.

Examples are as follows:

DNA/Serology. Coursework should follow the Biology Emphasis and include genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology and other subjects, such as statistics, which provide a basic understanding of the foundations of forensic DNA analysis.

Trace Evidence. Coursework should follow the Chemistry Emphasis and include organic and inorganic chemistry, as well as other subjects, such as forensic chemistry and forensic microscopy, which focus on the application of various techniques to the analysis of forensic evidence.

Drug Chemistry/Toxicology. Coursework should follow the Chemistry Emphasis and include organic chemistry, quantitative analysis, and instrumental analysis, as well as forensic chemistry. Students will learn how analytical techniques are applied to the analysis of illicit drugs and toxicological specimens.

Physical Evidence. Coursework may follow either the Biology or Chemistry Emphases and may include additional subjects, such as fingerprint evidence and forensic microscopy, which provide a scientific foundation for the analysis of forensic evidence, such as firearms and toolmarks, questioned documents and fingerprint evidence.

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.

General Education Requirements (39-42 sem. hrs)

For a complete list of general education courses click here . For additional information on general education requirements click here .

Ethics Course Requirement (3 sem. hrs)

Core Requirements (65 sem. hrs)

Core Requirements for both Chemistry and Biology Emphasis Areas

Prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher. All core requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Courses in the major may not be taken Pass/Fail.

Additional Information

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 emphases: 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 in order to ensure they have taken the correct coursework to be a competitive candidate for the position desired.

NOTE: As you schedule your classes, please ensure that you have a sufficient number of upper-level hours to satisfy the 39 hour upper-level requirement.

Chemistry Emphasis (21 sem. hrs)

Prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher. All core requirements, within each emphasis area, must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Courses in the major may not be taken Pass/Fail.

Biology Emphasis (32-34 sem. hrs)

4-6 hours from the following FRSC courses:

FRSC 305 - Forensic Anthropology 3 hours
FRSC 315 - Forensic Microscopy 3 hours
FRSC 415 - Forensic Biology 4 hours
FRSC 425 - Forensic Chemistry 3 hours or
CHEM 425 - Forensic Chemistry 3 hours and
FRSC 425L - Forensic Chemistry Laboratory 2 hours or
CHEM 425L - Forensic Chemistry Laboratory 2 hours
If FRSC 425/425L is chosen to fulfill this requirement, the laboratory course and the lecture course must both be taken simultaneously.
FRSC 327 - Introduction to Friction Ridge Skin Evidence 3 hours

Upper Level Electives

Prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher. All upper level electives must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Courses in the major may not be taken Pass/Fail.

Biology Emphasis (3 sem. hrs)

For the Biology Emphasis the 4 hours of FRSC courses mentioned above, do not fulfill the requirement of 3 elective credits of upper level electives in this section.

Chemistry Emphasis (10 sem. hrs)

Crime Scene Investigation Certificate (Optional) (15 sem. hrs)

Total: 120 (sem. hrs)

The total reflects the minimum number of hours to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Some courses listed above may fulfill more than one requirement block. Please speak to your academic advisor to plan your specific degree path.

Note(s)

The total semester hours required for the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree are variable and dependent, in part, upon preparatory coursework requirements and core requirements that simultaneously fulfill general education requirements.

A candidate for a baccalaureate degree with a major in Forensic Science must pass, with a satisfactory rating (grade of C or higher), FRSC 475 - Senior Seminar in Forensic Science 3 hours , as a culminating evaluative experience.

¹ Chemistry track only

² Biology track only