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2011-2012 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | Program Descriptions | Science/Math Overview | Majors

Forensic Science, B.S.

[Forensic Science - 1999.20]

Students majoring in Forensic Science will study scientific principles and established laboratory procedures to identify and characterize evidence found at the site of a criminal investigation.  Upon completion of the major, students will be prepared to enter a forensic science laboratory and learn to follow the established procedures for obtaining scientific data as well as interpret that data in a careful and reproducible manner.  As a laboratory science, students will complete a variety of science courses in biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, analytical chemistry, and organic chemistry.

SPECIFICS OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCE B.S. DEGREE

Minimum Total Hours: 124

Total Liberal Arts Hours Required: 60

General Education Requirements: Per the General Education list (see General Education Division). Exceptions: MTH 200 is required; the lab science requirement is met through the major requirements.

Minimum Requirements: Overall and major GPA of 2.0; no grade less than C- in the major.

Transfer Requirements: See institutional transfer policies .

Application to the Major: Standard institutional major application should be submitted at the end of the sophomore year.  A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required for acceptance to the major.

Major Requirements: 61 hours as follows:

  • 8 hours in biology: BIO 101, BIO 101 lab, BIO 102, BIO 102 lab;
  • 5 hours in biochemisty: BCH 305 and 305 lab;
  • 24 hours in chemistry: CHM 111, CHM 111 lab, CHM 112, CHM 112 lab, CHM 121, CHM 211, CHM 211 lab, CHM 212, CHM 212 lab, CHM 304;
  • 16 hours in criminal justice: CRJ 101, CRJ 205, CRJ 206, CRJ 207, CRJ 207 lab, CRJ 210;
  • 8 hours in physics: PHY 101 and 102.
  • The following electives are recommended but not required: BIO 201 and 201 lab, BIO 301 and 301 lab, BIO 302 and 302 lab, BIO 420 and 420 lab, CHM 450 and 498, CRJ 401 and 450.