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2024-25 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | School of Natural and Social Sciences | Biological and Chemical Sciences | Majors

Forensic Science, B.S.

[Forensic Science - 1999.20]

Students majoring in Forensic Science will study scientific principles and established laboratory procedures that help 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, follow established investigative protocols, and interpret data in a careful and reproducible manner.  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: 120

Total Liberal Arts Hours Required: 60

General Education Requirements: Per the Core Curriculum Requirements list (see General Education Council).Exceptions: MATH 2400 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: 60 hours as follows:

  • 8 hours in biology: BIOL 1110, BIOL 1110 lab, BIOL 1120, BIOL 1120 lab;
  • 4 hours in biochemistry: BCHE 3050 and 3050 lab;
  • 24 hours in chemistry: CHEM 1110, CHEM 1110 lab, CHEM 1120, CHEM 1120 lab, CHEM 2110, CHEM 2110 lab, CHEM 2120, CHEM 2120 lab, CHEM 2210, CHM 3040;
  • 16 hours in criminal justice: CRJU 1010, CRJU 2050, CRJU 2060, CRJU 2070, CRJU 2070 lab, CRJ 2100;
  • 8 hours in physics: PHYS 1001 and 1002.
  • The following electives are recommended but not required: BIOL 2010 and 2010 lab, BIOL 3010 and 3010 lab, BIOL 3020 and 3020 lab, BIOL 4200 and 4200 lab, CHEM 4500 and 4980, CRJU 4010 and 4500.