Forensic science is a blend of the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry, biology, physics and geology to criminal justice and case law. The forensic scientist’s task is to assist the courts in deciding whether physical and/or genetic evidence can be tied to a given individual or phenomenon. Evidence may also help exonerate an innocent person. Focusing on criminal laws, the forensic major will prepare the student with the scientific method peculiar to assess criminal evidence.

Major Program Requirements: 90 Total Credits
Science Courses, 68 Credits:
Note: all science courses include a 1 credit lab
CHEM 190 General Chemistry 1
CHEM 191 General Chemistry 2
CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry 1
CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry 2
CHEM 203 Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 301 Instrumental Analysis
CHEM 401 Physical Chemistry 1
ESC 190 Physical Geology
PHYS 190 Fundamentals of Physics 1
PHYS 191 Fundamentals of Physics 2
MATH 190 Calculus 1
MATH 191 Calculus 2
BIO 190 Principles of Biology 1
BIO 191 Principles of Biology 2
BIO 358 Genetics
BIO 351 Cell Biology
BIO 307 Biochemistry

Criminal Justice Courses: 22 credits
CJS 233 Courts
CJS 250 Criminal Investigation
CJS 252 Criminal Evidence
CJS 101 Introduction to Forensic Science
CJS 240 Forensic Assays
CJS 180 Contemporary and Descriptive Topics in Forensic Science
SOC 288 Social Statistics

Forensic Science Minor: 19 total credits

CJS 101: Introduction to Forensic Science 3cr
CJS 240: Forensic Assays, Lab.
Prerequisite: CHEM 190/191* 4cr
CJS 180: Contemporary and Descriptive Topics
in Forensic Science 3cr
CJS 250: The Law and Theory of Criminal
Investigation 3cr
CJS 252: Criminal Evidence 2cr
SOC 288: Social Statistics 4cr

*Prerequisites for CJS 240 are mandatory and can only be waived by the science department chair.