B.S. Forensic Science Curriculum
[for students beginning Fall 2009]
The following courses are required for a bachelor of science in forensic science. In addition,
students must select and meet the requirements of one of the options.
College Integrative Course (6 credits)
AGRI/NRES 103 Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Systems (3)
FORS 485 Current Issues in Forensic Science – capstone (3)
Natural Sciences Requirements (30 credits)
CASNR Approved Life Sciences (4)
CHEM 109 General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 110 General Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 251 Organic Chemistry I (3) and CHEM 253 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
CHEM 252 Organic Chemistry II (3) and CHEM 254 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
PHYS 141 Elementary General Physics I (5)
PHYS 142 Elementary General Physics II (5)
Forensic Science Core Requirements (14 credits)
CRIM 101 Survey of Criminal Justice (3)
CRIM 203 Police and Society (3)
CRIM 211 Criminal Court System (3)
FORS 120 Introduction to Forensic Science (3)
FORS 120L Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory (1)
FORS 200 Forensic Science Seminar (1)
Mathematics and Analytical Skills (8 credits)
MATH 106 Analytical Geometry and Calculus I (5)
STAT 218 Introduction to Statistics (3)
Communication (6 credits)
Written Communication (3)
Select from: ENGL 150, 151, 254, JGEN 120, 200, 300
Communications and Interpersonal Skills (3)
Select from: ENGL 101, 150, 151, 252, 253, 254; ALEC 102; JGEN 120, 200, 300; COMM 109, 209, 212, 311
Humanities and Social Sciences (15 credits)
Economics: select from AECN 141, ECON 211 or 212 (3)
Students should choose one course each in ACE areas 5, 7, 8 and 9 as Humanities and Social Science Electives
Total Major Requirements (82 credits)
Forensic Science Laboratory Requirements (8)
Option Requirements (19-23)
Option Electives (8)
Free Electives (7-11)
Total Requirements for Graduation (128)
Forensic Biology Option
The forensic biology option is designed for students interested in a laboratory based career focusing on
the analysis of forensically important biological materials. Students will learn basic biological techniques
and be prepared for graduate study or professional careers in academia, research, industry, law or
medicine.
Forensic Biology Laboratory Requirements (8 credits)
FORS 401 Forensic Biology and FORS 401L Forensic Biology Laboratory (4)
Select one:
FORS 495 Internship in Forensic Science (1-4)
FORS 496 Independent Study in Forensic Science (1-6)
NRES/FORS 446 Pollen Analysis for Behavioral, Biological, and Forensic Science (4)
NRES/FORS 445 Human Remains in Forensic Science (4)
Forensic Biology Option Requirements (20-23 credits)
AGRO 315 Genetics (4) or BIOS 205 and 206 (6)
BIOC 321 Elements of Biochemistry and BIOC 321L Elements of Biochemistry Lab (4)
BIOS 102 Cell Structure and Function (4)
BIOS 213 Human Physiology and BIOS 213L Human Physiology Laboratory (4) or BIOS 214 Human Anatomy (5)
BIOS 312 Fundamentals of Microbiology and BIOS 314 Microbiology Laboratory (4)
Forensic Biology Option Electives (8 credits) (examples below)
AGRO 445 Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy (3)
AGRO 460 Soil Microbiology (3)
BIOC 431 Biomolecules and Metabolism (4)
CHEM 221 Elementary Quantitative Analysis (4)
CHEM 441 Inorganic Chemistry and CHEM 443 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (4)
CRIM 301 Criminology (3)
CRIM 351 Criminal Procedure (3)
ENTO 108 Insects, Science, and Society (3) or ENTO 115 Insect Biology (3)
ENTO 116 Insect Identification (1)
ENTO 400 Biology and Classification of Insects (3)
ENTO 402 Aquatic Insects (2)
ENTO 202L Aquatic Insects Laboratory (1)
ENTO 414 Forensic Entomology (3)
ENTO 415 Medical Entomology (3)
FORS 300 Forensic Taphonomy (3)
FORS 499H Honors Thesis (1-6)
NRES 220 Principles of Ecology (3)
NRES 222 Principles of Ecology Laboratory (1)
NRES 312 Introduction to Geospatial Sciences (3)
PLPT 370 Biology of Fungi (3)
VBMS 410 General Pharmacology and Toxicology (4)
Crime Scene Investigation Option
The crime scene investigation option prepares students for a career in law enforcement and investigation.
This option emphasizes broad understandings of forensic science as applied to the acquisition,
preservation, interpretation, and presentation of evidence. This option prepares students for graduate
study in anthropology, entomology, forensic science, and related areas. Additionally, this option will
prepare students for professional programs in law.
Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory Requirements (8 credits)
FORS 400 Crime Scene Investigation and FORS 400L Crime Scene Investigation Lab (4)
NRES/FORS 446 Pollen Analysis for Behavioral, Biological, and Forensic Science (4)
Crime Scene Investigation Option Requirements (19 credits)
AGRO 153 Soil Resources (4)
BIOS 214 Human anatomy (5)
ENTO 108 Insects, Science, and Society (3) or ENTO 115 Insect Biology (3)
ENTO 116 Insect Identification (1)
FORS 300 Forensic Taphonomy (3)
FORS 414 Forensic Entomology (3)
Crime Scene Investigation Option Electives (8 credits) (examples below)
AGRO 445 Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy (3)
AGRO 460 Soil Microbiology (3)
BIOS 213 Human Physiology and BIOS 213L Human Physiology Laboratory (4)
ENTO 400 Biology and Classification of Insects (3)
ENTO 402 Aquatic Insects (2)
ENTO 202L Aquatic Insects Laboratory (1)
ENTO 415 Medical Entomology (3)
FORS 495 Internship in Forensic Science (1-6)
FORS 496 Independent Study in Forensic Science (1-6)
NRES 220 Principles of Ecology (3)
NRES 222 Principles of Ecology Laboratory (1)
METR 200 Weather and Climate (4)
NRES/FORS 445 Human Remains in Forensic Science (4)
PLPT 270 Biological Invaders (3)
PLPT 370 Biology of Fungi (3)
PLPT 475 Agricultural Biosecurity (3)
PSYC 288 Psychology of Social Behavior (3)
VBMS 410 General Pharmacology and Toxicology (4)
