Forensic Science (B.S.)

Faculty

Dr. Cynthia DeBoy, Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Biology (program chair)
Dr. Shizuka Hsieh, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Patrice E. Moss, Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Biochemistry
Mr. Thomas Mostowy, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Mr. Vernon Scott, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Description

The Forensic Science major provides a solid foundation in the biology and chemistry necessary for many forensic investigations, with applications relevant to crime laboratories. Students learn how science informs criminal investigations through courses in forensic science and criminal justice. Laboratory coursework gives students hands-on experience with instrumentation essential for analyzing body tissue and fluid samples, including DNA fingerprinting, and detecting chemicals for material evidence, including controlled substance determination. The major is intended for future crime lab employees, such as DNA analysts, forensic scientist/specialists, and criminalists (firearms/serology/toxicology) as well as for those students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in Forensic Science fields.

Major Requirements

Required Courses

All of the following:

• BIOL 114 Cell BiologyThis course will provide an understanding of concepts in cellular biology, such as: the basic chemistry of life and the cell, the basic functional unit of all living things, with an emphasis on the relationship between structure and function. Students will be introduced to concepts such as cellular reproduction and Mendelian genetics. Students will also apply the methods and techniques of scientific inquiry, through lab experiences.
  
  Prerequisite: MATH 102.
  Corequisite: MATH 123.
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• NSCM 101 Mentor Moment 1This course addresses goal setting, self-efficacy, metacognition, study skills, community building, career exploration and the role these skills play in an individual's academic and personal/social development.
  1 credit
  Prerequisite: None.
• NSCM 102 Mentor Moment 2This course focuses on network development, study skills, the identification of experiential opportunities in STEM fields and how the development of these skills affects an individual's academic and personal/social development.
  1 credit
  Prerequisite: NSCM 101 or permission from chair/instructor.
• NSCM 103 Mentor Moment 3In this course, students will focus on specific career paths in STEM, develop networking skills, present a professional narrative, and be prepared to obtain an experiential learning experience.
  1 credit
  Prerequisite: NSCM 102 or permission from chair/instructor.
• NSCM 104 Mentor Moment 4This course addresses the expansion of career exploration and networking skills and the role these skills play in an individual's academic and personal/social development. This course will allow students to reflect upon changes to their projected career trajectory while coaching students in relevant career and academic skills such as job interviewing, resume writing, presentation skills and scientific critiquing & writing skills.
  1 credit
  Prerequisite: NSCM 103 or permission from chair/instructor.
• BIOL 220 Introductory Forensic ScienceThis course consists of 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory per week. This course would serve as an elective for biology, chemistry, and criminal justice majors.
  
  Through reading, writing, discussions, and case-studies, students will explore scientific principles of Forensic Science and methods of investigation . Students will be introduced to the many specialties within forensic science and methods for collecting and recording evidence at a crime scenes. Scientific principles based in chemistry and biology will be incorporated into discussions of techniques used for analyzing crime scene evidence. Students will be introduced to technologies for analyzing crime scene evidence such as separating and identifying compounds, microscopy, fingerprinting, document analysis, pathology, anthropology, odontology, entomology, serology, DNA analysis, toxicology, and soil and fiber analysis. Students will also explore ethical and legal considerations in forensic science. The laboratory component of the course will give students hands -on-experience using scientific technologies to analyze data and solve problems.
  4 credits
  Prerequisites: Introductory Chemistry or Biology course such as BIOL 111, CHEM 111, BIOL 101 or an equivalent introductory science course with permission by instructor.
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• BIOL 223 Genomics & EvolutionThis course addresses the principles of molecular biology, heredity, population genetics, and modern data mining from bioinformatics to next generation sequencing technologies. The biochemical principles behind the origin of life and evolution will also be discussed.
  
  Prerequisites: BIOL 113 or BIOL 114.
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• BIOL 224 Intro to BiochemistryThis course will explore the molecular basis of biological processes, with special emphasis on the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids and the interplay between these important classes of macromolecules.
  
  Prerequisites: BIOL 114 and CHEM 111.
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• NSCM 498 STEM Experiential Learning ExperienceThis course provides an opportunity for students to apply program content and skills at an experiential learning experience, outside of the classroom. This experience can include, but is not limited to traditional laboratory research, education, and service learning experience.
  
  Prerequisites: BIOL 113 and BIOL 114 or CHEM 111 and CHEM 112 (100 level introductory science courses).
• CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry IIntroduces some of the general principles of chemistry. Topics include stoichiometry and chemical reactions; the structure and properties of atoms, ions, and molecules; chemical bonding; thermochemistry; oxidation/reduction and acid/base chemistry. It includes an introduction to equilibrium and kinetics. This course emphasizes active student involvement; many concepts are introduced via direct experimentation. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 105 Fundamentals of Chemistry I.
  4 credits
  Prerequisites: MATH 123 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 108.
  General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry IIContinues the study of basic chemical principles, focusing on thermodynamics, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. Transition metal complexes give an introduction to inorganic chemistry. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 106 Fundamentals of Chemistry II.
  4 credits
  Prerequisites: MATH 125 (may be taken concurrently), CHEM 111 with a grade of C or better, or permission of the program.
  General Education Knowledge and Inquiry
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry IProvides students with a basic knowledge of organic chemistry through an exploration of the properties and reactions of carbon compounds, including structure and bonding, polarization, isomerism, stereochemistry, equilibrium, reaction types, and synthesis. Will ordinarily be taken with the laboratory (CHEM 223). Formerly CHE 231 Organic Chemistry I.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: CHEM 111 or CHEM 112.
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory IProvides the laboratory component of CHEM 221. This laboratory experience illustrates modern techniques of purification, identification, and synthesis of organic compounds and the application to structural and synthetic problems. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 233 Organic Chemistry Lab I(formerly 2 credits).
  1 credit
  Prerequisites: Concurrent registration with CHEM 221 or permission of the program.
• CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry IIApplies the concepts learned in Organic Chemistry I to new classes of compounds. The course includes a further investigation of substitution and elimination reactions, and the utility of infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance in determining organic structure is emphasized. Students learn about reactions and mechanisms pertaining to alkyl halides, aromatic compounds, alcohols, ethers, and a variety of carbonyl compounds. A working knowledge of the reactions covered in both semesters of will enable students to develop multistep syntheses leading from starting material to product. Will ordinarily be taken with the laboratory (CHEM 224). Formerly CHE 233 Organic Chemistry II.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: CHEM 221 with a grade of C or better, or permission of the program
• CHEM 224 Organic Chemistry Laboratory IIProvides the laboratory component of CHEM 222. This laboratory experience illustrates modern techniques of purification, identification, and synthesis of organic compounds and the application to structural and synthetic problems. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 234 Organic Chemistry Lab II (formerly 2 credits).
  1 credit
  Prerequisites: Concurrent registration with CHEM 222 or permission of the program.
• CHEM 350 Forensic Instrumental AnalysisIntroduces the principles, theory and applications of instrumental methods of chemical analysis including spectroscopy (UV-VIS, IR, fluorescence, NMR, MS), electrochemistry and chromatography. Will ordinarily be taken with the laboratory (CHEM 351). Formerly CHEM 350 Instrumental Analysis.
  3 credits
  Prerequisite: CHEM 112.
• CHEM 351 Forensic Instrumental Analysis LabIntroduces the experimental applications of instrumental methods of chemical analysis including spectroscopy (UV-VIS, IR, fluorescence, NMR, MS), electrochemistry, and chromatography (HPLC and GC). Formerly CHEM 351 Instrumental Analysis Lab.
  1 credit
  Prerequisite: Concurrent registration with CHEM 350 or permission of the program.
• CJUS 101 Criminal LawThis course examines the substantive criminal law that defines criminal behavior. The general principles of criminal liability including defenses, parties to crime, and the elements of specific crimes are examined from a broad perspective. Decisions of English and American courts are analyzed to interpret the rules and doctrines of criminal law.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: None
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• CJUS 307 Criminal ProceduresThis course reviews procedural aspects of criminal law governing the acts of law enforcement personnel, with a special emphasis on the constitutional rights of the accused. This study includes arrest, search and seizure, confessions, right to counsel, and similar topics.
  3 credits
  Prerequisite: CJUS 101 or CJUS 309 EvidenceIn this course the students learn the definitions of evidence and proof and their relationship to each other. The roles of the prosecutor and defense counsel in trial proceedings will also be explored. Students study different types of evidence, such as real vs. testimonial, direct vs. circumstantial, and the rules regarding of hearsay and opinion testimony. Students also study the admissibility of evidence and constitutional concepts such as the exclusionary rule, search and seizure, confession, and discovery, and students learn to read and brief criminal case law.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: CJUS 101
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• MATH 110 Introduction to StatisticsThis course presents the basic principles of statistics with applications to the social sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, graphical representations of data, normal probability distributions and the Central Limit Theorem, linear correlation and regression and probability theory. This course also offers an introduction to the use of statistical software. Formerly MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: MATH 102, MATH 108, MATH 109 or higher level mathematics course.
• MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry IExamines the following topics: functions, limits, continuity, differentiation and applications, and basic integration. Formerly MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.
  4 credits
  Prerequisites: MATH 123 or placement test proficiency
  General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
  FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster
• NSCM 499 Divisional SeminarExamines selected topics in the natural sciences. Requires written and oral presentations based on reading and analysis of the current scientific literature.
  3 credits
  General Education Requirements: Applications (Leadership)
  • Majors must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in this course.
• PHYS 111 General Physics ICovers mechanics in a calculus-based course in fundamental physics. Topics include Newton's laws, work and energy, rotational dynamics, conservation of energy, and momentum. Intended primarily for students in math and science but open to all qualified students. The course consists of three hours of lecture, three of laboratory, and a one-hour problem session per week. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly PHY 115 General Physics I.
  4 credits
  Prerequisite: MATH 125
  General Education Requirement: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
  FLC Area IV, Laboratory Science Cluster
• PHYS 112 General Physics IICovers electricity, magnetism, and electro-magnetic propagation in a calculus-based course in fundamental physics. Topics include electric fields, Maxwell's equations, electrical circuits, magnetic fields, and light. Intended primarily for students in math and science but open to all qualified students. The course consists of three hours of lecture, three of laboratory, and a one-hour problem session per week. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly PHY 116 General Physics II.
  4 credits
  Prerequisites: MATH 125 and PHYS 111

Elective Courses (5-8 credits)

• BIOL 334 Comparative Anatomy and PhysiologyThis course focuses on the anatomy and physiology of representative vertebrate forms by examining anatomical structure and function and the integration of those structures in the individual organism. This course requires two days of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory each week during which the primary content will consist of details of each vertebrate organ system, with emphasis on the structure and function of organs and organ systems along with the range of evolutionary and structural modifications seen in different classes of vertebrates.
  
  Prerequisites: BIOL 223 or BIOL 224.
• BIOL 444 Molecular Biochemistry of the CellThis course explores the molecular basis of advanced cellular processes, with special emphasis on the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids and the interplay between these important classes of macromolecules. Topics are introduced using the current scientific literature in areas including cancer, drug discovery and biochemical/genetic disorders.
  
  Prerequisites: BIOL 223, BIOL 224, CHEM 112 and CHEM 221.
• CHEM 432 Molecular Biochemistry IIContinues the study of biochemistry, including reaction mechanisms, metabolic pathways and energetics. The course concludes with an examination of related topics of current interest. Formerly CHE 412 Molecular Biochemistry II.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: CHEM 431 or permission of instructor
• MATH 210 Statistical InferenceApplies the principles of inference to the social sciences. Topics include confidence intervals, inference for distributions, one and two-sample t-test, z-test, F-test, chi-square test, linear regression analysis and comparing two proportions. Use of statistical software is an integral part of the course. Formerly MAT 210 Statistical Inference.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: MATH 110 with a grade of "C" or better
  FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster
• PSYC 323 Forensic PsychologyIntroduces students to psychological issues in the area of criminal justice, including the topics of juvenile delinquency, mental illness and criminal responsibility, and rehabilitation of offenders. Psychological theories and research on the causes of criminal behavior and the role of the psychologist in the criminal justice system are presented. Formerly PSY 333 and PSYC 323 Criminal and Forensic Psychology.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and 3 additional Psychology credits at the 200 level
  • Pre-requisite courses: PSYC 101 and a 200-level PSYC course

Program Policies

Grades in Major Courses: Students are required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in all courses counted to fulfill the requirements for the major.

Pass/No Pass: Courses fulfilling the major requirement may not be taken pass/no pass.

Senior Assessment: The senior assessment consists of a written paper and oral presentation, normally in conjunction with NSCM499. Students are required to earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in NSCM 499.

Pre- and Co-Requisites: Majors must work closely with their advisors to make sure that they meet any and all pre- and co-requisite requirements, particularly around mathematics courses that are required for various science courses.

TELL Policy: TELL credits do not count towards the major in Forensic Science.

Transfer Credits: Transfer credit will be awarded after appropriate program review and approval.

Course Descriptions