Forensic Science - Undergraduate Minor
Forensic Science is the application of principles and techniques of scientific analysis in a legal context. Forensic scientists study physical evidence to resolve issues involving criminal investigations, environment analyses and similar areas of research.
A student must pass 18 credits with a grade of C- or higher from the following curriculum to earn the Forensic Science minor. No courses may be taken S/U. Students must take at least 6 credits from departments outside their major(s). At least 9 credits in any minor must be upper division. Students must register in the minor before enrolling in any upper division Criminal Justice courses.
The following curriculum represents minimum requirements for a minor. Students interested in a career in Forensic Science are encouraged to take additional courses from those listed below.
The Forensic Minor requires courses from three sections: (1) 6 credits from the list of Core Courses; (2) 3 credits from an additional course not already completed; and (3) 9 credits from one of the four tracks listed below.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Criminal Procedural Law | 3 | |
| Law of Evidence | 3 | |
| Criminal Investigation and Intelligence | 3 | |
| Forensic Law | 3 | |
| Forensic Physics | 4 | |
| Additional Course | ||
| Select 3 credits from areas I or II above not already completed. | 3 | |
| Track Courses | ||
| 9 credits from one of the four tracks (see below) | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Track A: Laboratory Analysis
Students should check the catalog to ensure that they have taken prerequisites before enrolling in these courses.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 4-5 | |
| Microbiology and Microbiology Lab | 4 | |
| General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | 5 | |
| Select 4-5 credits from the following: | 4-5 | |
| Physiology of Humans and Laboratory of Human Physiology | 4 | |
| Biochemistry I | 3 | |
| Biochemistry II, Lecture and Laboratory | 0-4 | |
| Analytical Chemistry | 4 | |
| Basic Toxicology | 3 | |
| Toxicology I | 3 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 8-10 | |
Track B: Human Forensic Analysis
Honors, Special Topics, or Independent Studies courses if approved by Academic Head, Department of Criminal Justice.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 credits from the following: 1 | 9 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab | 4 | |
| Introduction to Archaeology | 3 | |
| Biological Anthropology | 3 | |
| Forensic Anthropology | 3 | |
| Medical Anthropology | 3 | |
| Archaelogical Field School | 2-6 | |
| Human Osteology 2 | 3 | |
| Zooarchaeology | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
- 1
Recommended sequence ANTH 1135G Introduction to Biological Anthropology/ANTH 1135L Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab, ANTH 355 Biological Anthropology or ANTH 315 Introduction to Archaeology, and then ANTH 474 Human Osteology.
- 2
Courses have prerequisites, and students should check the catalog to ensure that they have taken prerequisites before enrolling in these courses.
Track C: Forensic Psychology
Students should check the catalog to ensure that they have taken prerequisites before enrolling in these courses.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Select three from the following: | 9 | |
| Principles of Behavior | ||
| Social Psychology | 3 | |
| Psychology of Personality | 3 | |
| Sexual Behavior | 3 | |
| Psychology and the Law | 3 | |
| Evolutionary Psychology | 3 | |
| Psychological Treatment | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Track D: General
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Human Osteology 1 | 3 | |
| Criminal Procedural Law | 3 | |
| Law of Evidence | 3 | |
| Criminal Investigation and Intelligence | 3 | |
| Forensic Law | 3 | |
| Psychology and the Law | 3 | |
| Forensic Physics | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
- 1
Courses have prerequisites, and students should check the catalog to ensure that they have taken prerequisites before enrolling in these courses.