The Forensic Science Guidance Committee:
- provides guidance within specific areas of the discipline by listing courses that are either required or strongly recommended for employment in this field
- suggests courses for non-science majors interested in electives related to the field forensic science.
Many of the following courses would be appropriate for professionals already in the field who desire to enhance their professional development or pursue graduate studies.
If you have questions about course specifics or are unsure which courses are appropriate, the Forensic Science Guidance Committee strongly encourages you to consult with your advisor in addition to any of the three faculty members listed below for assistance. Students can e-mail Dr. John Wallace in the Department of Biology, Dr. Pat Hill, Department of Chemistry, or Dr. Mary Glazier, Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
| Courses |
Prerequisites |
| Biology |
| Cell Biology (BIOL 263)* |
BIOL 100; CHEM 112; ENGL 110 |
| Genetics (BIOL 365)* |
BIOL 263; CHEM 231 or 235 |
| Molecular Biology (BIOL 462)* |
BIOL 365; ENGL 110 (BIOL 461 or CHEM 326 recommended) |
| Plant Systematics (BIOL 325) |
BIOL 221 |
| Entomology (BIOL 416) |
BIOL 211 |
| Functional Human Anatomy (BIOL 356) |
BIOL 211 |
| Biometry (BIOL 375) |
MATH 161 |
| Molecular and Cell Techniques (BIOL 466) |
BIOL 462; (BIOL 461 recommended) |
| Seminar: Forensic Entomology (BIOL 472) |
BIOL 100 |
| * Indicates courses that are required in order to secure an entry level position in most Biological Science Units in Forensic Investigations Laboratories |
| Chemistry |
| Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 231) |
CHEM 112 |
| Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 232) |
CHEM 231 |
| Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 265) |
CHEM 112 |
| Biochemistry (CHEM 326) |
CHEM 232 |
| Analytical Chemisry (CHEM 465) |
CHEM 342 |
| Earth Sciences |
| Geomorphology (ESCI 225) |
ESCI 221 |
| Mesoscale Meteorology (ESCI 444) |
Synoptic Meteorology |
| Synoptic Meteorology (ESCI 441) |
Dynamic Meteorology II (ESCI 343) |
| Nursing |
Sci. Adv. in Health Care (NURS 315)
(Perspectives course) |
ENGL 110, COMM 100 |
| Physics |
| Physics I (w/Calculus) (PHYS 231) |
MATH 161 |
| Physics II (w/Calculus) (PHYS 232) |
PHYS 231, MATH 161 |
| Mechanics I (PHYS 311) |
PHYS 232, Coreq. MATH 365 |
| Mechanics II (PHYS 312) |
PHYS 311 |
| Macro. Phen./Thermo. (PHYS 334) |
PHYS 232, Coreq. MATH 261 |
| Psychology |
| Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 437) |
PSYC 100 |
| Personality Theory (PSYC 335) |
PSYC 100 |
| Sociology / Anthropology |
| Criminology (SOCY 230) |
SOCY 101 |
| Intro. to Crim. Just. System (SOCY 331) |
SOCY 101, 230 |
| Topics in Criminology (SOCY 339) |
SOCY 101, 230 or by permission |
| Intro. to Archaeology (ANTH 121) |
none |
| Forensic Anthropology (ANTH 233) |
ANTH 122, 123 |
Useful Science Courses for Non-Science Majors Interested in Forensics
| Courses |
Prerequisites |
| Seminar: Forensic Entomology (BIOL 471) |
BIOL 100 |
| Human Anatomy I (BIOL 154) |
CHEM 103 |
| Human Anatomy II (BIOL 155) |
BIOL 154; CHEM 103 OR CHEM 111 |
| Science of Chemistry (CHEM 102) |
none |
| Gen., Org. & Biochem. (CHEM 103-104) |
High School Chemistry or CHEM 110 |
| Intro. to Instrumentation (CHEM 367) |
CHEM 232 or 235; Coreq. PHYS 132 or 232 |
