Forensic Science - BS
Take a lead role in crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis.
WHY STUDY FORENSIC SCIENCE?
You could use your education to work in the growing field of forensic science: The number of forensic science technicians needed is expected to grow 13% by 2032. That job pays well, too, with a median salary of $63,740 in 2022. But you could also take advantage of forensic science’s unique blend of scientific knowledge and practiced problem-solving to attend medical or law school or become an investigator, analyst, intelligence officer or detective.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Don’t just listen to the true crime podcasts and watch true crime documentaries – try your own hand at forensic chemistry, DNA analysis and forensic toxicology in our forensic laboratories. In our CSI House, you’ll put your forensic science studies to work collecting evidence, investigating crimes and profiling criminals. You will use our advanced gas chromatography-mass spectrometer to find traces of drugs, poison, explosives and more, and conduct an autopsy on a pioneering virtual dissection table, where you can analyze injuries.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN FORENSIC SCIENCE?
You’ll be prepared to work as a forensic scientist in industry and government labs as well as forensic science labs.
Job titles:
- Arson investigator
- Bloodstain pattern analyst
- Computer forensics examiner
- Crime lab technician
- Crime scene investigator
- DNA analyst
- Forensic accountant
- Intelligence officer/analyst
- Serologist
- Toxicology medical technician
Employers:
- State/federal government
- Police departments
- Morgues
- Crime labs
- Coroners’ offices
- Law offices
- Pharmaceutical industries
- Hospitals
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ADMJ 0230
Course 1 NameIntro To Forensic ScienceCourse 1 DescriptionThis course examines forensic techniques commonly used in criminal investigations such as: crime scene reconstruction, hair, fiber, soil, inorganic and organic analysis, spectroscopy, microscopy, toxicology, fingerprints, firearms, and DNA. The description, scientific underpinnings, and limitations of forensic techniques are discussed. The course gives students a background in scientific tools available to investigate crime. -
ADMJ 1325
Course 2 NameCriminal Evidence/investigationCourse 2 DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to criminal evidence. The topics include how evidence is collected and developed, the different types of evidence, the legal standards for admissibility of evidence, and the role of evidence in criminal investigation. -
ADMJ 1330
Course 3 NameCriminal Forensics 1Course 3 DescriptionThis course will allow students to demonstrate basic criminal forensic investigative skills. Students will be exposed to ""hands-on"" fieldwork regarding criminal investigations. This course will focus on several types of crime scene scenarios to include, but not limited to: arson; assault; burglary; drug; robbery; sexual assault; and homicide investigations. This course will also provide students with the ability to apply basic skills used in criminal investigations to include: securing and processing crime scenes; interviewing witnesses and suspects; report writing and search warrant documentation preparation; and the practical application of criminal procedure and courtroom testimony. -
ADMJ 1430
Course 4 NameCriminal Forensics 2Course 4 DescriptionThis course will allow students to demonstrate advanced criminal forensic investigative skills. Students will focus on several types of advanced indoor and outdoor crime scene scenarios, specifically concentrating on violent criminal investigations. The various scenarios will include multiple homicides, criminal profiling; sex-related homicides; homicides made to appear as accidents; homicides made to appear as suicides; handling buried body cases; murder-suicide; infant abductions and SID cases.