Mar 29, 2024  
ARCHIVED 2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
ARCHIVED 2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Forensic Science (Interdisciplinary), BS


Total number of hours for the program: 124.

Eligibility to Apply for Admission to Forensic Science Program

Pre-Forensic Science Core Major: Declaration of major in Pre-Forensic Science does not guarantee entry into the Forensic Science Program. Admittance into the program is dependent on completion of program entry requirements. Students should apply to the Forensic Science Program by the end of their sophomore year. For the most up-to-date information regarding these requirements, please visit the Forensic Science Program website at http://forensicscience.wcu.edu.

Pre-Forensic Science Core Coursework: All students wishing to apply to the Forensic Science Program must have completed a core set of science courses. This coursework includes BIOL 140 and 270; CHEM 139, 140, and 241; PHYS 130  and 131; and MATH 153 and 270.

Comprehensive Examination: All students wishing to apply to the Forensic Science Program must register to take the Forensic Science Comprehensive Entrance Examination at the end of their sophomore year (or as soon as the core science coursework has been satisfied). This exam includes material from core science coursework including General Biology I & II, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry, Physics I & II, Statistics and Calculus I. A grade of 70% or better on this exam is considered passing. Students not earning a grade of 70% or better may be denied acceptance into the Forensic Science Program. Additional information and registration forms for the comprehensive examination can be found on the Forensic Science Program website.

Minimum GPA Requirement: All Forensic Science students must maintain a 2.75 or higher GPA in their major coursework. Students who fail to meet this requirement may be denied entry into the Forensic Science Program. Students are also required to maintain a 2.75 or higher GPA in all major coursework while enrolled as a Forensic Science student.

Application to the Forensic Science Program

Statement of Goals: All students applying for entry into the Forensic Science Program must submit essays describing their career goals in Forensic Science or a related area. The essay must be no longer than two pages, and should it included with the submitted application packet.

Memorandum of Understanding:  Students must sign a memorandum which states that they have been advised of the implications of having a criminal record of any kind, and of the potential to be subjected to a criminal background check should they be accepted into an internship position.

When do students apply? To be considered for admission, students must have satisfied  (or be in the process of satisfying) all the entry requirements stated above. The admission application packet can be found on the Forensic Science Program website. The completed applications must be received no later than April 1 for fall admission, and October 1 for spring admission. Notifications will be sent to WCU students’ email accounts in June for fall admission and in November for spring admission.

Waivers: Students with exceptional academic records may appeal one or more of the entry requirements to the Program Director. At  the time the waivers are approved, the student will be admitted into the program. The student should note, however, that this type of waiver does not exempt them from completing the course requirements for degree completion. 

Liberal Studies, 42 hours


One concentration selected from Biology or Chemistry


Choose from one of the following (3 hours)


Chemistry Concentration: 16 hours selected from the following:


 Students must take the following (10 hours)

Choose two of the following (6 hours)


Guided Electives:


6-15 hours (depending on the number of major courses that also count in Liberal Studies Requirements.)

Additional Requirements:


Students must take at least 31 hours at the junior-senior level at WCU to satisfy general university degree requirements.

Visit the department’s website at http://forensicscience.wcu.edu to view the eight-semester curriculum guide.