Oct 12, 2024  
ARCHIVED 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
ARCHIVED 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Forensic Science (Interdisciplinary), BS


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Total number of hours for the program: 120.

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. Generally, students should apply to the forensic science program by the end of their sophomore year or beginning of their junior 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; CHEM 139, 140, and 241; PHYS 130 or 230 and PHYS 131 or 231; and MATH 153 and 270.

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 be 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, which includes up-to-date information on application deadlines, can be found on the Forensic Science Program website. 

Liberal Studies Hours (42 hours)


Liberal Studies Program Requirements  

Major Requirements, 73 hours as follows


Students must complete either a 3-credit hour Forensics-focused internship or 3 credit hours of Forensics-related undergraduate research. Choose 3 credit hours from the list of courses below:


One concentration selected from Biology or Chemistry (18 hours)


Forensic Biology Concentration


The concentration requires a total of 18 hours.  Students must take the following (15 hours):

Forensic Chemistry Concentration


The concentration requires a total of 18 hours.  Students must take the following (15 hours):

Electives


General electives (5-17 hours) are required to complete the program (depending on the number of hours in the major that also count for Liberal Studies). Students must take at least 30 hours at the junior-senior level at WCU to satisfy general university degree requirements.  Though not required and depending on the desired career path, students may wish to consider some or all of the following electives to aid in their development as a professional forensic scientist and/or to prepare for further professional, post-baccalaureate training.

Additional Information


Visit the Forensic Science Program website at http://forensicscience.wcu.edu to view the eight-semester curriculum guide.


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