Forensic Science (Interdisciplinary), BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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:

FS 380 - Research in Forensic Science Credits: 1-3, R15
FS 389 - Cooperative Education in Forensic Science Credits: 3
CHEM 380 - Research in Chemistry Credits: 1-3, R12
BIOL 480 - Research in Biology Credits: 1-3, R6
BIOL 498 - Senior Thesis I Credits: 2
BIOL 499 - Senior Thesis II Credits: 1

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):

BIOL 240 - Introduction to Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 330 - Population Genetics for Forensic Science Credits: 3
OR
FS 330 - Population Genetics for Forensic Science Credits: 3
BIOL 333 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 4
FS 422 - Forensic Biology Credits: 4
OR
BIOL 422 - Forensic Biology Credits: 4

AND choose from one of the following (3 hours)

BIOL 412 - Cellular and Molecular Immunology Credits: 3
BIOL 413 - Principles of General Microbiology Credits: 4
BIOL 414 - Methods of General Microbiology Credits: 2
BIOL 418 - Advanced Techniques in Microscopy Credits: 4
BIOL 421 - Principles of Biotechnology Credits: 4
BIOL 424 - Pharmacology Credits: 3
CHEM 450 - Advanced Biochemistry Credits: 3
CHEM 462 - Molecular Bioinformatics Credits: 3
CHEM 463 - Molecular Biotechnology Credits: 3
CHEM 464 - Genomics Credits: 3
FS 493 - Topics in Forensic Science Credits: 1-4, R9

Forensic Chemistry Concentration

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

CHEM 232 - Quantitative Analysis Credits: 4
CHEM 352 - Physical Chemistry: Chemical Thermodynamics Credits: 3
CHEM 370 - Instrumental Analysis I Credits: 4
FS 465 - Forensic Chemistry Credits: 4
OR
CHEM 465 - Forensic Chemistry Credits: 4

AND choose one of the following (3 hours)

CHEM 321 - Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
CHEM 435 - Instrumental Analysis II Credits: 3
CHEM 441 - Physical Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
CHEM 440 - Synthetic Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
CHEM 442 - Introduction to Organic Polymers Credits: 3
CHEM 445 - Structural Determination Credits: 3
CHEM 450 - Advanced Biochemistry Credits: 3
CHEM 453 - Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy Credits: 3
CHEM 454 - Computer Interfacing Credits: 3
CHEM 455 - Chemometrics Credits: 3
CHEM 493 - Topics in Chemistry Credits: 1-3, R6
FS 493 - Topics in Forensic Science Credits: 1-4, R9

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.

ANTH 251 - Introduction to Forensic Anthropology Credits: 3
ANTH 333 - Medicolegal Death Investigation Credits: 3
ANTH 400 - Forensic Anthropology Method and Theory Credits: 3
BIOL 291 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BIOL 292 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
CS 150 - Problem Solving and Programming I Credits: 4
CS 151 - Problem Solving and Programming II Credits: 4
PSY 375 - Forensic Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 470 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3

Additional Information

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