Forensic Science (Students major in Biochemistry, Biology or Biochemistry)

Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences

Department of Biological Sciences and

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Program Director: Tracey Mason. Ph.D.

Description

Stevenson University does not offer a major in forensic science, but the university does offer two program options in the study of forensic science. One option is a BS/MFS program where students can earn a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry in four years and a master's degree in forensic science in as little as one additional year. For additional information regarding the B.S. degree in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry, please see the biochemistry, biology, or chemistry sections of this catalog. The other option is a two-year master's degree program, which is described more fully in the Stevenson University Graduate Catalog and on the Stevenson website at stevenson.edu.

Forensic science is an interdisciplinary and applied course of study which plays a crucial role in the legal justice system. Advances in instrumentation and technology have opened up new approaches to solving crime, and the need for individuals trained in both science and the law is growing. Graduates of our program will be prepared for employment in local, state or federal government crime laboratories, forensics laboratories, DNA testing facilities, industry, and continued study at the doctoral level.

Application Process

Students apply for admission into the BS/MFS program during their junior year. Applications are available on September 1 and February 1. Admission to this program is based upon the following criteria:

  • Cumulative and science/math GPA of 3.0 or higher in all course work attempted
  • Grade of "C" or better in all science and mathematics courses
  • Completion of at least 60 credit hours and enrollment in a minimum of an additional 15 credit hours
  • Completion of FSCI 101
  • Completion of Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 211 and 211L) and enrollment in a minimum of one 300 or 400 level science course
  • Submission of a completed BS/MFS Program Application, including references, prior to October 1 and March 1

Once accepted into the program, the undergraduate student may take up to 18 graduate credits beginning in the spring of their junior year.

Students, once accepted into the program, must submit a Graduate Application in the last semester of their undergraduate education. Application must be made prior to September 15 for a planned January start date and prior to February 15 for a planned August start date.

Option in Biochemistry Requirements

The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in biochemistry and for entry into the biology or chemistry concentration of the master's in forensic sciences program. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE). Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.

Major Requirements:

FYS 100First Year Seminar

1 credit

BIO 112Principles of General Biology

3 credits

or

BIO 113General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics

3 credits

BIO 113LGeneral Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics

1 credit

BIO 230Genetics

3 credits

BIO 230LGenetics-Laboratory

1 credit

BIOCH 327Biochemistry

3 credits

BIOCH 345LIntegrative Laboratory I

2 credits

BIOCH 427Advanced Biochemistry

3 credits

BIOCH 470Capstone Internship

3 credits

or

BIOCH 471Capstone Internship

6 credits

BIOCH 475Capstone Seminar

3 credits

CHEM 114General Chemistry I with Problem Solving

3 credits

or

CHEM 115General Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 115LGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 116General Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 116LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 210Organic Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 210LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 211Organic Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 211LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 213Digital Information Literacy for Chemistry

1 credit

CHEM 313Career Connections in Chemistry

1 credit

FSCI 101Survey of Forensic Science

3 credits

MATH 220Calculus I

4 credits

PHYS 210General Physics I

4 credits

or

PHYS 215General Physics I with Calculus

4 credits

PHYS 211General Physics II

4 credits

or

PHYS 216General Physics II with Calculus

4 credits

SCI 215Writing in the Sciences

3 credits

 

Elective courses Group 1:

Select two from the following list:

BIO 310Cell Biology

3 credits

BIO 330Molecular Genetics

4 credits

CHEM 310Analytical Chemistry

3 credits

CHEM 430Physical Chemistry

3 credits

Elective courses Group 2:

Select three from the following list:

At least one of the courses must be at the 300-level or higher; advisors help students choose electives based on the desired graduate concentration):

BIO 203Microbiology

3 credits

and

BIO 203LMicrobiology-Laboratory

1 credit

BIO 280Nutrition Science

3 credits

BIO 313Virology

3 credits

BIO 322Human Physiology

3 credits

BIO 322LHuman Physiology-Laboratory

1 credit

BIO 332Epidemiology

3 credits

BIO 335Immunology

4 credits

BIO 362Independent Research Experience in Biology

2 credits

BIO 365Independent Laboratory Research in Biology

3 credits

BIOCH 201Medical Terminology

3 credits

BIOCH 365Independent Laboratory Research in Biochemistry

3 credits

CHEM 206Herbal Medicines and Remedies

3 credits

CHEM 221Inorganic Chemistry

3 credits

CHEM 346LIntegrative Laboratory II

2 credits

CHEM 365Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry

3 credits

CHEM 435Special Topics in Chemistry

3 credits

MATH 314/BME 314Biostatistics

3 credits

Option in Biology Requirements

The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in biology and for entry into the biology track of the master's in forensic science program. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE). Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.

Major Requirements:

FYS 100First Year Seminar

1 credit

BIO 112Principles of General Biology

3 credits

or

BIO 113General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics

3 credits

BIO 113LGeneral Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics

1 credit

BIO 114General Biology II: Structure and Function of Organisms

3 credits

BIO 114LGeneral Biology II Laboratory: Structure and Function of Organisms

1 credit

BIO 115General Biology III: Ecology and Evolution

3 credits

BIO 115LGeneral Biology III Laboratory: Ecology and Evolution

1 credit

BIO 218Career Connections in the Life Sciences

1 credit

BIO 230Genetics

3 credits

BIO 230LGenetics-Laboratory

1 credit

BIO 235LDiversity of Life

1 credit

BIO 470Capstone Internship

3 credits

or

BIO 471Capstone Internship

6 credits

BIO 475Capstone Seminar

3 credits

CHEM 114General Chemistry I with Problem Solving

3 credits

or

CHEM 115General Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 115LGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 116General Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 116LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 210Organic Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 210LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 211Organic Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 211LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

FSCI 101Survey of Forensic Science

3 credits

MATH 136Introduction to Statistics

4 credits

PHYS 210General Physics I

4 credits

or

PHYS 215General Physics I with Calculus

4 credits

PHYS 211General Physics II

4 credits

or

PHYS 216General Physics II with Calculus

4 credits

SCI 215Writing in the Sciences

3 credits

 

Biology Electives (take 6 courses):

Take six courses from the following courses listed below according to the following criteria:

BIO 203 and BIO 203L, BIO 210, BIO 217, BIO 222, BIO 270, BIO 280, BIO 307, BIO 310, BIO 312, BIO 313, BIO 314, BIO 315, BIO 322 and BIO 322L, BIO 326 BIO 330, BIO 332, BIO 335, BIO 362, BIO 365, BIOCH 201, BIOCH 327, BIOCH 345L, BIOCH 365, BIOCH 427, ENV 213, ENV 255, ENV 260, ENV 275, ENV 280, ENV 285, ENV 310, ENV 320, ENV 330, ENV 360, ENV 362, ENV 365, ENV 375, ENV 410, ENV 420, MLS 210, MLS 310, MLS 310L, MLS 325L, MLS 330, MLS 330L, MLS 338.

Students can take BIO 322 or BIO 326 but not both.

Option in Chemistry Requirements

The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in chemistry and for entry into the chemistry track of the master's in forensic sciences program. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).

Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.

Major Requirements:

FYS 100First Year Seminar

1 credit

CHEM 114General Chemistry I with Problem Solving

3 credits

or

CHEM 115General Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 115LGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 116General Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 116LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 210Organic Chemistry I

3 credits

CHEM 210LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 211Organic Chemistry II

3 credits

CHEM 211LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory

1 credit

CHEM 213Digital Information Literacy for Chemistry

1 credit

CHEM 313Career Connections in Chemistry

1 credit

CHEM 430Physical Chemistry

3 credits

CHEM 470Capstone Internship

3 credits

or

CHEM 471Capstone Internship

6 credits

CHEM 475Capstone Seminar

3 credits

FSCI 101Survey of Forensic Science

3 credits

MATH 220Calculus I

4 credits

PHYS 210General Physics I

4 credits

or

PHYS 215General Physics I with Calculus

4 credits

PHYS 211General Physics II

4 credits

or

PHYS 216General Physics II with Calculus

4 credits

SCI 215Writing in the Sciences

3 credits

 

Select six electives from the following list (at least one must be either BIOCH 345L or CHEM 346L and at least four must be at the 300-400 level) BIOCH 365, BIOCH 427,  CHEM 203, CHEM 206, CHEM 221, CHEM 365, CHEM 435, MATH 221, MATH 314, MATH 321, MATH 425 and BIOCH 201. Research- CHEM and BIOCH 365 can only count as two of the required electives. CHEM 435 may be taken multiple times with different topics.

Chemistry Electives (Take six courses)

Pick six electives from the list below: (at least one must be either BIOCH 345L or CHEM 346L, and at least four must be 300-400 level)

*Research (CHEM 365 and BIOCH 365) can only count as two of the required electives. 

 

 

Minor in Forensic Sciences

A minor in forensic sciences is not available.

Other Options

Master's of Forensic Science

Students who wish to enter the master's of forensic science program must have a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, chemistry or other equivalent natural sciences or forensic sciences. Candidates must meet specific course requirements and prerequisites. For further details, please see the Stevenson University Graduate Catalog or visit the Stevenson website stevenson.edu.

Course Descriptions

See Forensic Sciences Course Descriptions