Forensic Science Major, BS

Campus: NYC

Major Completion Summary

Requirement Credits
University Core Requirements 41-52
Major Requirements 66
Open Electives 2-13
Total Credits 120

University Core Requirements (41-52 Credits)

See complete University Core requirements.

Includes as part of the General Core requirement the following Prescribed General Core courses: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 231

Foundation Requirements21-31
ENG 110
Composition (can test out)
ENG 120
Critical Writing
ENG 201
Writing in the Disciplines
COM 200
Public Speaking
MAT 131
Calculus I
PHY 111
General Physics I (Requires both lecture and lab.) 2
CIS 101
Introduction to Computing (or another course in the same category)
Two 2nd Language courses (can test out)
One SS and two AH courses
Prescribed Core Courses
BIO 101General Biology I 1, 24
BIO 102General Biology II 1, 24
BIO 231Genetics 1, 24
Civic Engagement 3
1

 Prescribed General Core course

2

Required to take the credit-bearing lecture and 0-credit lab component in the same semester.

3

Students must take a CE course. Student are advised to take a CE course that also  has other necessary attributes so that the minimum is 120 credits. Otherwise, more than 120 credits are needed unless one or more courses are tested out.

Major Requirements (66 Credits)

Required Major Courses 1
BIO 345Introduction to Toxicology (Required Math and Science)3
CHE 111General Chemistry I 34
CHE 112General Chemistry II 34
CHE 200Mathematical Methods for Physical Chemistry4
CHE 221Analytical Methods and Techniques 2, 33
CHE 223Organic Chemistry I 2,34
CHE 224Organic Chemistry II 2, 34
CHE 301Physical Chemistry I: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy 34
CHE 302Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Molecular Interactions and Kinetics 34
CHE 326Biochemistry 34
CHE 331Instrumental Analysis 34
FOR 101Survey of Forensic Science1
FOR 251Basic Criminalistics 33
FOR 252Crime Scene Processing 33
FOR 492Forensic Science Seminar1
FOR 537Forensic Molecular Biology 34
MAT 132Calculus II (Required Math and Science)4
MAT 141Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences4
PHY 112General Physics II4
Total Credits66
1

Some other required science and math courses are included in University core.

2

New reduced credits to be effective effective starting from Spring, 2025

3

Need to take credit-bearing lecture and its 0-credit lab component.

Open Electives (2-13 Credits)

Open Electives
Select 2-13 credits 12-13
UNV 101
First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community
CHE 330
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (take if ACS certification is desired) 2
Other Open electives
Total Credits2-13
1

Includes UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community (1 credit); and other required major courses if not taken for University core credit.

2

Take CHE 330 (both credit-bearing lecture and 0-credit lab component)  only if ACS certification of degree is desired.

In addition to the courses listed below, students are required to complete two courses with the Anti-Racism Education attribute attached. These cour​ses may be taken during any semester of their education. See advisor for more information.

Students are advised to take a CE course (at least 3 credits) that also  has other necessary attributes so that the minimum is 120 credits. Otherwise, more credits will be needed unless one or more courses can be tested out.

Courses with footnote 1: Must take the lecture and corresponding lab in the same semester.

Courses with footnote 2: Reduced credits(effective starting from Spring, 2025) shown

Courses with footnote 3: Students must take two Arts & Humanities (AH) and one Social Science (SS) course to complete their General Core Courses. One of these should be a Civic Engagement CE course if no other CE course is taken.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENG 110 Composition 3
BIO 101 General Biology I (General Core: Natural Sciences)) 1 4
CHE 111 General Chemistry I 1 4
MAT 131 Calculus I 4
UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community 1
 Credits16
Spring
ENG 120 Critical Writing 4
BIO 102 General Biology II (Genral Core: Natural Sciences) 1 4
CHE 112 General Chemistry II 1 4
MAT 132 Calculus II 4
FOR 101 Survey of Forensic Science 1
 Credits17
Second Year
Fall
CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I 1, 2 4
PHY 111 General Physics I 1 4
BIO 231 Genetics (General Core: Natural Sciences) 1 4
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines 3
CIS 101 Introduction to Computing 1 3
 Credits18
Spring
CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II 1, 2 4
PHY 112 General Physics II 1 4
CHE 200 Mathematical Methods for Physical Chemistry 4
Second Language Course, if applicable 3
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall
CHE 221 Analytical Methods and Techniques 1, 2 3
CHE 301 Physical Chemistry I: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy 1 4
FOR 252 Crime Scene Processing 1 3
COM 200 Public Speaking 3
Any one remaining General Core course which is also an CE course if no other CE course has been or will be taken. 3 3
 Credits16
Spring
CHE 302 Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Molecular Interactions and Kinetics 1 4
CHE 331 Instrumental Analysis 1 4
CHE 326 Biochemistry 1 4
FOR 251 Basic Criminalistics 1 3
BIO 345 Introduction to Toxicology (Offered in even year Spring. Can be take in the 3rd or 4th year Spring.) 3
 Credits18
Fourth Year
Fall
MAT 141 Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences 4
ENG 201 Writing in the Disciplines 3
Any one remaining General Core course (LC or INT) (two linked 3-credit LCs or one 6-credit INT) 3 3
Any one remaining General Core course (LC or INT) 3 3
 Credits13
Spring
FOR 537 Forensic Molecular Biology 1 4
FOR 492 Forensic Science Seminar 1
CHE 330
or FOR 531
 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (A recommended open elective if ACS certification is desired. Otherwise, FOR 531 is recommeded. If a 2-credit open elective is taken, the total credit will be 120.)
or Forensic Microscopy
 2-4
 Credits7-9
 Total Credits120-122