Forensic Science Major, BS

Campus: NYC

Prepares students for employment in forensic laboratories and criminal investigation units as well as in biological and chemical research and in the pharmaceutical industry. It also prepares students for graduate study in forensic science, biology, chemistry, and biochemistry and for applying to medical and dental schools.

Note: Forensic Science undergraduates interested in the M.S. program in forensic science must apply for acceptance during the first term of their senior year.

Major Completion Summary

Major Completion Summary
Requirement	Credits
University Core Requirements	44-59
Major Requirements	60
Open Electives	1-10
Total Credits	120

University Core Requirements (44-59 Credits)

See complete University Core requirements.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Foundation Requirements		21-31
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 ²
CIS 101	Introduction to Computing (or another course in the same category)
Two 2nd Language courses (can test out)
Area of Knowledge
AOK II-IV ( 1 each)
PHY 112	General Physics II (AOK V) ²	4
MAT 141	Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences (AOK V)	4
BIO 101	General Biology I ^{1, 2}	4
BIO 102	General Biology II ^{1, 2}	4
BIO 231	Genetics ^{1, 2}	4
Civic Engagement ³

¹: In-depth area sequence
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 (60 Credits)

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Major Courses ¹
BIO 345	Introduction to Toxicology (Required Math and Science)	3
CHE 111	General Chemistry I ³	4
CHE 112	General Chemistry II ³	4
CHE 200	Mathematical Methods for Physical Chemistry	4
CHE 221	Analytical Methods and Techniques ^{2, 3}	3
CHE 223	Organic Chemistry I ^2,3	4
CHE 224	Organic Chemistry II ^{2, 3}	4
CHE 301	Physical Chemistry I: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy ³	4
CHE 302	Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Molecular Interactions and Kinetics ³	4
CHE 326	Biochemistry ³	4
CHE 331	Instrumental Analysis ³	4
FOR 251	Basic Criminalistics ³	3
FOR 252	Crime Scene Processing ³	3
FOR 492	Forensic Science Seminar	1
FOR 505	Molecular Biology	3
FOR 537	Forensic Biology ³	4
MAT 132	Calculus II (Required Math and Science)	4
Total Credits		60

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 (1-17 Credits)

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Open Electives
Select 1-10 credits ¹		1-10
UNV 101	First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community
CHE 330	Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (take if ACS certification is desired) ²
Total Credits		1-10

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 courses 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 credit-bearing lecture and corresponding 0-credit lab in the same semester.

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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
ENG 110	Composition	3
BIO 101	General Biology I ¹	4
CHE 111	General Chemistry I ¹	4
MAT 131	Calculus I	4
UNV 101	First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community	1
	Credits	16
Spring
ENG 120	Critical Writing	4
BIO 102	General Biology II ¹	4
CHE 112	General Chemistry II ¹	4
MAT 132	Calculus II	4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
CHE 223	Organic Chemistry I ^{1, 2}	4
PHY 111	General Physics I ¹	4
BIO 231	Genetics ¹	4
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines		3
CIS 101	Introduction to Computing ¹	3
	Credits	18
Spring
CHE 224	Organic Chemistry II ^{1, 2}	4
PHY 112	General Physics II (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5)) ¹	4
CHE 200	Mathematical Methods for Physical Chemistry	4
Second Language Course, if applicable		3
	Credits	15
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
AOK II to IV (any remaining AOK requirements)		3
	Credits	16
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	3
	Credits	18
Fourth Year
Fall
MAT 141	Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences	4
ENG 201	Writing in the Disciplines	3
AOK II to IV (LC or INT) (two linked 3-credit LCs or one 6-credit INT)		3
AOK II to IV (LC or INT)		3
	Credits	13
Spring
FOR 505	Molecular Biology	3
FOR 537	Forensic Biology ¹	4
FOR 492	Forensic Science Seminar	1
AOK I (CE) (not necessary if another required course is also a CE course)		0-3
CHE 330	Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (if ACS certification is desired)	0-4
	Credits	8-15
	Total Credits	120-127