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Academic Catalog

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	44-55
Major Requirements	67-85
Open Electives	1-16
Total Credits	128

University Core Requirements (44-55 Credits)

See complete University Core requirements.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Foundation Requirements
MAT 131	Calculus I	4
BIO 101	General Biology I	4
Area of Knowledge
PHY 112	General Physics II	4
BIO 102	General Biology II ¹	4
BIO 231	Genetics ¹	4
BIO 345	Introduction to Toxicology ¹	3

¹: In-depth area sequence

Major Requirements (67-85 Credits)

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Major Courses ¹
BIO 101	General Biology I	(4)
BIO 102	General Biology II	(4)
BIO 231	Genetics	(4)
BIO 345	Introduction to Toxicology	(4)
PHY 111	General Physics I	4
PHY 112	General Physics II	(4)
CHE 111	General Chemistry I	4
CHE 112	General Chemistry II	4
CHE 200	Mathematical Methods for Physical Chemistry	4
CHE 221	Analytical Methods and Techniques	4
CHE 223	Organic Chemistry I	5
CHE 224	Organic Chemistry II	5
CHE 301	Physical Chemistry I: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy	4
CHE 302	Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Molecular Interactions and Kinetics	4
CHE 326	Biochemistry	4
CHE 331	Instrumental Analysis	4
CRJ 261	Introduction to Criminal Investigation	3
FOR 251	Basic Criminalistics	3
FOR 252	Crime Scene Processing	3
FOR 492	Forensic Science Seminar	1
FOR 505	Molecular Biology	3
FOR 531	Forensic Microscopy	3
FOR 537	Forensic Biology	4
MAT 131	Calculus I	(4)
MAT 132	Calculus II	4
MAT 141	Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences	4
Total Credits		74

¹: Includes courses that can satisfy University core and area requirements and Open Elective credit.

Open Electives (1-16 Credits)

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Open Electives
Select 1-16 credits ¹		1-16
Total Credits		1-16

¹: Includes UNV 101 First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community (1 credit); CRJ 261 Introduction to Criminal Investigation (3 credits); and other required major courses if not taken for University core credit.

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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
ENG 110	Composition	3
BIO 101	General Biology I	0-4
CHE 111	General Chemistry I	0-4
MAT 131	Calculus I	0-4
UNV 101	First-Year Seminar: Introduction to University Community	1
	Credits	4-16
Spring
ENG 120	Critical Writing	4
BIO 102	General Biology II	0-4
CHE 112	General Chemistry II	0-4
MAT 132	Calculus II	0-4
CIS 101	Introduction to Computing	0-3
	Credits	4-19
Second Year
Fall
CHE 223	Organic Chemistry I	0-5
PHY 111	General Physics I	0-4
BIO 231	Genetics	0-4
First Second Language Course. See Advisor for guidelines		3
	Credits	3-16
Spring
CHE 224	Organic Chemistry II	0-5
PHY 112	General Physics II (Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (AOK5))	0-4
CHE 200	Mathematical Methods for Physical Chemistry	4
Second Language Course, if applicable		3
	Credits	7-16
Third Year
Fall
CHE 221	Analytical Methods and Techniques	0-4
CHE 301	Physical Chemistry I: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy	0-4
FOR 252	Crime Scene Processing	0-3
COM 200	Public Speaking	3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course		3
	Credits	6-17
Spring
CHE 331	Instrumental Analysis	0-4
CHE 302	Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Molecular Interactions and Kinetics	0-4
FOR 251	Basic Criminalistics	0-3
CHE 326	Biochemistry	0-4
BIO 345	Introduction to Toxicology	3
	Credits	3-18
Fourth Year
Fall
MAT 141	Introductory Statistics for the Life Sciences	4
ENG 201	Writing in the Disciplines	3
FOR 531	Forensic Microscopy	0-3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course		3
Take any one remaining Area of Knowledge course		3
	Credits	13-16
Spring
FOR 505	Molecular Biology	3
FOR 537	Forensic Biology	0-4
FOR 492	Forensic Science Seminar	1
CRJ 261	Introduction to Criminal Investigation	3
Open Elective Course		3
	Credits	10-14
	Total Credits	50-132