Forensic Investigation Major, B.S.

Course Title Credits
General Requirements
General Education 140-53
Forensic Investigation Core Requirements 2
FORENSIC 1320Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation3
FORENSIC 2420Evidence Collection and Preservation3
FORENSIC 2620Crime Scene Documentation3
FORENSIC 3020Forensic Criminology3
FORENSIC 3040Crime Scene Processing Techniques4
FORENSIC 3800Research Methods in Forensic Investigation3
FORENSIC 4020Courtroom Testimony and Evidence3
or CRIMLJUS 4330 Criminal Procedure and Evidence
CRIMLJUS 4930Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation Senior Seminar3
Total Credits65-78
1

Depends upon high school world language courses completed, scores on the UW System Mathematics and English Placement tests, and whether courses selected for global studies and ethnic/gender studies also count for other liberal arts requirements

2

All forensic investigation majors must:

  1. earn a "C-" or better in each course.
  2. earn a "C-" or better in (ENGLISH 1040 or ENGLISH 1130) and ENGLISH 1230.

Forensic Investigation Emphases

Students must select one of the two emphases within the forensic investigation major.

Crime Scene Emphasis1

Course Title Credits
Non-Departmental Requirements
Biology5
The Unity of Life
Chemistry4
General Chemistry I
Mathematics6-8
Elementary Statistics
MATH 2450 or MATH 2530 or any higher level MATH course
Physics5
Principles of Physics (or PHYSICS 1350 or PHYSICS 2240)
Electives - General Topics3-4
Select at least 3 credits of the following:
Issues in Forensic Investigation
Medicolegal Investigation
Criminal Investigation
Forensic Botany
Current Topics in Forensic Investigation
Electives - Specialized Topics6-7
Select two (2) of the following:
Forensic Anthropology
Fingerprint Analysis and Other Biometrics
Criminalistics
Outdoor Scene Processing
Total Credits29-33

In addition, all forensic investigation majors with a crime scene emphasis must earn a “C-” or better in each required and elective course in the emphasis.

Laboratory Emphasis1

Course Title Credits
Non-Departmental Required Courses
Biology10
The Unity of Life
The Diversity of Life
Chemistry13
General Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry I Lab
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II Lab
Organic Chemistry II
Mathematics7-8
Elementary Statistics
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Physics8-10
Introductory Physics I
General Physics I
Introductory Physics II
General Physics II
Required Courses
Criminalistics
Electives
Select at least 3 credits of the following:3
Fingerprint Analysis and Other Biometrics
Issues in Forensic Investigation
Forensic Anthropology
Medicolegal Investigation
Outdoor Scene Processing
Current Topics in Forensic Investigation
Criminal Investigation
Non-Departmental Electives
Choose at least 15 credits, at least 7 credits of which be from "laboratory" courses 315
Animal Tissue Culture
Mammalogy
Microbiology
Genetics
Ecology and Evolution
Biotechnology
Immunology
Molecular Biology 2
Mammalian Endocrinology
Forensic Botany 2
Advanced Physiology
Mammalian Histology 2
Human Gross Anatomy 2
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry Lab 2
Forensic Chemistry
Chemical Synthesis and Characterization
Physical Chemistry I
Physical Chemistry Lab I 2
Physical Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry Lab II 2
Instrumental Analysis 2
General Biochemistry
General Biochemistry Lab 2
Total Credits56-59
1

In addition, all forensic investigation majors with a laboratory emphasis must earn a “C-” or better in each required and elective course in the emphasis.

2

This course counts toward the "laboratory" credits

3

These courses may not also satisfy the Non-Departmental Required Courses.

Internship Eligibility

To be eligible for an internship, the student must have earned at least 60 credits plus 12 upper division criminal justice/forensic investigation credits and have a G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher.

The Washington Center

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) offers semester-long internship experiences for students in Washington, D.C. for students. Criminal justice and forensic investigation students accepted to the TWC program would enroll in 15 credits (Fall or Spring) or 9 credits (Summer) of TWC-related courses during the semester they will be in Washington, D.C.; see the Criminal Justice major page for more information. Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation majors are welcome to apply and should contact the Criminal Justice Department Chair for more information on the application process. Please visit https://www.TWC.edu for more information.