Departments & Programs
Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program
Bachelor of Science
This degree is for students who plan to work in the criminal justice system as scientists in crime laboratories or other law enforcement environments. This degree also allows students to be well prepared for medical school, graduate school, law school, teaching or research laboratories.
Degree Requirements
See the School of Science requirements under “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin for additional restrictions.
First-Year Experience Course Beginning freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 19 credit hours are required to take SCI-I 120 Windows on Science (1 cr.) or an equivalent first-year experience course.
Area I English Composition and Communication Competency (9 cr.)
Written Communication (6 cr.)
A minimum grade of C must be obtained in both composition courses.
- ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry
- The second semester of English composition may be satisfied only by ENG-W 270, ENG-W 231, or ENG-W 230.
Oral Communication (3 cr.)
A minimum grade of C must be obtained.
- COMM-R 110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
Area II World Language Competency
No world language proficiency is required for a Bachelor of Science degree.
Area IIIA Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Cultural Understanding Competencies (12 cr.)
- Arts and Humanities course: Choose one course (3 cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
- Social Sciences course: Choose one course (3 cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
- One additional course (3 cr.) from Humanities or Social Sciences list.
- Cultural Understanding course: Choose one course (3 cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
For the most current list of courses in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Understanding, please refer to the IU Indianapolis General Education Curriculum.
Area IIIC Life and Physical Sciences Competency (20 cr.)
- Physics: Two semesters of basic physics: PHYS-P 201 General Physics I (5 cr.) and PHYS-P 202 General Physics II (5 cr.)
- PHYS-I 152 and PHYS-I 251 are acceptable substitutes.
- Chemistry: Two semesters of introductory college chemistry with a laboratory: CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I (3 cr.) / CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.) and CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II (3 cr.) / CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
Area IIID Analytical Reasoning Competency (9 cr.)
- Mathematics: MATH-I 231 Calculus for the Life Sciences I (3 cr.) and MATH-I 232 Calculus for the Life Sciences II (3 cr.)
- MATH-I 165 and MATH-I 166 are acceptable substitutes.
- Students pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry must take MATH-I 165 and MATH-I 166.
- Computer Programming: Choose one course from the following: CSCI-N 200, CSCI-N 201, CSCI-N 207 recommended), CSCI-N 211, or CSCI-N 301 (all are 3 cr.)
Note: Computer Science CSCI-N 100 level courses do not count for credit toward any degree in the School of Science. Also, CSCI-N 241 and CSCI-N 299 do not count in Area IIID but may count as a general elective.
Area IV Forensic and Investigative Sciences Major Concentration (17 cr.)
A) Required forensic science courses in addition to those required for the concentration (16 cr.) All FIS courses applicable to the major must have a minimum grade of C.
- FIS-I 205 Concepts of Forensic Science I (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 206 Concepts of Forensic Science II (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 300 Forensic Microscopy (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 301 Forensic Microscopy Lab (2 cr.)
- FIS-I 305 Professional Issues in Forensic Science (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 415 Forensic Science and the Law (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 380 Forensic Science Professional Capstone I (Spring) (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 480 Forensic Science Capstone II (Fall) (1 cr.)
B) Required biology courses (10 cr.) A minimum grade of C- is required in both of these courses.
- BIOL-K 101 Concepts of Biology I (5 cr.)
- BIOL-K 103 Concepts of Biology II (5 cr.)
C) Required chemistry courses beyond introductory chemistry (10 cr.) A minimum grade of C- is required in all of these courses.
- CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry Lectures I (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry Lectures II (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2 cr.)
D) Required statistics course (3 cr.) A minimum grade of C- is required in this course.
- STAT-I 301 Elementary Statistical Methods (3 cr.)
E) Concentrations
Forensic Biology Concentration (24 cr.)
FIS courses applicable to the major must have a minimum grade of C. A minimum grade of C- is required in all of the Biology courses.
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- BIOL-K 322 Genetics and Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 323 Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory (Fall) (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 324 Cell Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 325 Cell Biology Laboratory (Spring) (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 384 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 420 Forensic Biology (Fall) (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 421 Forensic Biology Laboratory (Fall) (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 430 Forensic Genetics (Spring) (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 431 Forensic Biology Capstone III (Spring) (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 440 Population Genetics (Spring) (3 cr.)
F) Advanced Specialization Courses: Refer to the list below (9 cr. minimum)
Forensic Biology Concentration Advanced Specialization Course List
- ANTH-B 426 Human Osteology (3 cr.)
- ANTH-B 468 Bioarchaeology (3 cr.)
- ANTH-B 474 Forensic Anthropology, Archaeology & Taphonomy (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 331 Developmental Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 333 Developmental Biology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 338 Intro Immunology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 339 Immunology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 341 Principles of Ecology & Evolution (Fall & even numbered Springs) (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 342 Principles of Ecology & Evolution Laboratory (Fall) (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 356 Microbiology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 357 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-N 217 Human Physiology (5 cr.)
- BIOL-N 261 Human Anatomy (5 cr.)
- CHEM-C 310 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 311 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr.)
- CHEM-C 360 Elementary Physical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 325 Introduction to Chemistry Instrumentation (Spring) (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 326 Introduction to Chemistry Instrumentation Lab (Spring) (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 430 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 435 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr.)
- CHEM-C 485 Biosynthesis and Physiology (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 486 Biological Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)
- FIS-I 400 Forensic Chemistry I (Fall) (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 401 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory I (Fall) (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 410 Forensic Chemistry II (Spring) (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 411 Forensic Chemistry Capstone III (Spring) (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 450 Forensic Science Research (1-4 cr.)
- FIS-I 495 Forensic Science Internship (0-5 cr.)
- FIS-I 496 Special Topics in Forensic Science (credit hours vary - repeatable with different topics)
- SPEA-J 260 Topics in Criminal Justice (1 cr.) (ONLY approved topics, including: Death Investigation, Investigating Post Blast Crime Scene, Serial Murder, and Indiana Homicide)
- Forensic Chemistry Concentration (19 cr.)
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- CHEM-C 310 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 311 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr.)
- CHEM-C 325 Introduction to Chemistry Instrumentation (Spring) (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 326 Introduction to Chemistry Instrumentation Lab (Spring) (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 410 / CHEM-C 411 are acceptable substitutes for students pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry.
- CHEM-C 360 Elementary Physical Chemistry (Spring) (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 362 is an acceptable substitute for students pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry.
- FIS-I 400 Forensic Chemistry I (Fall) (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 401 Forensic Chemistry I Lab (Fall) (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 410 Forensic Chemistry II (Spring) (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 411 Forensic Chemistry Capstone III (Spring) (1 cr.)
G) Advanced Specialization Courses; refer to the list below (12 cr. minimum)
Forensic Chemistry Concentration Advanced Specialization Course List- ANTH-B 426 Human Osteology (3 cr.)
- ANTH-B 468 Bioarchaeology (3 cr.)
- ANTH-B 474 Forensic Anthropology, Archaeology & Taphonomy (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 322 Genetics and Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 323 Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory (Fall) (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 324 Cell Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 325 Cell Biology Laboratory (Spring) (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 331 Developmental Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 333 Developmental Biology Laboratory (1 cr.)
- BIOL-K 338 Intro Immunology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 339 Immunology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 341 Principles of Ecology & Evolution (Fall and even numbered Springs) (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 342 Principles of Ecology & Evolution Laboratory (Fall) (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 356 Microbiology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 357 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K 384 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 484 Cellular Biochemistry (3 cr.)
- BIOL-N 217 Human Physiology (5 cr.)
- BIOL-N 261 Human Anatomy (5 cr.)
- CHEM-C 430 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 435 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 384 Biochemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 485 Biosynthesis and Physiology (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C 486 Biological Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)
- FIS-I 420 Forensic Biology I (Fall) (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 421 Forensic Biology I Laboratory (Fall) (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 430 Forensic Biology II (Spring) (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 431 Forensic Biology Capstone III (Spring) (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 440 Population Genetics (Spring) (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 450 Forensic Science Research (1-4 cr.)
- FIS-I 495 Forensic Science Internship (0-5 cr.)
- FIS-I 496 Special Topics in Forensic Science (credit hours vary - repeatable with different topics)
- SPEA-J 260 Topics in Criminal Justice (1 cr.) (ONLY approved topics, including: Death Investigation, Investigating Post Blast Crime Scene, Serial Murder, and Indiana Homicide)
Area V Electives This degree requires no electives not defined by degree requirements.
Additional Policies
1) Overlapping Courses
The Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program will not grant credit for a course when considerable duplication of course content occurs with another course that has been taken for credit. In general, credit will be allowed for the higher-level or Honors courses, but not for the lower-level courses. The following listings are considered to be duplications (lower-level courses listed first):
- CHEM-C 101 and CHEM-C 105
- MATH-I 231 and MATH-I 165
- MATH-I 232 and MATH-I 166
- PHYS-P 201 and PHYS-I 152
- PHYS-P 202 and PHYS-I 251
For example, if a student has earned credit for MATH-I 165 / MATH-I 166, the student will receive no credit for MATH-I 231 / MATH-I 232, even if earned previously.
As a result of completing a Bachelor of Science in Forensic and Investigative Sciences and depending on the concentration selected, a student may earn enough credit hours to satisfy the requirements for a minor in chemistry or biology in addition to the major in FIS. Please consult with the academic advisor for the FIS program and the appropriate academic unit that awards the minor.
Bachelor of Science: Forensic and Investigative Sciences Forensic Biology Concentration Sample Plan of Study (124 cr.)
Freshman Year
| First Semester | |
| BIOL-K 101 Concepts of Biology I | 5 |
| CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I | 2 |
| MATH-I 231 Calculus for the Life Sciences I | 3 |
| FIS-I 205 Concepts of Forensic Science I | 3 |
| SCI-I 120 Windows on Science | 1 |
| Total | 17 |
| Second Semester | |
| BIOL-K 103 Concepts of Biology II | 5 |
| CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II | 2 |
| MATH-I 232 Calculus for the Life Sciences II | 3 |
| FIS-I 206 Concepts of Forensic Science II | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Sophomore Year
| Third Semester | |
| ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry | 3 |
| BIOL-K 322 Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-K 323 Genetics and Molecular Biology Lab (Fall only) | 2 |
| CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| Cultural Understanding (choose from list) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Fourth Semester | |
| COMM-R 110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| BIOL-K 324 Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-K 325 Cell Biology Laboratory (Spring only) | 2 |
| FIS-I 305 Professional Issues Forensic Science | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Junior Year
| Fifth Semester | |
| BIOL-K 384 Biological Chemistry | 3 |
| PHYS-P 201 General Physics I | 5 |
| 2nd Written Communication Course | 3 |
| FIS-I 415 Forensic Science and the Law | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Sixth Semester | |
| FIS-I 300 Forensic Microscopy Lecture | 1 |
| FIS-I 301 Forensic Microscopy Lab | 2 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| PHYS-P 202 General Physics II | 5 |
| FIS-I 380 Forensic Science Professional Capstone I (Spring only) | 1 |
| STAT-I 301 Elementary Statistical Methods 1 | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Senior Year
| Seventh Semester | |
| FIS-I 420 Forensic Biology I (Fall only) | 3 |
| FIS-I 421 Forensic Biology I Laboratory (Fall only) | 1 |
| FIS-I 480 Forensic Science Capstone II (Fall only) | 1 |
| Computer Programming (CSCI-N 207 recommended) | 3 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Eighth Semester | |
| FIS-I 430 Forensic Genetics (Spring only) | 3 |
| FIS-I 431 Forensic Biology Capstone III (Laboratory Spring only) | 1 |
| Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) | 6 |
| FIS-I 440 Population Genetics (Spring only) | 3 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Bachelor of Science: Forensic and Investigative Sciences Forensic Chemistry Option Sample Plan of Study (123 cr.)
Freshman Year
| First Semester | |
| BIOL-K 101 Concepts of Biology I | 5 |
| CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I | 2 |
| MATH-I 231 Calculus for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| FIS-I 205 Concepts of Forensic Science I | 3 |
| SCI-I 120 Windows on Science | 1 |
| Total | 17 |
| Second Semester | |
| BIOL-K 103 Concepts of Biology II | 5 |
| CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II | 2 |
| MATH-I 232 Calculus for the Life Sciences II | 3 |
| FIS-I 206 Concepts of Forensic Science II | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Sophomore Year
| Third Semester | |
| CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| PHYS-P 201 General Physics I | 5 |
| ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry | 3 |
| Cultural Understanding (choose from list) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Fourth Semester | |
| CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| PHYS-P 202 General Physics II | 5 |
| FIS-I 305 Professional Issues in Forensic Science | 3 |
| COMM-R 110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Junior Year
| Fifth Semester | |
| Computer Programming (CSCI-N 207 recommended) | 3 |
| CHEM-C 310 Analytical Chemistry Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-C 311 Analytical Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| FIS-I 300 Forensic Microscopy Lecture | 1 |
| FIS-I 301 Forensic Microscopy Lab | 2 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| 2nd written communication course | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Sixth Semester | |
| CHEM-C 325 Intro to Chemistry Instrumentation (Spring only) | 3 |
| CHEM-C 326 Intro to Chemistry Instrumentation Lab (Spring only) | 2 |
| STAT-I 301 Elementary Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities/Social Science (choose from list) | 3 |
| FIS-I 380 Forensic Science Professional Capstone (Spring only) | 1 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Senior Year
| Seventh Semester | |
| FIS-I 400 Forensic Chemistry I (Fall only) | 3 |
| FIS-I 401 Forensic Chemistry I Lab (Fall only) | 1 |
| FIS-I 415 Forensic Science and the Law | 3 |
| FIS-I 480 Forensic Science Capstone II | 1 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Eighth Semester | |
| FIS-I 410 Forensic Chemistry II (Spring only) | 3 |
| FIS-I 411 Forensic Chemistry Capstone III (Laboratory Spring only) | 1 |
| Advanced Science Electives | 3 |
| CHEM-C 360 Introductory Physical Chemistry (Spring only) | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
