The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare to collect and analyze crime scene evidence, work in crime labs at the local, state, and federal levels, and assist law enforcement agencies with dedicated crime scene units. Concentration areas of study include biology, chemistry, and criminalistics. 

Learning Outcomes:

1) Interpret and explain scientific methodologies applied in the collection, preservation, and testing of evidence for crimes.

2) Demonstrate ability to use accepted scientific theories and techniques in the analysis of forensic evidence.

3) Describe the procedures and standards for using forensic evidence in legal proceedings.

4) Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in report writing, testimony, and research applications, including demonstrating the ability to document casework, organize data, and compile reports that constitute legal documentation

5) Conduct and present a forensic science case study using the legal and ethical standards required by the legal system. 

Forensic Science Biology Track (Concentration) Curriculum

General Education
The General Education requirements are based on five (5) principles.  These principles guide undergraduate students in their educational experience at Indiana University Northwest and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.  By fulfilling these requirements students will have an opportunity to develop effective learning and communication skills (principle 1 requirements), a mastery of core concepts in a broad range of disciplines (Principle 2), the ability to analyze and synthesize information (Principle 3), an awareness of diversity (Principle 4) and ethical consideration (Principle 5).

Principle 1 Foundations for Effective Learning and Communication (11 courses)

All students are required to take:

    ENG W131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry 1 (3 cr.)
    SPCH S121 Public Speaking (3 cr.)

In addition, all students must complete the following requirements under Principle 1:

    1. Mathematics (3 cr.)

    MATH M215 Calculus I (5 cr.)

    2. Natural Science Class with Lab (4-6 cr.)

    CHEM C105 Principles of Chemistry I (3 cr.)
    CHEM C125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)

     SPEA J302 Procedural Criminal Law (3 cr.)

    5. Advanced Math Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

    SPEA K300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)

    6. Advanced Scientific Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

     One of the following courses:

     PHYS P202 General Physics II (5 cr.)
     PHYS P222 Physics II (5 Cr.)

   7. Information Literacy (3 cr.)

    SPEA J215 Concepts of Forensic Science (3cr.)

   8. Learning Technologies course (3 cr.)

     CHEM C410 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation (4 cr.)

Principle 2 Breadth of Learning (9 courses)

   *1. Arts & Humanities (6 cr.)

    Two classes from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes.

    *2. Cultural & Historical Studies (3 cr.)

    One class from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes.

   *3. Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 cr.)

    Two classes from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes.

    4. Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (3 cr.)

    BIOL L101 Introduction to Biological Sciences I (4 cr.)

Principle 3 Critical Thinking, Integration, and Application of Knowledge (One Course)

    SPEA J470 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Principle 4 Diversity (One Course)

SPEA J275 Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Principle 5 Ethics & Citizenship (One Course)

SPEA J470 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Forensic Science Required Courses (9 courses)

• ANTH A105 Human Origins and Prehistory (3 cr.)
• BIOL L391 Special Topics in Forensic Biology (3 cr.)
• CHEM C106 Principles of Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM C126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
• CHEM C341 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHEM C342 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM C343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.)
• CHEM C344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2 cr.)
• PHYS P201 General Physics I (5 cr.) or PHYS P221 Physics I (5 Cr.)

Forensic Biology Concentration (13 courses) Requirements

• ANTH B201 Bio Anthropology and Forensics Laboratory (1 cr.)
• ANTH B300 Fundamentals of Bio Anthropology (3 cr.)
• BIOL L101 Introduction to Biological Sciences I (4 cr.)
• BIOL L102 Introduction to Biological Sciences II (4 cr.)
• BIOL L211 Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
• BIOL L311 Genetics (4 cr.)
• BIOL L323 Molecular Biology Laboratory (3 cr.)
• CHEM C484 Biomolecules and Catabolism (3 cr.)
• SPEA J302 Procedural Criminal Law (3 cr.)
• SPEA J303 Evidence (3 cr.)
• SPEA J320 Criminal Investigation (3 cr.)
• SPEA J322 Introduction to Criminalistics (3 cr.)
• SPEA J470 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Forensic Chemistry Track (Concentration) Curriculum

General Education

Principle 1 Foundations for Effective Learning and Communication (11 courses)

All students are required to take:

    ENG W131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry 1 (3 cr.)
    SPCH S121 Public Speaking (3 cr.)

In addition, all students must complete the following requirements under Principle 1:

   1. Mathematics (3 cr.)

    MATH M215 Calculus I (5 cr.)

   2. Natural Science Class with Lab (4-6 cr.)

    CHEM C105 Principles of Chemistry I (3 cr.)
    CHEM C125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)

    SPEA J302 Procedural Criminal Law (3 cr.)

   5. Advanced Math Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

    SPEA K300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)

   6. Advanced Scientific Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

    One of the following courses:

    PHYS P202 General Physics II (5 cr.)
    PHYS P222 Physics II (5 Cr.)

   7. Information Literacy (3 cr.)

    SPEA J215 Concepts of Forensic Science (3 cr.)

   8. Learning Technologies course (3 cr.)

     CHEM C410 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation (4 cr.)

Principle 2 Breadth of Learning (9 courses)

   *1. Arts & Humanities (3 cr.)

    One class from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes.

    *2. Cultural & Historical Studies (6 cr.)

    Two classes from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes.

   *3. Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 cr.)

    Two classes from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes.

    4. Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (3 cr.)

    BIOL L101 Introduction to Biological Sciences I (4 cr.)

Principle 3 Critical Thinking, Integration, and Application of Knowledge (One Course)

    SPEA J470 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Principle 4 Diversity (One Course)

    SPEA J275 Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice
   
Principle 5 Ethics & Citizenship (One Course)

      SPEA J470 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Forensic Science Required Courses (11 courses)

• ANTH A105 Human Origins and Prehistory (3 cr.)
• ANTH B201 Bio Anthropology and Forensics Laboratory (1 cr.)
• ANTH B300 Fundamentals of Bio Anthropology (3 cr.)
• BIOL L102 Intro to Biological Sciences II (4 cr.)
• CHEM C126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
• CHEM C341 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHEM C342 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM C343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.)
• CHEM C344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2 cr.)
• PHYS P201 General Physics I (5 cr.) or PHYS P221 Physics I (5 Cr.)
• SPEA J380 Internship in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Forensic Chemistry Concentration (13 courses) Requirements

• CHEM C105 Principles of Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHEM C106 Principles of Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM C310 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
• CHEM C361 Physical Chemistry (3 cr.)
• CHEM C363 Experimental Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)
• CHEM C430 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)
• CHEM C484 Biomolecules and Catabolism (3 cr.)
• SPEA J215 Concepts of Forensic Science (3 cr.)
• SPEA J302 Procedural Criminal Law (3 cr.)
• SPEA J303 Evidence (3 cr.)
• SPEA J320 Criminal Investigations (3 cr.)
• SPEA J322 Introduction to Criminalistics (3 cr.)
• SPEA J470 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Criminalistics Track (Concentration) Curriculum

General Education

Principle 1 Foundations for Effective Learning and Communication (11 courses)

All students are required to take:

    ENG W131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry 1 (3 cr.)
    SPCH S121 Public Speaking (3 cr.)

In addition, all students must complete the following requirements under Principle 1:

   1. Mathematics (3 cr.)

    MATH M215 Calculus I (5 cr.)

   2. Natural Science Class with Lab (4-6 cr.)

    CHEM C105 Principles of Chemistry I (3 cr.)
    CHEM C125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)

   SPEA J302 Procedural Criminal Law (3 cr.)

   5. Advanced Math Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

   SPEA K300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)

   6. Advanced Scientific Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

    One of the following courses:

     PHYS P202 General Physics II (5 cr.)

     PHYS P222 Physics II (5 Cr.)

   7. Information Literacy (3 cr.)

    SPEA J215 Concepts of Forensic Science (3 cr.)

   8. Learning Technologies course (3 cr.)

    CHEM C410 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation (4 cr.)

Principle 2 Breadth of Learning (9 courses)

   *1. Arts & Humanities (3 cr.)

    One class from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes.

    *2. Cultural & Historical Studies (6 cr.)

    Two classes from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes.

   *3. Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 cr.)

    Two classes from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes.

    4. Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (3 cr.)

    BIOL L101 Introduction to Biological Sciences I (4 cr.)

Principle 3 Critical Thinking, Integration, and Application of Knowledge (One Course)

    SPEA J470 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Principle 4 Diversity (One Course)

    SPEA J275 Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice
   
Principle 5 Ethics & Citizenship (One Course)

SPEA J470 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Forensic Science Required Courses (11 courses)    BIOL L102 Introduction to Biological Sciences II (4 cr.)

• BIOL L211 Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
• BIOL L311 Genetics (4 cr.)
• BIOL L323 Molecular Biology Laboratory (3 cr.)
• CHEM C106 Principles of Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM C126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
• CHEM C341 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHEM C342 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM C343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.)
• CHEM C344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2 cr.)
• CHEM C484 Biomolecules and Catabolism (3 cr.)
• PHYS P201 General Physics I (5 cr.) or PHYS P221 Physics I (5 cr.)

Criminalistics Concentration (11 courses) Requirements

• SPEA J215 Concepts of Forensic Science (3 cr.)
• SPEA J275 Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)
• SPEA J301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.)
• SPEA J302 Procedural Criminal Law (3 cr.)
• SPEA J303 Evidence (3 cr.)
• SPEA J320 Criminal Investigation (3 cr.)
• SPEA J321 American Policing (3 cr.) or SPEA V450 Medical Ethics (3 cr.)
• SPEA J322 Introduction to Criminalistics (3 cr.)
• SPEA J370 Advanced Criminalistics I (3 cr.)
• SPEA J450 Advanced Criminalistics II (3 cr.)
• SPEA J470 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Notes:

Electives: Students must take additional courses beyond the requirements listed above to meet the minimum B.S. degree requirement of 120 credit hours.

Grade Policy: Students must earn a grade of C or better in all concentration courses and a minimum grade of C- in all other courses. Failure to meet the minimum grade requirement will result in having to repeat the course(s).

*The College of Arts and Sciences list of classes can be obtained from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs or retrieved from the SPEA website.