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 enforcement environments.
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 18 credit hours are required to take SCI-I120 Windows on Science (1 cr.) or an equivalent first-year experience course.
Area I English Composition and Communication Skills (9 cr.)
Written Communication (6 cr.)
A minimum grade of C must be obtained in both composition courses.
- ENG-W131 English Composition I
- The second semester of English composition may be satisfied only by ENG-W132 (or ENG-W150), ENG-W231, or TCM 32000.
Oral Communication (3 cr.)
A minimum grade of C must be obtained.
- COMM-R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
Area II Foreign Language
No foreign language proficiency is required for a Bachelor of Science degree.
Area IIIA Humanities, Social Sciences, and Comparative World Cultures (12 cr.)
- HIST H114 Western Civilization II or HIST-H109 Perspectives on the World: 1800-Present
- List H course: Choose one course (3cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
- List S course: Choose one course (3cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
- List C course: Choose one course (3cr.) from this list. The list of course choices is located under the School of Science requirements “Undergraduate Programs” in this bulletin.
Area IIIB Junior/Senior Integrator (3 cr.)
FIS 41500 Forensic Science and the Law (3 cr.)
Area IIIC Physical and Biological Sciences (20 cr.)
- Physics Two semesters of basic physics: PHYS-P201 General Physics I (5 cr.) and PHYS-P202 General Physics II (5 cr.)
- Chemistry Two semesters of introductory college chemistry with a laboratory: CHEM-C105 Principles of Chemistry I (3 cr.) / CHEM-C125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.) and CHEM-C106 Principles of Chemistry II (3 cr.) / CHEM-C126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
Area IIID Mathematical Sciences (9 cr.)
- Mathematics MATH 23100 Calculus for the Life Sciences I (3 cr.) and MATH 23200 Calculus for the Life Sciences II (3 cr.)
- Computer Science Choose one course from the following: CSCI-N201, CSCI-N207, CSCI-N211, or CSCI-N301 (all are 3 cr.)
Note: Computer Science CSCI-N100 level courses and CIT 10600 do not count for credit toward any degree in the School of Science. Also, CSCI-N241 and CSCI-N299 do not count in Area IIID but may count as a general elective.
Area IV Forensic and Investigative Sciences Major Concentration
A) Required forensic science courses in addition to those required for the concentration (14 cr.) All FIS courses applicable to the major must have a minimum grade of C.
- FIS 20500 Concepts of Forensic Science I (3 cr.)
- FIS 20600 Concepts of Forensic Science II (3 cr.)
- FIS 30500 Professional Issues in Forensic Science (3 cr.)
- FIS 49000 Capstone Experience (5 cr.) This is a required course that can be completed during any Summer, Fall, or Spring semester during/after the Junior year. Semester and method of completion will be determined on an individual basis. Please see your academic advisor for guidance.
B) Required biology courses (10 cr.)
- BIOL-K101 Concepts of Biology I (5 cr.)
- BIOL-K103 Concepts of Biology II (5 cr.)
C) Required chemistry courses beyond introductory chemistry (10 cr.)
- CHEM-C341 Organic Chemistry Lectures I (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C342 Organic Chemistry Lectures II (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2 cr.)
D) Required criminal justice courses (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J101 The American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.)
E) Required statistics course (3 cr.)
- STAT 30100 Elementary Statistical Methods (3 cr.)
F) Concentrations
- Biology Concentration (24 cr.)
- BIOL-K322 Genetics and Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K323 Genetics and Molecular Biology Lab (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K338 Intro Immunology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K339 Immunology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K484 Cellular Biochemistry (3 cr.)
- FIS 40200 Forensic Biology I (Fall) (4 cr.)
- FIS 40300 Forensic Biology II (Spring) (4 cr.)
- Chemistry Concentration (19 cr.)
- CHEM-C310 Analytical Chemistry (Spring/Summer) (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C311 Analytical Chemistry Lab (1 cr.)
- CHEM-C360 Elementary Physical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C410 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation (Fall) (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C411 Prin of Chemical Instrumentation Lab (Fall) (2 cr.)
- FIS 40100 Forensic Chemistry I (Fall) (4 cr.)
- FIS 40400 Forensic Chemistry II (Spring) (4 cr.)
- FIS 30600 Forensic Microscopy (3 cr.)
G) Advanced science courses, based on the concentration selected; refer to the lists below (12 cr. minimum)
- Biology Concentration advanced science elective course list
- ANTH-B426 Human Osteology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K324 Cell Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K325 Cell Biology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K356 Microbiology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K357 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-N217 Human Physiology (5 cr.)
- BIOL-N261 Human Anatomy (5 cr.)
- CHEM-C310 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C311 Analytical Chemistry Lab (1 cr.)
- CHEM-C360 Elementary Physical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C410 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C411 Prin of Chemical Instrumentation Lab (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C430 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C435 Inorganic Chemistry Lab (1 cr.)
- CHEM-C484 Biomolecules and Catabolism (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C485 Biosynthesis and Physiology (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C486 Biological Chemistry Lab (2 cr.)
- FIS 40100 Forensic Chemistry I (4 cr.)
- FIS 40400 Forensic Chemistry II (4 cr.)
- FIS 30600 Forensic Microscopy (3 cr.)
- GEOL-G306 Earth Materials (4 cr.)
- Chemistry Concentration advanced science elective course list
- ANTH-B426 Human Osteology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K322 Genetics and Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K323 Genetics and Molecular Biology Lab (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K324 Cell Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K325 Cell Biology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K338 Intro Immunology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K339 Immunology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K356 Microbiology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K357 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
- BIOL-K483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K484 Cellular Biochemistry (3 cr.)
- BIOL-N217 Human Physiology (5 cr.)
- BIOL-N261 Human Anatomy (5 cr.)
- CHEM-C430 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C435 Inorganic Chemistry Lab (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C484 Biomolecules and Catabolism (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C485 Biosynthesis and Physiology (3 cr.)
- CHEM-C486 Biological Chemistry Lab (2 cr.)
- FIS 40200 Forensic Biology I (4 cr.)
- FIS 40300 Forensic Biology II (4 cr.)
- GEOL-G306 Earth Materials (4 cr.)
Area V Electives A minimum of 124 credit hours must be completed for graduation. The number of electives required will depend upon your situation.
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 course, but not for the lower-level course. The following listings are considered to be duplications (lower-level courses listed first):
- MATH 22100 / MATH 22200 and MATH 23100 / MATH 23200 and MATH 16500 / MATH 16600
- PHYS-P201 / PHYS-P202 and PHYS 15200 and PHYS 25100
For example, if a student has earned credit for MATH 16500 / MATH 16600, the student will receive no credit for MATH 22100 / MATH 22200, even if earned previously.
2) Minor earned as a result of completing degree requirements for the Forensic and Investigative Sciences major
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 in addition to the major in FIS. Also, a student majoring in FIS, with the selection of additional electives, may also earn minors in other areas (e.g., biology minor or criminal justice general minor). 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 Biology Concentration Sample Plan of Study
Freshman Year
| First Semester | |
| BIOL-K101 Concepts of Biology I | 5 |
| CHEM-C105 Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-C125 Experimental Chemistry I | 2 |
| MATH 23100 Calculus for the Life Sciences I | 3 |
| ENG-W131 English Composition I | 3 |
| SCI-I120 Windows on Science | 1 |
| Total | 17 |
| Second Semester | |
| BIOL-K103 Concepts of Biology II | 5 |
| CHEM-C106 Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-C126 Experimental Chemistry II | 2 |
| MATH 23200 Calculus for the Life Sciences II | 3 |
| COMM-R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Sophomore Year
| Third Semester | |
| FIS 20500 Concepts of Forensic Science I (Fa/Su) | 3 |
| BIOL-K322 Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-K323 Genetics and Molecular Biology Lab (Fa) | 2 |
| CHEM-C341 Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-C343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| Second English Composition Course | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Fourth Semester | |
| FIS 20600 Concepts of Forensic Science II (Sp/Su) | 3 |
| CHEM-C342 Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-C344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| HIST-H114 History of Western Civilization II or HIST-H 109 Perspectives on the World:1800 to Present | 3 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 5 |
| Total | 16 |
Junior Year
| Fifth Semester | |
| BIOL-K338 Introductory Immunology (Fa) | 3 |
| BIOL-K339 Immunology Laboratory (Fa) | 2 |
| PHYS-P201 General Physics I | 5 |
| SPEA-J101 American Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective-List S | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Sixth Semester | |
| FIS 30500 Professional Issues in Forensic Science | 3 |
| PHYS-P202 General Physics II | 5 |
| STAT 30100 Elementary Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 5 |
| Total | 16 |
Summer between Junior and Senior Year
| Summer I | |
| FIS 49000 Capstone Experience | 5 |
| Summer II | |
| Continue with Capstone Experience | |
| Total | 5 |
Senior Year
| Seventh Semester | |
| FIS 40200 Forensic Biology I (Fa) | 4 |
| BIOL-K483 Biological Chemistry (Fa) | 3 |
| Computer Science Course | 3 |
| Comparative World Cultures Elective-List C | 3 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Eighth Semester | |
| FIS 40300 Forensic Biology II (Sp) | 4 |
| FIS 41500 Forensic Science and the Law | 3 |
| BIOL-K484 Cellular Biochemistry (Sp) | 3 |
| Humanities Elective-List H | 3 |
| CAND 99100 Candidate for Graduation | 0 |
| Total | 13 |
Bachelor of Science: Forensic and Investigative Sciences Chemistry Option Sample Plan of Study
Freshman Year
| First Semester | |
| FIS 10500 Concepts of Forensic Science I (Fa/Su) | 3 |
| CHEM-C105 Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-C125 Experimental Chemistry I | 2 |
| MATH 23100 Calculus for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| ENG-W131 English Composition I | 3 |
| SCI-I120 Windows on Science | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
| Second Semester | |
| FIS 10600 Concepts of Forensic Science I (Sp/Su) | 3 |
| CHEM-C106 Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-C126 Experimental Chemistry II | 2 |
| MATH 23200 Calculus for the Life Sciences II | 3 |
| COMM-R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
Sophomore Year
| Third Semester | |
| CHEM-C341 Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-C343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| PHYS-P201 General Physics I | 5 |
| SPEA-J101 American Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Second English Composition Course | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Fourth Semester | |
| CHEM-C342 Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-C344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| PHYS-P202 General Physics II | 5 |
| STAT 30100 Elementary Statistical Methods | 3 |
| HIST-H114 History of Western Civilization II or HIST-H109 Perspectives on the World: 1800 to Present | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Summer between Sophomore and Junior Year
| CHEM-C310 Analytical Chemistry (Sp/Su) | 3 |
| CHEM-C311 Analytical Chemistry Lab (Sp/Su) | 1 |
| Elective or General Education Course (if needed) | |
| Total | 4 |
Junior Year
| Fifth Semester | |
| BIOL-K101 Concepts of Biology I | 5 |
| CHEM-C410 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation (Fa) | 3 |
| CHEM-C411 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation Laboratory (Fa) | 2 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective-List S | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Sixth Semester | |
| FIS 20100 Professional Issues in Forensic Science (Sp) | 3 |
| BIOL-K103 Concepts of Biology II | 5 |
| CHEM-C360 Elementary Physical Chemistry (Sp) | 3 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 5 |
| Total | 16 |
Summer between Junior and Senior Year
| FIS 49000 Capstone Experience | 5 |
| Total | 5 |
Senior Year
| Seventh Semester | |
| FIS 40100 Forensic Chemistry I (Fa) | 4 |
| FIS 30600 Forensic Microscopy | 3 |
| Computer Science course | 3 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| Humanities-List H | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Eighth Semester | |
| FIS 40400 Forensic Chemistry II (Sp) | 4 |
| FIS 41500 Forensic Science and the Law | 3 |
| Advanced Science Elective | 3 |
| Comparative World Cultures-List C | 3 |
| CAND 99100 Candidate for Graduation | 0 |
| Total | 13 |