Forensic Biology Major

General Information

The Forensic Biology curriculum is designed to provide the student with a solid background in the scientific principles that underlie forensic techniques. Skills are acquired through coursework augmented by practical laboratory experience.

Career Opportunities

A baccalaureate degree in Forensic Biology provides diverse opportunities for employment as forensic scientists or as laboratory analysts, as well as for advanced training in forensics and related fields.

Physical and Biological Faculty

Forensic Biology Objectives:

To demonstrate

1. Knowledge of basic structure and functioning of cells.

2. To understand the principles and mathematical analysis of Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance.

3. To understand the structure and function of nucleic acids and molecular controls.

4. To collect and preserve forensic evidence using established protocol.

5. Plan and perform analyses of both biological and non-biological forensic evidence.

6. Apply chemical, physical, and biological principles to the design of procedures for the analysis of forensic evidence.

7. Communicate clearly and effectively the results and reliability of an analysis of forensic evidence.

8. Demonstrate ability to function as an ethical member of the criminal justice system.

General University and College Requirements

See General University Requirements (p.) and College of Arts and Sciences Requirements (p.).

Degree Requirements

Required Science courses: (78-80 credit hours)

BIO 107	General Biology I	3 cr.
BIO 117	General Biology Laboratory I	1 cr.
BIO 108	General Biology II	3 cr.
BIO 118	General Biology Laboratory II	1 cr.
BIO 203	Microbiology	4 cr.
BIO 306	Genetics	4 cr.
BIO 310	Cell Biology	4 cr.
BIO 401	Molecular Biology	4 cr.
CHEM 105	General Chemistry I	4 cr.
CHEM 106	General Chemistry II	4 cr.
CHEM 209	Organic Chemistry I	3 cr.
CHEM 210	Organic Chemistry II	3 cr.
CHEM 211	Analytical Methods	3 cr.
CHEM 221	Analytical Methods Laboratory	1 cr.
CHEM 219	Organic Chemistry Laboratory I	1 cr.
CHEM 220	Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	1 cr.
CHEM 314	Biochemistry	3 cr.
CHEM 324	Biochemistry Laboratory	1 cr.
FS 100	Introduction to Forensic Science	3 cr.
FS 255	Crime Scene and Evidence Processing	3 cr.
FS 325	Pattern Analysis	4 cr.
FS 326	Forensic Biology	4 cr.
FS 430	Expert Witness Testimony	4 cr.
FS 3XX-4XX	Three additional semester hours of FS Electives	3 cr.
FS 480 - FS 333 - FS 440	Internship in Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Biology or Independent Study in Forensic Science or Undergraduate Research	1-3 cr. - 1-3 cr. - 1-3 cr.
PHYS 123	Physics of the Life Sciences I	4 cr.
PHYS 124	Physics of the Life Sciences II	4 cr.

Subtotal: 78-80

Required courses in Math, and Ethics

MATH 123	Calculus I for Management, Life, and Social Sciences	3 cr.
MATH 121	Introductory Probability and Statistics	3 cr.
PH 208	Ethics	3 cr.

Subtotal: 9

Total Credit Hours: 87-89

The 2.0 required grade point average in the major will be based upon all BIO, CHEM, and FS courses pursued as a part of the student’s degree program

Note: Courses that can fulfill the FS Elective requirement include: FS 327, CJ 348, FS 410 and PHYS 310.

Note that no transfer credit is accepted for major-level science lab courses taught online.

Forensic Biology Suggested Sequence of Courses

Notes:

The suggested sequence of courses in years two, three, and four is an example only. Some offerings for these years will alternate and the exact sequence will require consultation with the faculty and deans.

Degree Requirements

Freshman Year - Fall Semester

BIO 107	General Biology I	3 cr.
BIO 117	General Biology Laboratory I	1 cr.
CHEM 105	General Chemistry I	4 cr.
ENGL 132	English Composition I	3 cr.
BLUE 101	BLUE Course	1 cr.
MATH 123	Calculus I for Management, Life, and Social Sciences	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15 cr.

Freshman Year - Spring Semester

BIO 108	General Biology II	3 cr.
BIO 118	General Biology Laboratory II	1 cr.
CHEM 106	General Chemistry II	4 cr.
FS 100	Introduction to Forensic Science	3 cr.
ENGL 133	English Composition II	3 cr.
GBD XXX	Golden Bear Discovery / GOLD	3 cr.

Subtotal: 17 cr.

Sophomore Year - Fall Semester

CHEM 209	Organic Chemistry I	3 cr.
CHEM 219	Organic Chemistry Laboratory I	1 cr.
PHYS 123	Physics of the Life Sciences I	4 cr.
FS 255	Crime Scene and Evidence Processing	3 cr.
PH 208	Ethics	3 cr.
MATH 121	Introductory Probability and Statistics	3 cr.

Subtotal: 17 cr.

Sophomore Year - Spring Semester

PHYS 124	Physics of the Life Sciences II	4 cr.
CHEM 210	Organic Chemistry II	3 cr.
CHEM 220	Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	1 cr.
CHEM 211	Analytical Methods	3 cr.
CHEM 221	Analytical Methods Laboratory	1 cr.
GBD XXX	Golden Bear Discovery	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15 cr.

Junior Year - Fall Semester

BIO 306	Genetics	4 cr.
FS 325	Pattern Analysis	4 cr.
GBD XXX	Golden Bear Discovery	3 cr.
GBD XXX	Golden Bear Discovery	3 cr.

Subtotal: 14 cr.

Junior Year - Spring Semester

BIO 310	Cell Biology	4 cr.
FS 326	Forensic Biology	4 cr.
BIO 203	Microbiology	4 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15 cr.

Senior Year - Fall Semester

BIO 401	Molecular Biology	4 cr.
FS 3xx-4xx	FS Elective	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	2 cr.

Subtotal: 15 cr.

Senior Year - Spring Semester

FS 430	Expert Witness Testimony	4 cr.
FS 333 - FS 480 - FS 440	Independent Study in Forensic Science or Internship in Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Biology or Undergraduate Research	1-3 cr. - 1-3 cr. - 1-3 cr.
CHEM 314	Biochemistry	3 cr.
CHEM 324	Biochemistry Laboratory	1 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.

Subtotal: 12-14 cr.

Total Credit Hours: 120

You must take 6 credits of courses designated as Writing Intensive, one at the 200- or 300-level, and one at the 300- or 400-level. These courses can also fulfill other requirements, including Golden Bear Discovery or major requirements.

FB.BS - BS in Forensic Biology

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