Dec 26, 2024

2011-2012 Undergraduate Bulletin

2011-2012 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Forensic Science, B.S. Major in

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Forensic science is the application of science to investigations pertaining to the legal system. Forensic scientists apply principles and techniques of various sciences to the examination and comparison of biological evidence, trace evidence, impression evidence, drugs and firearms. A forensic scientist may specialize in a subdiscipline. The role of a forensic scientist will depend on his/her area of concentration, type of employment (government crime lab, medical examiner’s office or private practice) and level of experience. The profession requires critical thinking, communication skills, the application of natural and physical sciences to legal issues, and ethical responsibility. The four-year program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in physical and natural sciences, and to acquaint them with various relevant aspects of the legal system.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 128

1. Total Semester Hours: 128

The successful completion of 128 semester hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in work completed at Hofstra.

2. Liberal Arts

At least 64 semester hours of liberal arts courses. At least 59 of these semester hours must be completed in courses outside the Chemistry Department.

3. Residence Requirements

There are two requirements that must ordinarily be completed in residence at Hofstra: 15 semester hours in the major field of specialization and the last 30 semester hours. The 15 semester hours need not be included within the last 30 hours.

4. General Requirements

English

WSC 1 - Composition Semester Hours: 3-4
and
WSC 2 - Composition Semester Hours: 3

or placement examination

Social Science:

PHI 14 - (HP) Introduction to Ethics Semester Hours: 3-4
PSC 129 - (BH) The Administration of Justice in America Semester Hours: 3

Humanities:

FA 170 - (CP) Basic Photography Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 7 - (CP) Public Speaking Semester Hours: 3

and 3 semester hours in literature distribution courses;

Foreign language

Proficiency in a foreign language through level II or an additional 6 semester hours of humanities or social science electives are strongly recommended.

5. Major Requirements

The fulfillment of the following major requirements:

BCHM 162 - Foundations of Biochemistry Semester Hours: 3
BIO 11 - (NS) Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics Semester Hours: 4
BIO 12 - (NS) Animal Form and Function Semester Hours: 4
BIO 100 - Biostatistics Semester Hours: 4
or its equivalent
CHEM 3A - (NS) General Chemistry I Semester Hours: 3
CHEM 3B - (NS) General Chemistry Laboratory I Semester Hours: 1
CHEM 4A - (NS) General Chemistry II Semester Hours: 3
CHEM 4B - (NS) General Chemistry Laboratory II Semester Hours: 1
CHEM 105 - Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Semester Hours: 3
CHEM 109 - Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
CHEM 124 - Instrumental Methods Semester Hours: 2
CHEM 125 - Advanced Laboratory: Instrumental Analysis Semester Hours: 2
CHEM 131A - Elements of Organic Chemistry Semester Hours: 3
CHEM 131B - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
CHEM 132A - Elements of Organic Chemistry Semester Hours: 3
CHEM 132B - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
CHEM 142 - Physical Chemistry Semester Hours: 3
FOR 100 - Survey in Forensic Science Semester Hours: 3
FOR 101 - Crime Scence Investigation Methods Semester Hours: 3
FOR 110 - Forensic Science Seminar Semester Hours: 1
FOR 120 - Forensic Microscopy Semester Hours: 4
FOR 130 - Methods in Trace Analysis Semester Hours: 4
FOR 190 - Legal Issues Pertaining to Scientific Evidence Semester Hours: 3
FOR 195 - Forensic Expert Witness Testimony Semester Hours: 3
MATH 71 - (MC) Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Semester Hours: 4
MATH 72 - (MC) Analytic Geometry and Calculus II Semester Hours: 4
PHYS 11A - (NS) General Physics Semester Hours: 4
PHYS 11B - (NS) General Physics Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 12A - (NS) General Physics Semester Hours: 4
PHYS 12B - (NS) General Physics Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
Summer internship:
FOR 180 - Forensic Science Internship Semester Hours: 3
FOR 181 - Forensic Science Internship Semester Hours: 1-3

6. Electives

15 hours in forensic science specialization electives as follows:

FOR 140 - Digital Imaging for Forensic Applications Semester Hours: 3
FOR 150 - The Analysis and Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse Semester Hours: 3
FOR 160 - Introduction to Firearm Identification and Ballistics Semester Hours: 3
FOR 165 - Questioned Documents Semester Hours: 3
FOR 181 - Forensic Science Internship Semester Hours: 1-3
FOR 185 - Forensic Science Independent Study Semester Hours: 1-3
BIO 139 - Techniques in Molecular Biology Semester Hours: 4
ANTH 143 - (BH) Introduction to Forensic Anthropology Semester Hours: 3
Or advanced science electives:
BCHM 163 - Biochemistry of Metabolism Semester Hours: 3
BCHM 173 - Experimental Biochemistry Semester Hours: 3
BIO 135 - Genetics Semester Hours: 3
BIO 136 - Genetics Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
BIO 137 - Cell Biology Semester Hours: 3
BIO 143 - Microbiology Semester Hours: 4
CHEM 175 - Medicinal Chemistry Semester Hours: 3
CSC 163 - Computing, Ethics, and Society Semester Hours: 1
CSC 185 - Methods of Random Process Semester Hours: 3
CSC 186 - Design and Analysis of Experiments Semester Hours: 3
ENGG 27 - Engineering Materials Semester Hours: 3
A minimum of 9 semester hours must be forensic science electives. Selection is made in conference and with approval of a faculty adviser.

Suggested Four-Year Sequence - Total Semester Hours: 128

For full-time students.

First Year

	Fall	Spring	Summer I & II
CHEM 3A , 3B , 4A , 4B	4	4	-
MATH 71 , 72	4	4	-
BIO 11 , 12	4	4	-
WSC 1 , 2	3	3	-
Total	15	15	0

Second Year

	Fall	Spring	Summer I & II
CHEM 131A , 131B , 132A , 132B	4	4	-
CHEM 105 , 109	3	1	-
FA 170	3	-	-
FOR 100	3	-	-
PHYS 11A , 11B	-	5	-
FOR 101	-	3	-
Foreign language or elective*	3	3	-
Total	16	16	0

* proficiency through level II of a foreign language is strongly encouraged.

Third Year

	Fall	Spring	Summer I & II
BCHM 162	3	-	-
PHYS 12A , 12B	5	-	-
FOR 110	1	-	-
PHI 14	3	-	-
SPCM 7 and literature distribution	3	3	-
BIO 100 **	-	3	-
CHEM 142	-	3	-
FOR 120	-	4	-
FOR elective or advanced science elective***	-	3	-
FOR 180 , 181	-	-	3
Total	15	16	3

** SOC 180 and PSY 40 may be subbstituted for BIO 100 .
*** A maximum of two additional advanced science electives can be taken; at least three forensic science electives (9 s.h.) plus internship are necessary for degree.

Fourth Year

	Fall	Spring	Summer I & II
CHEM 124	2	-	-
CHEM 125	2	-	-
FOR 190	3	-	-
FOR specialization elective***	3	3	-
FOR elective or advanced science elective***	6	3	-
FOR 130	-	4	-
FOR 195	-	3	-
PSC 129	-	3	-
Total	16	16	0

*** A maximum of two additional advanced science electives can be taken; at least three forensic science electives (9 s.h.) plus internship are necessary for degree.

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