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 - Total Semester Hours: 124

The successful completion of 124 semester hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in work completed at Hofstra.

1. Liberal Arts

At least 62 semester hours of liberal arts courses. At least 59 of these semester hours must be completed in courses outside the Chemistry Department.

2. 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.

3. General Requirements

Writing

WSC 001 - Composition Semester Hours: 3-4
and
WSC 002 - Composition Semester Hours: 3
or placement examination

Social Science

PHI 014 - (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
(FOR 140 may be substituted for the FA 170 humanities requirement.)
RHET 007 - (CP) Public Speaking Semester Hours: 3
3 semester hours in literature (LT) 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.

4. Major Requirements

The fulfillment of the following major requirements:

BCHM 162 - Foundations of Biochemistry Semester Hours: 3
BIO 011 - (NS) Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics Semester Hours: 4
BIO 012 - (NS) Animal Form and Function Semester Hours: 4
BIO 100 - Biostatistics Semester Hours: 4 (or its equivalent)
CHEM 003A - (NS) General Chemistry I Semester Hours: 3
CHEM 003B - (NS) General Chemistry Laboratory I 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 Analysis Semester Hours: 3
CHEM 125 - Advanced Laboratory: Instrumental Analysis Semester Hours: 2
CHEM 135 - Foundations in Organic Chemistry Semester Hours: 4
CHEM 137 - Foundations of Organic Chemistry Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
CHEM 139 - Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry Semester Hours: 3
CHEM 140 - Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
CHEM 145 - Foundations of Physical Chemistry Semester Hours: 3
FOR 100 - Survey in Forensic Science Semester Hours: 3
FOR 101 - Crime Scene 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 071 - (MA) Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Semester Hours: 4
MATH 072 - (MA) Analytic Geometry and Calculus II Semester Hours: 4
PHYS 011A - (NS) General Physics Semester Hours: 4
PHYS 011B - (NS) General Physics Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
PHYS 012A - (NS) General Physics Semester Hours: 4
PHYS 012B - (NS) General Physics Laboratory Semester Hours: 1
Internship:
FOR 180 - Forensic Science Internship Semester Hours: 3

5. Electives

15 hours in forensic science specialization electives from the following:

ANTH 143 - (BH) Introduction to Forensic Anthropology Semester Hours: 3
† BIO 139 - Techniques in Molecular Biology Semester Hours: 4
† FOR 115 - Forensic Biotechnology Semester Hours: 3
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
FOR 192 A-Z - Special Topics in Forensic Science Semester Hours: 1-3
LING 158 - (IS) Forensic Linguistics Semester Hours: 3
Or advanced science electives:
BIO 103 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Semester Hours: 3
BIO 105 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 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
* BIO 190 - Special Topics in Biological Sciences Semester Hours: 1-4
BIO 264A - Scanning Electron Microscopy Semester Hours: 3
† BCHM 163 - Bio-Organic Chemistry of Metabolism Semester Hours: 3
† BCHM 173 - Experimental Biochemistry Semester Hours: 3
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 027 - Engineering Materials Semester Hours: 3
Note: A minimum of 9 semester hours must be forensic science electives. Selection is made in conference and with approval of a faculty adviser.

†/*

† These electives are strongly recommended for students interested in a forensic genetics career.

* Students interested in taking an iteration of BIO 190 as an elective toward the B.S. major in forensic science must obtain permission of the director of the forensic science program to ensure that the topic covered is appropriate for major credit.

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