Program Overview:
The Forensic Science major will provide students with the background they need to obtain entry level positions in a forensic science laboratory or enter a graduate level program in one of the many forensic science specialties. This major is multi-disciplinary, with a combination of chemistry and biology that gives students both the depth and breadth necessary to build a solid scientific foundation for a career in forensics. The track system within the forensic science major allows students to take all of the courses they would have taken as either a Cell/Molecular Biology Major or a Chemistry major, in addition to specialized forensic science courses and criminal justice courses, which will give students greater flexibility upon graduation should they choose to enter a field other than forensic science.
Program Contacts:
Dr. Brian Jensen
Co-Chair, Physical and Biological Sciences Department
Email: jensenb@strose.edu
Dr. Brad Bauer
Co-Chair, Physical and Biological Sciences Department
Email: bauerb@strose.edu
Dr. Sara Alvaro
Forensic Science Advisor
Email: alvaros@strose.edu
Program Webpage: Forensic Science BS
Program Requirements:
Major in Forensic Science - Cell/Molecular Biology Track (91 Credits)
Major in Forensic Science - Chemistry Track (91 Credits)
All Forensic Science Majors will take the following CORE courses:
Those students opting for the Cell/Molecular Biology Track will also take the following courses:
Those students opting for the Chemistry Track will also take the following courses:
All 4-credit science courses have a required laboratory component.
SCI 399 (Natural Sciences Colloquium) is required every semester for all science majors.
The Department of Physical and Biological Sciences strongly recommends MAT 201 (Calculus 3) for all Forensic Science majors (regardless of track), CHM 307 laboratory is strongly recommended for the Chemistry track, and ESC 190 is recommended as an elective for those students with an interest in geology.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Internships at The College of Saint Rose are strongly encouraged. Not only do internships assist the student to determine his or her career goals, it also serves other purposes:
- They provide the students with the opportunity to get a “foot in the door” at an agency they wish to be employed
- They provide the agency with the opportunity to observe and review the skills, strengths and weaknesses of an intern before deciding whether or not to hire him or her.
- They give interns the opportunity to gain valuable hands on experience.
- Achieve firsthand knowledge of an agency
- Meet people working in the field
- Make a good impression on future supervisors
Since The College of Saint Rose is located in New York’s Capital, Forensic Science Students have many opportunities for internships of their choice. The intern will be expected to work 12 hours per week in the semester, maintain a weekly log of his or her experiences, and a 10-page research paper to be written related to the internship.
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
Chemistry Track
Year 1
|
Fall Semester
|
(15 credits)
|
|
FSC190 Introduction to Forensic Science
|
3
|
|
CHM190 General Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
BIO190 Principles of Biology 1
|
4
|
|
ENG105 Expository Writing, Oral Comm. and Research [L01]
|
4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(15 credits)
|
|
CJS252 Criminal Evidence
|
3
|
|
CHM191 General Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
BIO191 Principles of Biology 2
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement [L06]
|
3
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement [L12]
|
1
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 2
|
Fall Semester
|
(15-16 credits)
|
|
CHM305 or Lib Ed
|
3-4
|
|
CHM201 Organic Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
PHY190 Fund. of Physics 1
|
4
|
|
MAT190 Calculus 1
|
4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(16 credits)
|
|
CHM202 Organic Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
PHY191 Fund. of Physics 2
|
4
|
|
MAT191 Calculus 2
|
4
|
|
BIO258 Genetics
|
4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 3
|
Fall Semester
|
(15-17 credits)
|
|
BIO351 Cell Biology
|
4
|
|
CHM 401 Physical Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
CHM 305 or Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement [L12]
|
1
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(14-5 credits)
|
|
CJS112 The Court System
|
3
|
|
CHM203 Quantitative Analysis
|
4
|
|
CHM 402 Physical Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
|
|
Year 4
|
Fall Semester
|
(13-14 credits)
|
|
FSC370 Contemporary and Descriptive Topics in Forensic Science
|
3
|
|
CHM301 Instrument Analysis
|
4
|
|
BIO307 Biochemistry 1
(BIO 307L recommended, 1 credit)
|
3
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(15-17 credits)
|
|
FSC375 Forensic Assays
|
4
|
|
CJS352 Scientific & Expert Opinion Evidence
|
3
|
|
CHM 306 Synthesis and Characterization
|
2
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Cell and Molecular Biology Track
Year 1
|
Fall Semester
|
(15 credits)
|
|
FSC190 Introduction to Forensic Science
|
3
|
|
CHM190 General Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
BIO190 Principles of Biology 1
|
4
|
|
ENG105 Expository Writing, Oral Comm. and Research [L01]
|
4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(15 credits)
|
|
CJS252 Criminal Evidence
|
3
|
|
CHM191 General Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
BIO191 Principles of Biology 2
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement [L06]
|
3
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement [L12]
|
1
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 2
|
Fall Semester
|
(16 credits)
|
|
BIO201 Invertebrate Zoology or
BIO234 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
|
4
|
|
CHM201 Organic Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
PHY190 Fund. of Physics 1
|
4
|
|
MAT190 Calculus 1
|
4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(16 credits)
|
|
CHM202 Organic Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
PHY191 Fund. of Physics 2
|
4
|
|
MAT191 Calculus 2
|
4
|
|
BIO258 Genetics
|
4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 3
|
Fall Semester
|
(15-16 credits)
|
|
BIO350 Microbiology
|
4
|
| BIO351 Cell Biology |
4 |
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement [L12]
|
1
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(17 credits)
|
|
CJS112 The Court System
|
3
|
|
CHM203 Quantitative Analysis
|
4
|
|
BIO210 Anatomy and Physiology
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Year 4
|
Fall Semester
|
(14-15 credits)
|
|
FSC370 Contemporary and Descriptive Topics in Forensic Science
|
3
|
|
CHM301 Instrument Analysis
|
4
|
|
BIO307 Biochemistry 1
|
4
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(16-17 credits)
|
|
FSC375 Forensic Assays
|
4
|
|
CJS352 Scientific & Expert Opinion Evidence
|
3
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3
|
|
Liberal Educ. Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
Careers: this dynamic four-year program leads to a bachelor of science degree and trains students for positions in crime and forensic laboratories, law enforcement agencies, private industry and medical examiners’ offices, as well as laying the foundation for many other criminal justice careers.
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
Find Out More: