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 during the first year at The College of Saint Rose.
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 120 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.
Cell and Molecular Biology Track
Year 1
|
Fall Semester
|
(15 credits)
|
|
FSC 190 Introduction to Forensic Science
|
3
|
|
CHM 190 General Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
BIO 190 Principles of Biology 1
|
4
|
|
ENG 105
|
4
|
|
SCI 399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(14 credits)
|
|
CJS 252 Criminal Evidence
|
3
|
|
CHM 191 General Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
BIO 191 Principles of Biology 2
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement
|
3
|
Year 2
|
Fall Semester
|
(16 credits)
|
|
BIO 201 Invertebrate Zoology OR
BIO 234 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
|
4
|
|
CHM 201 Organic Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
PHY 190 Fund. of Physics 1
|
4
|
|
MAT 190 Calculus 1
|
4
|
Year 3
|
Fall Semester
|
(14-15 credits)
|
|
BIO 350 Microbiology
|
4
|
| BIO 351 Cell Biology |
4 |
|
Core Requirement
|
3
|
|
Core Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(17 credits)
|
|
CJS 112 The Court System
|
3
|
|
CHM 203 Quantitative Analysis
|
4
|
|
BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3
|
Year 4
|
Fall Semester
|
(14-15 credits)
|
|
FSC 370 Contemporary and Descriptive Topics in Forensic Science
|
3
|
|
CHM 301 Instrument Analysis
|
4
|
|
BIO 307 Biochemistry 1
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(16-17 credits)
|
|
FSC 375 Forensic Assays
|
4
|
|
CJS 352 Scientific & Expert Opinion Evidence
|
3
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
Chemistry Track
Year 1
|
Fall Semester
|
(15 credits)
|
|
FSC 190 Introduction to Forensic Science
|
3
|
|
CHM 190 General Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
BIO 190 Principles of Biology 1
|
4
|
|
ENG 105
|
4
|
|
SCI 399 Natural Sciences Colloquium
|
0
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(14 credits)
|
|
CJS 252 Criminal Evidence
|
3
|
|
CHM 191 General Chemistry 2
|
4
|
|
BIO 191 Principles of Biology 2
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement
|
3
|
Year 2
|
Fall Semester
|
(15-16 credits)
|
|
Core Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
CHM 201 Organic Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
PHY 190 Fund. of Physics 1
|
4
|
|
MAT 190 Calculus 1
|
4
|
Year 3
|
Fall Semester
|
(15-16 credits)
|
|
BIO 351 Cell Biology
|
4
|
|
CHM 401 Physical Chemistry 1 OR BIO 307 Biochemistry
|
4
|
|
MAT 201 Calculus 3
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(13-15 credits)
|
|
CJS 112 The Court System
|
3
|
|
CHM 203 Quantitative Analysis
|
4
|
|
CHM 402 Physical Chemistry 2 or Core Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
Year 4
|
Fall Semester
|
(14-15 credits)
|
|
FSC 370 Contemporary and Descriptive Topics in Forensic Science
|
3
|
|
CHM 301 Instrument Analysis
|
4
|
|
BIO 307 Biochemistry 1 OR CHM 401 Physical Chemistry 1
|
4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3-4
|
|
Spring Semester
|
(16-17 credits)
|
|
FSC 375 Forensic Assays
|
4
|
|
CJS 352 Scientific & Expert Opinion Evidence
|
3
|
|
CHM 402 Physical Chemistry 2 or Core Requirement
|
3-4
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3
|
|
Core Requirement/General Elective
|
3
|
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.
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