Physical Sciences, BS, Concentration: Forensic Science

PNW General Education Core (32 Credits Minimum)

• English Composition (6 Credits): Select two courses from the English Composition Core list  
• Speech Communication (3 Credits): Select from the Speech Communication Core list  
• Quantitative Reasoning (3 Credits): MA 16031 - Calculus I For Life Sciences  or MA 16300 - Integrated Calculus Analysis Geometry I *
• Natural Sciences (4 Credits): CHM 11500 - General Chemistry  
• Technology (3 Credits): Select from the Technology Core list  
• Humanities (3 Credits): PHIL 11100 - Ethics  
• Social Sciences (3 Credits): PSY 12000 - Elementary Psychology  
• Additional Credits (3 Credits): STAT 30100 - Elementary Statistical Methods  
• General Education Elective (3 Credits): Any course from the Gen Ed Core list  
• First-Year Experience (FYE) (1 Credit): CHM 19400 - Freshman Chemistry Orientation  or PHYS 19400 - Freshman Physics Orientation  

Major Core (58 Credits)

• BIOL 10100 - Introductory Biology
• BIOL 10200 - Introductory Biology
• BIOL 24400 - Genetics
• CHM 11600 - General Chemistry
• CHM 26505 - Organic Chemistry
• CHM 26300 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory
• CHM 26605 - Organic Chemistry
• CHM 26400 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory
• CHM 29400 - Sophomore Chemistry Seminar or PHYS 29400 - Sophomore Physics Seminar  
• CHM 32100 - Analytical Chemistry I
• CHM 33300 - Principles Of Biochemistry
• CHM 42400 - Analytical Chemistry II
• CHM 49400 - Junior-Senior Chemistry Seminar or PHYS 49400 - Junior-Senior Physics Seminar  
• CHM 49800 - Research In Chemistry or PHYS 46900  (2)
• MA 16032 - Calculus II For Life Sciences or MA 16400 - Integrated Calculus Analysis Geometry II *
• PHYS 22000 - General Physics or PHYS 15200 - Mechanics *
• PHYS 22100 - General Physics or PHYS 25100 - Heat, Electricity And Optics *
• PSY 35000 - Abnormal Psychology
• SCI 22000 - Health And Safety
• SOC 10000 - Introductory Sociology

Forensic Concentration Core (21 Credits)

• CRJU 15000 - Introduction To The Criminal Justice System
• FIS 14000 - Introduction To Forensic Science: Criminalistics
• FIS 14005 - Introduction To Forensic Science: Evidence Handling
• FIS 24500 - Laboratory Quality System Theory
• FIS 35000 - Courtroom Demeanor
• FIS 41000 - Professional Practice In Forensic Science

Other Required Courses (9 Credits)

Restricted Elective (3 Credits):  Choose from CHM (any course excluding CHM 10000, CHM 10300, CHM 10600, CHM 11100, CHM 11200, and CHM 19400), PHYS (any course 20000 or higher), or forensics oriented SCI course. See program advisor for a list of available courses.

Free Electives (6 Credits): Student may choose any two (2) courses to fulfil this requirement. At least 3 credits of free electives must be 30000 level or higher.

Requirements

Minimum Grade and Grade Point Average (GPA):  Minimum grade of C- required for all College of Engineering and Sciences courses; 2.0 GPA

Experiential Learning (EL):  One EL course required.  EL courses are noted by (e) next to the course title.

General Education Core:  General Education notations can be found within the course description.  Please click on a course to see if it meets a Gen Ed requirement.

Milestone Courses noted by (m) next to the course title have been identified as being critical to your success in this field of study. 

Courses that are only offered on one campus will be noted by an (H) for Hammond, or (W) for Westville.

Please see the Additional Information and Guidelines section below for more information.

Additional Information and Guidelines

Upper division chemistry and physics courses are offered on a two year rotation. Contact an advisor to determine the specific semester a particular course will be offered. Certain courses may only be available at one campus location.

Any individual course within CES must be a C- or better, but the avg. G.P.A. for all disciplinary courses (CHM or PHYS courses) must be at least 2.50. At least 3 credit hours of Free Electives must be 30000 level or higher.

Note 1: Students who choose to take MA 16300, MA 16400, PHYS 15200, and PHYS 25100 can reduce their free electives by five (5) credits to meet the 120 credit hour requirement.

Note 2: Restricted Elective – CHM (any course excluding CHM 10000 , CHM 10300 , CHM 10600 , CHM 11100 , CHM 11200 , and CHM 19400 ), PHYS (any course 20000 or higher), or forensics oriented SCI course. See program advisor for a list of available courses.