Forensic Biology Major

Charles G. Smith, Professor, Chair
Frank P. Keegan, Raymond Binford Professor of Biology
Lynn J. Moseley, Charles A. Dana Professor of Biology
Bryan W. Brendley, Assistant Professor
Melanie L.ee-Brown , Assistant Professor
Michele Malotky, Assistant Professor
Thomas R. Tucker, Assistant Professor

Requirements

The forensic biology major (BA) consists of eight courses (32 credit hours): 

The major in forensic biology has two goals: to provide students with a solid foundation in the biological sciences through a core of three introductory courses and to provide a focused and coherent study of the techniques used to analyze evidence found at the scene of a crime through the use of five upper-level courses. The upper-level courses emphasize the meaning and significance of physical evidence and its role in criminal investigations.  

This major will be valuable preparation for those interested in pursuing careers in the criminal justice system, the FBI or the SBI, as well as for work with humanitarian agencies investigating human rights abuses. In addition, students interested in law, journalism and creative writing will be able to double major and thus acquire the knowledge needed to complement their original field of specialization.

Course Sequencing and Availability

Most students begin the major with Zoology, Botany, or Intro to Forensics. They then complete the other two introductory courses before taking Forensic Chemistry, a prerequisite for Cell Biology. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II are prerequisites for Forensic Anthropology, the capstone course for the major. Students continue to demonstrate a high demand for Forensic Biology courses, and course availability may be limited. Wise students are prepared to register at the earliest possible time in their assigned registration time slot. Some sections, sponsored and financed by the Center for Continuing Education (CCE), naturally are reserved for CCE students. Zoology, Botany, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Cell Biology are offered in both day and evening sections for traditional and CCE students.

 

Forensic biology majors use the summer session as a third semester. Forensic Chemistry is only offered during the summer session, when Intro to Forensics is also usually offered. Students who are unable to register for Intro to Forensics during their first year should plan on taking the course during the summer session between their first and second year. Forensic Chemistry should then be taken during the summer between their second and third years. Some well-prepared, highly motivated students have successfully taken both Intro to Forensics and Forensic Chemistry simultaneously during the summer. Summer sections also face high demand, so students should register as soon as summer registration becomes available to all students.