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Forensic Science, B.S.

  1. Graduates will demonstrate a knowledge base of the discipline 

    a) identify major concepts and their categories of evidence
    b) identify trends in the field of forensic science.
    c) identify the scientific and empirical basis of forensic science investigative and analytic methods

  2. Graduates will understand the role of research methods in forensic science

    a) demonstrate an understanding of the chain of custody of artifacts/evidence,
    b) demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate types and instruments of forensic science analysis,
    c) demonstrate the correct interpretation of appropriate forensic science evidence.

  3. Graduates will understand the role of critical thinking skills in forensic science

    a) demonstrate the ability to build a pattern from diverse evidence
    b) demonstrate the ability to assemble diverse evidence to form a whole
    c) demonstrate the ability to create a new meaning or structure.

  4. Graduates will understand appropriate patterns of career planning and professional development

    a) describe the role of ethical issues inherent in forensic science
    b) compare and contrast basic professional orientations; or, identify assumptions in analyses and arguments
    c) apply ethical standards to examples or situations

Forensic science students must complete a minimum of 76 credits for the major.

Undergraduate University Core32-35
Major Requirements
FRSC 2600Survey of Forensic Science3
FRSC 2800Professional Issues in Forensic Science3
FRSC 3500Forensics and Law3
FRSC 4750Forensic Science Senior Seminar1
STAT 1300Elementary Statistics with Computers3
Capstone Experience3
Choose one:
FRSC 4910
Internship
FRSC 4960
Capstone in Forensic Science
FRSC 4970
Advanced Independent Research in Forensic Science
Concentration60
Choose one:
General Electives9-12
Total Credits120
*

For those students in the Criminalistics Concentration, FRSC 3620 Forensic Chemistry (2 cr) and FRSC 3630 Forensic Biology (2 cr) MUST be taken.  Students in the CSI Concentration can enroll in either section based on prerequisites. 

 

Continuation Standards

Students with a major in forensic science must maintain a 2.00 GPA in their major coursework.

Criminalistics Concentration

Forensic Science courses
FRSC 3620Forensic Chemistry2
FRSC 3621Forensic Chemistry Laboratory1
FRSC 3630Forensic Biology2
FRSC 3631Forensic Biology Laboratory1
Choose 6 credits from courses with a Forensic Science - Criminalistics Elective attribute, such as:6
FRSC 3640
Fingerprints
FRSC 3660
Forensic Microscopy
FRSC 4550
FRSC 4551
Crime Scene Investigation
and Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory
Biology courses
BIOL 1240
BIOL 1245
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
4
BIOL 1260
BIOL 1265
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
4
Chemistry courses
CHEM 1110
CHEM 1115
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
CHEM 1120
CHEM 1125
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
CHEM 2410
CHEM 2415
Organic Chemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
CHEM 2420
CHEM 2425
Organic Chemistry 2
and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
Physics courses
PHYS 1310
PHYS 1320
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
4
PHYS 1330
PHYS 1340
Physics II
and Physics II Laboratory
4
Mathematics
MATH 1510Calculus I4
BIOL/CHEM Elective courses12
Choose 12 credits of a science specialization from 3000 or 4000 level BIOL and/or CHEM courses with a Forensic Science BIOL/CHEM Elective attribute, including a minimum of two laboratory courses with a Forensic Science BIOL/CHEM Lab Elective attribute.
Total Credits60

Crime Scene Investigation Concentration

Forensic Science courses
FRSC 3400Digital Forensic Investigation3
FRSC 3625Forensic Chemistry for the Investigator2
FRSC 3635Forensic Biology for Investigators2
FRSC 3640Fingerprints 3
FRSC 3650Forensic Laboratory Techniques for the Investigator1
or FRSC 3621 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
or FRSC 3631 Forensic Biology Laboratory
FRSC 4550
FRSC 4551
Crime Scene Investigation
and Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory
3
FRSC 4650
FRSC 4651
Advanced Crime Scene Reconstruction
and Advanced Crime Scene Reconstruction Laboratory
3
Choose 8 credits from courses with a Forensic Science - Crime Scene Investigation Elective attribute8
Anthropology
ANTH 3280Forensic Anthropology3
Biology and/or Chemistry courses8
Choose 2 course sequences below for a total of 8 credits:
BIOL 1240
BIOL 1245
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
BIOL 1260
BIOL 1265
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
CHEM 1110
CHEM 1115
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
CHEM 1120
CHEM 1125
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
Criminal Justice courses
CCJ 1010Introduction to Criminal Justice3
Choose 9 credits from courses with a Forensic Science CCJ Elective attribute9
Psychology, Biology, and/or Chemistry courses12
Choose 12 credits from courses with a Forensic Science BIOL/CHEM Elective attribute or Forensic Science Psychology Elective attribute
Total Credits60

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
  • Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
  • Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
  • Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
  • Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
  • Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
  • Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
  • Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
  • Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Crime Scene Investigation Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 * 3
CHEM 1115 General Chemistry 1 Laboratory * 1
BIOL 1240 General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution * 3
BIOL 1245 Principles of Biology I Laboratory * 1
University Core/General Electives 7
 Credits15
Spring
FRSC 2600 Survey of Forensic Science (satisfies CORE 3200. Note: This course is also offered during the winter and summer sessions.) 3
PSY 1010 General Psychology ** 3
CCJ 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice ** 3
University Core/General Electives 6
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
FRSC 2800 Professional Issues in Forensic Science 3
STAT 1300 Elementary Statistics with Computers 3
CCJ Elective 3
BIOL/CHEM/PSY Elective 3
University Core/General Electives 3
 Credits15
Spring
FRSC 3625 Forensic Chemistry for the Investigator 2
BIOL/CHEM/PSY Elective 3
CCJ Elective 3
University Core/General Electives 7
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
FRSC 3635 Forensic Biology for Investigators 2
FRSC 3500 Forensics and Law 3
FRSC 3400 Digital Forensic Investigation 3
CCJ Elective 3
University Core/General Electives 4
 Credits15
Spring
FRSC 3640 Fingerprints 3
University Core/General Electives 6
FRSC 3650 Forensic Laboratory Techniques for the Investigator 1
FRSC Elective/CSI Conc. Elective 2
BIOL/CHEM/PSY Elective 3
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
FRSC 4550
FRSC 4551
Crime Scene Investigation
and Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory
3
FRSC 4551 Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory 1
FRSC Elective/CSI Conc. Elective 3
Forensics Internship/Capstone/Research 3
University Core/General Electives 5
 Credits15
Spring
FRSC 4650 Advanced Crime Scene Reconstruction 2
FRSC 4651 Advanced Crime Scene Reconstruction Laboratory 1
FRSC Elective/CSI Conc. Elective 3
ANTH 3280 Forensic Anthropology 3
University Core/General Electives 6
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
*

NOTE: Students can also take two semesters of Gen Bio (I and II) or two semesters of Gen Chem (I and II).

**

NOTE:  Students should take PSY 1010 and CCJ 1010 in Year One (fall or spring semester).

Program Notes

FRSC 2600 for Majors is offered in the spring of the first year. Forensic Science Capstone Experience (Internship/Research) may be taken in summer, fall or spring semester. Students must enroll in an internship, capstone, or research prior to graduation.

Criminalistics Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 3
CHEM 1115 General Chemistry 1 Laboratory 1
BIOL 1240 General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution 3
BIOL 1245 Principles of Biology I Laboratory 1
MATH 1510 Calculus I 4
University Core/General Electives 3
 Credits15
Spring
CHEM 1120 General Chemistry 2 3
CHEM 1125 General Chemistry 2 Laboratory 1
BIOL 1260 General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter 3
BIOL 1265 Principles of Biology II Laboratory 1
FRSC 2600 Survey of Forensic Science * 3
University Core/General Electives 4
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry 1 3
CHEM 2415 Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory 1
BIOL/CHEM Science Elective * 3
FRSC 2800 Professional Issues in Forensic Science 3
University Core/General Electives 5
 Credits15
Spring
CHEM 2420 Organic Chemistry 2 3
CHEM 2425 Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory 1
BIOL/CHEM Science Elective * 3
STAT 1300 Elementary Statistics with Computers 3
University Core/General Electives 5
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
FRSC 3620 Forensic Chemistry 2
FRSC 3621 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory 1
PHYS 1310 College Physics I 3
PHYS 1320 College Physics I Laboratory 1
FRSC 3500Forensics and Law 3
University Core/General Electives 5
 Credits15
Spring
FRSC 3630 Forensic Biology 2
FRSC 3621 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory 1
PHYS 1330 College Physics II 3
PHYS 1340 College Physics II Laboratory 1
University Core/General Electives 8
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
FRSC ElectiveCriminalistics Conc. Elective 3
BIOL/CHEMScience Elective with Lab * 4
Forensics Internship/Capstone/Research 3
University Core/General Electives 5
 Credits15
Spring
FRSC ElectiveCriminalistics Conc. Elective 3
BIOL/CHEMScience Elective with Lab * 4
FRSC 4750 Forensic Science Senior Seminar 1
University Core/General Electives 7
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
*

FRSC 2600 for Majors is offered in the Spring of the first year.

Program Notes

Forensic Science Capstone Experience (Internship/Research) may be taken in the summer, fall or spring semester. Students must enroll in an internship, capstone or research prior to graduation. For a career in DNA analysis: Must have at least 3 credits in each of the following subjects: statistics, genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. For a career in drug chemistry or toxicology: Analytical Chemistry with Laboratory is recommended.

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution. 

Forensic Science, B.S. (STLCC 2+SLU)

For additional information about this program, please contact forensics@slu.edu or call 314-977-9754.