Bachelor of Science Degree Programs
Students in the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science can choose which major of study best fits their career interests – forensic examiner, forensic biology or forensic chemistry. Each major also provides great preparation for graduate studies or professional programs such as dental, medical, and law school.
Forensic Examiner
This major prepares students for positions as crime scene
analysts, latent fingerprint examiners, firearms examiners, forensic photographers, evidence
technicians, investigators, and law enforcement officers and agents. Working
conditions are typically field and/or office-based rather than laboratory-based. Crime scene analysts are often part of major crime scene squads that
collect and document evidence, but they rarely participate in the scientific
examination of the evidence in the laboratory.
Forensic Biology
This major prepares students for positions in forensic labs as DNA analysts. It is well suited as a pre-professional program and as excellent preparation for graduate work in biological disciplines. Forensic DNA work is a laboratory-based profession with employment opportunities in local, state, federal, and private laboratories. Forensic biologists typically do not do crime scene work on a routine basis, but may occasionally be called to a scene.
Forensic Chemistry
The forensic chemistry major prepares students for
positions in forensic labs as forensic drug chemists, arson and explosives analysts/investigators, forensic toxicologists, and trace evidence examiners. Like the
biology track, it too is well-suited as a pre-professional program and as
excellent preparation for graduate work in chemical disciplines. Forensic
chemistry work is a laboratory-based profession with employment opportunities
in local, state, federal, and private laboratories. Forensic chemists typically
do not do crime scene work on a routine basis, but may occasionally be called
to a scene.