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Forensic Science - Forensic Investigation Emphasis, B.S.

Requirements

The Forensic Investigation Emphasis within the BS in Forensic Science provides an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for public, state, and federal careers with needed forensic investigation subject matter expertise and analytical skills. This emphasis exposes students to the wide variety of critically important forensic investigation techniques, which are currently practiced within various forensic service providers and law enforcement agencies.  Students are exposed to various techniques such as the identification and proper collection of evidence found at crime scenes, accurate crime scene documentation skills, forensic photography, death investigations, fingerprint processing/examinations, impression evidence/examination, bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene reconstruction, firearms and tool mark evidence/examination. Students acquire skills such as critical thinking, writing, expert testimony, and analysis techniques specifically tailored for forensic investigation fieldwork. This emphasis provides students with the overall professional skills, work ethic, and demeanor required of forensic investigators. 

Total Program Credits: 125

Matriculation Requirements:  
  1. Completion of all general education courses.
  2. Completion of all lower division CJ courses with a B- grade or higher.
  3. Completion of MATH 1080 (or MATH 1050 and MATH 1060), BIOL 1610, BIOL 1615, CHEM 1210, CHEM 1215, CHEM 1220, 1225, PHYS 2010, PHYS 2015 with aB- grade or higher.
  4. Overall GPA of 2.7 or higher.
  5. Application for admission to BS Forensic Science program.
  6. Two academic letters of recommendation
General Education Requirements: 40 Credits
  ENGL 1010 Introduction to Academic Writing CC 3
or ENGH 1005 Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC (5.0)  
  ENGL 2010 Intermediate Academic Writing CC 3
Complete one of the following: 5
  MATH 1080 Precalculus QL (MATH 1050 or MATH 1060 will also fulfill this requirement)   
Complete one of the following: 3
  HIST 1700 American Civilization AS (3.0)  
  HIST 1740 US Economic History AS (3.0)  
  HIST 2700 US History to 1877 AS (3.0)  
and HIST 2710 US History since 1877 AS (3.0)  
  POLS 1000 American Heritage SS (3.0)  
  POLS 1100 American National Government AS (3.0)  
Complete the following:  
  PHIL 205G Ethics and Values IH GI 3
  HLTH 1100 Personal Health and Wellness TE (2.0)  
or EXSC 1097 Fitness for Life TE 2
Distribution Courses:  
  BIOL 1610 College Biology I BB 4
  CHEM 1210 Principles of Chemistry I PP 4
  PHYS 2010 College Physics I PP 3
  CJ 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice SS 3
  Humanities Distribution 1 3
  Fine Arts Distribution 2 3
Discipline Core Requirements: 34 Credits
Forensic Science Foundational Courses:  
  CJ 1330 Criminal Law 3
  CJ 1350 Introduction to Forensic Science 3
  CJ 2350 Laws of Evidence 3
  BIOL 1615 College Biology I Laboratory 1
  CHEM 1215 Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 1
  CHEM 1220 Principles of Chemistry II PP 4
  CHEM 1225 Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory 1
  PHYS 2015 College Physics I Lab 1
  PHYS 2020 College Physics II PP 4
  PHYS 2025 College Physics II Lab 1
  FSCI 3400 Criminalistics 3
  FSCI 3820 Crime Scene Investigation Techniques I WE 3
  FSCI 3860 Forensic Microscopy 3
  FSCI 3880 Forensic Experts/Professional Practices and the Legal System 3
Emphasis Requirements: 51 Credits
Complete one of the Following: 3
  ZOOL 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology BB   
or ZOOL 2320 Human Anatomy  BB  
and ZOOL 2325 Human Anatomy Laboratory (4.0)  
Complete the Following:  
  CJ 1340 Criminal Investigations 3
  FSCI 3300 Forensic Photography 3
  FSCI 3700 Fingerprint Processing 3
  FSCI 3720 Fingerprint Examination 3
  FSCI 3780 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis  3
  FSCI 3830 Crime Scene Investigation Techniques II WE  3
  FSCI 4100 Forensic Pathology 3
  FSCI 4200 Medicolegal Death Investigations 3
Complete one of the following as a Capstone Experience: 3
  FSCI 481R Forensic Science Internship  
  FSCI 489R Research in Forensic Investigations  
  FSCI 4990 Forensic Investigation Capstone  
  FSCI 491R Directed Reading and Special Projects   
Emphasis Electives: 21 Credits
Complete 21 Credits from the Following (two course must be upper division): 21
  FSCI 3500 Footwear and Tire Mark Evidence and Examination (3.0)  
  FSCI 3540 Forensic Trace Analysis I (3.0)  
  FSCI 3550 Forensic Trace Analysis II (3.0)  
  FSCI 3600 Forensic Anthropology I (3.0)  
  FSCI 3850 Marijuana Identification Certificate (3.0)  
  FSCI 4000 Firearms Examination (3.0)  
  FSCI 4050 Forensic Approaches to Cold Case Investigation (3.0)  
  FSCI 4300 Forensic Genealogy (3.0)  
  FSCI 4320 Genealogy Research Methods and Standards  (3)  
  FSCI 4350 Forensic Genealogy Seminar (3)  
  FSCI 475R Current Topics in Forensic Science (3.0)  
  FSCI 491R Directed Reading and Special Projects (1.0-9.0)  
  CHEM 2310 Organic Chemistry I (4.0)  
  CHEM 2315 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1.0)  
  CHEM 2320 Organic Chemistry II (4.0)  
  CHEM 2325 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1.0)  
  CHEM 3600 Biological Chemistry (3.0)  
  CHEM 3000 Analytical Chemistry (2.0)  
  BIOL 3550 Molecular Biology (3)  
  BIOL 3555 Experiments in Molecular Biology  
  CHEM 3005 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (2.0)  
  CHEM 3605 Biological Chemistry Lab (1.0)  
  CHEM 4000 Instrumental Analysis WE (2.0)  
  CHEM 4005 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (2.0)  
  ENGL 3300 Collaborative Communication for Technology Professions (3.0)  
  CJ 470G Comparative Criminal Justice Systems GI (3.0)  
  Any Upper Division CJ Course or Approved Elective
 

Notes:

COMM 1020 Public Speaking Recommended

ART 1050 Photography I Recommended

Graduation Requirements:

  1. Completion of a minimum of 125 or more semester credits 40 credits of which must be upper division.
  2. A minimum grade of B- or higher is required in all Math, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and FSCI Courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate.
  3. Residency hours: minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
  4. Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
  5. Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
  6. Successful completion of at least two Writing Enriched courses.

Graduation Plan

This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.

Semester 1 Course Title Credit Hours
ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 Introduction to Academic Writing CC or Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC 3
American Institutions Course 3
CJ 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice SS 3
CJ 1350 Introduction to Forensic Science 3
COMM 1020 Public Speaking HH (Recommended) 3
  Semester total: 15
Semester 2 Course Title Credit Hours
ENGL 2010 Intermediate Academic Writing CC 3
MATH 1080 Precalculus QL 5
CJ 1330 Criminal Law 3
BIOL 1610 & BIOL 1615 College Biology I BB and Laboratory 5
  Semester total: 16
Semester 3 Course Title Credit Hours
ART 1050 Photography I FF (Recommended) 3
HLTH 1100 Personal Health and Wellness TE 2
CHEM 1210 & CHEM 1215 Principles of Chemistry I PP and Laboratory 5
ZOOL 1090 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology BB 3
CJ 1340 Criminal Investigations 3
  Semester total: 16
Semester 4 Course Title Credit Hours
CJ 2350 Laws of Evidence 3
CHEM 1220 & CHEM 1225 Principles of Chemistry II PP and Laboratory 5
PHYS 2010 College Physics I PP 4
PHYS 2015 College Physics I Lab 1
PHIL 205G Ethics and Values IH GI 3
  Semester total: 16
Semester 5 Course Title Credit Hours
FSCI 3300 Forensic Photography 3
FSCI 3780 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 3
PHYS 2020 College Physics II PP 4
PHYS 2025 College Physics II Lab 1
FSCI Elective 3
  Semester total: 14
Semester 6 Course Title Credit Hours
FSCI 3820 Crime Scene Investigation Techniques I WE 3
FSCI 3700 Fingerprint Processing 3
FSCI 3400 Criminalistics 3
FSCI Elective 3
  Semester total: 12
Semester 7 Course Title Credit Hours
FSCI 3720 Fingerprint Examination 3
FSCI Elective 3
FSCI Elective 3
FSCI Elective 3
  Semester total: 14
Semester 8 Course Title Credit Hours
FSCI 3830 Crime Scene Investigation Techniques II WE 5
FSCI 4100 Forensic Pathology 3
FSCI Elective or Capstone Experience 3
FSCI Elective  3
  Semester total: 12
Semester 9 Course Title Credit Hours
FSCI 3860 Forensic Microscopy 3
FSCI 3880 Forensic Experts/Professional Practices and the Legal System 3
FSCI 4200 Medicolegal Death Investigations 3
FSCI Elective or Capstone Experience 3
  Semester total: 12
  Degree total: 125

Department

Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement

The Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement department is in the College of Health and Public Service. To find the most up-to-date information, including Program Learning Outcomes for degree programs offered by the Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement department, visit their website.

Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement department

Program Details

Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Conduct proper crime scene documentation procedures, which include note taking, sketching, photography, crime scene reporting.
  2. Identify physical evidence commonly encountered at crime scenes using various techniques from visual identification, alternate light source, and chemical enhancements.
  3. Properly document, collect, and package physical evidence.
  4. Analyze legal aspects as they pertain to forensic investigative work.
  5. Evaluate basic to complex crime scenes critically.
  6. Employ any reconstruction techniques such as bloodstain pattern analysis or shooting incident scene analysis.
  7. Evaluate proper approaches/techniques for death investigations.
  8. Analyze and correlate trauma to investigative planning and coordination between other agencies and the medical examiner systems.
  9. Describe qualifications, requirements, professional practices and ethical skills needed of the forensic expert.
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