Forensic Biology

Forensic Biology Bachelor of Science

The forensic biology degree is a multidisciplinary program focusing on the application of natural and physical scientific methods/theories pertaining to legal issues and investigations. Students receive a broad-based education covering biological, chemical, and physical science methods, including extensive laboratory work. This core natural science foundation builds on the fundamentals of forensic science and prepares students in the recognition, collection, and analysis of physical evidence in criminal and civil law.

Graduation Requirements

ENGL 0050 – Critical and Analytical Reading: All students must demonstrate competency in this course whether by achieving specified SAT/ACT scores or by successful completion of the course. The course carries two credits, which are included in full-time status and financial aid considerations, but do not count toward the minimum earned credits necessary for graduation. Students who are exempted from the course due to SAT/ACT scores receive an exemption that does not carry credits.

All students must successfully complete the general education and curriculum requirements listed below with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 to graduate from this curriculum. In addition, students in the forensic biology major must earn a “C” or better in all 1000- and 2000-level biology and chemistry courses and only two grades below a “C” for any science courses at the 3000- and 4000-level to graduate from this curriculum. Additional graduation criteria are found beginning on page 38.

General Education Requirements (Minimum 40 credits)

Courses fulfilling the General Education Requirements can be found beginning on page 51.

Competencies

Communication Skills

11 credits COMM 1125 Speech Communication ENGL 1110 College Writing I: Academic Writing ENGL 1125 College Writing II: Writing About Literature FYS 1110 The First-Year Seminar Moral Reasoning Quantitative Reasoning Scientific Literacy 3–6 credits 3–6 credits 3–6 credits Technology & Information Literacy 3–6 credits Critical Analysis & Reasoning Arts & Humanities Literacy 6–9 credits Social & Cultural Consciousness 6–9 credits

Curriculum Requirements

At least 36 of the 120 credits required for the bachelor’s degree must be at the 3000-and/or 4000 level. BIOL 1125 - General Biology I BIOL 1130 - General Biology II BIOL 1135 - Introduction to Forensic Science I

BIOL 2140 - Introduction to Forensic Science II BIOL 3110 - Cell Biology BIOL/CHEM 3240 - Biochemistry I BIOL 3170 - Genetics BIOL 3180 - Ethics and Quality in Forensic Science BIOL 3190 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy BIOL 3200 - General Physiology BIOL 4110 - Forensic Microscopy & Trace Analysis BIOL 4115 - Molecular Biology BIOL 4125 - Forensic Biology BIOL 4140 - Forensic Validation BIOL 4810 - Biology Seminar and Research BIOL 4910 - Capstone Research Projects CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry I CHEM 1125 - General Chemistry II CHEM 2110 - Organic Chemistry I CHEM 2115 - Organic Chemistry II CHEM 3110 – Forensic Chemistry CJ 1115 - Introduction to Criminal Justice CJ 3115 - Criminal Evidence and Court Procedures EXPL - Experiential Learning1 MATH 2115 - Statistics MATH 2150 - Calculus I PHYS 2110 - General Physics I PHYS 2125 - General Physics II

Free Electives: Sufficient free electives must be taken to ensure a minimum of 120 credits earned for graduation.

Footnotes

1Students must earn a minimum of 1 credit of Experiential Learning.

Recommended Sequence of Courses: Visit www.keystone.edu/academics for further information.

The academic advisor assists the student in planning his/her curriculum and in preregistration; however, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting the requirements of the curriculum selected.

Course offerings are dependent on enrollment.