Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

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The Forensic Science degree program at EKU is a comprehensive science-based undergraduate education that prepares students to become leaders in the forensic science discipline. Forensic analytical work requires patience and diligence, with attention to detail and high-quality standards that will stand up in court. A forensic scientist must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, have personal integrity and high ethical standards, and have no history of drug abuse or criminal activity. Because the program provides a strong knowledge base and skill set in both molecular biology and analytical chemistry, graduates can also pursue careers in a variety of laboratory settings in industry, academic research labs, environmental work, or pharmaceutical science.

The program offers two options:

  1. Forensic Chemistry and
  2. Forensic Biology.

The Forensic Chemistry option of the Forensic Science degree prepares analysts to use analytical chemistry to examine evidence in the crime laboratory. Forensic Chemistry graduates will typically work in trace evidence, toxicology, drug identification, or firearm sections of the crime laboratory. The Forensic Biology option of the Forensic Science degree prepares students to work in areas of a forensic laboratory requiring a knowledge of genetics, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry. The forensic biologist applies scientific knowledge and skills to solve complex real-life problems in DNA analysis in support of investigative work. Forensic Biology graduates will typically work in the DNA/serology sections of the forensic laboratory.

Admission/Progression Criteria

All forensic science majors utilize the regular admission policy of the University for students taking courses offered during the first 60 earned hours of the program. In order to continue in the program after 60 earned hours, the student must maintain an overall earned GPA of 2.50 or better on a 4.0 scale. Students who fail to meet this criterion will be removed from the Forensic Science degree program and placed in the B.S. Chemistry, Chemistry Option, degree program.

Program Requirements

CIP Code: 40.0510

Major

  • Forensic science majors have a graduation requirement of an overall earned GPA of 2.5/4.0 or better.
  • The curriculum below produces a degree that meets the guidelines for accreditation by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS).
University Graduation Requirements
Essential Education30
Foundations of Learning
GSD 101Foundations of Learning3
Upper division courses (hours are distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Essential Ed/Free Electives categories)39
Major Requirements
Core Courses
CHE 111
& 111L		General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Lab I		4
CHE 112
& 112L		General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Lab		4
CHE 361
& 361L		Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Lab I		4
CHE 362
& 362L		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Lab II		4
CHE 430Biochemistry of Macromolecules3
FOR 301Introduction to Forensic Science3
FOR 401Forensic Professional Practice1
FOR 431DNA Profiling3
FOR 451
& 451L		Forensic Microscopic Analysis
and Forensic Microscopy Lab		3
FOR 465Expert Witness Testimony3
FOR 499Forensic Science Capstone3
BIO 111
& 111L		Cell and Molecular Biology
and Cell and Molecular Biology Lab		4
MAT 234Calculus I4
PHY 132College Physics II5
or PHY 202 University Physics II
Concentrations
Students must select one of the following Concentrations:28
Forensic Chemistry
Forensic Biology
Supporting Course Requirements
BIO 112
& 112L		Ecology and Evolution
and Ecology and Evolution Lab (Element 2B) E		4
PHY 131College Physics I5
or PHY 201 University Physics I
STA 215Introduction to Statistical Reasoning (Element 2A) E3-4
or STA 270 Applied Statistics
Free Electives1-2
Total Hours120
E

Course also satisfies an Essential Education element. Hours are included within the 30 hr. Essential Education requirement above.

Forensic Biology Concentration

Concentration Courses
BIO 315Genetics4
BIO 320Principles of Microbiology4
BIO 331Cell Biology3
BIO 531Principles of Molecular Biology4
CHE 432Biochemistry Laboratory1
FOR 330Bloodstain Pattern Analysis1
FOR 431LDNA Profiling Lab1
FOR 432Forensic Serology1
Electives
Choose from nine hours of the following:9
ANT 306
Human Evolution
ANT 380
Forensic Anthropology
ANT 385
Human Osteology
BIO 208
& 208L
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab
BIO 308
& 308L
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
BIO 348
Vertebrate Physiology
BIO 527
Immunology
BIO 528
Virology
BIO 533
Bioinformatics: Principles and Applications
BIO 535
Pathogenic Microbiology
BIO 546
Histology
CHE 325
& 325L
Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Lab
CHE 431
Metabolic Biochemistry
CHE 401
Chemtopics: __________________
CHE 401L
Chemtopics Lab:_____________
CHE 420
Mass Spectrometry
FOR 310
Training for Forensic Internships
FOR 349
Applied Learning in Forensic Science (highly recommended) 1
FOR 412
& 412L
Forensic Trace Evidence
and Forensic Trace Evidence Lab
FOR 442
& 442L
Forensic Toxicology & Drugs
and Drugs & Toxicology Lab
FOR 460
Selected Topics in Forensic Science
FOR 490
Introduction to Research
PLS 316
Criminal Evidence
Choose from one of the following:
CHE 425
& 425L
Instrumental Analysis
and Instrumental Analysis Lab
FOR 411
& 411L
Instrumental Analysis
and Forensic Instrumental Lab
Total Hours28

Forensic Chemistry Concentration

Concentration Courses
CHE 325
& 325L		Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Lab		5
CHE 420Mass Spectrometry3
CHE 471
& 471L		Principles of Physical Chemistry I
and Principles of Physical Chemistry I Lab		4
FOR 412
& 412L		Forensic Trace Evidence
and Forensic Trace Evidence Lab		4
FOR 442
& 442L		Forensic Toxicology & Drugs
and Drugs & Toxicology Lab		4
Choose from one of the following:4
CHE 425
& 425L
Instrumental Analysis
and Instrumental Analysis Lab
FOR 411
& 411L
Instrumental Analysis
and Forensic Instrumental Lab
Electives
Choose from four hours of the following:4
CHE 349
Applied Learning in Chemistry 1
CHE 349
Applied Learning in Chemistry (A-N) 1
CHE 401
Chemtopics: __________________
CHE 401L
Chemtopics Lab:_____________
CHE 432
Biochemistry Laboratory
CHE 450
Inorganic Chemistry
FOR 310
Training for Forensic Internships
FOR 330
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
FOR 349
Applied Learning in Forensic Science (highly recommended) 1
FOR 431L
DNA Profiling Lab
FOR 460
Selected Topics in Forensic Science
FOR 490
Introduction to Research
FSE 350
Fire Arson and Explosion Investigation
FSE 380
Failure Analysis
PLS 316
Criminal Evidence
Total Hours28
1

The internship (FOR 349 Applied Learning in Forensic Science) in a forensic science laboratory is an elective but highly recommended. Students interested in internship must complete FOR 310 Training for Forensic Internships before FOR 349 Applied Learning in Forensic Science.

Key:
E

Course satisfies an Essential Education element.

*

Course must be taken in semester indicated.

Upper division courses: All students are required to have a minimum of 39 hrs. upper division (300-level or above) courses distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Essential Ed/Free Electives categories.

Forensic Science B.S. - Forensic Chemistry Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterHours
GSD 101 Foundations of Learning 3
CHE 111 General Chemistry 3
CHE 111L General Chemistry Lab I 1
FOR 301 Introduction to Forensic Science 3
MAT 234 Calculus I 4
Element 1A (ENG 101) 3
 Hours17
Second Semester
CHE 112 General Chemistry II 3
CHE 112L General Chemistry Lab 1
BIO 111 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BIO 111L Cell and Molecular Biology Lab 1
STA 215 Introduction to Statistical Reasoning (or STA 270-Applied Statistics) (Fulfills Element 2A) E 3
Element 1B 3
Free Elective 1
 Hours15
Second Year
First Semester
CHE 361 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHE 361L Organic Chemistry Lab I 1
FOR 401 Forensic Professional Practice 1
BIO 112 Ecology and Evolution 3
BIO 112L Ecology and Evolution Lab 1
PHY 131 College Physics I (or PHY 201-University Physics I) (Fulfills Element 2B) 5
Element 3B 3
 Hours17
Second Semester
CHE 362 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHE 362L Organic Chemistry Lab II 1
CHE 325 Analytical Chemistry 3
CHE 325L Analytical Chemistry Lab 2
PHY 132 College Physics II (or PHY 202-University Physics II) 5
 Hours14
Third Year
First Semester
FOR 411 Instrumental Analysis (Fall Only) 3
FOR 411L Forensic Instrumental Lab (Fall Only) 1
FOR 451 Forensic Microscopic Analysis 2
FOR 451L Forensic Microscopy Lab 1
CHE/FOR Elective (FOR 310-Preparation for Internship recommended) (Fulfills Element 4A) 1
Element 4A 3
Free Elective 1
 Hours12
Second Semester
FOR 431 DNA Profiling (Spring Only) 3
FOR 412 Forensic Trace Evidence (Spring Only) 3
FOR 412L Forensic Trace Evidence Lab (Spring Only) 1
FOR 442 Forensic Toxicology & Drugs (Spring Only ) 3
FOR 442L Drugs & Toxicology Lab (Spring Only) 1
Element 3A 3
 Hours14
Fourth Year
First Semester
CHE 430 Biochemistry of Macromolecules 3
FOR 465 Expert Witness Testimony (Fall Only) 3
FOR 499 Forensic Science Capstone (Fall Only) 3
Element 1C 3
Element 4B 3
 Hours15
Second Semester
CHE 420 Mass Spectrometry (Spring Only) 3
CHE 471 Principles of Physical Chemistry I 3
CHE 471L Principles of Physical Chemistry I Lab 1
Free Elective 3
Flex/Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours16
 Total Hours120

Forensic Science B.S. - Forensic Biology Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterHours
GSD 101 Foundations of Learning 3
BIO 111 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BIO 111L Cell and Molecular Biology Lab 1
FOR 301 Introduction to Forensic Science 3
MAT 234 Calculus I 4
Element 1A (ENG 101) 3
 Hours17
Second Semester
BIO 112 Ecology and Evolution 3
BIO 112L Ecology and Evolution Lab 1
CHE 111 General Chemistry 3
CHE 111L General Chemistry Lab I 1
STA 215 Introduction to Statistical Reasoning (or STA 270-Applied Statistics) (Fulfills Element 2A) E 4
Element 1B (ENG 102) 3
 Hours15
Second Year
First Semester
BIO 315 Genetics 4
CHE 112 General Chemistry II 3
CHE 112L General Chemistry Lab 1
FOR 401 Forensic Professional Practice 1
PHY 131 College Physics I (or PHY 201-University Physics I) (Fulfills Element 2B) E 5
 Hours14
Second Semester
CHE 361 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHE 361L Organic Chemistry Lab I 1
BIO 320 Principles of Microbiology 4
PHY 132 College Physics II (or PHY 202-University Physics II) 5
Element 1C 3
 Hours16
Third Year
First Semester
BIO 331 Cell Biology 3
CHE 362 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHE 362L Organic Chemistry Lab II 1
FOR 432 Forensic Serology (Fall Only) 1
FOR 451 Forensic Microscopic Analysis 2
FOR 451L Forensic Microscopy Lab 1
Free Elective (FOR 310-Training for Forensic Internships recommended) 1
Element 3A 3
 Hours15
Second Semester
CHE 430 Biochemistry of Macromolecules 3
CHE 432 Biochemistry Laboratory 1
FOR 330 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 1
FOR 431 DNA Profiling (Spring Only) 3
FOR 431L DNA Profiling Lab (Spring Only) 1
Free Elective 3
Element 3B 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
First Semester
FOR 465 Expert Witness Testimony (Fall Only) 3
FOR 499 Forensic Science Capstone (Fall Only) 3
Free Elective 3
Element 4A 3
Flex/Elective 3
 Hours15
Second Semester
BIO 531 Principles of Molecular Biology 4
Free Elective 2
Element 4B 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 1
 Hours13
 Total Hours120