Forensic Science, BA

Integrated Learning Major In Forensic Science

Contact:

Prof. Michael Sponsler,
315 443-0326
forensics@syr.edu

Professionals in technically demanding fields are commonly asked to apply their expertise to other seemingly unrelated disciplines. As a result, they must have a comprehensive understanding of not only their own field, but also secondary knowledge of another broadly based, often interdisciplinary, field of study. A chemist might lend his or her expertise to a matter of legal or ethical importance. A curator might evaluate scientific and historical evidence about a painting’s authenticity. A journalist might research a story involving science, medicine, and technology.

Integrated Learning Majors provide broad, interdisciplinary opportunities for students through valuable tools and knowledge in a variety of fields. This synergistic approach adds scholarly mettle to both the major and the interdisciplinary program, while exploiting their connective properties. For example, an undergraduate interested in chemistry could have an integrated learning program in forensic science. Or a student pursuing archeology could have an integrated learning major in ethics, with focus on social science research.

Required:

GPA of at least 2.0; and complete all the requirements of one of the following majors: Anthropology, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. Other requisite majors will be considered based on student proposals that include appropriate connection courses and with the approval of the director.

Required Entry Courses:

CHE 113 - Forensic Science
FSC 406 - Advanced Forensic Science
MAT 221 - Elementary Probability and Statistics I or
FSC 431 - Statistics for Forensic Science (PSY 252 may be taken instead by PSY majors)

Connection Courses:

Must take one designated for the primary major

ANT 433 - Human Osteology or
ANT 436 - Bioarchaeology (for ANT majors)
FSC 444 - Forensic Chemical Analysis or
BIO 326 - Genetics (for BIO, BCM majors)
FSC 444 - Forensic Chemical Analysis
(for CHE, EAR, PHY majors)
PSY 474 - Forensic Psychology or
FSC 452 - Forensic Mental Health (for PSY majors)
SOC 334 - Criminal Justice or
SOC 397 - Criminology (for SOC majors)

Electives:

Three courses; any FSC course may be used even if not listed; courses used for other requirements cannot be also counted as electives

Required Capstone

FSC 498 - Capstone Seminar in Forensic Science

Total Credits 25 or 26

Additional Information

This Integrative Learning Major is intended to provide a broad exposure to the field of forensic science, increasing employability in a variety of careers that relate to forensic science. However, this major will not generally be sufficient to prepare students for forensic laboratory positions unless it is paired with a chemistry, biochemistry, or biology major.