Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science


Ricardo Yanis
Program Director
Office: (904) 470-8397

Edward Waters University’s Forensic Science Degree Program will provide students with a foundation in major sciences: chemistry, biology, and physics. Mathematical skills will be developed involving trigonometry, calculus, and statistics. With this foundation in physical science and math, our students will learn the scientific fundamentals on how to recognize, document, collect, package, and analyze physical evidence recovered from different types of crime scenes.

EWU’s Forensic Science program offers classes in criminalistics and forensic biology / DNA to provide our students with two major specializations in demand in crime laboratories around the country. The Criminalistics courses will develop a student’s ability to analyze unknown substances based on chemical and optical properties. Students would qualify for criminalist positions such as forensic drug chemists, arson and explosion, trace/material evidence, ballistics, questioned documents, and crime scene technicians.

The forensic biology /DNA courses will develop a student’s ability to locate and recognize physiological /biological evidence on a piece of evidence, extract the physiological/biological evidence, quantify and replicate the DNA material from the extraction using PCR techniques, and develop a DNA profile using STR techniques and genetic mapping. Forensic biology/DNA students would qualify for positions such as forensic DNA analyst and/or a genetic analyst in crime and genetic laboratories across the country.

After completing the forensic science degree program at Edward Waters University, students will be able to:

  1. Develop a scientific approach to evidence recognition, classification, individualization, and evaluation of potential physical evidence recovered from crime scenes.
  2. Acquire broad fundamental principles in biological and physical sciences
  3. Interpret test results and scientific data from forensic evidence analysis and 
techniques utilized in forensic laboratories.
  1. Demonstrate the oral and written report skills needed to present scientific findings in court and legal matters.

Admission standards for Edward Waters University forensic science candidates will be:

  1. High school cumulative average of 2.5 or above AND
  2. Three years of high school science with chemistry as a requirement AND
  3. Three years of high school math

Transfer students who wish to enter into the forensic science major, must have earned at least 30 credits, have an overall GPA of at least 2.5, and a math and science GPA of 2.5 or higher in science major courses in order to qualify for admission. Additionally, students must have successfully completed chemistry and biology courses appropriate to their class standing upon transferring. Students who transfer with less than 30 credits must meet the admission standards listed above.

Students that do not meet admission standards can apply as a conditional student to the program. Conditional students need to maintain a 3.0 GPA in all first year science courses and meet with an academic advisor two times during the semester.

Program Learning Outcomes

    • Outcome #1: Upon completion of the B.S. degree, the student will be able to make oral presentation to describe the characteristics of living organisms.
    • Outcome #2: Upon completion of the B.S. degree, the student will be able to use data analysis methods and instrumentation including computer systems to solve problems in biological science.
    • Outcome #3: Upon completion of the B.S. degree, the student will be able to think critically when using the scientific method to study the natural world.
    • Outcome #4: Upon completion of the B.S. degree, the student will develop writing skills to explain the classification system for the organization of life.
    • Outcome #5:  Upon completion of the B.S. degree, the student will be able to read and understand materials involving scientific terms used in the biological sciences software and technology.

DEGREE PLAN:

FIRST YEAR – FRESHMAN

FALL

BSC 2010       BIOLOGY I – CELL PROCESSES **  ………………………………………….    3 Credits
BSC 2010L     BIOLOGY I LAB – CELL PROCESSES .……………………………………….    1 Credit
CHM 2045      GENERAL CHEMISTRY I ** …………………. …………………………………..   3 Credits
CHM 2045L   GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LAB  ……………………………………………………………   1 Credit
MAT 1105      COLLEGE ALGEBRA  …………………………………………………………….  3 Credits
ENC 1101       ENGLISH COMPOSITION I   ……………………………………………………..  3 Credits
EWC 200        APPLIED ACADEMIC WRITING  ………………………………………….  1 Credit
TOTAL = 15 Credits

SPRING

BSC 2011        BIOLOGY II – DIVERSITY OF LIFE   ….………………………………………   3 Credits
BSC 2011L      BIOLOGY II LAB – DIVERSITY OF LIFE  ….……………………………….    1 Credit
CHM 2046      GENERAL CHEMISTRY II   ………..……………………………………………    3 Credits
CHM 2046L    GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LAB  ………………………………………………    1 Credit
MAC 1147       PRE-CALCULUS AND TRIGONOMETRY  ………………………………….   4 Credits
ENC 1102        ENGLISH COMPOSITION II   .……..………………………………………….   3 Credits
SLS 1103         INTRO TO COLLEGE  …………………………………………………………   3Credits
TOTAL = 18 Credits

SECOND YEAR – SOPHOMORE

FALL

PHY 2048      COLLEGE PHYSICS I  ……..……………………………………………………….   3 Credits
PHY 2048L    COLLEGE PHYSICS I LAB  ……………………………………………………….    1 Credit
CHM 2210     ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I  ……………………………………………………..    3 Credits
CHM 2210L   ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I LAB  .…………………………………………………    1 Credit
MAC 2311      CALCULUS I WITH ANALYTIC GEOMETRY **  ……………………………   4 Credits
REL 2200       INTRO. TO BIBLICAL STUDIES  ……………………………………………   3 Credits
AMH 2091     AFRICAN AMER. HISTORY  ………………………………………………….   3 Credits
TOTAL = 18 Credits

SPRING

PHY 2049     COLLEGE PHYSICS II   …………..……………………………………………………  3 Credits
PHY 2049L   COLLEGE PHYSICS II LAB   ………………………………………………………   1 Credit
CHM 2211    ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II  ………………………………………………………   3 Credits
CHM 2211L  ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II LAB  …………………………………………………..   1 Credit
SPC 2608       PUBLIC SPEAKING  ………………………………………………………………  3 Credits
MAC 2312     CALCULUS II  ……………………………………………………………………….   3 Credits
SOCIAL SCIENCE  ……………………………………………………………………………………..  3 Credits
TOTAL = 18 Credits 

THIRD YEAR – JUNIOR

FALL

CHM 120     QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS w/Lab  …………………………………………  4 Credits
CJE 2601      INTRO TO FORENSIC SCIENCE  ……………………………………………..   3 Credits
PLA 3263     LAW AND EVIDENCE  …………………………………………………………..   3 Credits
HUMANITIES  …………………………………………………………………………………………   3 Credits
PCB 3063     GENETICS  …………………………………………………………………………..    3 Credits
PCB 3063L  GENETICS LAB  ……………………………………………………………………..  1  Credit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  TOTAL = 17 Credits

 

SPRING

CHM 132     CHEMICAL INSTRUMENTATION w/Lab  ………………………………..   4 Credits
BCH 3023    BIOCHEMISTRY  …………………………………………………………………..   3 Credits
BSH 3023L  BIOCHEMISTRY LAB …………………………………………………………….   1 Credit
CJE 3619C    FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY  …………………………………………………..  4 Credits
PCB 3023    MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY  …………………………………………………  3 Credits
PCB 3023L  MOLECULAR CELL BIO LAB  ………………………………………………….  1 Credits
TOTAL = 16 Credits

FOURTH YEAR – SENIOR

FALL

CHM 3511C  FORENSIC CRIMINALISTICS LAB  ………………………………………….  4 Credits
CJB 4715C     CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION AND PROCESSING ………………..  4 Credits
SPN 1120      ELEMENTARY SPANISH I  ……………………………………………………… 3 Credits
BSC 4401       FORENSIC BIOLOGY w/Lab  ………………………………………………….  4 Credits
TOTAL = 15 Credits

SPRING

CHM 415     PHYSICAL METHODS w/Lab  …………………………………………………… 4 Credits
BSC 4930    FORENSIC LAB PRACTICUM  ……………………………………………………. 6 Credits
SPA 4320    PROBABILITIES AND STATISTICS  …………………………………………… 3 Credits
SPN 1121    ELEMENTARY SPANISH II  ………………………………………………………  3 Credits
TOTAL = 16 Credits

B.S FORENSIC SCIENCE TOTAL = 133 CREDITS (FORENSIC BIOLOGY/CRIMINALISTICS)
= 127 CREDITS (Spanish taken in High School)

** INDICATES SUBSITUTION FOR GENERAL ELECTIVE COURSE

CAREER INFORMATION:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021), there will be a 16 percent increase in jobs for forensic science technicians between 2020 and 2030. Much faster than the average for all occupations. Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Most laboratory forensic science technician’s work during regular business hours. Crime scene investigators may work extended or unusual hours and travel to crime scenes within their jurisdiction. About 2,500 openings for forensic science technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. The median annual wage for forensic science technicians was $60,590 in May 2020.  

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