Graduation

Forensic Science Program

Calumet College of St. Joseph’s Forensic Science program supports your passion for a career in criminal investigations and scientific research.

The Forensic Science degree prepares students with the biotechnology and forensic skills necessary to work in a federal, state, local or private criminal investigation laboratory, as well as graduate school opportunities.

Building upon a foundation of biology and chemistry, this program provides additional training in criminal investigation, forensic biology, human pathology, serology and forensic DNA analysis. Students are taught to collect and analyze biological evidence in both lab and field settings. They also learn how to handle biological evidence from mock crime scenes and present it in court.

Forensic Science graduates can also apply this degree to careers in research science, medical sales and scientific editing/journal writing, as well as technical careers in scientific laboratories, universities and research institutions.

In the Forensic Science Program, you will:

  • Advance your scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills
  • Hone your research skills and problem-solving ability
  • Develop specific expertise in areas of sample preparation, data analysis, scientific calculations and more
  • Sharpen your communication skills, verbally and in writing

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Career

Options

Career options with this major include, but are not limited to work as:

  • Crime scene investigation lab
  • Federal lab
  • State or local police crime lab
  • Work as a research scientist for pharmaceutical and Biotech company.
  • Work as a scientific editor/journalist.
  • Prepare for application to graduate school.
  • Become a biochemist or biomedical engineer.
  • Become a clinical research associate.
  • Become a quality control analyst
  • Become a senior research scientist.
forensic-career-options

Faculty

Ahmed Lakhani, Ph.D.

Associate Professor; Program Director, Biomedical Science and Mathematics

Edward Draper, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biomedical Science

Program

Objectives and requirements

126 credit hours

Scientific Knowledge and Critical Thinking:

    • Students will demonstrate substantial and up to date core knowledge of broad areas in basic biology, chemistry, DNA analysis, instrumentation theory, analysis and use.
    • Students will demonstrate the ability to accurately and critically evaluate their own scientific work and the work of others.

Investigation/Research Skills and Problem Solving Ability:

    • Students will demonstrate advanced understanding of a range of technical and conceptual approaches used in forensic laboratories.
    • Students can design, carry out, and interpret crime scene scenarios that generate new knowledge that can be used to solve crime scenes and scientific situations.

Specific Expertise:

    • Students can articulate the significance of their findings in both historical and forwardlooking contexts.
    • Students will demonstrate mastery of a range of technical and conceptual approaches used in their selected scientific forensic field (DNA analysis, hair analysis, drug testing, etc.).

Communication:

    • Students will demonstrate the oral, written and media communication skills required to be effective communicants, teachers and mentors of peers, future scientists and scientifically literate citizens

Ethics and Advocacy:

    • Students will apply highest standards of ethics to their studies (data management, research subjects, stewardship of research funds)
    • Students will improve their confidence and interactions with colleagues and the public.
    • Students will be able to advocate for the role of forensic science

Career Preparation:

    • Students can articulate an appropriate set of desired potential career paths, and are aware of the preparation and initiative required to pursue these paths

The following courses are required for a baccalaureate degree:

38 credit hours in General Education
Student must take MATH 104, BIOL 115 Cell and Evolution with the Lab

10 credit hours in Introductory courses
MATH 171, Principles of Statistics as the required Math choice (3 credits)
CHEM 200, General and Analytical Chemistry with the Lab, as the required Science choice (4 credits)
CRIJ 100, Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)

46 credit hours in Mid-Level Requirements
BIOL 205, Plants, Animals and Ecosystem Lecture (3 credits)
BIOL 205L, Plants, Animals and Ecosystem Lab (1 credit)
BIOL 230, Microbiology (3 credits)
BIOL 230L, Microbiology Lab (1 credits)
BIOL 300, Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture (3 credits)
BIOL 300L, Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (1 credits)
BIOL 305, Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture (3 credits)
BIOL 305L, Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab (1 credit)
BIOL 372, Biomedical Health Research Literacy I (3 credits)
BIOL 373, Biomedical Health Research Literacy II (3 credits)
CHEM 205, General and Analytical Chemistry II Lecture (3 credits)
CHEM 205L, General and Analytical Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
MATH 230, Calculus I (4 credits)
FRSC 200, Introduction to Forensics Lecture (3 credits)
FRSC 200L, Introduction to Forensics Lab (1 credit)
CRIJ 311, Criminal Procedure (3 credits)
CRIJ 330, Scientific Criminal Investigation (3 credit)
CRIJ 300, Criminology (3 credits)
CRIJ 325, Forensic Psychology (3 credits)

32 credit hours in Upper Level Requirements:
CHEM 310 Organic Chemistry I Lecture (3 credit)
CHEM 310L Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry II Lecture (3 credit)
CHEM 311L Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
CHEM 430    Instrumental Analysis Lecture (3 credits)
CHEM 430L Instrumental Analysis Lab (1 credit)
CHEM 445 Physical Chemistry I Lecture (3 credits)
CHEM 445L Physical Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
CHEM 446 Physical Chemistry II Lecture (3 credits)
CHEM 446L Physical Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
FRSC 300      Forensic Biology Lecture (3 credits)
FRSC 300L Forensic Biology Lab (1 credit)
FRSC 302      Chemical Forensics Lecture (3 credits)
FRSC 302L Chemical Forensics Lab (1 credit)
FRSC 400      Forensic Molecular Biology Lecture (3 credits)
FRSC 400L Forensic Molecular Biology Lab (1 credit)

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