Forensic Science Major

For information, contact Professor Lawrence Quarino, laquarin@cedarcrest.edu, 610-606-4666, ext. 3567

The forensic science major at Cedar Crest College is unique in that it combines many of the most exciting educational features into one package. The major is integrated, multi-disciplinary and highly applied and offers a foundation from which to launch a career in forensic science. Students in the program have opportunities to interact with forensic professionals, work on forensic research projects, and apply for internships.

The liberal arts component provides exposure to disciplines and develops skills that will be important when students are called upon to act as expert witnesses, communicate with law enforcement personnel, and present their work to the public.

The forensic science concentration is accredited by the Forensic Science Educational Programs Accreditation Commission.

Program Requirements

Students must earn an overall grade-point average of at least 2.000 in all required courses. A grade of C or better is required for all chemistry courses at the 100 and 200 level that fulfill major requirements. All other required major courses at the 100 and 200 level must be completed with at least a C-. No grades of D and only two grades of C- will be allowed for required courses at the 300 level that fulfill major requirements. If a required course is not completed within 2 attempts, the student will be dismissed from the program. A student must have at least a 2.000 average in major courses to declare a forensic science major. Courses that satisfy a major requirement may not be repeated more than once.

Program Mission Statement

To provide Cedar Crest students wishing to enter a career in the forensic sciences with a solid foundation in the natural sciences, to emphasize the importance of critical thinking skills in approaching forensic problems, and to educate students in a broad range of forensic analytical techniques from a generalist perspective.

Requirements for the Forensic Science Major

The following courses are required for the forensic science major:
CHE 111 Chemical Principles 4 credits
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis 4 credits
CHE 205 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHE 206 Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
CHE 230 Analytical Chemistry 4 credits
CHE 241 Crime Scene Pattern Analysis 4 credits
CHE 300 Technical Information 3 credits*
CHE 302 Instrumental Analysis 4 credits
CHE 307 Biochemistry I 4 credits
CHE 314 Toxicology 2 credits
CHE 321 Forensic Chemistry 2 credits
CHE 335 Physical Chemistry 4 credits
CHE 347 Trace Evidence and Microscopy 4 credits
CHE 348 Forensic Molecular Biology 4 credits
CHE 349 Professional Issues in Forensic Science 3 credits
CHE 352 Seminar 1 credit**
CHE 391 Research 6 credits (2 semesters)***
BIO 123 Foundations of Biology 4 credits
BIO 124 Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology 4 credits
BIO 231 Genetics 4 credits
BIO 248 Biostatistics 3 credits
BIO 335 Molecular Genetics I 4 credits
MAT 141 Calculus I 3 credits
MAT 142 Calculus II 3 credits
PHI 200 Ethics 3 credits****
PHY 101 Introductory College Physics I 4 credits
PHY 102 Introductory College Physics II 4 credits

*Student who double-major in biology must substitute BIO 350 (Junior Colloquium).
**Students who double-major in forensic science and biology may substitute 4 credits of BIO 353 (2 semesters). Also, students who are forensic science majors, forensic science-biochemistry double majors, or forensic science-chemistry double majors may substitute 4 credits of BIO 353 (2 semesters) but must also register for 1 credit of CHE 391 each semester.
***Students who double-major in biology must substitute BIO 354 (Thesis and Prospectus).
****Student may substitute PHI 250 (Introduction to Professional Ethics)

Double-Major

Students majoring in forensic science are encouraged to double-major in either biochemistry, biology, or chemistry. Students electing to double-major in one of these disciplines have to take the following courses:

Biochemistry:
CHE 308 Biochemistry II 4 credits
CHE 331 Inorganic Chemistry 3 credits

Biology:
BIO 239 Animal Ecology, Evolution and Development 4 credits
BIO 356 Science, Ethics, and Society 3 credits

Chemistry:
CHE 306 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 credits
CHE 331 Inorganic Chemistry 4 credits
CHE 336 Physical Chemistry II 3 credits

A forensic science concentration is also available only to Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology majors. In addition to the requirements for the Genetic Engineering major, the following courses must be completed for the concentration:

BIO 248 Biostatistics 3 credits
CHE 241 Crime Scene Reconstruction and Pattern Analysis 4 credits
CHE 347 Trace Evidence and Microscopy 4 credits
CHE 302 Instrumental Analysis 4 credits
CHE 348 Forensic Molecular Biology 4 credits
CHE 349 Professional Issues in Forensic Science 3 credits
PHI 200 Ethics 3 credits

CHE 391 Research (2 semesters) 6 credits
OR
BIO 353 Research (2 semesters) 4 credits

BIO 354 Thesis and Presentation 0-1 credit

Student Learning Outcomes

Program students will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of topics, techniques, and concepts related to criminalistics,
• Demonstrate the ability to perform qualitative and quantitative critical analysis in conjunction with the development and completion of a scientific research project,
• Demonstrate the ability to use and conceptually understand instrumentation typically used in forensic analysis,
• Demonstrate the ability to access and understand primary scientific literature from the forensic sciences and other sciences,
• Demonstrate effective writing and speaking skills to communicate scientific concepts and findings to faculty and students,
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the forensic scientist in the criminal justice system,
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of ethics and how they can be used to resolve ethical dilemmas common to forensic science practice,
• Demonstrate an understanding of the application of the scientific method to the management and reconstruction of a crime scene
• To adequately prepare students for graduate and professional school and for employment in the forensic sciences and other scientific disciplines.