Program Contact: Jaime.Ullinger@qu.edu

The Forensic Studies (FS) major provides an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum for students interested in the broad and growing field of forensics. Drawing from anthropology, biology, chemistry, criminal justice, physics, psychology, sociology, and biomedical sciences, the program is designed to balance academic rigor with the flexibility to pursue individual interests and career goals.
 
At the heart of the program are FS foundation courses, a common core, and a required methods and interdisciplinary capstone experience. Together, these ensure all students build a strong academic base, while still allowing them to shape their own pathways through one of six distinct foci: 1) Anthropology; 2) Biology; 3) Chemistry; 4) Criminal Justice; 5) Psychology; and 6) Sociology. Students may choose one or more of these focus areas, tailoring their degree to align with professional aspirations in forensic science or adjacent fields.
 
Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for a range of careers, including forensic anthropology, law enforcement, crime scene investigation, forensic psychology, forensic chemistry, and roles in public health, social services and biomedical sciences. The program also positions students strongly for graduate study, where many forensic science and related careers require advanced training.

The BS in Forensic Studies requires 120 credits for degree completion. 

University Curriculum46
Modern Language Requirement 1
Forensic Studies Curriculum
Methods4
BIO 208
Introduction to Forensic Science
BIO 208L
Introduction to Forensic Science Lab Science Laboratory
Foundations27
CJ 101
Crime and Society
BIO 100 Level Coursework 2
Chemistry 100 Level Coursework 2
Physics 100 Level Coursework 2
Common Core18
AN 250
Forensic Anthropology
CJ 343
Forensic Issues in Law Enforcement
MA 275
Biostatistics
or MA 285
 Applied Statistics
FS Electives
Focus Areas (Choose One) 315-16
Interdisciplinary Studies Core3
CAS 420CAS Integrative Capstone3
or IDS 400 Transdisciplinary Project
Open Electives 6

Focus Areas (choose one) 

Anthropology Focus

Complete 15-16 credits from the following: 

AN 103Dirt, Artifacts and Ideas3
AN 104Bones, Genes and Everything In Between3
AN 104LBones, Genes and Everything Lab In Between Lab1
AN 210Gender/Sex/Sexuality3
AN 233Practicing Archaeology3
AN 237Health and Medicine Around the World3
AN 252The Science of Human Diversity3
CAR 295Career Practicum1-4
FS Electives2

Biology Focus

Complete 15-16 credits from the following: 

BIO 211Human Anatomy and Physiology I3
or BIO 212 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO 282Genetics3
or BIO 382 Human Genetics
BIO 282LGenetics Lab1
or BIO 382L Human Genetics Lab
BMS 325Toxicology3
BMS 370General Microbiology3
BMS 370General Microbiology3
BMS 370LGeneral Microbiology Lab1
CHE 315Biochemistry I3
CHE 315LBiochemistry I Lab1
Internship/Experiential Learning 4

 Chemistry Focus

Complete 15-16 credits from the following: 

CHE 210Organic Chemistry I3
CHE 210LOrganic Chemistry I Lab1
CHE 211Organic Chemistry II3
CHE 211LOrganic Chemistry II Lab1
CHE 215Analytical Chemistry3
CHE 215LAnalytical Chemistry Lab1
CHE 305Instrumental Analysis3
CHE 305LInstrumental Analysis Lab1
CAR 295Career Practicum1-4

Criminal Justice Focus

Complete 15-16 credits from the following: 

CJ 241Police and Policing3
CJ 243Investigative Techniques3
CJ 253Sexual Violence3
CJ 320Victimology3
CJ 320Victimology3
CJ 330Perspectives on Violence3
CJ 333Drugs, Alcohol and Society3
CJ 355Crime and Media3
Internship/Experiential Learning 5

Psychology Focus

Complete 15-16 credits from the following: 

PS 232The Concept of Personality and Its Development3
PS 233Cognitive Psychology3
PS 244Psychology of Prejudice3
PS 252Biological Psychology3
PS 272Psychopathology3
PS 283Introduction to Forensic Psychology3
CAR 295Career Practicum1-4

Sociology Focus

Complete 15-16 credits from the following: 

SO 225Social Problems3
SO 241Sociology of Race and Ethnicity3
SO 244Race, Gender and Class: Social Inequalities3
SO 260Social Control and Deviance3
SO 304Sociology of Gender3
SO 355Crime and Media3
SO 360Sociology of Mental Health3
Internship/Experiential Learning 5
1

All CAS Students must complete one modern language through the 102 level. Students who have taken a language in high school should take the modern language placement test for that language. Placement scores at the 201 level or higher demonstrate language competency and will place out of the language requirement. 

2

Students wishing to pursue a Biology or Chemistry focus must take BIO 101/102 (regular or honors section) or BIO 150/151 and CHE 110/112 and PHY 110/111. 

3

Students must take their Forensic Studies electives within one of the following foci: Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or Sociology. Additional courses outside the chosen focus may be used to meet unrestricted electives or be applied to a second focus. 

4

CAR 295: Career Practicum OR BIO 491-494: Independent Research in Biological Sciences OR BIO 385: Explorations in Biology

5

CJ/GT/SO/WGS 392: Internship in the Community OR CAR 295: Career Practicum

6

Minimum range of open, unrestricted electives with no utilization of courses within the major and UC. 

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
Fall SemesterCredits
EN 101 Introduction to College-Level Reading And Writing 3
FYS 101 First-Year Seminar 3
BIO 101 General Biology I 1 3
BIO 101L General Biology I Lab 1 1
FS Focus Course 3
FS Elective 1
 Credits14
Spring Semester
EN 102 Reading, Writing, & Research In College and Beyond 3
BIO 102 General Biology II 1 3
BIO 102L General Biology Lab II 1 1
MA 170 Probability and Data Analysis 2 3
Focus Area Course 3
FS Elective 1
 Credits14
Sophomore
Fall Semester
CJ 101 Crime and Society 3
AN 250 Forensic Anthropology 3
CHE 110 General Chemistry I 3 3
CHE 110L General Chemistry I Lab 3 1
UC Disciplinary Inquiry 3
Language at 101 Level 3
 Credits16
Spring Semester
BIO 208 Introduction to Forensic Science 3
BIO 208L Introduction to Forensic Science Lab Science Laboratory 1
CHE 111 General Chemistry II 3 3
CHE 111L General Chemistry II Lab 3 1
Language at the 102 Level 3
FS Elective 1
UC Disciplinary Inquiry 3
 Credits15
Junior
Fall Semester
PHY 110 General Physics I 4 3
PHY 110L General Physics I Lab 4 1
FS Focus Course 3
FS Focus Course 3
FS Elective 3
UC Personal Inquiry Course 3
 Credits16
Spring Semester
CJ 343 Forensic Issues in Law Enforcement 3
PHY 111 General Physics II 4 3
PHY 111L General Physics II Lab 4 1
UC Personal Inquiry 1 3
FS Focus Course 3
Free Elective 3
 Credits16
Senior
Fall Semester
MA 275 Biostatistics 3
CAS 420 CAS Integrative Capstone 3
FS Focus Course 3
Free Electives 5
 Credits14
Spring Semester
Focus Area Course 3
FS Elective 3
Free Electives 9
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
1

Any 100-level Biology course with a UC Natural Science designation may be taken. 

2

Recommended math course is determined by placement test score.

3

Any 100-level CHE course with UC attribute may be taken.

4

Any 100-level PHY course with UC designation may be taken.

Upon completion of the program, students will have achieved the following competencies:

  1. Application of foundational scientific principles from biology, chemistry, and physics to analyze forensic evidence and interpret results.
  2. Demonstration of proficiency in forensic laboratory techniques and technologies, such as fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling, biochemistry, and instrumental analysis.
  3. Integration of multi-disciplinary methods and perspectives to examine human remains, analyze biological variation, and/or understand cultural contexts relevant to forensic casework.
  4. Use of ethical reasoning to evaluate forensic data, assess biases in research and outcomes, and understand the importance of incorporating a social justice framework throughout one’s study.
  5. Effective communication of forensic findings in written and oral formats, demonstrating clarity, accuracy, and awareness of professional standards.