Forensic Science (BS)
The word “forensic” relates the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of a crime. Plymouth State’s forensic program is geared to both science and non-science students who love investigation and problem-solving. Plymouth State Forensic is the first baccalaureate degree program from a public university in New Hampshire.
The collaborative and project-based emphasis of Plymouth State’s Cluster Learning model combined with core program studies in Criminal Justice and Chemistry along with specialized course work from Psychology, Computer Science, Biology, and Anthropology gives our students unmatched opportunity to excel in this field. Professionals and distinguished faculty from each field will be involved in training our students. The BS in forensic science is a STEM-orientated program that emphasizes a solid theoretical foundation and laboratory skills while cultivating a critical, detail-oriented approach to investigations. The curriculum features modern laboratory setups and instrumentation. An important consideration is given the huge surge in interest in careers that are experiencing exponential occupational growth, including forensic laboratory specialty, forensic psychology, and computer information security.
As a Forensic scientist, you can work in laboratories or at crime scenes. You may work as a private investigator, insurance officer, a cyber security analyst. You may choose to work for private and public offices or laboratories.
The curriculum is adaptable enough for students to obtain additional specialties and/or minors in Chemistry, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Biology with few additional courses using their free electives.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| FS 1200 | Majoring and Working in Forensic Science | 1 |
| CJ 1020 | Criminal Justice in Action | 4 |
| CH 1050 | Laboratory Safety | 1 |
| CJ 2045 | Criminal Procedure | 4 |
| CH 2255 | Techniques in Laboratory | 3 |
| CH 2335 | General Chemistry I (QRCO) | 4 |
| CJ 3005 | Criminal Investigation | 4 |
| CJ 3025 | Forensic Science | 4 |
| CH 3550 | Instrumental Analysis (TECO,WRCO) | 4 |
| FS 4000 | Forensic Science Capstone Project | 2 |
| Math Foundation Skills | ||
| Take one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Statistics I (QRCO) | ||
| Precalculus (QRCO) | ||
| Calculus I (QRCO) | ||
| Interdisciplinary Focus Areas | ||
| Take three lower-level (1000/2000) courses and take five upper-level (3000/4000) courses 1,2 | 24-32 | |
===Forensic Lab Analysis Specialty=== | ||
| Biological Science I (TECO) | ||
| Biological Science II | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Soils and Environmental Change | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (WRCO) | ||
| Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Internship | ||
===Digital Forensic Specialty=== | ||
| Computing Fundamentals (TECO) | ||
| Calculus I (QRCO) | ||
| Calculus II (QRCO) | ||
| Cybercrime | ||
| Introduction to Cybersecurity | ||
| Topics in Computer Science and Technology | ||
| Computer Security | ||
| CyberEthics (DICO,INCO,INCP,WRCO) | ||
===Forensic Psychology Specialty=== | ||
| Cognitive Psychology Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to General Psychology | ||
| Life-Span Developmental Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Research Methods and Statistics I (QRCO,TECO) | ||
| Research Methods and Statistics II (WRCO) | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Psychology and Law | ||
| Internship in Psychology | ||
| Independent Research in Psychology | ||
| General Education Requirements | ||
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 3 | 4-8 | |
| DICO | Diversity Connection | 3-4 |
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 3-4 |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone | 4 |
| GACO | Global Awareness Connection | 3-4 |
| Electives | 24-14 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
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To enhance career opportunities students may choose one or two interdisciplinary specialties as long as they take two lower-level and five upper-level courses. One thing students must be aware of is the courses in some specialties may have lower-level prerequisites associated with the same specialty. Students may use their free electives to choose additional courses to get a minor or a second major.
- 2
The courses from the Interdisciplinary Specialty can be applied towards one or more minor requirements. Possible minors of interest: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Mathematics, Psychology.
- 3
Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| FS 1200 | Majoring and Working in Forensic Science | 1 |
| CH 2010 | The Literature and Ethics of Chemistry | 0.5 |
| CH 1050 | Laboratory Safety | 1 |
| CJ 1020 | Criminal Justice in Action | 4 |
| CH 2255 | Techniques in Laboratory | 3 |
| MA 2300 | Statistics I (QRCO) | 3 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| One 1000/2000 level specialty course | 4 | |
| Credits | 30.5-32.5 | |
| Year Two | ||
| CJ 2045 | Criminal Procedure | 4 |
| MA 2130 | Precalculus (QRCO) | 4 |
| Two 1000/2000 level specialty course | 8 | |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) | 4-8 | |
| Electives | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 29-36 | |
| Year Three | ||
| CJ 3005 | Criminal Investigation | 4 |
| CJ 3025 | Forensic Science | 4 |
| GACO | Global Awareness Connection | 3-4 |
| Three 3000/4000 level specialty course | 12 | |
| Electives | 6-8 | |
| Credits | 29-32 | |
| Year Four | ||
| FS 4000 | Forensic Science Capstone Project | 2 |
| CH 3550 | Instrumental Analysis (TECO,WRCO) | 4 |
| Two 3000/4000 level specialty courses | ||
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 3-4 |
| DICO | Diversity Connection | 3-4 |
| Electives | 6-8 | |
| Credits | 18-22 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- Detail-oriented approach and ability to Validate sources and origins of error in crime investigations
- Purposeful communication: Demonstrate ability to interpret evidence and communicate results in both written and oral format.
- Integrated perspective: Work collaboratively with members of a team with diverse backgrounds.
- Professionalism: Even during a violent crime or chaotic conditions maintain composure and objectivity.
- Math and science skills: Forensic science technicians need a solid understanding of statistics and natural sciences to be able to analyze crime scene evidence.
As a Forensic scientist, you can work in laboratories or at crime scenes. You may work as a private investigator, insurance officer, a cyber security analyst. You may choose to work for private and public offices or laboratories. Careers in Forensic Science: Cybersecurity Analyst, Forensic Life Scientist, Information Security Specialist, Insurance Officer, Private Investigator.