Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science

The major in Forensic Science is designed to provide academic and professional training for students seeking to work in forensic science laboratories, or who are planning to pursue careers as research scientists, teachers or medical professionals. The major draws primarily from chemistry (organic, analytical and physical) with courses in biology, physics and law. Students may specialize in one of three tracks: Criminalistics, Molecular Biology, or Toxicology.

Credits required. 75 or more, depending upon the completion of prerequisites (if needed).

Science Internship Directors. Peter Diaczuk for forensic science laboratory internships (212.484.1176, [e-mail]), Edgardo Sanabria-Valentin for research internships (212.393.6489, [e-mail])

Mathematics requirement. Two semesters of calculus (MAT 241 and MAT 242) are required as well as one semester of probability and statistics (MAT 301). It is recommended that the MAT 241-MAT 242 sequence is completed as soon as possible since MAT 241 is a prerequisite for PHY 203 and MAT 242 is a prerequisite for PHY 204. Physics is placed in the sophomore year of the three-year common core for all Forensic Science majors. MAT 241 and MAT 242 fulfill the Required Core: Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning area of the College’s general education requirements.

Coordinator. Professor Larry Kobilinsky, Department of Sciences (212.237.8884, [e-mail]). Referrals will be made to faculty in each of the tracks within the major.

Advisor. Professor Sandra Swenson, Department of Sciences (212.237.8820, [e-mail])

Additional information. An internship is required for the forensic science degree. This can be fulfilled by either FOS 401 or FOS 402 (see course descriptions in Chapter 2 of this bulletin). The internship requirement is to be completed after the junior year in the Forensic Science major progression. Consult the course descriptions in this bulletin or the designated coordinator for proper program planning. Please note that certain courses have specific prerequisites that must be taken for timely progression through the major. The chemistry or biology taken in the freshman year of the Forensic Science major fulfills the science component of the general education requirements.

Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2009 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose either the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained in the 2008-2009 Undergraduate Bulletin, available at http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/bulletins/undergraduatebulletin20082009.pdf.

Prerequisite information. To be placed into BIO 103, students must have an SAT Verbal score of 520 or higher; or completion of the New York State Biology Regents with a score of at least 80%. Students who have not taken the New York State Biology Regents will need departmental permission. Students not meeting these criteria must complete the BIO 101-BIO 102 sequence (or equivalent) in lieu of BIO 103.

To be placed into CHE 103, students must be eligible to take MAT 141 or higher; or be taking MAT 104 or MAT 105 and have earned a score of 80% or higher on the New York State Chemistry Regents. Placement will be determined by the CUNY Assessment Test in Mathematics. Students who did not take the New York State Chemistry Regents will need departmental permission. Students not meeting these criteria must complete the CHE 101-CHE 102 sequence (or equivalent) instead of CHE 103. For physics prerequisites, see mathematics requirement noted above.

Academic Standards/GPA Requirement. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better in the science and mathematics courses of the major to qualify for progression to the sophomore- and junior-level courses in the major. Students not maintaining the necessary GPA will be dropped from the major. Students may appeal this decision to the department chairperson.

Please note: The majority of courses required for the degree in Forensic Science are not available in the evening.

Part One. Science Requirements

Freshman year

Required

BIO 103	Modern Biology I	5
	and
BIO 104	Modern Biology II	4
	or
BIO 101	Paced Modern Biology I-A	2
	and
BIO 102	Paced Modern Biology I-B	3
	and
BIO 104	Modern Biology II	4
CHE 103	General Chemistry I	5
	and
CHE 104	General Chemistry II	4
	or
CHE 101	General Chemistry I-A	2
	and
CHE 102	General Chemistry I-B	3
	and
CHE 104	General Chemistry II	4
Total Credit Hours:		18

Sophmore year

Required

CHE 201	Organic Chemistry	4
	and
CHE 202	Organic Chemistry	4
CHE 220	Quantitative Analysis	4
LAW 202	Law and Evidence	3
PHY 203	General Physics I	4
	and
PHY 204	General Physics II	4
Total Credit Hours:		23

Junior year

CHE 302	Physical Chemistry II	3
CHE 315	Biochemistry	4
CHE 320	Instrumental Analysis I	4
	and
CHE 321	Instrumental Analysis II	4
MAT 301	Probability and Mathematical Statistics I	3
Total Credit Hours:		20

Part Two. Specializations

Criminalistics Track

Junior year

FOS 313

An Introduction to Criminalistics for Forensic Science Majors

3

Senior year

FOS 401	Forensic Science Laboratory Internship	3
	or
FOS 402	Undergraduate Research Internship	3
FOS 415	Forensic Science Laboratory I	4
	and
FOS 416	Forensic Science Laboratory II	4
Total Credit Hours:		14

Toxicology Track

Junior year

TOX 313

Toxicology of Environmental and Industrial Agents

3

Senior year

FOS 401	Forensic Science Laboratory Internship	3
	or
FOS 402	Undergraduate Research Internship	3
TOX 415	Forensic Pharmacology	4
TOX 416	Analytical Toxicology	4
Total Credit Hours:		14

Molecular Biology Track

Junior year

BIO 315

Genetics

3

Senior year

BIO 412	Molecular Biology	4
BIO 413	Forensic DNA Analysis and Interpretation	4
FOS 401	Forensic Science Laboratory Internship	3
	or
FOS 402	Undergraduate Research Internship	3
Total Credit Hours:		14

Total Credit Hours: 75