Program Overview

Forensic Science, B.S.

The Forensic Science Bachelor of Science degree is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) and is offered through the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at MTSU. The program prepares its graduates for advanced study in forensic science or employment in public crime laboratories, specialized private laboratories, and law enforcement agencies.

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Forensic Science Program is to:

• Provide a strong academic foundation through its interdisciplinary curriculum—biology, chemistry, and criminal justice—that will prepare graduates for advanced study in forensic science or professional schools; or employment in public crime laboratories, specialized private laboratories, and law enforcement agencies.
• Provide students with an appropriate curriculum that will ensure an understanding of basic scientific principles and methodologies, as well as the development of analytical skills.
• Promote student understanding of the role of the forensic scientist in the criminal justice system and introduce them to the process whereby oral and written findings end up in court. It also preps them for employment in crime laboratories or graduate school.
• Promote student interaction with current forensic practitioners through seminars and internships and pairs them with highly qualified faculty who are active researchers.

Careers in Forensic Science

Career options exist with the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories, medical examiner offices, hospitals, military, private firms, and universities. Careers in Forensic Science include:

• Crime lab technician
• Crime scene manager
• Criminalist
• Evidence custodian
• Firearms/Toolmark analyst
• Forensic anthropologist
• Forensic biologist
• Forensic chemist
• Forensic investigator (medical examiners' offices)
• Forensic nurse/physician's assistant investigator
• Forensic pathologist
• Forensic photographer
• Forensic scientist
• Intelligence officer/analyst
• Laboratory manager
• Latent fingerprint examiner
• Microanalysis
• Police services support technician
• Quality assurance director
• Toxicologist

Employers of MTSU Forensic Science Degree Alumni

Employers of MTSU Forensic Science Degree Alumni include:

• Aegis Sciences Corporation
• Arkansas State Crime Laboratory
• Covenant Pathology Services Laboratory (CPS)
• District 4 Medical Examiner's Office (Jacksonville, FL)
• Georgia Bureau of Investigation
• Houston Forensic Science Center
• Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp)
• Metro Nashville Police Department Crime Laboratory
• PathGroup
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
• TestAmerica
• Underwriters Laboratories
• Vi-Jon

Program Requirements

The interdisciplinary major in Forensic Science consists of a strong interdisciplinary curriculum within the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Criminal Justice. No minor is required since this degree is highly interdisciplinary. The requirements for a major in Forensic Science include:

True Blue Core (41 hours)

• MATH 1910 - Calculus I (Quant Lit)
• BIOL 1110 - General Biology I (Sci Lit)
• BIOL 1111 - General Biology I Lab (Sci Lit)
• CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I (Sci Lit)
• CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab (Sci Lit)

Major Requirements (75 hours)

• ANTH 3650 - Forensic Anthropology OR ANTH 3660 - Forensic Sciences
• FSCJ 4360 - Crime Scene Photography and Documentation
• BIOL 1110 - General Biology I
• BIOL 1111 - General Biology I Lab
• BIOL 1120 - General Biology II
• BIOL 1121 - General Biology II Lab
• BIOL 2230 - Microbiology
• BIOL 2231 - Microbiology Lab
• BIOL 3250 - Genetics
• BIOL 3251 - Genetics Lab
• BIOL 4375 - Forensic Taphonomy
• BIOL 4570 - Principles of Toxicology
• BIOL 4571 - Principles of Toxicology Lab
• CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I
• CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab
• CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II
• CHEM 1121 - General Chemistry II Lab
• CHEM 2230 - Quantitative Analysis
• CHEM 2231 - Quantitative Analysis Lab
• CHEM 3010 - Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 3011 - Organic Chemistry I Lab
• CHEM 3020 - Organic Chemistry II
• CHEM 3021 - Organic Chemistry II Lab
• CHEM 4125 - Forensic Chemistry
• CHEM 4126 - Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
• FRSC 1010 - Introduction to the Forensic Science Major
• FRSC 4010 - Forensics Senior Seminar
• FRSC 4020 - Forensics Internship
• FSBI 4550 - Biotechnology
• FSCH 3530 - Principles of Biochemistry
• FSCH 3531 - Principles of Biochemistry Lab
• FSCH 4230 - Instrumental Analysis in Forensic Science
• FSCH 4231 - Instrumental Analysis in Forensic Science Lab
• FSCJ 4330 - Criminal Investigations
• FSCJ 4340 - Crime Scene Investigation

Supporting Courses (15 hours)

• MATH 1910 - Calculus I
• MATH 2050 - Probability and Statistics
• PHYS 2010 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics I
• PHYS 2011 - Physics Problems Laboratory I
• PHYS 2020 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics II
• PHYS 2021 - Physics Problems Laboratory II

Curriculum: Forensic Science

The curriculum for the Forensic Science program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the natural and physical sciences, as well as an understanding of the criminal justice system. The curriculum includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and criminal justice, as well as specialized courses in forensic science.

Faculty

The faculty in the Forensic Science program are highly qualified and experienced in their fields. They include:

• Dr. James Abbott
• Dr. Frank C. Bailey
• Dr. Ngee Sing Chong
• Dr. Paul Emanovsky
• Jan Halámek
• Dr. Thomas Dean Holland
• Dr. Megan K. Moore
• Dr. J. Brian Robertson

Information

The Forensic Science program at MTSU is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in forensic science.