Program Overview

Undergraduate Certificate in Forensic Science

The Mission of the undergraduate Certificate in Forensic Science is to educate students who wish to pursue a laboratory career in the forensic sciences. The field is interdisciplinary and requires significant academic and laboratory training in the natural sciences. This program provides in-depth coursework and hands-on training to facilitate successful entry into a forensic laboratory position. Students should be aware that the application process to work in a forensic lab will generally require successful passing of a comprehensive background check.

Program Overview

The program is coupled to either the ACS-certified FIU BS in Chemistry or the FIU BS in Biological Sciences degrees. This certificate is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) provided that it is accompanied by a BS in Chemistry or Biological Sciences from FIU. A non-accredited Certificate is also available to FIU BA students and other persons in the community who have already earned a BS or BA in chemistry, biological sciences, or a natural science from another institution and who have completed the required prerequisites.

Learning Outcomes and Student Accomplishment Goals

Learning outcomes and student accomplishment goals for the program include:

• Familiarity with the basic concepts of forensic analysis of drug, explosive, arson, and trace evidence samples, including instrumentation and the recording of laboratory data and preparation of reports for forensic purposes
• Familiarity with human and non-human DNA typing techniques and instrumentation and applications of DNA typing to forensic legal proceedings
• Demonstration of the ability to work independently to complete in a timely manner a laboratory-based project in forensic science, including completion of an acceptable final report
• Demonstration of proficiency in principles of basic crime scene investigation, including proper collection and handling of chemical and biological evidence
• Familiarity with courtroom aspects of forensic casework, including experience with providing expert technical opinions under direct and cross-examination
• Knowledge of and competency in the use of statistical approaches to analysis of forensic data
• Mastery of the concepts of ethics in forensic science

Courses

The Certificate in Forensic Science program consists of four specialized forensic courses plus a relevant elective course. The program also includes an internship performed at a government or private-sector forensic laboratory.

Prerequisites

• 1 calculus course (3 credits)
• 1 statistics course (3 credits)
• 1 general biology course with lab (4 credits)
• 2 physics courses with labs (8 credits)
• 2 general chemistry courses with labs (8 credits)
• 2 organic chemistry courses with labs (8 credits)
• 1 analytical chemistry course with lab (4 credits)
• 1 biological chemistry/biochemistry course (3 credits)

Required Forensic Coursework

• CHS 3501/CHS 3501L Survey of Forensic Science with lab (4 credits)
• CHS 4503C Forensic Science (3 credits), or CHS 5542/5535L Forensic Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
• CHS 3511C Forensic Evidence (3 credits), or CHS 5535 Forensic Analysis (3 credits)
• BSC 4401 Principles of Forensic Biology (3 credits), CHS 4533C Forensic Biochemistry Applications, or BSC 5406 Forensic Biology (3 credits)
• CHS 4591 Forensic Science Internship (3 credits), or CHS 6946 Graduate Forensic Internship (3 credits)

Student and Program Performance Measures 2023

• Students currently enrolled in program: 7
• Students currently completing program prerequisites: 10
• Students completing Certificate in: 4
• Cumulative enrollment: 101
• Cumulative Certificates awarded: 69
• Program graduation rate: 73%
• Graduates who obtained forensic laboratory/professional employment: 52%
• Graduates who obtained other laboratory/professional employment: 23%
• Students who entered post-baccalaureate programs: 10%
• Graduates currently in forensic M.S./Ph.D. programs: 7%