Forensic Science (BS)
Loyola's strong reputation in the sciences, along with its successful track record in preparing students for the health professions, enables forensic science graduates to begin highly successful careers in this dynamic field.
The Program is fully accredited by The Forensic Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). Learn more about FEPAC on their website.
This major combines coursework from biology, chemistry, criminal justice, mathematics, physics, in addition to forensic science courses.
Program Content and Sensitive Topics
The Forensic Science Program curriculum, by its very nature, includes sensitive topics such as drug overdose, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual violence, domestic violence, postmortem forensic toxicology, homicides, and other violent crime. Our faculty endeavor to handle these topics with the appropriate respect, professionalism, gravity, and discretion. However, students should be aware that these and other topics involving criminal behavior are covered in numerous courses throughout the curriculum. Some courses also include in-depth discussion and case studies.
Curriculum
The forensic science major requires 85-87 credit hours of coursework. The curriculum delivers a broad knowledge base and covers the three major areas in forensic science laboratories: pattern, biology-DNA, and chemistry. Students in this program are required to include the following classes in their curriculum:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Science Courses | ||
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 282 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 283 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 366 / CHEM 361 | Cell Physiology & Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 366L | Cell Physiology & Biochemistry Lab | 3 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 240 | Chemical Reactivity II | 3 |
| CHEM 241 | Chemical Reactivity II Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 260 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 272 | Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 280 | Environmental & Chemical Analysis | 3 |
| PHYS 111 & 111L | College Physics I Lec / Dis and College Physics Laboratory I | 4 |
| PHYS 112 & 112L | College Physics II Lec/Disc and College Physics Lab II | 4 |
| Forensic Science and Criminal Justice Courses | ||
| CJC 101 | Criminal Justice in a Global Context | 3 |
| FRSC 340 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 341 | Forensic Ethics and Professional Practice | 3 |
| FRSC 342 | Expert Witness Testimony and Court Room Demeanor | 3 |
| FRSC 343 | Physical Organic Chemistry for Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 350 & 350L | Pattern Evidence I and Pattern Evidence Lab I | 4 |
| FRSC 360 & 360L | Forensic Drug Chemistry I and Forensic Drug Chemistry Laboratory I | 5 |
| FRSC 370 & 370L | Forensic Biology and Forensic Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| Forensic Capstone | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| Forensic Toxicology I and Forensic Toxicology Laboratory I | ||
| Forensic Molecular Biology Lecture and Laboratory | ||
| Internship in Anthropology 1 | ||
| Ancillary Courses | ||
| MATH 131 | Applied Calculus I | 3 |
| MATH 132 | Applied Calculus II | 3 |
| BIOL 335 | Intro to Biostatistics | 3 |
| or STAT 335 | Introduction to Biostatistics | |
| Total Hours | 86-88 | |
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Requires ANTH 326 Human Osteology Lec/Lab as a prerequisite
In addition to fulfilling major requirements to earn an undergraduate degree, students are required to complete Loyola's Core Curriculum, which teaches them important skills and values. Students also develop their own interests by taking general electives.
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students in this program are encouraged, but not required, to select elective courses from the following list: | ||
| ANTH 324 | Human Evolution | 3 |
| ANTH 326 | Human Osteology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 242 | Human Structure and Function I | 4 |
| BIOL 359 / ANTH 359 | Paleopathology | 3 |
| BIOL 243 | Human Structure and Function II | 4 |
| BIOL 251 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 341 | Histology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 342 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 363 | Entomology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 389 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 |
| FRSC 390 | Forensic Science Internship | 3-4 |
| FRSC 392 | Forensic Science Seminar | 1 |
| FRSC 394 | Forensic Science Research | 1-4 |
| FRSC 395 | Special Topics in the Forensic Science | 3 |
| CJC 201 | Theories of Criminal Behavior | 3 |
| CJC 202 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| CJC 203 | Policing | 3 |
| CJC 322 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJC 323 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| CJC 371 | Victimology | 3 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Students not placing in MATH 118 Precalculus II or higher cannot start the Chemistry sequence until MATH 117 Precalculus I is completed with a grade of C- or better. Such students are advised to enroll in first-year Chemistry courses in the summer sessions (after meeting the math requirement) in order to complete the major in four years.
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 131 or MATH 161 |
Applied Calculus I or Calculus I |
3 |
| UCWR 110 | Writing Responsibly | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| MATH 132 or MATH 162 |
Applied Calculus II or Calculus II |
3 |
| CJC 101 | Criminal Justice in a Global Context | 3 |
| Philosophical Foundational Core 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 111 | College Physics I Lec / Dis | 3 |
| PHYS 111L | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 240 | Chemical Reactivity II | 3 |
| CHEM 241 | Chemical Reactivity II Laboratory | 1 |
| FRSC 340 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| Historical Foundational Core 1 | 3 | |
| Ethics Core 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 112 | College Physics II Lec/Disc | 3 |
| PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
| CHEM 260 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 272 | Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| FRSC 341 | Forensic Ethics and Professional Practice | 3 |
| Literary Foundational Core 1 | 3 | |
| Theological Foundational Core 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 282 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 283 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 280 | Environmental & Chemical Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 343 | Physical Organic Chemistry for Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 350 | Pattern Evidence I | 3 |
| FRSC 350L | Pattern Evidence Lab I | 1 |
| Foreign Language 101 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 366 / CHEM 361 | Cell Physiology & Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 366L | Cell Physiology & Biochemistry Lab 2 | 3 |
| STAT 335 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| FRSC 342 | Expert Witness Testimony and Court Room Demeanor | 3 |
| Foreign Language 102 1 | 3 | |
| Societal/Cultural Foundation Core 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| FRSC 360 | Forensic Drug Chemistry I | 3 |
| FRSC 360L | Forensic Drug Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| FRSC 370 | Forensic Biology | 3 |
| FRSC 370L | Forensic Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| Artistic Core 1 | 3 | |
| Literary Tier 2 Core 1 | 3 | |
| Philosophical Tier 2 Core 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| FRSC 361 & 361L |
Forensic Toxicology I or Forensic Molecular Biology Lecture and Laboratory or Internship in Anthropology |
3 |
| FRSC 390 or FRSC 394 |
Forensic Science Internship 1,2 or Forensic Science Research |
3-4 |
| Historical Tier 2 Core 1 | 3 | |
| Societal/Cultural Tier 2 Core 1 | 3 | |
| Theological Tier 2 Core 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Total Hours | 135-136 | |
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Scheduling of this course is flexible
- 2
BIOL 366L, FRSC 390, and FRSC 394 satisfy the Engaged Learning requirements.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
The Forensic Science Program is dedicated to:
- Provide forensic science students with a solid foundation in the natural sciences.
- Educate forensic science students in a broad range of forensic analytical techniques and in the various aspects of forensic science professional practice and allow students to develop critical thinking skills required to solve problems encountered in the forensic sciences.
- Prepare forensic science students for entry-level positions in forensic science laboratories and graduate/professional schools in the forensic sciences.