Forensic Science, A.S.

Program Description

The Associate of Science degree in Forensic Science provides the foundation for students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in forensic science. The program combines a science curriculum with hands-on experience in the collection, processing, and analysis of physical evidence in criminal cases. The incorporation of physical science, criminal investigation, and the law provides a comprehensive understanding of the evidentiary process. Students learn investigative techniques and data analysis coupled with critical-thinking, verbal, and written communication skills that are essential for the constantly evolving forensic science disciplines. Before registering for forensic science courses, students, including those with bachelors or advanced degrees, should consult with program faculty or an academic adviser, and should also check with the four-year institution to which they plan to transfer. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree may work as crime scene technicians or laboratory examiners for federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies, or private crime laboratories.

Graduates of the Forensic Science A.S. will be able to:

• Analyze the United States criminal justice system, criminal laws, and the rules of evidence
• Analyze the role of the crime scene technician and the forensic scientist in criminal investigations
• Document, collect, and preserve physical evidence from a crime scene
• Apply the scientific method and basic principles of the biological and physical sciences in the analysis of evidence and to legal concepts and cases

General Education Courses

The list of general education courses appears in the General Education List . Some programs recommend or require specific courses to fulfill general education requirements. Please check your program’s sequence of study for this information.

Sequence of Study - Forensic Science A.S.

Below are the required courses for your program arranged in a suggested sequence. Please note that the sequence does not  include developmental coursework. See Academic Preparation  for the developmental course sequence if applicable to you.

Required Courses (in expected order)

• PAS-1000 First Year Experience 1 Credit (Institutional Requirement)
• INT-1010 Introduction to Information Technology 3 Credits (Computer Literacy Institutional Requirement; Critical Course)
• SOC-1010 Introduction to Sociology 3 Credits (Social Science General Education Requirement)
• EGL-1010 Composition I: Expository Writing 3 Credits (English General Education Requirement; Critical Course)

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• COM-1010 Foundations of Communication 3 Credits (Arts/Humanities General Education Elective) or
• COM-1090 Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits (Arts/Humanities General Education Elective)

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• FOS-2500 Forensic Science 3 Credits (Program Requirement; Critical Course)
• EGL-1340 Composition II: Writing About Technical Topics 3 Credits (English General Education Requirement)
• CJT-1510 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credits (Program Requirement)
• PSY-1010 General Psychology 3 Credits (Social Science General Education Requirement)
• PHL-1010 Introduction to Philosophy: The Art of Questioning 3 Credits (Arts/Humanities General Education Requirement)
• MAT-1350 Pre-Calculus I - College Algebra and Trigonometry 3 Credits (Mathematics General Education Requirement; Critical Course)
• CHM-1010 General Chemistry I 4 Credits (Science w/ Lab General Education Requirement)

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• FOS-2510 Forensic Aspects of Death Investigation 3 Credits (Program Elective) or
• FOS-2520 Forensic Aspects of Drug Identification and Abuse 3 Credits (Program Elective) or
• FOS-2530 Fire and Arson Investigation 3 Credits (Program Elective) or
• PSY-2130 Forensic Psychology 3 Credits (Program Elective)

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• FOS-2550 Photography in the Forensic Sciences 3 Credits (Program Requirement)
• FOS-2590 Crime Scene Investigation 3 Credits (Program Requirement)
• BIO-1140 Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 4 Credits (Program Requirement)
• CHM-1020 General Chemistry II 3 Credits (Program Requirement)
• CHM-1030 General Chemistry II Laboratory 2 Credits (Program Requirement)
• CJT-2510 Criminal Law 3 Credits (Program Requirement)
• BIO-2010 Microbiology 4 Credits (Science w/ Lab General Education Requirement)

Program Total: 60 Credits

Transferability

Credit earned at any public institution in the state shall be transferable to any other institution if the:

• Credit is from a college or university parallel course or program;
• Grades in the block of courses transferred average 2.00 or higher; and
• Acceptance of the credit is consistent with the policies of the receiving institution governing students following the  same program. Refer to ARTSYS at artweb.usmd.edu and the receiving institution’s catalog to select transferable courses.

Need Help?

For help selecting an academic program or courses, consider using Career Coach, available at www.pgcc.edu/go/careercoach.