Forensic Science, A.S.

Program Description

In the Forensic Science, A.S., students learn about the workings of the criminal justice system of the United States. They analyze its structure and function, criminal laws, and the rules of evidence. Students learn how the interpretation of forensic data and legal cases uses the scientific method and applies principles in biology, chemistry, and investigative techniques. Additionally, students explore the responsibilities of crime scene technicians and forensic scientists in criminal investigations and how to document, collect, and preserve physical evidence from a crime scene. 

This degree prepares students for transfer to a 4-year institution. Students should discuss their elective selections with an advisor, the department chair, or academic coordinator before scheduling courses for the semester.

Program Outcomes

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

1. Analyze the United States criminal justice system, criminal laws, and the rules of evidence.
2. Analyze the roles of the crime scene technician and the forensic scientist in criminal investigations.
3. Document, collect, and preserve physical evidence from a crime scene.
4. 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

Below are the required courses for your program arranged in a suggested sequence. Please note that the sequence does not include the English co-requisite course (EGL-0100S ) or any co-requisite MAT courses (MAT-0113C , MAT-0114C , MAT-0125C  and MAT-0135C  ). See Academic Preparation  for more information on College Readiness if applicable to you. 

Required Courses (in expected order)

• PAS-1000 First Year Experience Credits: 1 (Institutional Requirement)
• FOS-2500 Forensic Science Credits: 3 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)
• INT-1010 Introduction to Information Technology Credits: 3 (Computer Literacy Institutional Requirement; Critical Course)
• CJT-1510 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• EGL-1010 Composition I: Expository Writing Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement; Critical Course)

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• MAT-1350 Precalculus Part I Credits: 3 (Mathematics General Education Elective) OR
• MAT-1360 Precalculus Part II Credits: 4 (Mathematics General Education Elective) OR
• MAT-2410 Calculus I Credits: 4 (Mathematics General Education Elective)

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• FOS-2510 Forensic Aspects of Death Investigation Credits: 3 (Program Elective) OR
• FOS-2520 Forensic Aspects of Drug Identification and Abuse Credits: 3 (Program Elective) OR
• FOS-2530 Fire and Arson Investigation Credits: 3 (Program Elective) OR
• MAT-1140 Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3 (Program Elective)

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• SOC-1010 Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Requirement)
• FOS-2550 Forensic Photography Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• FOS-2590 Crime Scene Investigation Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

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

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• EGL-1340 Composition II: Writing About Technical Topics Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement)
• CHM-1010 General Chemistry I Credits: 4 (Science with Lab General Education Requirement)
• CHM-1020 General Chemistry II Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• CHM-1030 General Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 2 (Program Requirement)
• BIO-1140 Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Credits: 4 (Science with Lab General Education Requirement)
• PSY-1010 General Psychology Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Requirement)
• CJT-2510 Criminal Law Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• PHL-1010 Introduction to Philosophy: The Art of Questioning Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Requirement)
• BIO-2010 Microbiology Credits: 4 (Program Requirement)

Program Total: 60-61 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.