Forensic Science (Minor)
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!
The Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Sciences offers an undergraduate Minor in Forensic Science, an interdisciplinary field of study that involves the application of scientific principles and methodology from numerous scientific disciplines to criminal investigations. The Forensic Science Minor is available to undergraduates majoring in any field, but might be most appropriate for students majoring or planning to pursue advanced studies in the sciences or in science education. Students in the Minor in Forensic Science take one required introduction to forensic science (3 credit hours), three required foundational courses (9 credit hours), and then they have the opportunity to further explore a variety of scientific disciplines as they relate to the legal system (minimum 6 credit hours). At least 9 credit hours of the minor must be completed at NC State.
Admissions and Certification of Minor
The minor in Forensic Science is administered within the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Sciences. Students who plan to minor in Forensic Science should contact the contact person listed below for information on how to do so. Students are strongly encouraged to declare the minor early in their studies so they receive information on relevant courses, events, and other opportunities from the Department of Biological Sciences.
Certification
All requirements for the minor must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from his or her major degree program. Students apply to graduate in the minor through MyPack at the same time that they apply to graduate in their major program.
Contact Person
Dennis Kauffman
Bostian Hall 2727
919-515-3341
BioSciHelp@ncsu.edu
Coordinator
Dr. Ann Ross
David Clark Labs 140
919-515-3122
ahross@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
The Forensic Science minor consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours.
- A grade of C- or better is required for all Minor courses with a 2.0 GPA required in the minor for graduation.
- No course used in the minor can be taken for credit only (S/U).
- Courses taken for the minor can also be used toward major requirements, GEP Electives, or Free Electives.
- At least 9 credit hours of the minor must be completed at NC State.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| PCC 274 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| Foundational Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Human Variation | ||
| Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (A): Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, & Digestive Systems | ||
| Functional Histology | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| Environmental Monitoring and Analysis | ||
| Genetics in Human Affairs | ||
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Soil and Environmental Biogeochemistry | ||
| Introduction to Fiber Science | ||
| Principles of Toxicology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Statistics by Example | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Probability and Statistics for Engineers | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Contemporary Moral Issues | ||
| Bio-Medical Ethics | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Elective Courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Human Osteology | ||
| Forensic Anthropology Crime Scene Investigation Field Methods | ||
| Advanced Methods in Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Forensic Chemistry | ||
| Introduction to Forensic Entomology | ||
| Personal Genomics | ||
| Materials Forensics and Degradation | ||
| Forensic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |