University Catalog 2024-2025

Forensic Science (Minor)

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 can do so online through CODA (in MyPack). 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

Biological Sciences Student Services
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.
Required Course
PCC 274Introduction to Forensic Science3
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
ST 305
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 Courses6
Introduction to Forensic Anthropology
Human Osteology
ANT 422
Advanced Methods in Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Chemistry
Introduction to Forensic Entomology
Personal Genomics
Materials Forensics and Degradation
Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
Total Hours18