Program Type: Transfer Program

Program Total: 60 Credits

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
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Required Courses

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)

MAT-1350 Precalculus Part I Credits: 3 (Mathematics General Education Requirement; Critical Course)

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

PSY-2130 Forensic Psychology Credits: 3 (Program Elective)

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)

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

COM-1090 Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Elective)

EGL-1340 Writing About Technical Topics Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement)

CHM-1010 General Chemistry I Credits: 4 (Science w/ 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 (Program 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 (Science w/ Lab General Education Requirement)

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.
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