FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT
Sally Welch, Ph.D.
Liberal Arts Building, Room 301
Direct: (313) 927-1319
E-mail: swelch@marygrove.edu

PROGRAMS OFFERED
Bachelor of Science, Forensic Science
Major (B.S.)
Certificate in Forensic Science

POTENTIAL CAREERS
Criminologist, Doctor, Educator, Field Technician, Government Agent, Laboratory Technician, Lawyer, Odontologist,Pathologist, Forensic Anthropologist Toxicologist and Writer.

FACULTY
Jeanne Andreoli, Ph.D.; Catherine Orban, Ph.D.; Donald Rizzo, Ph.D.; Steve Scribner, Ph.D.; and Sally Welch, Ph.D.

GENERAL INFORMATION
The Forensic Science Department has three major objectives: (1) to provide a strong interdisciplinary forensic science major within a liberal arts framework for those entering forensic-related jobs in industry or the government or preparing for graduate work; (2) to provide cognate backgrounds in chemistry, biology, math and physics others who may require this major; (3) to provide non-science majors with sufficient background to
understand advances in technology and an ability to apply scientific knowledge to
solve real-life problems.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The Bachelor of Science with a major in forensic science is designed for both students who want a career in forensic laboratories in police departments, district attorney’s offices, regional and state agencies, DEA, ATF, FBI, USPS, SS, CIA and United States Fish and Wildlife Services, medical examiners office, private companies, and for occupations that require a moderate training in chemistry combined with training in one or more other areas.

CAREER INFORMATION
As a forensic science student you will have a wide variety of excellent career opportunities available to you: forensic-related jobs with government departments at the federal, state, and local level. Forensic science majors also often pursue advanced work in graduate schools as well as medical school. A forensic science background is also valuable to you if you major in the health sciences (nutrition, clinical chemistry, and industrial hygiene).

SPECIAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM
Academic Performance. A forensic science major must earn a grade of C or better in all required courses.

Standardized National Assessment Exam
All students majoring in forensic science must participate in a National Assessment Instrument (i.e. MTTC, GRE, MCAT, ACS) prior to graduation.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
Marygrove College offers an interdisciplinary certificate program in forensic science.
This certificate is intended for people who have completed at least two years of undergraduate course work. It is also designed for professional practitioners
with baccalaureate or advanced degrees, who want to change careers.

To receive a certificate in forensic science, you must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours at Marygrove College, including 24 hours of required courses.

FSC 140 Introduction to Forensic Science
FSC 240 Forensic Biology
FSC 340 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1
FSC 341 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 2
FSC 440 Toxicology or FSC 385 Genetic Analysis
CJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice
SOC 330 Criminology
Total Credits: 22

A minimum grade of C in each of the required courses must be obtained in order to qualify for the forensic science certificate.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, FORENSIC MAJOR (B.S.)
Forensic science is an interdisciplinary major and does not require an additional minor to be completed. The requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree with forensic major are a minimum of 68 credit hours in forensic science and related courses and completion of the
following components:

A. General Education Requirements
See general education requirements.

B. Required Core Courses
FSC 140 Introduction to Forensic Science
FSC 240 Forensic Biology
FSC 340 Crime Scene Investigation and Analysis 1
FSC 341 Crime Scene Investigation and Analysis 2
FSC 385 Genetics Analysis
FSC 496 Senior Seminar
BIO 150 Principles of Biology
BIO 257 Anatomy and Physiology
CHM 140 General Chemistry 1 *
CHM 325 Organic Chemistry 1
CHM 326 Organic Chemistry 2 or CHM 241
CJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice
PHY 252 College Physics **
PSY 435 Abnormal Psychology
SOC 305 Introductory Statistics
SOC 311 Deviant Behavior
SOC 330 Criminal Behavior
SOC 380 Criminal Law

You must also take one of the two following courses:
      FSC 240          Forensic Biology and Chemistry or
      FSC 440          Toxicology

* MTH 105 is needed to entry CHM 140
** MTH 110 is needed to entry PHY 252

Recommended courses:
MTH 251 Calculus 1
PHY 253 College Physics 2

C. Other Experiences

Credit by examination (C.L.E.P.), tutorial study and cooperative work experiences are other features of the program. Permission of the department head is required to select these options. Not more than four credit hours in cooperative work experience may be counted within the 128 credit hours required for a degree.

D. Standardized National Assessment Exam
All students majoring in Forensic Science must participate in a National Assessment Instrument (i.e. MTTC, GRE, MCAT, ACS) prior to graduation.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

FSC 140 Introduction to Forensic Science 3 hours
Forensic science is the application of science to the law and encompasses various
scientific disciplines. This course will introduce various methodologies and applications used in the forensic context. Topics discussed include organic and inorganic chemical analyses of physical evidence, principles of serology and DNA analysis, identification of fresh and decomposed human remains, ballistics, fingerprint analysis, facial reconstruction, drug analysis, and forensic entomology.

FSC 240 Forensic Biology and Chemistry 3 hours
Prerequisite: BIO 150; CHM 140; FSC 140
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the biological and chemical aspects to forensic science as it applies to criminal investigation and laboratory preparation. Part one of this course looks at the instrumentation and chemistry associated with crimes.  We will look at how the instrumentation is used, what type of evidence it can process, how to read the results and the properties of the chemical evidence.  Part two of this course is an introduction to the basic principles of forensic anthropology.  Topics will include study of human skeletal and dental remains, trauma to the human body, facial reconstruction, forensic entomology and botany, hair and fiber analysis, fingerprinting, pathology used in identification, and toxicology.

FSC 340 Crime Scene Investigation and Analysis 1 4 hours
Prerequisite: FSC 140; CHM 140; BIO 139
This course is designed to provide students with the basic theoretical and philosophical understanding of the investigatory process as well as fundamental investigation techniques such as crime scene analysis, collection, preservation, and testing of evidence, modus operandi, use of technology, types of evidence, and the science of criminalistics. Analysis of problems encountered in interviewing, interrogating, evidence collection, and admissibility will be examined. Application of investigation theories to the administration of justice will also be developed. Laboratory course.

FSC 341 Crime Scene Investigation and Analysis 2 4 hours
Prerequisite: FSC 340
This course is a continuation of Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1. Laboratory course.

FSC 385 Genetic Analysis 2 hours
Prerequisite: BIO 139
Study of hereditary material, its biological, chemical and physical nature. Transmission and function will be emphasized. Students will become versed in the tools of human molecular genetic analysis, the nature of DNA and its applications.

FSC 440 Toxicology 3 hours
Prerequisite: CHM 325; FSC 340
A comprehensive study of general principles and fundamentals of forensic toxicology, poisons, action, toxicity, postmortem characteristics, samples required for toxicological analysis and methods of collection, methods of preservation and analysis. Chemical, toxicological and pathological characteristics of commonly abused drugs, including the following: ethanol, barbiturates, narcotics, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Details of the methods employed for analysis, such as color test, Chromatography (GC, GLC, HPLC), mass spectrometry (MS), GC-MS.

FSC 388 Cooperative Field Experience 1-4 hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing, forensic science major, departmental approval;
Term: 1, 2, summer
Supervised work experience in activity related to area of specialization. This is planned
in consultation with advisor, co-op supervisor and employer. Recording, reporting and evaluation of experience will be required.

FSC 496 Senior Seminar 2 hours
Prerequisites: Senior standing; FSC major; ENG 312; Term: 1, 2
Investigation of a significant forensic science problem with the direction of a faculty member. Topics include use of computer for library informational searches, scientific writing, illustrations, tables, graphs, figures, photographs and word processing. An
oral presentation and a final research paper required.

last updated: 6/07