Forensic Science BS

The program in Forensic Science is a rigorous science degree requiring requisite backgrounds of mathematics and science.

Research

Learn more about the research our students are doing

Student Success Stories

Meet some of our exceptional graduates

Careers

Explore the many career opportunities for Chemistry majors

The Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary program and covers the areas of forensic chemistry, biology, and criminal justice. The program in forensic science is a rigorous science degree requiring requisite backgrounds of mathematics and science. Program graduates can enter crime laboratories (government and private) as criminalists, work as research assistants in grant funded university research, and obtain entry into M.S. and Ph.D. programs in forensic science.

The Forensic science program is broad. It will take 120 credit hours to complete the program. The curriculum includes (a) general education coursework; (b) common prerequisites in biology, general and organic chemistry, and calculus, (c) Required courses in the major; and (d) Electives in the major. The B.S. in Forensic Science includes courses that integrate chemistry with forensic science and criminal justice which make this program unique in Florida.

Instructors use active learning techniques to allow students to experience and understand chemical principles as applied to forensic science. Lectures combined with problem-solving activities, with an emphasis on collaborative and interactive learning environment, rather than the traditional lecture format are the norm in the department. Laboratories designed to include the latest technology and to allow collaborative experimental experiences prepare students for their professional careers. The forensic science major allows students to participate in undergraduate research and seek out internship opportunities in Federal/State/Private crime laboratories.

Department Contacts

Coticone, Sulekha

Chair/Professor

SH 0427

239-590-7528

scoticon@fgcu.edu

Allen, Angel

Administrative Specialist II, Chemistry & Physics

SH 0443

239-590-1878

arallen@fgcu.edu

Accreditation
Toggle More Info
Admissions Information
Toggle More Info
Admissions Information for the 2022-2023 Catalog Year
If you are not yet an FGCU student, visit the Admissions Office Website
If you are a newly-admitted FGCU student please be sure to sign up for an Eagle View Orientation session. As part of this session you will be meeting with an academic advisor who will assist you in registering for classes for your major.
Admission Deadlines
Visit the Admissions Office Web site for information on admission deadlines of the university.
Program Requirements
Toggle More Info
Program Requirements for the 2022-2023 Catalog Year
The General Education Program Website is located at https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
For timely degree completion, students must complete all program milestones. The following actions occur when milestone are missed: first occurrence—warning and advising hold; second occurrence—advising hold and counseling regarding progression requirements; and third occurrence—counseling and change to a major outside of the Department of Chemistry and Physics or Department of Biology that is more appropriate to student goals and academic performance. Appeals are handled through the relevant department. The decision of the appeal committee is final. Program milestones include the following:
- CHM 1045/L (or CHM 1045C) minimum grade of C completed one calendar year from admission as FTIC or 30 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- CHM 1046/L (or CHM 1046C) minimum grade of C completed by end of fifth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 60 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- CHM 2210/L (or CHM 2210C) minimum grade of C completed by end of seventh semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 75 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- CHM 2211/L (or CHM 2211C) minimum grade of C completed by end of eighth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 90 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
- CHM 3120/L (or CHM 3120C) minimum grade of C completed by end of eighth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 90 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
Transfer students may declare the major after they have completed CHM 1045/L, CHM 1046/L, and CHM 2210/L with grades of C or better in each course. CHM 2211/L and CHM 3120/L must be completed with a grade of C or better within three semesters (including summer) of declaring the major.
- In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
- Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000 - 4999) level.
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfy the Service Learning requirement. (See https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/servicelearning/).
- Satisfy the residency requirement: thirty of the last sixty credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- Satisfy Civic Literacy requirement.
Program Requirements
1. FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
  To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major.
2. Common Prerequisites
  For this major, common prerequisite courses with an asterisk (*) require prior knowledge and skills demonstrated through degree acceleration programs (e.g., the College Board's Advanced Placement Program [AP], International Baccalaureate Program [IB], College-Level Examination Program [CLEP], Advanced International Certificate of Education Program [AICE]); dual enrollment; placement exam; or college coursework.
  
  FGCU Course: BSC 1010C Gen’l Biology w/Lab I (4) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: (BSCX010 and BSCX010L) or BSC X010C
  
  FGCU Courses: *CHM 1045 General Chemistry I (3) and CHM 1045L General Chemistry I Lab (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitutes: (CHMX040 and CHMX041) or CHM045C or (CHMX045 and CHMX045L)
  [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]
  
  FGCU Courses: CHM 1046 General Chemistry II (3) and CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Lab (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitutes: (CHMX046 and CHMX046L) or CHMX046C
  
  FGCU Courses: *MAC 2311 Calculus I (4) and MAC 2312 Calculus II (4) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: (MACX311 and MACX312) or (MACX253 and MACX254)
  [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C then MAC 1147 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]
  
  FGCU Courses: CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I (3) and CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) and CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II (3) and CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitutes: (CHMX210 and CHMX210L and CHM X211 and CHM X211L) or (CHMX210C and CHMX211C)
  
  FGCU Course: PHY 2048 General Physics I (3) and PHY 2048L General Physics I Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitutes: PHYX048C or (PHYX048 and PHYX048L) or PHY X053C or (PHYX053 and PHYX053L)
  
  FGCU Course: PHY 2049 General Physics II (3) and PHY 2049L General Physics II Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitutes: PHYX049C or (PHYX048 and PHYX049L) or PHY 2054C or (PHYx054 and PHYX054L)
  
  FGCU Course: *STA 2023 Statistical Methods (3) Minimum grade of C
  Acceptable Substitute: STAX023
  [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]
3. Required Courses in the Major (43 credits)
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course.
  
  ANT 2511C Into to Physical Anthropology (3)
  ANT 3520C Forensic Anthropology (3)
  BSC 1011 General Biology II (3)
  BSC 1011L General Biology II Laboratory (1)
  CCJ 1080 Intro Forensic Studies (3)
  CCJ 3670 Crime Scene Investigation (3)
  CCJ 4054 Ethics in the Crim Justice Sys. (3)
  CHM 3120 Analytical Chemistry (3)
  CHM 3120L Analytical Chemistry Lab (1)
  CHM 4130 Instrumental Analysis (3)
  CHM 4130L Instrumental Analysis Lab (1)
  CHM 4932 Chemistry Senior Seminar (3)
  CHS 4533C Forensic Biochemistry (3)
  CHS 4544C Forensic Chemistry (3)
  CJL 4133 Criminal Evidence (3)
  PCB 3063C Genetics (4)
4. Restricted Electives in the Major (12 credits)
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course.
  
  ANT 4525C Human Osteology (3)
  BCH 3023C Biochemistry (3)
  BCH 3025C Analytical Biochemistry (3)
  CHM 4080C Adv Environmental Chemistry (3)
  CHM 4174C Lasers in Physical Sciences (3)
  CHM 4220C Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
  CHM 4230C Practical NMR Spectroscopy (3)
  CHM 4254C Medicinal Organic Synthesis (3)
  CHM 4300 Bio-Organic Chemistry (3)
  CHM 4671 Bioinorganic Chemistry (3)
  CHM 4905C Dir Ind Study/Res in Chem (1-4)^
  CHS 3941 Internship in Forensic Science (1-4)^
  CHS 4905C Dir. Ind. Res. - Forensic Sci. (1-4)^
  MCB 3020C General Microbiology (4)
  PCB 3023C Cell Biology (4)
  PCB 4522C Molecular Genetics (3)
  
  ^A maximum number of 4 credits combined from these courses can be used to fulfill the elective requirement.
5. University Requirements (3 credits)
  IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)
6. Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
Total Credits Required: 120
Curriculum Map
Toggle More Info
Curriculum Maps are to be used as a general guideline for students. Some students scheduling needs may vary based upon completed courses and transfer credits. Please see your advisor for assistance and verification.
2021-2022 Forensic Sciences BS Curriculum Map

Additional Graduation Requirements include:
- A minimum of 120 credit hours. A minimum of 48 of the 120 hours must be at the upper division (3000 - 4999) level. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- A minimum grade of C for each course used to satisfy the following categories: common prerequisites, required courses in the major, and courses in the concentration.
- Satisfaction of the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfaction of the Service Learning requirement (See www.fgcu.edu/connect).
- Satisfaction of the residency requirement: thirty of the last sixty credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Completion of the summer course enrollment requirement. Submit an online Application for Graduation via Gulfline by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes

For All Majors: Students are strongly recommended to select required lower division electives that will enhance their General Education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.
Course Description
Toggle More Info
Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search
Course Schedule
Toggle More Info
Getting started with the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
Learning Outcomes
Toggle More Info
Academic Learning Compact

Consistent with its mission and guiding principles, Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to academic excellence and continuous quality improvement, as supported by a sound teaching-learning process. Within this process, students and instructors share responsibility for learning that is a movement from the simple to the complex, the concrete to the abstract, and the dependent to the independent. The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative supports the teaching-learning process by clearly identifying expected core student learning outcomes in the areas of content/discipline knowledge and skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills; aligning curricula with expectations; and using assessment to guide continuous improvement.

Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Understand the fundamental principles utilized in forensic science
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the applications of chemistry and criminal justice in forensic science
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the techniques used in crime scene investigation including storage, chain of custody and analysis of evidence based on the applications of scientific method.
4. Explain the principles of operation for common chemistry laboratory instrumentation used in forensic science, using knowledge of chemical structure and properties and instrument design.
5. Understand the role of law, ethics, courtroom testimony, quality assurance and professional practice in forensic science
Content/discipline knowledge and skills are assessed at the college and departmental levels through papers, exams and other projects completed in the following courses: CHM 1045 General Chemistry I, CHM 1046 General Chemistry II; CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I; CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II; CHM 3120C Analytical Chemistry; CHM 4139C Instrumental Analysis; CCJ 3670 Crime Scene Investigation; CCJ 4054 Ethics in the Criminal Justice Sys; CJL 4133 Criminal Evidence; CHS 4544C Forensic Chemistry.
Communication Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Interpret and evaluate information obtained in experiments and case studies related to forensic evidence and investigations.
2. Communicate orally and in writing specific information obtained in experiments and the interpretation of experimental results relating to forensic evidence and investigation.
Communication skills are assessed as part of the General Education Program through papers, exams, and projects completed in ENC 1101 Composition I, ENC 1102 Composition II. Communication skills are also assessed in the following courses: CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Laboratory; and CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory.
Critical Thinking Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Analyze the latest applications of techniques and technology in the field of forensic science.
2. Investigate and analyze data from laboratory experiments related to the forensic field for their accuracy and statistical validity by understanding the errors and limitations inherent in laboratory techniques and instruments.
3. Examine and evaluate methods, results and conclusions in forensic science literature.
Critical thinking skills are assessed as part of the General Education Program through papers, exams, and projects completed. Critical thinking skills are also assessed in the following courses: CHM 1045 General Chemistry I, CHM 1046 General Chemistry II; CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I; CHM 3120C Analytical Chemistry; CHM 4139C Instrumental Analysis; CHS 4544C Forensic Chemistry.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
Toggle More Info

Tuition and Fees

Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, additional scholarships, loans, and student employment.