Curriculum

B.S. Program in Forensic Science Suggested Four-Year Curriculum

Forensic science is the application of science to investigations pertaining to the legal system. Forensic scientists apply principles and techniques of various sciences to the examination and comparison of biological evidence, trace evidence, impression evidence, drugs and firearms. A forensic scientist may specialize in a subdiscipline. The role of a forensic scientist will depend on his/her area of concentration, type of employment (government crime lab, medical examiner's office or private practice) and level of experience. The profession requires critical thinking, communication skills, the application of natural and physical sciences to legal issues, and ethical responsibility. The four-year program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in physical and natural sciences, and to acquaint them with various relevant aspects of the legal system.

Program requirements:

1. The successful completion of 128 semester hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in work completed at Hofstra.
2. At least 64 hours of liberal arts courses. At least 59 of these semester hours must be completed in courses outside the Chemistry Department.
3. The following general requirements:
   English 1 and 2 or placement examination;
   Social Science: PHI 14, PSC 129;
   Humanities: FA 170, SPCM 7, and 3 semester hours in literature courses;
   Proficiency in a foreign language through level II or an additional 6 semester hours of humanities or social science electives are strongly recommended.
4. The fulfillment of the following major requirements: BCHM 162; BIO 11, 12, 100 (or its equivalent); CHEM 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 105, 109, 124, 125, 131A, 131B, 132A, 132B, 142; FOR 100, 101, 110, 120, 130, 190, 195; MATH 71, 72; PHYS 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B. A summer internship, FOR 180 and 181.
5. 15 hours in forensic science specialization electives (FOR 140, 150, 160, 165, 185, or BIO 139) or advanced science electives (BCHM 163, 173; BIO 135 /136, 137, 143; CHEM 175; CSC 163, 185, 186; ENGG 27), a minimum of 9 semester hours must be forensic science electives. Selection is made in conference and with approval of a faculty adviser.

Suggested Four-Year Sequence Full-Time Students: 128 s.h.
First Year
	Fall	Spring	Summer I & II
General & Inorganic Chemistry w/Lab (CHEM 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B)	4	4
Analytic Geometry & Calculus (MATH 71, 72)	4	4
Introductory Cell Biology & Genetics (BIO 11, 12)	4
Animal Form & Function		4
English Composition (ENGL 1, 2)	3	3
Total S.H.	15	15	0
Second Year
	Fall	Spring	Summer I & II
Elements of Organic Chemistry w/ Lab (CHEM 131A, 131B, 132A, 132B)	4	4
Quantitative Analysis and Laboratory (CHEM 105, 109)	3	1
Basic Photography (FA 170)	3
Survey in Forensic Science (FOR 100)	3
General Physics I w/ Lab (PHYS 11A, 11B)		5
Crime Scene Investigation Methods (FOR 101)		3
Foreign Language or Elective	3	3
Total S.H.	16	16	0
Third Year
	Fall	Spring	Summer I & II
Molecular Biochemistry I (BCHM 162)	3
General Physics II w/ Lab (PHYS 12A, 12B)	5
Forensic Science Seminar (FOR 110)	1
Introduction to Ethics (PHI 14)	3
Public Speaking or Humanities Lit (SPCM 07 or literature distribution)	3	3
Biostatistics (BIO 100)		3
Physical Chemistry (CHEM 142)		3
Forensic Microscopy (FOR 120)		4
FOR elective or advanced science elective*		3
Forensic Internship (FOR 180 & 181)			6
Total S.H.	15	16	6
Fourth Year
	Fall	Spring	Summer I & II
Instrumental Methods w/ Lab (CHEM 124)	4
Legal Issues of Scientific Evidence (CHEM 125)	3
FOR specialization elective* (FOR 190)	3	3
FOR elective or advanced science elective*	3	3
Methods of Trace Analysis (FOR 130)		4
Forensic Expert Witness Testimony (FOR 195)		3
The Administration of Justice in America (PSC 129)		3
Total S.H.	13	16	0

• A max of 2 additional advanced science electives can be taken; At least 3 forensic science electives (9 s.h.) plus internship are necessary for degree.

Forensic Science (FOR) Electives

• Forensic Analysis of Drugs and Drug Metabolites
• Forensic Anthropology
• Forensic Geology
• Forensic Imaging and Photography
• Introduction to Firearm Identification & Ballistics
• Questioned Documents
• Techniques in Molecular Biology
• Independent Study

Advanced Science Electives

• Genetics lecture and laboratory
• Cell Biology
• Computing Ethics and Society
• Experimental Biochemistry
• Materials and Structural Failure
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biochemistry II