Apr 23, 2024  
Transfer Course Guide 
    
Transfer Course Guide

Associate of Science - BS Forensic Science


SC Technical College System Transfer

Forensic science applies to several major careers, including: criminalistics, medical examiner, pathology/biology, odontology, toxicology, physical anthropology, questioned documents, engineering sciences, computer science, forensic weather, and jurisprudence. Forensic science is the application of science to studying evidence in cases related to criminal and civil laws that are enforced by agencies in a criminal justice system. A forensic science major can lead to a rewarding career where science can be applied to the good of society, public health, and public safety. Laboratories dealing with investigation of criminal acts are hiring employees who are trained as scientists. Forensic scientists work in crime laboratories, forensic laboratories, police departments, medical examiner/coroner offices, hospitals, government agencies, and private laboratories. The type of work forensic scientists are involved in is expanding-crime scene technicians/analysts, forensic molecular biologists, toxicologists, and medico-legal death investigators are just a few of the options available. Forensic scientists investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. They may specialize in areas such as DNA analysis, fingerprint analysis, toxicology, or performing tests on substances such as fiber, hair, tissue, or body fluids to determine the significance to an investigation. The course requirements of forensic science at Southern Wesleyan University will provide a solid biology and chemistry background, and qualifies a person to work at an entry level in a crime laboratory, where principles and techniques of science are practiced and applied to the analysis of crime scene evidence. A graduate is also qualified to pursue graduate programs in specialized areas of forensic science, medicine, physician’s assistant, or dentistry.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forensic Science degree are expected to:

  • comprehend, explain, and analyze chemical phenomena related to inorganic chemistry and inorganic analysis;
  • comprehend, explain, and analyze chemical phenomena related to organic chemistry and organic analysis, especially components related to forensic science;
  • comprehend, explain, and analyze chemical phenomena related to biochemistry, especially analysis of unknown biochemicals and of the techniques and instrumentation necessary to carry out appropriate procedures in bioanalytical chemistry;
  • comprehend, explain, and analyze phenomena related to genetics and especially DNA analysis and of the techniques and instrumentation necessary to carry out appropriate procedures;
  • demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of fingerprint analysis;
  • comprehend, explain, and analyze phenomena related to microbiology, especially as it relates to unknown microbiological organisms; and
  • demonstrate basic knowledge about firearms and ballistics, tool marks and other impressions.
Forensic Science BS Requirements with Associate in Science Equivalencies

Gen Education Requirements with Technical College Equivalencies  (40-44 Hours)

Specified Core Curriculum


Students earning a bachelor’s degree must complete all Core Curriculum requirements.  The following specific core curriculum courses are required.

SWU Specified Core Curriculum Requirements Equivalent Technical College Courses
CHEM 1114   General Chemistry CHM 101 General Chemistry I
MATH 2504   Calculus I MAT 140 Analytical Geometry and Calculus I
PSYC 2003   General Psychology PSY 201 General Psychology

 

Major Courses (68 Hours)

SWU Major Requirements Equivalent Technical College Courses
BIOL 1114    General Biology I BIO 101 Biological Science I
BIOL 3204   Anatomy and Physiology I  BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology I or BIO 215 Anatomy and BIO 216 Physiology
BIOL 3214   Anatomy and Physiology II BIO 211 Anatomy and Physiology II or BIO 215 Anatomy and BIO 216 Physiology
BIOL 3254   Biochemistry No equivalent course
BIOL 3454   Cellular and Molecular Biology BIO 250 Molecular Biology
BIOL 3504   Genetics No equivalent course
CHEM 1124   General Chemistry II CHM 101 General Chemistry I
CHEM 2504   Organic Chemistry I CHM 211 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2514   Organic Chemistry II CHM 212 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 3404   Inorganic Analysis No equivalent course
CHEM 3414   Organic Analysis No equivalent course
CRJS 2153   Firearms for Criminal Justice and Forensic Science No equivalent course
FRSC 2103   Introduction to Forensic Science No equivalent course
FRSC 3101   Forensic Science Seminars No equivalent course
FRSC 3123   Fingerprint Analysis No equivalent course
PHYS 2044   Physics I PHY 201 Physics I
PHYS 2054   Physics II PHY 202 Physics II
PSYC 3353   Forensic Psychology No equivalent course
STAT 3203   Statistics MAT 120 Probability and Statistics or MAT 220 Advanced Statistics

 

Electives   (8-12 Hours)

In addition to core curriculum/general education requirements (40-44 credit hours) and major course requirements, students must complete elective coursework appropriate to their degree.  A minimum of 120 credit hours is rquired for most bachelor’s degrees, including elective coursework.  Students are strongly encouraged to work with their advisor to identify courses that complement their program area.

Recommended Electives:

  • BIOL 2034   Zoology (BIO 201 Zoology (for non-science majors)
  • BIOL 3104   Microbiology (BIO 225 Microbiology)
  • FRSC 4803   Forensic Science Internship (No equivalent course)
  • CRJS 1253   Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice)
  • CRJS 3453   Criminal Investigation (No equivalent course)

 

Total (120 Hours)

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