BS in Forensic Science
Middle Tennessee State University
Key Information
Campus location
Murfreesboro, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 1,178 / per credit *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* in-state tuition per credit hour: $385 | out-of-state tuition per credit hour: $1,178
Scholarships
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Introduction
Though forensic science may not be as glamorous as shown on film and television, the field and its practitioners are on the front lines in the fight to put “justice” in the justice system. A joint offering by the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Criminal Justice Administration, MTSU's Forensic Science program offers preparation to its graduates for advanced study in forensic science or employment in public crime laboratories, specialized private laboratories, and law enforcement agencies. It also helps students understand the role of a forensic scientist in the criminal justice system, preparing them to present oral and written findings to the court.
MTSU Forensic Science Program Mission Statement
As an interdisciplinary degree, the Forensic Science program draws on the general mission statements from the University, CBAS, and the participating departments, specifically Biology, Chemistry, and Criminal Justice Administration. All recognize the importance of good instruction, research, public service, and the development of skills necessary for life-long learning. To that end, the mission of the B.S. A degree in Forensic Science at MTSU is to:
- Provide a strong academic foundation that will prepare graduates for advanced study in forensic science or professional schools; or employment in public crime laboratories, specialized private laboratories, and law enforcement agencies.
- Provide students with an appropriate curriculum that will ensure understanding of basic scientific principles and methodologies, as well as the development of analytical skills.
- Promote student understanding of the role of the forensic scientist in the criminal justice system and introduce them to the process whereby oral and written findings are presented to the court.
- Promote student interaction with current forensic practitioners through seminars and internships.
Admissions
Curriculum
Curriculum: Forensic Science
Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.
Freshman
- ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing 3 credit hours (Comm) (Comm)
- ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing 3 credit hours (Comm) (Comm)
- FRSC 1010 - Introduction to the Forensic Science Major 2 credit hours
- MATH 1910 - Calculus I 4 credit hours (Math) (Math)
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
- BIOL 1110 - General Biology I 4 credit hours (Nat Sci) and (Nat Sci) and
- BIOL 1111 - General Biology I Lab 0 credit hours (Nat Sci) (Nat Sci)
- BIOL 1120 - General Biology II 4 credit hours and
- BIOL 1121 - General Biology II Lab 0 credit hours
- CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I 4 credit hours (Nat Sci) and (Nat Sci) and
- CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab 0 credit hours (Nat Sci) (Nat Sci)
- CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II 4 credit hours and
- CHEM 1121 - General Chemistry II Lab 0 credit hours
Subtotal: 31 Hours
Sophomore
- ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture 3 credit hours (Hum/FA) or (Hum/FA) or
- ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature 3 credit hours (Hum/FA) or (Hum/FA) or
- HUM 2610 - World Literatures 3 credit hours (Hum/FA) (Hum/FA)
- FSCJ 4330 - Criminal Investigations 3 credit hours
- FSCJ 4340 - Crime Scene Investigation 3 credit hours
- BIOL 2230 - Microbiology 4 credit hours and
- BIOL 2231 - Microbiology Lab 0 credit hours
- FSBI 3250 - Genetics 4 credit hours and
- FSBI 3251 - Genetics Lab 0 credit hours
- CHEM 2230 - Quantitative Analysis 3 credit hours and
- CHEM 2231 - Quantitative Analysis Lab 2 credit hours
- CHEM 3010 - Organic Chemistry I 3 credit hours and
- CHEM 3011 - Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 credit hour
- PHYS 2010 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics I 0 credit hours (Nat Sci) and (Nat Sci) and
- PHYS 2011 - Physics Problems Laboratory I 4 credit hours (Nat Sci) (Nat Sci)
Subtotal: 30 Hours
Junior
- ANTH 3660 - Forensic Sciences 3 credit hours
- COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 credit hours (Comm) (Comm)
- Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
- CHEM 3020 - Organic Chemistry II 3 credit hours and
- CHEM 3021 - Organic Chemistry II Lab 1 credit hour
- PHYS 2020 - Non-Calculus-Based Physics II 0 credit hours and
- PHYS 2021 - Physics Problems Laboratory II 4 credit hours
- FSCH 3530 - Principles of Biochemistry 4 credit hours and
- FSCH 3531 - Principles of Biochemistry Lab 0 credit hours
- FSCH 4230 - Instrumental Analysis in Forensic Science 4 credit hours and
- FSCH 4231 - Instrumental Analysis in Forensic Science Lab 0 credit hours
- FSBI 4300 - Immunology 4 credit hours and
- FSBI 4301 - Immunology Lab 0 credit hours
or
- BIOL 4570 - Principles of Toxicology 3 credit hours and
- BIOL 4571 - Principles of Toxicology Lab 0 credit hours
Subtotal: 28-29 Hours
Senior
- FRSC 4010 - Forensics Senior Seminar 2 credit hours
- FRSC 4020 - Forensics Internship 4 credit hours
- FSBI 4550 - Biotechnology 3 credit hours
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
- Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
- Elective 1 credit hour
- BIOL 4350 - Biometry 4 credit hours and
- BIOL 4351 - Biometry Lab 0 credit hours
- BIOL 4110 - General Physiology 4 credit hours and
- BIOL 4111 - General Physiology Lab 0 credit hours
Choose 6 hours from:
- HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I 3 credit hours
- HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II 3 credit hours
- HIST 2030 - Tennessee History 3 credit hours
- HIST 2040 - Survey African American History I 3 credit hours
- HIST 2050 - Survey African American History II 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 30 Hours
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
- Crime lab technician
- Crime scene manager
- Criminalist
- Evidence custodian
- Firearms/Toolmark analyst
- Forensic anthropologist
- Forensic biologist
- Forensic chemist
- Forensic investigators (medical examiners' offices)
- Forensic nurse/physician's assistant investigator
- Forensic pathologist
- Forensic photographer
- Forensic scientist
- Intelligence officer/analyst
- Laboratory manager
- Latent fingerprint examiner
- Microanalysis
- Police services support technician
- Quality assurance director
- Toxicologist
English Language Requirements
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