Forensic Science Minor

Forensics Minor

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Enhance your major with a forensic science minor.

Forensic science is an interdisciplinary academic area of study that draws from a wide range of disciplines including biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computer science, and criminal justice. The mission of the forensic science minor is to provide a quality educational experience that will enable students to reach the highest standards of academic excellence through a generalist perspective on the forensic sciences. The program will provide opportunities for the analysis and application of knowledge through exposure to a wide variety of scientific disciplines and professional skill sets.

Explore sample courses in this program.

BT-101 Introduction to Forensic Sciences

Survey of forensic case studies and the laboratory techniques used to solve crimes including microscopy, chromatography, ballistics, and DNA analysis.
4 credits

BT-240 Research Experience for Undergraduates

Lab- and/or field-based research on a specific research topic under the supervision of a faculty member. Permission of instructor required.
1 to 6 credits

BT-408 Directed Study: Biotechnology

Directed study offers students who, because of unusual circumstances, may be unable to register for a course when offered the opportunity to complete an existing course with an established syllabus under the direction of and with agreement from a faculty member.
3 credits

BT-440 Advanced Research Experience

Advanced lab and/or field-based research on a specific research topic under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisites: BI-205. Instructor permission required. Junior/senior standing required.
1 to 6 credits

BT-450 Internship in Biotechnology

Qualified upper-level biotechnology majors can learn experimental techniques by working in a company laboratory or a professional manufacturing environment. Consent of department and faculty sponsor.
3 to 6 credits

CH-250 Instrumental Technology for Forensic Analysis

Introduction to instrumental techniques used to analyze crime scene evidence. Includes HPLC, IR spectrometry, atomic spectroscopy, and GC-MS. 3 lecture hours and 3 lab hours per week.
4 credits

CH-408 Directed Study: Chemistry

Directed study offers students who, because of unusual circumstances, may be unable to register for a course when offered the opportunity to complete an existing course with an established syllabus under the direction of and with agreement from a faculty member.
3 to 4 credits

CH-480 Internship: Chemistry

Project completed at an institution other than Worcester State by a student with a non-Worcester State sponsor and Worcester State liaison.
1 to 6 credits

CJ-103 Evidence Collection and Crime Scene Preservation

This course provides students with a theoretical framework for the practice of evidence collection and crime scene preservation. Various techniques and protocols for investigation are reviewed and linked to methods of collection of physical evidence as well as the interpretation, accountability, and preservation of data. Techniques of documentation and case preparation are also explored.
3 credits

CJ-398 Criminal Justice Internship

Criminal justice internship involves student field-based work experience within selected agencies of the criminal justice system or allied helping agencies. This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to translate theoretically oriented classroom principles into practical application.
3 to 6 credits

CJ-399 Independent Study in Criminal Justice

Individual research and independent study related to a particular aspect of criminal justice that is of special interest.
3 to 6 credits

CJ-401 Forensic Science Senior Seminar

The senior seminar is designed to bring together the diverse areas of knowledge that the student has gained in the area of forensic science. It is a synthesis of classroom knowledge applied to real-world forensic science issues. Topics covered emphasize the use of critical thinking skills to analyze, integrate, and synthesize research and case studies relevant to the forensic sciences.
3 credits

CJ-408 Directed Study: Criminal Justice

Directed study offers students who, because of unusual circumstances, may be unable to register for a course when offered the opportunity to complete an existing course with an established syllabus under the direction of and with agreement from a faculty member.
3 credits

CS-165 Digital Forensics

Digital forensics investigation; data acquisition; processing crime and incident scenes; multiple operating systems and file formats; digital forensics tools, analysis, and validation.
3 credits

CS-497 Selected Topics: Computer Science

Selection of topics of mutual interest to student and faculty.
1 to 6 credits

CS-498 Internship: Computer Science

Working in and for an organization where skills can be tested in real situations in order to gain experience, increase knowledge in various functional areas, and establish important contacts with an organization.
3 credits

CS-499 Independent Study: Computer Science

An opportunity for advanced students to examine topics not normally taught in other mathematics or computer courses. Geared to the interests of both the student and the instructor.
1 to 6 credits

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