Forensic Science is a 25- to 26-credit Integrated Learning Major (ILM) that can complement a variety of other majors including Anthropology, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. This ILM is designed to provide a broad exposure to the field, increasing employability in a variety of settings related to Forensic Science. Professionals in technically demanding fields are commonly asked to apply their expertise to other seemingly unrelated disciplines. As a result, they must have a comprehensive understanding of not only their own field, but also secondary knowledge of another broadly based, often interdisciplinary, field of study. A chemist might lend his or her expertise to a matter of legal or ethical importance. A curator might evaluate scientific and historical evidence about a painting’s authenticity. A journalist might research a story involving science, medicine, and technology.

Integrated Learning Majors provide broad, interdisciplinary opportunities for students through valuable tools and knowledge in a variety of fields. This synergistic approach adds scholarly mettle to both the major and the interdisciplinary program, while exploiting their connective properties. For example, an undergraduate interested in chemistry could have an integrated learning program in forensic science. Or a student pursuing archeology could have an integrated learning major in ethics, with focus on social science research.

Required: GPA of at least 2.0; and complete all the requirements of one of the following majors: Anthropology, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. Other requisite majors will be considered based on student proposals that include appropriate connection courses and with the approval of the director.

This Integrative Learning Major is intended to provide a broad exposure to the field of forensic science, increasing employability in a variety of careers that relate to forensic science. However, this major will not generally be sufficient to prepare students for forensic laboratory positions unless it is paired with a chemistry, biochemistry, or biology major.