The Biomedical Sciences Program, Criminal Justice Program, and Departments of Anthropology and Chemistry cooperate in offering three certificates in the area of forensic sciences. Sponsored jointly by the College of Letters and Science, the College of Health Professions and Sciences, and the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, these certificate curricula are designed to train students in basic skills that will provide the foundation for careers in the fields of law enforcement, death investigation, pathology, and toxicology.
Certificates are offered in Death Investigation, Forensic Science, and Forensic Toxicology. Where applicable, the curriculum meets the criteria required for professional certification examinations (Medicolegal Death Investigation, Toxicological Chemist).
Eligibility
Undergraduate students who pursue a forensic sciences certificate maintain their identity as majors in their home departments and continue to progress toward a baccalaureate degree while in the certificate program. Courses include lecture presentations and laboratory experiences that cover fundamental areas of forensic science and provide unique instruction on techniques that are essential in the specific certificates. Students are given instruction by faculty members at UWM and forensic professionals in the Milwaukee community. Any of the programs may be pursued as a post-baccalaureate educational certificate. Individuals who are not enrolled in a degree program at UWM, but are seeking continuing education for career development, may be admitted to courses in the certificate programs by meeting prerequisites with equivalent experience or consent of the instructor.
Requirements
To receive a certificate in Death Investigation, Forensic Science, or Forensic Toxicology, students must complete at least one half of the required credits on the UWM campus. A minimum grade point average of 2.500 must be achieved on the required credits. All options within the certificate require at least a basic knowledge of chemistry and biology. To meet this requirement, prior to registering themselves in the Forensic Sciences Certificate Program, students must successfully complete CHEM 100 or equivalent and BIO SCI 100 or equivalent.
The following courses must be completed successfully to obtain a Certificate in Death Investigation:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ANTHRO/BMS/CHEM/CRM JST 281 | Dead Men Do Tell Tales: An Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
ANTHRO/BMS/CHEM/CRM JST 285 | Medicolegal Death Investigation | 3 |
ANTHRO/BMS/CHEM/CRM JST 481 | Criminalistics | 3 |
ANTHRO 403 | The Human Skeleton | 3 |
ANTHRO 405 | Forensic Anthropology | 3 |
CRM JST 110 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
CRM JST 480 | Criminal Evidence and Investigation | 3 |
BMS 610 | Pharmacology | 3 |
or HCA 212 | Drugs Used and Abused | |
Total Credits | 24 |
Additional courses with forensic content are listed below. Check prerequisites or consult the instructor for eligibility. These courses are recommended, but are not required, for the Certificate in Death Investigation:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ANTHRO/BMS/CHEM/CRM JST 585 | Internship in Forensic Toxicology | 1-3 |
ANTHRO/BMS/CHEM/CRM JST 589 | Internship in Death Investigation | 1-3 |
ANTHRO/BMS/CHEM/CRM JST 594 | Internship in Forensic Science | 1-3 |
ANTHRO 404 | Human Biological Variation | 3 |
BIO SCI 539 | Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology | 4 |
CHEM 194 | First-Year Seminar: | 3 |
CHEM 524 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
CHEM 602 | Biochemistry: Cellular Processes | 3 |
BMS 555 | Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring | 1 |
BMS 560 | Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics | 2 |
BMS 561 | Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory | 1 |
Internships
The Death Investigation Certificate program offers semester-long internships at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Milwaukee branch of the Wisconsin State Crime Lab. Students have the opportunity to shadow forensic professionals, take part in the day-to-day operations of these institutions, and gain experience in current forensic methods and protocols. Interested students should fill out the application form indicating their career goals, expected date of graduation, and other relevant information for consideration. Students currently working towards any of the three forensic science certificates and have taken, or are currently taking, ANTHRO 403 are eligible to apply. For more information, please contact the program director, Dr. Emily Middleton, at middleto@uwm.edu.
Spring 2025: Upcoming Courses in Program
Check catalog for compatibility - https://catalog.uwm.eduCourse Code | Course Title |
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ANTHRO 481 | Criminalistics
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BMS 481 | Criminalistics
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BMS 560 | Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics
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BMS 560G | Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics
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BMS 561 | Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
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BMS 561G | Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
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CHEM 481 | Criminalistics
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CHEM 524 | Instrumental Analysis
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CHEM 524G | Instrumental Analysis
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CHEM 602 | Biochemistry: Cellular Processes
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CHEM 602G | Biochemistry: Cellular Processes
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CRM JST 110 | Introduction to Criminal Justice
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CRM JST 481 | Criminalistics
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HCA 212 | Drugs Used and Abused
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Certificates are similar to minors and generally require the completion of six to eight classes. Unlike a minor where all of the classes come from a single subject area, the classes come from multiple subject areas related to the theme of the certificate. Certificates are typically earned in conjunction with a degree though some certificates are available as a standalone credential.