Digital rendering of a fingerprint in blue tones

Coursework in the Forensic Science Certificate program trains students to analyze evidence – especially DNA evidence.

Students with a certificate in forensic science may pursue job opportunities in local, regional and national crime labs, paternity identification labs, and on archaeological sites.

Program Type

Undergraduate Certificate

Program Format

On Campus

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Curriculum

The Abbreviation ACCC

The abbreviation ACCC is used in the course listings below to represent the four departments that are jointly offering these courses:

  • Anthropology (ANTHRO)
  • Chemistry (CHEM)
  • Biomedical Sciences (BMS)
  • Criminal Justice and Criminology (CRM JST)

Students may enroll in the courses under any of the four curricular areas.

The following courses must be completed successfully to obtain a Forensic Science Certificate:

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ACCC 281Dead Men Do Tell Tales: An Introduction to Forensic Science3
ACCC 481Criminalistics3
CRM JST 110Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRM JST 480Criminal Evidence and Investigation3
Choose one of the following:3
ANTHRO 403The Human Skeleton
ANTHRO 404Human Biological Variation
Choose one of the following:3
BMS 610Pharmacology
HCA 212Drugs Used and Abused
Choose one of the following:3-4
BIO SCI 539Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology
CHEM 602Biochemistry: Cellular Processes
BMS 560 and BMS 561Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
Total Credits21-22

Additional Courses

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 Forensic Science Certificate:

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ACCC 285Medicolegal Death Investigation3
ACCC 585Internship in Forensic Toxicology1-3
ACCC 589Internship in Death Investigation1-3
ACCC 594Internship in Forensic Science1-3
ANTHRO 405Forensic Anthropology3
CHEM 194First-Year Seminar3
CHEM 524Instrumental Analysis3
BMS 555Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring1