Forensic Science

The minor in Forensic Science is interdisciplinary and integrates multiple scientific disciplines, preparing students for a career focus that has clear implications in pursuing social justice within the community.  

Due to its emphasis on the natural and physical sciences and their applications, this minor provides excellent career preparation for post-graduate employment and/or education in the forensic sciences, while at the same time (since this is solely a minor) leaving the student the flexibility to remain marketable if the field of forensics is saturated.  

Forensic science is in essence a multi-disciplinary background in the “hard” sciences that is then applied to legal contexts.  It is not the intent of this minor to “create” forensic scientists, but rather give a student the necessary foundation in science such that he/she will be attractive to graduate programs in forensic science or a quality candidate ready to be employed in a forensic science setting, prepared for further in-house training in the application of science to the law.

The biological and physical science coursework needed to provide this foundation is extensive; as such this minor will only be an option for students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry. 

OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Medical examiner 
Criminalist
Toxicologist 
Fingerprint examiner
Crime scene investigator 
Computer investigator
DNA analyst 

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Jobs for forensic science technicians are expected to increase 31% in the 2006-2016 decade. Employment growth in state and local government should be driven by the increasing application of forensic science to examine, solve, and prevent crime. Crime scene technicians who work for State and county crime labs should experience favorable employment prospects resulting from strong job growth. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos115.htm)

POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Insurance companies 
Correctional facilities
Federal agencies 
State Agencies
Law enforcement 
Local government
Laboratories