Forensic Science (BS)
The major in forensic science is designed to provide academic and professional training for students seeking to work in forensic science laboratories as either researchers or administrators, or who are planning to pursue careers as research scientists, teachers or medical professionals. The major draws primarily from chemistry (organic, analytical and physical) with courses in biology, physics and law. Students may specialize in one of three tracks: Criminalistics, Molecular Biology, or Toxicology.
Some details:
Credits: First Three Years (Science Requirements)
Criminalistcs Track
Toxicology Track
Molecular Biology Track
Credits required: 70 or more depending upon the completion of prerequisites (if needed).
Mathematics Requirement: Two semesters of calculus are required (MAT 241 and MAT 242). It is recommended that they be completed as soon as possible since MAT 241 is a prerequisite for PHY 203 and MAT 242 is a prerequisite for PHY 204. Physics is placed in the sophomore year of the three-year common core for all forensic science majors.
Advisor: Professor Larry Kobilinsky (212.237.8884, lkobilinsky@jjay.cuny.edu). Referrals will be made to advisors in each of the tracks within the major.
Science Internship Director. Peter Diaczuk (212.237.8983, pdiaczuk@jjay.cuny.edu)
Additional information: An internship is required for the forensic science degree. This can be fulfilled by either FOS 401 or FOS 402 (see course descriptions). The internship requirement is to be completed after the junior year in the forensic science major progression. Certain courses are offered only in the fall semesters while others are offered only in the spring semesters. Consult the course descriptions in this bulletin or the designated advisor for proper program planning. Please note that certain courses have specific prerequisites that must be taken for timely progression through the major. The chemistry or biology taken in the freshman year of the forensic science major fulfills the science component of the general education requirements.
Students who enrolled for the first time at the College in September 2007 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose either the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version can be obtained at the Office of Undergraduate Studies or at the Lloyd George Sealy Library.
Prerequisite information: To be placed into BIO 103, students must have an SAT Verbal score of 520 or higher; or completion of the New York State Biology Regents with a score of at least 80%. Students who have not taken the New York State Biology Regents will need departmental permission. Students not meeting these criteria must complete the BIO 101-102 sequence (or equivalent) in lieu of BIO 103.
To be placed intoCHE 103, students must be eligible to take MAT 141 or higher; or be taking MAT 104 or MAT 105 and have earned a score of 80% or higher on the New York State Chemistry Regents. Placement will be determined by the CUNY Mathematics Compass Exam. Students who did not take the New York State Chemistry Regents will need departmental permission. Students not meeting these criteria must complete the CHE 101-102 sequence (or equivalent) instead of CHE 103. For physics prerequisites, see mathematics requirement noted above.
Academic Standards/GPA Requirement: Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better in the science and mathematics courses of the major to qualify for progression to the sophomore and junior level courses in the major. Students not maintaining the necessary GPA will be dropped from the major. Students may request a waiver of this requirement by appealing to the department chairperson.
FIRST THREE YEARS (Science Requirements)
All required
Freshman Year
Subtotal: 18 credits
Biology 103-104 Modern Biology I and II or
Biology 101-102 Paced Modern Biology IA and IB, and Biology 104 Modern Biology II
Chemistry 103-104 General Chemistry I and II or
Chemistry 101-102 Paced General Chemistry IA and IB, and Chemistry 104 General Chemistry II
Sophomore Year
Subtotal: 23 credits
Required courses
Chemistry 201-202 Organic Chemistry I and II
Chemistry 220 Quantitative Analysis
Law 202 Law and Evidence
Physics 203-204 General Physics I and II
Junior Year
Subtotal: 15 credits
Required courses
Chemistry 302 Physical Chemistry II
Chemistry 315 Biochemistry
Chemistry 320-321 Instrumental Analysis I and II
CRIMINALISTICS TRACK
Subtotal: 14 credits
Junior year
Forensic Science 313 An Introduction to Criminalistics for Forensic Science Majors
Senior year
Forensic Science 401 Forensic Science Laboratory Internship or
Forensic Science 402 Undergraduate Research Internship
Forensic Science 415-416 Forensic Science Laboratory I and II
TOXICOLOGY TRACK
Subtotal: 14 credits
Junior year
Toxicology 313 Toxicology of Environmental and Industrial Agents
Senior year
Forensic Science 401 Forensic Science Laboratory Internship or
Forensic Science 402 Undergraduate Research Internship
Toxicology 415 Forensic Pharmacology I
Toxicology 416 Analytical Toxicology II
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TRACK
Subtotal: 14 credits
Junior year
Biology 315 Genetics
Senior year
Biology 412-413 Molecular Biology I and II
Forensic Science 401 Forensic Science Laboratory Internship or
Forensic Science 402 Undergraduate Research Internship
Total: 70 credits