Forensic Science Minor

FORENSIC SCIENCE MINOR

Description

The minor in forensic science emphasizes an interdisciplinary scientific approach to the social, behavioral, and natural sciences and their application to legal contexts. The theoretical and methodological approaches of various scientific disciplines are incorporated in this program. Students will be able to familiarize with a wide range of "players" involved in the scientific analysis, interpretation, recovery, treatment, and evaluation of physical and biological evidence, and subsequent testimony. With the glamorization of forensics and its utility in solving crimes, the reality of the meticulous, often grueling nature of forensic science is commonly misunderstood. Having experienced interdisciplinary coursework and internships, forensic science minors will obtain a unique perspective, one that emphasizes critical thinking, analytical and problemsolving skills. Evaluation of forensic data for the courtroom context is an ongoing, collaborative process among forensic scientists and others dealing with evidence. Thus, the minor degree program will prepare students to work in medical-legal laboratory and field contexts such as legal, law enforcement and other related possibilities, including medical-legal careers and investigations. The interdisciplinary structure of the forensic science minor supports the College's commitment to students to emphasize the latest investigative methods and technologies, and approaches used by a variety of scientists; in turn, the applied nature of forensic science encourages students to consider information in a context beyond the classroom – that of the community, and the greater society.

Why minor in forensic science? --This minor will allow students to explore the impact of various natural and social sciences on the medico-legal system in the United States today. With the continuing refinement of technologies that are applied to crime-solving and general evidence collection, the part that the sciences play in the public forum of the court system is noticeably expanding. Media presentations of crime labs and field criminalistics bombard viewers with technical terminology and concepts on the subject. There is a measurable influence on local communities and their expectations of the medico-legal system, known to professionals who work in this field as the "CSI effect." In order for students to have a realistic and practical understanding of the endeavor of forensic science, the Department of Criminal Justice proposes the forensic science minor. The core courses offered will outline and summarize the basic terms and theories needed to understand the workings of forensic science in the laboratory and in the field, as well as the way the law in the US incorporates evidence and scientific experts in court. The electives offered will provide the student exposure to specialized disciplines of his or her choice.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Students seeking acceptance into the forensic science minor must meet the following criteria:
• Completion of an associate's degree, or 54 credits toward a baccalaureate degree at another
school, OR 24 credits at Brockport: and
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Minor Requirements:

A. Core courses: The following courses are required:

CRJ 304 Investigations
CRJ 371 Introduction to Forensic Science
CRJ 375 Forensic Law

*Reflecting the diversity of specialties included in forensic science investigations, the student
must choose elective courses with approval of the minor advisor. Pre-requisite requirements
must be followed unless otherwise stated.

B. Electives Choose any THREE of the following courses:

ANT 110 Introduction to Archaeology
ANT 441 Archaeological Analysis
ANT 442/542 Archaeological Field Methods
ANT 456 Forensic Anthropology
BIO 281 Elements of Human Biology
BIO 302 Genetics
CPS 301 Issues in Criminal and Forensic Computing
CHM 171 Elements of Forensic Science
CHM 205 College Chemistry I
CHM 206 College Chemistry II
CHM 260 Chemistry for Health Professionals
CHM 303 Analytical Chemistry I
CIS 202 Fundamentals of Information Systems
CRJ 321 Crime Patterns
CRJ 323 White Collar Crime
CRJ 451 International Criminal Justice Systems
CRJ 491.02 Introduction to GIS
CRJ 494 Criminology
CSC 356 Life in the Digital Age
HLS 409 Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drugs
HLS 428 Substance Abuse and the Criminal Justice System
HSL 435/535 Evaluation and Assessment of Alcohol and Other Drugs
HLS 445/545 Psychopharmacology of Alcohol and Other Drugs
PHS 115 General Physics I with Lab
PHS 116 General Physics II with Lab
PHS 201 College Physics I with Lab
PHS 202 College Physics II with Lab
PSH 334 Abnormal Psychology

Department of Criminal Justice

Department Chair: Korni Kumar
Location: Brown 166
Visit Website
Email: jhunt@brockport.edu
Phone: (585) 395-2665
Fax: (585) 395-2366

Related Programs

Other Undergraduate Programs

Faculty & Staff

Ann W Bunch Ph.D
(University Of Chicago)
Associate Professor

Melchor C De Guzman Ph.D
(University Of Cincinnati-Main Campus)
Associate Professor

Maxwell P Dowd BS
(SUNY At Albany)
Graduate Assistant

Julie D Hunt BS
(Roberts Wesleyan College)
Keyboard Specialist 1

Patricia A Huntington-Sigel MS
(SUNY College At Brockport)
Lecturer

Youngoh Jo Ph.D
(Sam Houston State University)
Assistant Professor

Megan R Kienzle MED
(Roberts Wesleyan College)
Instructor

Moonsun Kim Ph.D
(SUNY At Albany)
Associate Professor

Swaroop K Korni Ph.D
(Temple University)
Associate Professor + Chair

Charles Loray MPA
(SUNY College At Brockport)
Lecturer

Ingrid McGuffog MSS
(Queensland University of Technology)
Assistant Professor

Edward Minardo MSED
(SUNY College At Brockport)
Lecturer

James J Ross Ph.D
(SUNY At Buffalo)
Assistant Professor

Noelle C Turner PSYD
(Indiana University Of Pennsylvania-Main Campus)
Assistant Professor

Daniel P Varrenti MPA
(SUNY College At Brockport)
Adjunct Lecturer

Beth Wanzer MS
(SUNY College At Brockport)
Lecturer (csl)