Track Two: "Laboratory/ Technician" is designed for students interested in working in a laboratory environment as either a forensic scientist or technician and is a solid foundation for graduate study. Track Two requires a minor in Forensic Biochemistry or a second major in either Biology or Chemistry to assist in making our graduates as educated in their chosen area as possible.
Forensic Investigation Undecided majors must complete the lower division FI Core. Upon completion of the lower division FI Core courses, students will be assessed by their advisor for upper division coursework in the FI major. Students must meet the minimum 2.5 GPA overall and 2.5 GPA in their CJ and FI Core classes. Upon successful assessment, students will major in Forensic Investigation Track One, “Criminal Investigations” or Forensic Investigation Track Two, “Forensic Laboratory/Technician.”
Forensic Investigation Lower Division Core Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 201 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 202 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CJ 305 | Professional Writing in Criminal Justice (WI) | 3 |
| FI 204 | Introduction to Forensic Investigation | 3 |
| FI 225 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| FI 227 | Practical Writing for Investigations (WI) | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Upon completion, students MUST meet with their advisor to determine whether they meet the minimum requirements to be assessed into the appropriate Forensic Investigation track.
Track Two - Forensic Laboratory/Technician
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FI 310 | Criminalistics | 3 |
| FI 330 | Forensic Documentation | 3 |
| FI 380 | Medicolegal Death Investigation | 3 |
| FI 475 | Drugs of Abuse | 3 |
| Forensic Investigation 300+ Electives | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Senior Internship in Criminal Justice | ||
| Senior Seminar I | ||
| Senior Seminar II | ||
| Senior Seminar III | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
| 1 | If a course is used to satisfy the Senior Capstone Course requirement, it cannot also be used to satisfy an elective requirement. |
Courses credited within the core, track, or concentration will not be credited within another track, concentration, or minor.
Other Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BY 101 | Introductory Biology I | 3 |
| BY 103 | Introductory Biology Lab I | 1 |
| CY 231 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CY 321 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| PHS 201 | College Physics I | 3 |
| PHS 202 | College Physics II | 3 |
| PHS 203 | College Physics Laboratory Techniques I | 1 |
| PHS 204 | College Physics Laboratory Techniques II | 1 |
In addition to courses noted below, candidates for graduation must successfully complete all JSU Academic Regulations. More information about general education requirements can be found in the Summary of Degrees/Requirements section of the catalog.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| EH Composition sequence | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| MS 112 | Precalculus Algebra | 3 |
| History Sequence | 3 | |
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| SSC 101 | First Year Experience | 0 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EH Composition sequence | 3 | |
| History Sequence | 3 | |
| MS 113 | Precalculus Trigonometry | 3 |
| SH 101 | Beginner's Spanish I | 3 |
| FI 204 | Introduction to Forensic Investigation | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| EH 141 | Speech | 3 |
| CY 105 & CY 107 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | 4 |
| PSC 100 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| CJ 201 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 305 | Professional Writing in Criminal Justice (WI) | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CY 106 & CY 108 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | 4 |
| CS 201 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| CJ 202 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 |
| FI 225 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| FI 227 | Practical Writing for Investigations (WI) | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| PSY 201 | Principles of Psychology | 3 |
| BY 101 & BY 103 | Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Lab I | 4 |
| FI 310 | Criminalistics | 3 |
| FI 300+ Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BY 322 | Genetics (WI) | 4 |
| CY 231 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHS 201 & PHS 203 | College Physics I and College Physics Laboratory Techniques I | 4 |
| FI 330 | Forensic Documentation | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| BY 450 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CY 321 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| PHS 202 & PHS 204 | College Physics II and College Physics Laboratory Techniques II | 4 |
| FI 380 | Medicolegal Death Investigation | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CY 421 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| FI 475 | Drugs of Abuse | 3 |
| Forensic Investigation Senior Capstone Course 2 | 3 | |
| Forensic Investigation Major Field Test 3 | 0 | |
| General Electives 1 | 2 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | Choosing to declare a 2nd major will require additional classes and hours above the one major and one minor option listed above. |
| 2 | Select one from these Senior Capstone Courses: FI 472 Senior Internship in Criminal Justice (3), FI 497 Senior Seminar I (3), FI 498 Senior Seminar II (3), or FI 499 Senior Seminar III (3). |
| 3 | The Forensic Investigation Major Field Test is to be taken during the Senior Capstone Course. |