Forensic Science (minor)
The forensic science minor is an interdisciplinary program intended for students majoring in biology or chemistry who are interested in the field of forensic science.
Students in the forensic science minor have the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research in forensic science. They present their findings at conferences and a few students have authored papers with faculty members.
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The Forensic Science Minor
Forensic science is the application of scientific principles to criminal and civil laws within a criminal justice system with the goal of establishing guilt or innocence. Through the program, students will be exposed to a variety of disciplines within the field of forensic science, learn laboratory techniques applicable to forensic science, and apply them to a number of suspicious situations and criminal cases. Students will gain a fundamental knowledge of forensic science and develop the critical skills needed to collect and evaluate forensic evidence.
A minimum of 18 credit hours is required for the minor in forensic science.
| Minor Requirements for Forensic Science | ||
| BIO 445 | Forensic Biology | 3+3, 4 credits |
| BIO 493 | Seminar in Biology: Forensic Science | 1 credit |
| CHEM 340 | Forensic Chemistry | 2+3, 3 credits |
| PSY 465 | Psychology and Law | 3 credits |
| SOC 130 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 credits |
| One course from the following options: | ||
*Prerequisites for courses in the minor, in addition to courses in the major
Notes
Students cannot have more than two courses that overlap between the forensic science minor and their major, any other minors, or general education requirements. |
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The forensic science minor is administered by the biology and chemistry departments in consultation with the sociology and psychology departments and other interested parties.
Dr. Kristi Bugajski is the chair of the forensic science minor. Dr. Bugajski is a forensic entomologist who was featured on the TV show “Dirty Jobs” and helps train FBI agents in field collection techniques.
Contact her at Kristi.Bugajski@valpo.edu for more information about the program. https://www.valpo.edu/biology/about/faculty/kristi-bugajski/