About This Program

Forensic science is the application of science to the law or legal procedures. The medicolegal death investigation system is responsible for conducting investigations that certify the cause and manner of death in unnatural or unexplained circumstances --- those associated with forensic investigations. The Bachelor of Science program in forensic science with a concentration in death investigations is built on a solid foundation of anatomy, biology and chemistry, which develops your basic and upper-level laboratory skills. You complete holistic, rigorous coursework in the natural and mathematical sciences to prepare to enter a competitive workforce. The interdisciplinary nature of the program is distinctly positioned to train you in forensic techniques such as advanced mapping, scene photography, biological evidence analysis and mock courtroom testimony. Along with completing coursework and developing the scientific skills to succeed in this field, you can gain practical experience in a laboratory setting through research or an internship. You can conduct research under experts of varying forensic fields, including anthropology, biology, entomology, investigations and data science. You also may seek to apply for and participate in forensic science internships sponsored by crime labs or medicolegal offices around the country. If you are seeking a volunteer or internship position within a crime lab or medicolegal office (as well as job applicants), you often be required to undergo an extensive background check that includes a polygraph exam, fingerprinting and drug testing. Note you can be disqualified for recent or past illicit drug use (including marijuana), felony convictions, drunk driving convictions or other reasons.

Degree Requirements

Total Credits

120 credits

New College Residency Requirement

A minimum of 12 upper-division credit hours used toward the major requirements must be taken from the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search.

Biology Core

Code	Course Title	Credits
BIO 181	General Biology I	4
BIO 182	General Biology II	4
LSC 347	Fundamentals of Genetics	3
LSC 348	Fundamentals of Genetics Laboratory	1
Total Biology Core		12 credits

Chemistry Core

ASU Online students in this degree program may need to complete experiments for the Organic Chemistry labs (CHM 237 and CHM 238) and Biochemistry lab (BCH 372) during an intensive, in-person experience on ASU's campuses in Arizona. Please email NCsummerlabs@asu.edu with any questions. These laboratory courses will be offered during summer. This may impact your financial aid. Financial aid is available to those who apply and qualify, and students may receive funds to help cover costs for each semester of enrollment. The amount of financial aid that a student is eligible for varies depending on prior education experience and other individual factors. Learn more about summer financial aid and additional ways to cover summer costs.

Code	Course Title	Credits
BCH 371	Modern Concepts in Biochemistry	3
BCH 372	Modern Concepts in Biochemistry Laboratory	1
PTX 372	Modern Biochemical Methods
CHM 113	General Chemistry I	4
CHM 116	General Chemistry II	4
CHM 233	General Organic Chemistry I	3
CHM 237	General Organic Chemistry Laboratory I	1
CHM 234	General Organic Chemistry II	3
CHM 238	General Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	1
Total Chemistry Core		20 credits

Forensic Science Core

Code	Course Title	Credits
FOR 200	Forensic Science Seminar	1
FOR 286	Principles of Forensic Science	4
FOR 360	Statistical Applications in Forensic Science	3
FOR 370	Fundamentals of Forensic Analysis	4
FOR 410	Testimony and Ethics in the Forensic Sciences	3
Total Forensic Science Core		15 credits

Death Investigations Concentration

Code	Course Title	Credits
BIO 201	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BIO 202	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
FOR 295	Investigating Death	3
FOR 395	Forensic Anthropology: History and Modern Practice	3
FOR 455	Forensic Photography	3
Total Death Investigations Concentration		17 credits

Death Investigations Concentration - Upper Division Death Investigations Electives:

Choose from this list.

Code	Course Title	Credits
BIO 353	Cell Biology	3
CRJ 433	Death Investigations: Principles of Forensic Medicine
GIS 494	Topic: GIS Methods for Non-Majors
FOR 375	Forensic Botany
FOR 380	Analysis of Nonhuman Forensic DNA Evidence
FOR 394	Topic: Wildlife Forensics
FOR 401	Forensic Toxicology
FOR 402	Forensic Biology
FOR 404	Forensic Toxicology Laboratory
FOR 405	Techniques in Forensic Biology Laboratory
FOR 414	Fundamentals of Forensic Entomology
FOR 447	Molecular Genetics Laboratory
FOR 480	Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA Typing
FOR 419	Advanced Scene Mapping
FOR 465	Human Osteology and Forensic Techniques
FOR 440	Molecular Biology for Forensic Science
LSC 440	Molecular Biology for Forensic Science
IAS 450	Philosophical and Spiritual Issues in Death and Dying
PHI 450	Philosophical and Spiritual Issues in Death and Dying
REL 450	Philosophical and Spiritual Issues in Death and Dying
SWU 420	Domestic Violence Fatality Review
ASB 353	Death And Dying In Cross-cultural Perspective	4
SOC 353	Death and Dying in Cross-Cultural Perspective
FOR 484	Internship
FOR 499	Individualized Instruction
SIF 494	Topic: Humanitarian Forensics
SBS 494	Topic: Political Representation in Latin America
Total		9 credits

Forensic Science Capstone - Upper Division Death Investigations Capstone:

Choose from this list.

Code	Course Title	Credits
FOR 388	STEM Research Fundamentals
FOR 484	Internship
FOR 491	Fundamental Skills in Death Investigations
FOR 492	Honors Directed Study
FOR 496	Forensic Science Service Learning
FOR 499	Individualized Instruction
Total		3 credits

New College Proficiency - Global and Civic Engagement

Upper Division Global and Civic Engagement Requirement: satisfied through completion of six credits of upper-division courses with a Global Communities, Societies and Individuals (GCSI) or Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) designation, in addition to the courses used to meet the university general studies requirements; or completion of three credits from an ASU-approved global education program. Adjustment to upper-division and elective hours is required if a lower-division global education course is used. 6 credit hours

Interdisciplinary Requirements

Code	Course Title	Credits
MAT 210 or MAT 251	Brief Calculus or Calculus for Life Sciences	3
PHY 101	Introduction to Physics	4
PHY 111	General Physics	3
PHY 113	General Physics Laboratory	1
Total Interdisciplinary Requirements		7 credits

ASU 101 or College-Specific First-Year Seminar

ASU 101 or college-specific equivalent First-Year Seminar required of all first-year students.

Code	Course Title	Credits
NEW 101 or IAS 300	The ASU New College Experience or Career Strategies and Personal Resilience	1-3

First-Year Composition

All baccalaureate degree students must fulfill university graduation requirements, including a minimum of 120 credit hours, with at least 45 credit hours in upper-division courses. All undergraduate students must complete General Studies requirements. Mathematics Placement Assessment score determines placement in first mathematics course. Students should work with their academic advisor, and consider course prerequisites, in order to complete all degree requirements in four years. For student resources, including academic advising appointment scheduling, forms and policies, internship information, involvement or research opportunities, and more, visit New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences homepage. Students interested in pursuing health-related professional and graduate programs including Pre-Health 101 Workshops and Pre-Health Advising should explore pre-health resources. Students interested in pursuing law-related professional and graduate programs should explore pre-law resources. Career preparation resources are available through Career Services.

Code	Course Title	Credits
ENG 101	First-Year Composition
ENG 102	First-Year Composition
ENG 105	Advanced First-Year Composition
ENG 107	First-Year Composition
ENG 108	First-Year Composition
Total First-Year Composition		6 credits

Click a course code or title to read the full course description.

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