Forensic Science

Office: Newman Towers
Telephone: 410-617-2057
Fax: 410-617-5682
Website: www.loyola.edu/academics/forensic-studies

Chair: David Rivers, Professor

Professors: David Rivers
Assistant Teaching Professors: Marion Davidson; Jonathan Fried; Alan Thoms-Chelsey
Affiliate Faculty: Whitley Abrams; Tatiana Anderson; Adrian Black; Rana DellaRocco; Rachelle Fobbs; Jonathan Fried; Dana Keiter; Diane Lawder; John Morgan

The Forensic Science program is interdisciplinary in design so that students with broad interests can explore coursework and training relevant to a wide range of career paths. Students pursue coursework focused on recognition and analysis of forensic evidence, understanding why people are victims of crime or commit crimes, explore issues of criminal justice and reform in policing and the justice system, and examine the relationships between forensic science, criminal justice, and law enforcement. Through coursework and high impact reality experiences (e.g., internships, research experiences, simulations, and independent studies), students develop a foundation for careers in crime scene and death investigation, forensic medicine, latent prints, firearms and toolmark analysis, criminal justice, criminology, forensic psychology, and related forensic disciplines. The Forensic Science major and minor are excellent pathways leading to graduate and professional schools, with several of our graduates gaining acceptance into medical school, Physician's Assistant programs, Clinical Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Forensic Science Master's programs, including Loyola's Forensic Pattern Analysis and Biological Forensics MS programs.

Students in Forensic Science develop professional and technical skill applicable to any career path: excellent oral and written communication skills, intellectual curiosity, use of interdisciplinary approaches, critical thinking skills, commitment to lifelong learning, and strong moral and ethical character. Any individual involved in forensic analyses or investigation, no matter what task assigned, seeks only for truth. These attributes are the hallmarks of a Jesuit education and the major and minor in Forensic Science fosters the development and use of these learning skills and special abilities. Not surprisingly, our graduates are highly sought after by local and state agencies.

Learning Aims

The forensic science major curriculum will bestow the following learning and curricular outcomes:

Students will master current factual content, concepts, theoretical perspectives, and historical trends of different subfields of forensic science and forensic studies.
Students will demonstrate proficiency in communicating effectively in a variety of formats, including verbal, written, and symbolic channels relevant to forensic investigation, criminology, and presentations in the judicial system.
Students will develop an understanding of the moral and ethical issues surrounding crime and forensic investigation.
Students will demonstrate a clear understanding of major concepts and techniques used in subfields of forensic science and forensic studies based on their ability to read, interpret, and critically evaluate primary literature; design experiments or conduct independent investigation to test ideas and hypotheses; and interpret data through statistical and graphical packages.

Programs

Accelerated

Major

Forensic Science, BA

Minor

Forensic Science Minor

Courses

Forensic Science