Forensic Studies Minor

Contact: David B. Rivers, Professor of Biology
Office: Donnelly Science Center, Room 258
Telephone: 410‑617‑2057
Website: www.loyola.edu/academics/forensic-studies

Forensic science and studies are growing fields that continue to gain relevance in all criminal and civil investigations. According to the American Academy of Forensic Science, there is an increasing demand for individuals trained in forensic science, who specifically can apply advances in science and technology to criminal investigation with the purpose of solving crimes. While an undergraduate minor in forensic studies is not sufficient to practice in the field, it does serve to allow students to explore this expanding field out of intellectual curiosity; to develop and nurture their interests in forensic studies in an applied curriculum; and to obtain the necessary background to pursue professional or graduate training in this or related fields.

The Minor in Forensic Studies is an interdisciplinary program with involvement from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Classics, Computer Science, Engineering, Fine Arts, History, Information Systems, Law and Operations, Mathematics and Statistics, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Writing. Students are encouraged to take a range of courses from departments in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and School of Business. Typically, during the junior or senior year, students enroll in the Forensic Studies Experience, a specialized course of study emphasizing research, independent study, or internship focused on forensic studies/science.

Requirements for the Minor

Requirements for the minor are as follows:

BL 101 - Introduction to Forensic Science with Lab

Capstone Experience Course

One capstone experience course, selected from the list below. The capstone experience is typically completed during the senior year, so students should secure a faculty sponsor and obtain the approval of the director of the forensic studies minor by the end of the junior year.

Notes:

Note that not all research or internship experiences through PY 435 and SC 401 are appropriate for the forensic studies minor and thus need prior approval from the forensic studies director and appropriate department chair. Other experiences may fulfill the capstone requirement, but only with approval of the forensic studies director. Internships completed during the summer can fulfill the capstone experience, but only with prior approval of the forensic studies director and with enrollment in an approved capstone course while participating in the internship.

Four Electives

Four electives, at least two of which are taken at the 300-level or above (listed below).

The following restrictions apply:

Students majoring in biology, chemistry, psychology, or sociology may count only one departmental course in both their major and as an elective in the forensic studies minor. However, two courses may count if the capstone course is also in the major. In some instances, the departmental internship course may also fulfill the capstone requirement for the forensic studies minor for psychology and sociology students, but only with the approval of the department and director of forensic studies.
At least one FS elective must be from a different academic division (i.e., Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, and Business) than the other three.
No more than two courses may be completed from the same department as the student's major. BL 101 does not count as one of the two courses for biology majors.
Only one elective course completed at another institution may count toward the minor, including study abroad, a consortium school, or a nonaffiliated institution unless the director of forensic studies gives written permission for a second off-campus course.

Permission may be granted for students to enroll in courses for which prerequisites have not been met, following consultation with the appropriate department chair and the director of the forensic studies minor. Students should also consider completing some prerequisites as part of their natural science and social science core requirements.