Requirements

Investigative forensics minor requirements

The minor requires a minimum of 5 course credits, with courses coming from at least 3 different disciplines. No more than 2 course credits can be at the 100-level and no more than 2 course credits can come from the same discipline.

Required courses 

CHEM 102: Forensic Science

This course will provide the student with an understanding of the science and legality involved in analyzing crime scenes. Specific aspects of forensic science involving the examination of physical, chemical, and biological items of evidence will be explored. Concepts of chemistry will be mastered in the classroom while the lab portion will consist of the forensic analysis of substances. By understanding the limitations of data, students will gain quantitative reasoning skills. Since forensic scientists need to have an understanding of the legal system to ensure that their actions and results are within the rules of law and are admissible in the courts, we will discuss the science in relation to famous case studies.

An upper division, interdisciplinary capstone course is also required. This course will be taught within a related major, such as a special topics course, credit-bearing internship, or independent study course relevant to Investigative Forensics that can be used with permission of the program coordinator(s).

Approved electives

  • ARTD 237 Photography – Digital
  • BIOL 201 Field Botany
  • BIOL 204 Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • BIOL 325 Advanced Anatomy & Physiology
  • CHEM 325 Integrated Laboratory
  • COMM 236 Argumentation & Debate
  • COMM 296 Fake News
  • COMM 335 Argumentation
  • ENGL 180 Sherlock Holmes (or other detective/crime-related fiction)
  • ESTS 234 Intro Cartography & GIS
  • HIST 190 Introduction to Archival Science
  • HIST 230 Violence in Victorian Britain
  • INFO 290 Academic Travel Course
  • INFO 411 Independent Readings in Investigative Forensics
  • POLS 295 Politics of Criminal Justice
  • POLS 352 Civil Liberties
  • PSYC 330 Forensic Psychology
  • SOCI 251 Criminology

Transfer Credits:

Across the Core Curriculum and other programs of Monmouth College, most transfer courses are accepted. Departments Chairs have the final determination regarding how transfer credit will be applied to meet major or minor requirements. More information for transfer students is available on our Admission Transfer Credits page.