Chaminade University of Honolulu

College of Arts & Sciences

Forensic Sciences Program

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Forensic Sciences (Major & Minor)

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT

College
College of Arts & Sciences

Degree Type
Bachelor of Science (BS)

Program Type
Major, Minor

Program Delivery
On Campus

Time to Completion
4 Years

The Forensic Sciences program has a big mission: to give our students the skills needed to advance justice through the application of science and technology. A big mission, but one that we’re following through on every day thanks to our many graduates—86% of whom have secured science-related positions, including as forensic investigators or laboratory scientists.

Forensic Sciences includes instruction on the techniques used for recognizing, documenting and analyzing physical evidence, reviews of the legal system and ethical guidelines that govern forensic sciences, and hands-on applications of the scientific method in a lab.

Anuhea Char forensic sciences video

Importantly, all Forensic Sciences students are required to complete a rigorous, 135-hour internship. Students have completed internships with a variety of entities, including the Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner, police departments in Hawaii and Guam, and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command’s Central Identification Laboratory.

Upon completion of the undergraduate B.S. program in Forensic Sciences, students will be able to:

  1. Apply the scientific method in an adaptive and mindful manner
  2. Use techniques for recognition, documentation, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence
  3. Implement quality assurance programs, incorporating ethics and professional practice, to act as stewards of justice and peace throughout the broader community
  4. Communicate disciplinary knowledge to diverse audiences

View a sample 4-year plan

In addition to the general education requirements, these are the pre-major and major requirements below:

Pre-Major Requirements

  • BC 215/L Cellular and Organismal Biology I & Lab
  • BC 216/L Cellular and Organismal Biology II & Lab
  • BC 307 Molecular Biology I: Genes & Genetics
  • BC 360/L Biochemistry I & Lab
  • CH 203/L General Chemistry I & Lab
  • CH 204/L General Chemistry II & Lab
  • CH 323/L Organic Chemistry I & Lab
  • CH 324/L Organic Chemistry II & Lab
  • CH 334/L Analytical Chemistry
  • CJ 223 Introduction to Law
  • MA 210 Calculus I
  • MA 211 Calculus II
  • OR
  • MA 331 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
  • PHY 251/L University Physics I & Lab
  • PHY 252/L University Physics II & Lab

Major Requirements

  • FS 230 Forensic Sciences
  • FS 233L Physical Evidence Laboratory
  • FS 340/L Crime Scene Investigation & Lab
  • FS 444/L Forensic Biology & Lab
  • FS 455 Medicolegal Death Investigation
  • FS 460/L Forensic Taphonomy & Lab
  • FS 471/L Forensic Reconstruction & Lab
  • FS 487 Internship
  • FS 490 Seminar
  • FS 491 Professional Skills for Forensic Scientists
  • FS 492 Forensic Courtroom Testimony

Upon completion of the Forensic Sciences minor, students will be able to:

  1. Apply the scientific method in an adaptive and mindful manner
  2. Use techniques for recognition, documentation, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence
  3. Communicate disciplinary knowledge to diverse audiences

Minor Requirements

  • FS 230 Forensic Sciences
  • FS 333L Physical Forensic Sciences Laboratory
  • FS 340/L Crime Scene Investigation with Laboratory
  • FS 450 Forensic Anthropology
  • FS 455 Medicolegal Death Investigation or CJ 426 Courtroom Advocacy in Criminal Justice
  • FS 490 Seminar
  • FS 491 Professional Skills for Forensic Scientists or CJ 465 Narcotics and Drug Crimes
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