Minor

Contact: David B. Rivers, Department Chair and Professor of Forensic Science
Office: Newman Towers West 105
Telephone: 410-617-2057 
Email: drivers@loyola.edu 

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 science 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 science 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 Science 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 Science Experience or equivalent, a specialized course of study emphasizing research, independent study, or internship focused on forensic studies/science.

Minor Requirements

FO 101 - Introduction to Forensic Science with Lab
FO 102 - Scientific Basis in Forensic Science

Social Science Core

Select one course from the following:
PY 101 - Introductory Psychology
SC 100 -Introduction to Sociolog

Electives

Select three courses from the following:

• BL 281 General Genetics
• BL 321 Synthetic Biology 
• BL 322 Synthetic Biology w/lab 
• BL 341 Molecular Genetics w/lab 
• BL 431 Biochemistry I and BL 433 Biochemistry I Lab
• BL 432 Biochemistry II and BL 434 Biochemistry Lab II
• CH 201 Quantitative Analysis 
• CH 410 Instrumental Methods and CH 411 Instrumental Methods Lab
• CH 431 Biochemistry I and CH 433 Biochemistry Lab I
• CH 432 Biochemistry II and CH 434 Biochemistry Lab II
• CL 258 Volcanoes, Fire and Flood: Disasters of Ancient Rome 
• CS 115 Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
• CS 151 Computer Science through Programming
• CS 212 Object-Oriented Data Structures
• CS 312 Object-Oriented Software Design
• EC 220 Business Statistics
• EC 420 Econometrics
• EC 460 Business and Government
• EG 381 Probability & Statistics
• FO 230 Introduction to Criminalistics
• FO 284 Forensic Chemistry
• FO 300 Crime Scene Investigation
• FO 320 Forensic Serology of Animal & Human Body Fluids
• FO 322 Forensic Ecological Evidence
• FO 347 Trace Evidence & Questioned Documents
• FO 350 Foundations in Comparative Sciences
• FO 351 Forensic Entomology w/lab 
• FO 376 Digital and Forensic Imaging
• FO 377 Death Investigation
• FO 385 Introduction to Firearms & Toolmarks Analysis
• FO 390 Topics in Forensic Science
• FO 404 Victimology & Applications to Violent Crimes
• FO 411 Animal Law
• FO 415 Forensic Anthropology
• FO 440 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis & Crime Scene Reconstruction
• FO 450 Forensic Cognitive Psychology
• FO 452 Forensic Science Errors & Wrongful Convictions
• FO 481 Cold Case Investigations
• FO 482 Advanced Cold Case Investigations
• HS 232 Law, Lawyers, and Litigants in European History 
• HN 323  Photographic Vision: Tools, Techniques, and Theories
• HS 258 Volcanoes, Fire, and Flood: Disasters of Ancient Rome
• HS 382 Crime and Punishment in Latin America 
• IS 358 Business Intelligence and Data Mining 
• LW 109 Business, Law and Society: Special Topics 
• MA 251 Calculus I 
• MA 252 Calculus II 
• PH 383 Physics of Medicine and the Human Body
• PH 384 Waves and the Physics of Medicine
• PL 235 Philosophical Perspectives: Philosophy and Science
• PL 311 Bioethics
• PL 315 Ethics after Auschwitz
• PL 333 Philosophy of Law 
• PL 335 Political Philosophy: Justice and Mass Incarceration
• PS 322 Mock Trial
• PS 337 Analytical and Legal Reasoning
• PS 338 Constitutional Law I
• PS 339 Constitutional Law II
• PT 270 Basic Digital Photography 
• PT 301 Photographic Vision: Tools, Techniques, and Theories
• PT 361 Digital Image
• PY 202 Psychopathology
• PY 253 Multicultural Issues in Psychology
• PY 265 Forensic Psychology
• PY 421 Forensic Psychology 
• SC 201 Self and Society
• SC 207 Social Problems
• SC 233 Juvenile Delinquency
• SC 260 Introduction to Criminal Justice
• SC 331 Deviance and Social Control 
• SC 332 Sociology of Crime and Criminals 
• SC 347 Special Topics in Criminology
• SC 360 Critical Analysis of Criminal Justice Outcomes
• SC 371 Sociology of Serial and Mass Murder
• SC 430 Seminar: Gender and Justice
• SC 435 Seminar: Forensic Sociology 
• TH 318 Bioethics and Social Justice
• WR 301 Writing About Science 
• WR 325 Professional Writing 
• WR 326 Technical Writing 

Learn More

Visit the course catalogue to learn more.