Forensic Science Technology Courses

Numbers in parenthesis are credit hours/semester and actual hours/week in class.

Where special course fees are required in addition to tuition, they are noted at the end of the individual course description. These fees are subject to change without prior notice.

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FOS 101 - Forensic Orientation (3, 3)

Prerequisite: RDG 082 Open to all interested students

Students will be exposed to careers, ethical issues, and other resources available on the internet in several sections of the crime lab and the affects it has on the analysts approach to casework. Noteworthy cases and popular techniques will also be important in understanding the evolution of the forensic community nationally and internationally.

FOS 110 - Forensic Photography (4, 5)

Prerequisite: RDG 082, Admission to Forensic Program or Coordinators Approval

This course provides students with knowledge and hand-on experience with digital imaging enhancement in the field of Forensic Photography. Through a series of lectures and computer lab sessions, student will learn how to take photographs, film, videotapes and other evidentiary material through the digital process. Students must have their own digital camera.

FOS 120 - Death Investigation (4, 5)

Prerequisite: RDG 082, BIO 105, CHM 113, Coordinators Approval

Students will learn about the identification and appearance of corpses in violent and natural death. Relationship to the scene of death is emphasized, as are features of wounds on external examination. This course outlines the interdisciplinary approach to death investigation by highlighting the roles of the coroner (medical examiner), pathologist, and forensic scientists.

FOS 205 - Forensic Biology/DNA (4, 5)

Prerequisite: BIO 105, or Coordinators Approval

This course provides instruction in forensic biology including the identification of biological materials as well as historical and present-day techniques used in DNA typing.

FOS 210 - Forensic Chemistry (5, 7)

Prerequisite: Previous or concurrent enrollment in CHM 205

This course will explore the applications of chemistry to the analysis of physical evidence. Included among the topics will be the analysis of drugs, papers and inks, hairs and fibers, paints, arson debris, and explosive residues.

FOS 230 - Forensic Internship (3, 156)

Prerequisite: Approval of Program Coordinator

The purpose of this internship is two-fold: 1) to give students practical experience in the field of forensic science, 2) to allow prospective employers to become aware of students abilities as forensic technicians. This internship requires 156 total contact hours.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Anna Helwig, Program Coordinator at (708) 596- 2000 ext. 2417 or Kathryn Eberhardt, Career Advisor for Allied Health Professions at (708) 596- 2000 ext. 2379.