Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Advisor Name:_______________________ Catalog: Spring 2024 Undergraduate Catalog Program: Biology, Specialization in Forensic Biology, B.S.
This is for planning purposes only, please check with your advisor with questions about your degree progress

Biology, Specialization in Forensic Biology, B.S.

Forensic biology is a rapidly growing sub-discipline of biological sciences dealing with the analyses of biological/genetic properties of evidence in legal matters. Forensic biology draws from many areas of biology including genetics, cell biology, microbiology, medicine, molecular biology, entomology, botany, biochemistry, and wildlife biology. Forensic biologists may work as laboratory scientists receiving evidence including body parts and fluids, DNA, and microbial and soil samples for analyses. While learning concepts and analytical techniques, students will be encouraged to participate in internship opportunities with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation located in the BGSU campus.

The Forensic Biology specialization (FB) requires completing of a suite of core courses in basic biology, genetics, microbiology, biological statistics, and cell biology. Elective courses in diverse areas such as evolution, ecology and behavior (Group A) organismal biology (Group B) and cell, molecular and regulatory biology (Group C) provide more specialized training in focus areas. Applied technical training through analytical laboratories, advanced statistics, remote sensing, scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, forensics in botany and wildlife provide technical expertise essential to the discipline. The required courses in criminal justice gives forensic biology students important knowledge about data handling, evidence chain of custody procedures, and legal experiences in forensics. Independent research, service learning, or internships are also integrated into the program and are critical for career placement.

Learning

In addition to the Learning Outcomes for the major in Biological Sciences, upon completion of this specialization, undergraduates will:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of biology and understand the concepts central to forensic biology, including genetics, cellular processes, and microbiology.
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically examine forensic biology data and scientific literature, design effective experiments, collect appropriate data, and interpret the results of forensic studies;
  • Demonstrate understanding of how to apply the approaches, technology, and quantitative analyses essential to chain of custody and appropriate legal handling of samples and data.
  • Demonstrate the ability to present forensic biology data to scientists and legal personnel through both oral and written formats.

BG Perspective (BGP) Requirements

Must complete at least 1 course in each of the following:

   English Composition and Oral Communication
   _____________________________    ________

   Quantitative Literacy
   _____________________________    ________

Must Complete at least 2 courses in each of the following:

   Humanities and the Arts
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________    

   Natural Sciences - at least one Lab Science required
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________                                                                                      

   Social and Behavioral Sciences
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________                                                                        

Complete total required BGP credit hours by selecting courses from any of the above categories:

   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________                                                                                    

University Requirements

Designated courses in Humanities and the Arts and the Social and Behavioral Sciences domains may be used to fulfill both the BGP requirement and one of the following university requirements:

Cultural Diversity in the US    ____________
International Perspective       ____________

Composition Requirement:
WRIT 1120 - Seminar in Research Writing                                  

Total BGP Credits: Must be at least 36                      

Arts & Sciences Requirements (WLC and QL)

World Languages and Cultures (_____ yrs of HS_______) 

Consult the Undergraduate Catalog or the Arts and Sciences Student Handbook regarding approved course options in the different language and culture areas. 
​   ________1010_________________    ________ 
​   ________1020_________________    ________ 
​   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 

Lab Science  

   _____________________________    ________ 

Quantitative Literacy

    ________    ________ EITHER MATH 1310 OR MATH 1340 & MATH 1350 

Multidisciplinary Component

Select from approved offerings, in consultation with an advisor and a faculty mentor. Four courses total, each with a different subject prefix. At least two courses at 3000/4000 level. Courses applied to the Arts & Sciences MDC may not be used to fulfill other Arts and Sciences degree requirements, nor may they be used to fulfill major, minor, BGP or other program requirements.   
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________ 
   _____________________________    ________  

Major Requirements

Core Courses in Biology

(16 Credits)

Complete courses required for the Specialization and Biology electives. Ensure that you have at least 10 hours of courses at the 4000 level.

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 2000 - Biology Today
BIOL 2040 - Concepts in Biology I
BIOL 2050 - Concepts in Biology II
BIOL 3500 - General Genetics
BIOL 3510 - Evolution

Forensic Biology Specialization

Courses Required

(12 Hours)

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 3130 - Microbiology
BIOL 3520 - Laboratory in Genetics
BIOL 4070 - Cell Biology
BIOL 4620 - Principles of Biometry

Electives - Complete at Least 3 Credit Hhrs in Each of the 4 Groups, A-D

Group A: Evolution, Ecology & Behavior

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 3540 - Population and Community Ecology
BIOL 4200 - Animal Behavior
BIOL 4290 - Evolutionary Ecology
BIOL 4450 - Environmental Microbiology
BIOL 4490 - Epidemiology

Group B: Organismal Biology

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 3310 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 3320 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 4050 - General Parasitology
BIOL 4060 - Medical Entomology
BIOL 4140 - Plant Diversity
BIOL 4260 - Pathogenic Microbiology
BIOL 4300 - Wildlife Biology
BIOL 4350 - Entomology

Group C: Cell, Molecular & Regulatory Biology

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
BIOL 4080 - Molecular Biology
BIOL 4110 - Animal Physiology
BIOL 4310 - Developmental Biology
BIOL 4380 - Endocrinology
BIOL 4390 - Immunobiology
BIOL 4660 - Genomics

Group D: Quantitative & Applied Science

Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
  • BIOL 4010 - Biological Research
  • BIOL 4370 - Light Microscopes and 3D Imaging
    BIOL 4460 - Scanning Electron Microscopy
    BIOL 4620 - Principles of Biometry
    BIOL 4890 - Biology Internship
    SEES 3000 - Geospatial Science
  • Advanced Statistics with advisor support
  • Total Hours: 38

    Forensic Biology Required Courses: Chem/Physics/Criminal Justice

    A maximum of 5 credit hours from the following courses may be included in the required 10 credit hours of 4000-level Biology required for the major: BIOL 4010, BIOL 4890. These courses may be repeated.

    General Chemistry I

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    CHEM 1230 - General Chemistry I and
    CHEM 1240 - General Chemistry I Laboratory

    or

    CHEM 1350 - General Chemistry

    General Chemistry II

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    CHEM 1270 - General Chemistry II

    or

    CHEM 1370 - General Chemistry

     

    CHEM 1280 - General Chemistry II Laboratory

    or

    CHEM 1380 - General Chemistry Laboratory

    Organic Chemistry

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    CHEM 3060 - Basic Organic Chemistry

    or

    CHEM 3410 - Organic Chemistry and
    CHEM 3440 - Organic Chemistry and

     

    CHEM 3450 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory

    or

    CHEM 3460 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory

    Biochemistry

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    CHEM 3080 - Basic Biochemistry

    or

    CHEM 4450 - General Biochemistry

    Physics

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    PHYS 2010 - College Physics I

    Criminal Justice

    Course NameTerms TakenGradeCore
    CRJU 4400 - Law, Evidence and Procedure in Forensic Science

    Biology Electives:

    These courses do not meet group requirements, but do count toward the 10 hours of required courses at the 4000 level: BIOL 4700, BIOL 4900

    Minor Requirements:

    A “general science” minor is offered to students in place of a conventional minor. Consult your Faculty Advisor. (A conventional minor may also be chosen, usually 20 hours, no Biology courses can be used.)

    For Graduation You Will Need:

    1. 122 credit hours minimum.
    2. Minimum GPA 2.00.
    3. At least 30 credit hours of BGSU course work.
    4. 40 credit hours at the 3000/4000 level.
    5. Completion of all degree requirements, including the BG Perspective Core.
    6. A major, and if required, a minor, specialization or emphasis.

    Any substitution or waiver of courses required for your major or minor program must originate in the department/school offering the major or minor and must be approved by the College Office.

    To ensure a timely graduation, see a College Advisor during the semester prior to your intended graduation.

    Remember to complete an Application for Graduation by the end of the second week of classes during the fall semester or spring regular session, or by the end of the first week of the summer semester. For the specific dates, check your DARS. You may log onto MyBGSU to complete the online application. After the deadlines, you will need to complete an application in person in the College Office.

    Notes: