Biology/Forensic Biology Concentration (BIFB)

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Biology/Forensic Biology Concentration BIFB

Required Courses		Credit Hours
General Education
This degree requires completion of the General Education requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree. Details of these requirements are delineated on the General Education website. Courses listed below as program/major required courses with the indicators: C, S, Z, R, G, may also be used to satisfy some of these general education requirements.

Required Courses or Program:

Biology classes
BIOL 121	General Biology 1	4
BIOL 122	General Biology 2	4
BIOL 205	Human Anatomy-Physiology	5
BIOL 207	Forensic Biology	3
BIOL 286	General Microbiology	3
BIOL 307		3
BIOL 375	Principles of Genetics	3
BIOL 407	Forensic DNA Analysis	3
BIOL 460	Current Topics in BIOL	2

Choose 1 of the following 2 Ecology classes:
BIOL 346	Ecological Assessment	3
BIOL 347	Environmental Conservation	3
BIOL 442	Ecology	3

Choose 4 of the following Biology Electives:
12 minimum credit hours required
BIOL 300	Pathophysiology	3
BIOL 340	Evolution	3
BIOL 341		3
BIOL 342		3
BIOL 344	Entomology	3
BIOL 349	Medical Parasitology	3
BIOL 351	Field Botany	3
BIOL 370	Developmental Biology	4
BIOL 373	Cell Biology	3

Supporting Sciences
MATH 130	Adv Algebra-Analytical Trig	4
CHEM 121	General Chemistry 1	5
CHEM 122	General Chemistry 2	5
CHEM 207	Science and Crime	3

Choose 1 of the following organic chemistry options
CHEM 214	Fund of Organic Chemistry	4
or
CHEM 321	Organic Chemistry 1	5
and
CHEM 322	Organic Chemistry 2	5

CHEM 324	Fund of Biochemistry	3
GEOL 121	Physical Geology	4
PHYS 211	Introductory Physics 1	4

Additional required courses
CRIM 110	Introduction to Crim Justice	3
CRIM 301	CJ Investigation Issues	3
COMM 121	Fundamentals-Public Speaking	3
Computer competence (consult advisor)
Elective Credits 200 level or higher (consult advisor)		8

Why Choose Forensic Biology?

You’ve seen them on T.V. gathering evidence at a crime scene or testing DNA samples in a lab. They are forensics experts, scientific detectives who search for clues that answer the “who, what and when” questions of a legal investigation. If you have an inquiring mind and like biology and chemistry, you may be interested in Ferris State’s Forensic Biology degree.

Forensic biology is the application of biological knowledge and laboratory techniques to criminal and civil investigations as well as to the identification of unknown individuals. The forensic biology degree builds on a solid foundation of biology and chemistry, with unique core courses in forensic biology, forensic chemistry, forensic human pathology and forensic DNA analysis. The degree is designed for the student who is interested in analyzing biological evidence as it relates to legal and other investigations, or collecting and processing evidence at a crime scene or in a laboratory. It is also excellent preparation for graduate work in specialized areas of forensics.

Students receive extensive training in the collection and analysis of biological evidence in both lab and field settings. Students learn how to evaluate mock crime scenes that include decomposition of animal remains in the field. They also learn how to document, collect and analyze the insects, plants and other biological evidence to determine the time of death. Students learn to identify skeletal remains, and evaluate trauma.

Get a Great Job

Forensic biology is in the midst of a revolution, and the need for well-trained forensic biologists is growing at a rapid pace. The demand for qualified forensic biologists is increasing due to the technological advances in the last five years in genetics and molecular biology.

Graduates with this degree would be eligible for entry-level positions in forensic laboratories, medical examiners offices and law enforcement agencies. It should be stressed, however, that further graduate-level education might be required for you to become employable in your chosen career. To fully prepare for any career you should understand the necessary qualifications. In the area of forensic biology, one good source of current job openings and the background required can be found at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences website (www.aafs.org).

Admission Requirements

First year student admission is open to high school graduates (or equivalent) who demonstrate academic preparedness, maturity and seriousness of purpose with educational backgrounds that include high school courses in science and chemistry. High school courses and grade point average, ACT composite score, and ACT reading and mathematics sub scores will be considered in the admission and placement process

Graduation Requirements

The Forensic Biology program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Graduation requires a minimum 2.0 GPA overall and a minimum of 121 credits including completion of all general education requirements as outlined on the General Education website. No grade lower than a 'C-' is acceptable in courses that apply to the major, supporting sciences, and application area of the program. At least 50% of the semester credits applying toward the Biology major must be completed at FSU with a minimum of 30 FSU credits overall.

More Information

Department of Biology
Ferris State University
820 Campus Drive/ASC 2021
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2225
Phone: 231-591-2550