School of
Integrative Biology
Undergraduate

Undergraduate Academic Programs

Certificate in Forensic Science

The Certificate in Forensic Science, jointly administered by the School of Integrative Biology and the Department of Anthropology, allows undergraduates to obtain recognition for completing coursework that provides a foundational coursework in biology and anthropology to prepare for additional study in forensic sciences. Careers for which a certificate in Forensic Science may be appropriate include forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, death investigation, crime scene investigation, forensic biology, forensic genetics, forensic botany, forensic toxicology, and forensic entomology.

For completion of the certificate, students must do the following:
  1. Declare their intention to complete the certificate and develop a plan of study in by completing the online form.
  2. Choose which certificate track you intend to follow:
    1. Complete four courses selected from the list below.
    2. Complete three courses selected from the list below and participate in at least one practicum to be approved by an Anthropology or IB advisor.
  3. Complete the online checklist no later than the final day of classes in the student’s final term to affirm that the requirements for the certificate have been met.

Students opting to complete the certificate with a practicum must receive approval from an IB advisor prior to undertaking the practicum. Options for a practicum may include, but are not limited to, the following: volunteering, research, experience abroad, internships, or job shadowing. Practicums should comprise at least twenty supervised hours of experience aligned with the certificate. Students need to complete the online practicum approval form prior to undertaking the experience.

Students completing the certificate will be presented with an official certificate document. Although the certificate will not appear on a student’s transcript, students will be free to use this credential on any resumé or application for advanced study.

Notes:
  • Students are not guaranteed a seat in a course required by the certificate but are welcome to enroll in courses where seats are available after any restriction, which may have been placed, has been removed.
  • Courses selected may not be used to satisfy requirements of more than one Anthropology or IB Certificate.

Certificate in Forensic Science (9-15 hours)

Required Course

  • ANTH 246 Forensic Science

Certificate Option A: Choose three of the following with no practicum (9-12 hours)1, 2
Certificate Option B: Choose two of the following, plus a practicum experience approved by an IB or Anthropology advisor

  • ANTH 247 Forensic Science DNA Lab
  • ANTH 346 Forensic Anthropology
  • ANTH 347 Human Osteology
  • ANTH 441 Human Genetics
  • ANTH 447 Advanced Skeletal Biology
  • SOC 375 Criminal Justice
  • IB 303 Anatomy
  • IB 335 Plant Systematics
  • IB 364 Genomics and Human Health
  • IB 401 Introduction to Entomology
  • IB 432/ANTH 432 Genes and Behavior
  • IB 439 Biogeography
  • IB 468 Insect Classification and Evolution
  • IB 471 General Mycology
  • IB 481 Vector-Borne Diseases

1 Students are encouraged to take at least one course each in both IB and Anthropology.
2 Prerequisite courses may be required for selected advanced courses.