Forensic Studies Minor

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Program Description:

The minor in Forensic Studies is a multidisciplinary program that allows students to explore different facets of forensics through a variety of courses within the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science and Mathematics.  The curriculum consists of 18-20 hours of study:  2 core courses, 1 course in the physical sciences, and 3 elective courses from a variety of disciplines.   

Admission Requirements:

Students admitted into the minor in Forensic Studies must have a declared major at Wright State.  Additionally, students must have completed ENG 1100, 1130, or 1140 with a grade of C or better and at least two other courses in the WSU Core.  A GPA of 2.0 is required as well. 

Program Learning Outcomes: 

Students who complete the FS minor will be able to:

1) identify the basic techniques involved in crime scene investigation and evidence recovery

2) explain the specific methods and techniques involved in criminal investigations

For more detailed information, contact School of Social Sciences and International Studies.

For more information visit:

• Forensic Studies Minor
• School of Social Sciences and International Studies
• College of Liberal Arts

Program Requirements:

Required Core: 6 Hours

Select 2 courses from:

• PLS 3410 - Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4440 - Topics in Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3   (Methods of Human ID; Methods of Crime Scene Investigation)
• PLS 4450 - Advanced Criminal Investigation Credit Hour(s): 3

Required Science: 4 Hours

Select from:

• ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3100L - Human Structure Funct I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• BIO 3100 - Clinical Microbiology Credit Hour(s): 3
• BIO 3110 - Clinical Microbiology Lab Credit Hour(s): 2
• BIO 3120 - General Microbiology Credit Hour(s): 5
• BIO 3120L - General Microbiology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
• CHM 1210R - General Chemistry Lab I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
• PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
• PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
• PHY 1110R - Principles of Physics I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
• PHY 2400 - General Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
• PHY 2400L - General Physics I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
• PHY 2400R - General Physics I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

Electives: 8 Hours

Select 3 courses from:

• ART 2070 - Photography I Credit Hour(s): 3
• ATH 3200 - Special Topics in Cultural Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3  (Medical Anthropology)
• ATH 3800 - Special Topics in Anthropological Methods Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3  (Human Osteology)
• ATH 4210 - Biomedical Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3
• ATH 4300 - Special Topics in Biological Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3  (Death and Dying)
• BIO 3710 - Forensic DNA Profiling Credit Hour(s): 2
• COM 1010 - Essentials of Public Address Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 3610 - Technical Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
• GEO 3600 - Concepts of Geo-Spatial Mapping Credit Hour(s): 3
• GEO 4430 - Geographic Information Systems Credit Hour(s): 4
• PLS 3440 - Police Procedures and Operations Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4310 - Cyber Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 2520 - Forensic Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3210 - Cognition and Learning Credit Hour(s): 3
• SOC 3210 - Sociology of Deviance Credit Hour(s): 3
• SOC 3700 - Criminology Credit Hour(s): 3
• URS 4280 - Criminal Justice Organization and Management Credit Hour(s): 3

Total: 18 Hours