Forensic Science Degree

Forensic investigation at a crime scene in a wooded area

Earn your degree in forensic science

Career options

Arson investigation
Crime scene investigation
Forensics
Insurance

Prepare for a career in forensic science with this degree program. Forensic technicians are trained in identifying, gathering and preserving evidence, playing a critical role in the criminal justice system. As a student in this program, you’ll learn the legal and scientific aspects of evidence, methods of crime scene searches and procedures for locating and preserving evidence.

Take classes in fire behavior and combustion, criminal justice, chemistry, criminal procedures, hazardous materials, investigative process, leadership and ethics for law enforcement, forensics and more.

A.A.S. degree program plan

This 60 credit-hour program will provide instruction to students in the proper techniques of identifying, collecting and packaging physical evidence associated with crime scenes and understanding the importance of proper evidence handling. The forensic science technician is responsible for processing evidence at crime scenes, identifying, collecting, and preserving physical evidence to support law enforcement activities. Graduates may be employed as forensic technicians, property and identification custodians, arson investigators and investigators for local law enforcement and fire services, federal agencies, local, regional and national crime labs, as well as in private industry such as insurance companies, etc.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements (Hours required: 60)
Number	Course Title	Credits
First Semester
A grade of C or better in all FIS, LEJ, and MTH courses is required for all students.
ENG 101	Composition I	3
FIS 121	Fire Behavior and Combustion	3
LEJ 101	Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
LEJ 116	Forensics I	3
Mathematics ¹		3
	Hours	15
Second Semester
A grade of C or better in all CHM and LEJ courses is required for all students.
ANT 215	Introduction to Forensic Anthropology	3
CHM 100	Chemistry for the Health Sciences	4
CHM 110	Fundamentals of Chemistry
ENG 103	Technical and Report Writing	3
LEJ 217	Forensics II	4
	Hours	14
Third Semester
A grade of C or better in all FIS and LEJ courses is required for all students.
CIS 101	Introduction to Computer Information Systems	3
FIS 132	Hazardous Materials	3
FIS 210	Fire-Arson Investigation ²	3
LEJ 202	Criminal Procedures	3
LEJ 218	Forensics III	4
	Hours	16
Fourth Semester
A grade of C or better in all LEJ courses is required for all students.
LEJ 200	Leadership and Ethics for Law Enforcement	3
LEJ 216	Investigative Process	3
LEJ 295	Forensics IV	3
PHI 101	Critical Thinking	3
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology ⁺	3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	60

¹: Placement into college-level mathematics without support. See the math placement grid for more information.
²: Prerequisite of FIS 100 will be waived for Forensic Science students.
+: This course meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement.

Program learning outcomes

Identify the different types of evidence.
Demonstrate the duties and responsibilities of the first officer on the scene.
Demonstrate the basic methods of crime scene searches.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic methods of visually documenting crime scenes.
Apply scientific principles to the function of collection and preservation of physical evidence i.e. latent fingerprints, trace and impression evidence, blood and other biological evidence.
Demonstrate knowledge of the legal aspects of evidence.
Differentiate the types of physical evidence associated with various types of crimes.
Demonstrate the basic methods of locating and preserving evidence associated with various types of crimes i.e. death investigations, sexual assaults, arson and explosive evidence, burglaries.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic methods of firearms identification, examination, and comparison.
Demonstrate the basic methods of computer forensics.

Related programs

Forensic Science Technician Certificate

For more information about forensic science training at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.