Female Student in a labForensic Science is a growing field and offers an excellent point of entry for students interested in combining natural and social scientific method and theory.

The goal of this certificate is to use lecture, lab, and field work to prepare students for careers in Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, or Criminology, with a focus on forensic applications.

Interdisciplinary and practical training in forensics offers high-quality employment opportunities in the private sector and in federal, state, and local agencies including law enforcement, The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and state and federal bureaus of investigation. The program offers a flexible path towards completion for students from any department of origin and with any previous level of experience in forensics. Achieving this certificate will give our students an edge in today’s highly competitive labor market while encouraging a positive social contribution and commitment to community.

male student in a labHow to complete the certificate:

  1. Sign up by completing the Certificate Form. There are no prerequisites for signing up.
  2. In the semester of your graduation, we will get notified by the registrar and asked to verify your completion.
  3. If you have fulfilled all requirements, you will receive your printed certificate together with your graduation materials.

If you have questions or need guidance on completing the required courses, contact the Certificate Administrator (Dr. Corey Maggiano, cmaggian@westga.edu).

Who is eligible:

The Undergraduate Certificate in Forensic Sciences can be obtained by a student with any undergraduate major at UWG who has completed the appropriate courses.

Course requirements: 

1: Any two basic science courses from the list below:

  • BIOL 1010 Fundamentals of Biology 3/0/3 and BIOL 1010L Fundamentals of Biology Lab 0/2/1
  • BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I 3/0/3 and BIOL 1107L Principles of Biology I Lab 0/3/1
  • BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II 3/0/3 and BIOL 1108L Principles of Biology II Lab 0/3/1
  • CHEM 1100 Introductory Chemistry 3/0/3 and CHEM 1100L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory 0/3/
  • CHEM 1151K Survey of Chemistry I 3/3/4
  • CHEM 1152K Survey of Chemistry II 3/3/4
  • CHEM 1211 Principles of Chemistry I 3/0/3 and CHEM 1211L Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 0/3/1
  • CHEM 1212 Principles of Chemistry II 3/0/3 and CHEM 1212L Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory 0/3/1

2: At least one forensic course from the list below: 

  • ANTH 4125 Forensic Anthropology 3/0/3
  • CHEM 3130 Modern Forensic Science 3/0/3 (does not count towards a degree in Chemistry)

3: Any two other courses with themes in forensic science from the list immediately above or below, B2 or B3: one must be from ANTH or CRIM:

  • ANTH 3110 Human Osteology 3/0/3
  • BIOL 4241 Entomology 3/3/4
  • BIOL 2021/L Anatomy and Physiology I or BIOL 2022/L Anatomy and Physiology II
  • CHEM 3140 Drugs and Drug Abuse 3/0/3 (does not count towards a degree in Chemistry)
  • CRIM 3411 Criminal Investigations 3/0/3
  • CRIM 3242 Drug Abuse 3/0/3
  • CRIM 4000 Research Methodology 3/0/3
  • ANTH 3250 Pig Dig: Forensic Archaeology and Biological Anthropology 0/8/4 or ANTH 4102 Archaeological Field Research 0/8/4
  • ANTH 3200 (or 4983) Directed Research 0/0/3 or ANTH 4112 Senior Thesis 0/3/3– min 3 credit level, Forensic topic*
  • BIOL 4981 Independent Study or BIOL 4983 Senior Biology Research – min 3 credit level, Forensic topic*
  • CRIM 4981 Directed Readings – min 3 credit level, Forensic* experience/topic*

* For these classes, the topic of contributing experience or research must be primarily forensic in topic or application as confirmed in writing by the respective instructor.

For further information please contact:

Dr. Corey Maggiano, BAFAL Director

cmaggian@westga.edu

(678) 839-6456