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Forensic Science and Investigation Pathway

This pathway is for students interested in applying science, social context, and rules of criminal procedure to the seizure and analysis of physical evidence. Students in this pathway learn theories and methods enabling them to address forensic questions by integrating insights, methods, and techniques from multiple relevant disciplines.

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Plan Your Degree

Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
A1: ENGL 1101

English Composition 1

3
A2: MATH 1111, 1112, OR 1113

College Algebra, Trigonometry & Analytical Geometry, or Precalculus

3
D2: ANTH 1105

Introduction to Physical Anthropology

3
D1: BIOL 1107 OR 2107 + Lab

Principles of Biology 1

4
B1: Written and Oral Communications 3

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1101 with a C or better
  • Consider a possible Minor Declaration as early as possible to select the appropriate lab science courses.
  • Take ANTH 1105.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
A1: ENGL 1102

English Composition 2

3
D1: BIOL 1108 OR 2108 + Lab

Principles of Biology 2

4
B2: XIDS 2002

(Recommended) First-Year Seminar

2
F: CRIM 1100

Introduction to Criminal Justice

3
C1: Fine Arts 3

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1102 with a C or better
  • Take CRIM 1100

16 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
F: XIDS 2000

Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies

3
E1: HIST 1111 OR 1112

World History

3
F: CHEM 1211 + Lab

Principles of Chemistry 1

4
F: MATH 1111/1112

(If needed)

3
ANTH 4125

Forensic Anthropology

3

Milestones:

  • Take XIDS 2000
  • Take ANTH 4125
  • Declare your Minor (if interested)

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
F: CHEM 1212 + Lab

Principles of Chemistry 2

4
E2: HIST 2111 OR 2112

US History

3
CHEM 3130

Modern Forensic Science

3
C2: PHIL 2030

Introduction to Ethics

3
BIS Area Course

Discipline 1

3/4

MilestoneS:

  • Take CHEM 3130
  • Complete BIOL and CHEM 1000/2000 level courses
  • Begin BIS Area Courses

16 Fall Credit Hours + 16/17 Spring Credit Hours = 32/33 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
E3: POLS 1101

American Government

3
BIS Area Course

Discipline 1

3/4
BIS Area Course

Discipline 2

3/4
Minor/Elective  3
Minor/Elective  3

Milestones:

  • Complete at least 2 BIS Area Courses
  • Begin Minor/Elective

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
XIDS 3000

Interdisciplinary Methods

3
BIS Area Course

Discipline 3

3/4
E4: Social Science  3
Minor/Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3

Milestones:

  • Complete Core
  • Take XIDS 3000, complete capstone plan.
  • Continue taking BIS Area Courses
  • Continue Minor/Elective

15/17 Fall Credit Hours + 15/16 Spring Credit Hours = 30/33 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
XIDS 4000

Interdisciplinary capstone

3
BIS Area Course

Discipline 4

3/4
BIS Area Course

Discipline 1

3/4
Minor/Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3

Milestones:

  • Complete XIDS 4000 capstone, submit project.
  • Continue BIS Area Courses
  • Continue Minor/Elective

 

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
BIS Area Course

Discipline 3

3/4
BIS Area Course

Discipline 2

3/4
Minor/Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3

Milestones:

  • Complete BIS Area Courses.
  • Complete all required courses.
  • Total credit hours required to graduate: 120.

15/17 Fall Credit Hours + 12/14 Spring Credit Hours = 27/30 Credit Hours

Crush Your Course

First Year:

  • Make sure to take XIDS 2000: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies to start your intellectual, boundary-crossing journey!
  • Discover your interests in your core classes. These can help you establish your disciplines.

Middle Years:

  • Work with your IDS professors in XIDS 3000 to establish your degree plan, including identifying your complex problem and exploring how and what disciplines can help inform your inquiry.

Last Year:

  • This is the time for your XIDS capstone! Make sure you have 9 hours of 3000-4000-level coursework for each of your two disciplines!

Find Your Place

First Year:

Middle Years:

  • Attend UWG Scholars’ Day.
  • Check out what university associations and community organizations relate to your disciplines.

Last Year:

  • Hone your leadership skills by mentoring new IDS majors!
  • Consider running for an officer position in a student organization.

Broaden Your Perspectives

First Year:

Middle Years:

Last Year:

Connect Off-Campus

First Year:

  • Visit Wolves Vote to learn about the voting process and registration.
  • Consider volunteering for a campaign or organization in your community.

Middle Years:

  • Complete an internship in your field.
  • Consider a summer or part-time job.
  • Ask your department about networking opportunities with alumni.

Last Year:

  • Ask for advice from professionals in your field of interest.
  • Explore career shadowing opportunities.

Take Care of Yourself

First Year:

Middle Years:

Last Year:

Pave Your Path

First Year:

Middle Years:

  • Draft your resume and attend a resume blitz.
  • Learn about how to network on social media and update your Handshake profile.
  • Draft your personal statement.
  • Visit the graduate school to find out about graduate programs and admission requirements.

Last Year:

  • Request references from professors and supervisors.
  • Draft your resume cover letter and personal statement and revise it with career services.
  • Attend business fairs and career fairs at UWG and across the state.
  • Attend an interview workshop.
  • Apply for graduate programs.

 

Requirements

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Degree Requirements

IDS MAJORS

All IDS majors complete an XIDS course sequence through which they learn interdisciplinary concepts and method, culminating with a capstone project that reflects their intellectual and career interests:

  • XIDS 2000 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
  • XIDS 3000 - Interdisciplinary Methods
  • XIDS 4000 - Interdisciplinary Capstone

Pathway requirements

Pathway Requirements

Required Foundation Courses

  • ANTH 1105 - Introduction to Physical Anthropology
  • CRIM 1100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • XIDS 2000 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Principles of Biology
    • BIOL 1107/1107L and BIOL 1108/1108L, OR
    • BIOL 2107/2107L and BIOL 2108/2108L
  • Principles of Chemistry II
    • CHEM 1211/1211L
    • CHEM 1212/1212L*

*MATH 1111 and MATH 1112, OR MATH 1113

Required Upper-Level Area Courses

  • ANTH 4125 - Forensic Anthropology
  • CHEM 3130 - Modern Forensic Science
  • XIDS 3000 - Interdisciplinary Methods
  • XIDS 4000 - Interdisciplinary Capstone

Student Selected Upper-Level Area Courses

Students will choose two of the four disciplines as their main subjects. From these two disciplines, they must take a minimum of 9 credit hours each. From the remaining two disciplines, they must take at least one course each. Total minimum credit hours:

Anthropology

  • ANTH 3110 - Human Osteology
  • ANTH 3250 - Pig Dig Crime Scene: Methods in Forensic Archaeology and Biological Anthropology
  • ANTH 4122 - Skeletal Indicators of Health and Behavior
  • ANTH 4135 - Genes and Genomania
  • NOTE: ANTH 4125 hours also count here.

Mentors: Corey Maggiano and Isabel Maggiano

Biology

  • BIOL 3134 - Molecular Cellular Biology
  • BIOL 3231 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
  • BIOL 3513 - Human Physiology
  • BIOL 3621 - Genetics and Medical Genetics
  • BIOL 4241 - Entomology

Mentor: Gregory Payne

Chemistry 

  • CHEM 3140 - Drugs and Drug Abuse
  • CHEM 3310K - Analytical Chemistry**
  • NOTE: CHEM 3130 hours also count here.

Mentor: Megumi Fujita

**MATH 1111 and MATH 1112, OR MATH 1113 AND MATH 1634

Criminology

  • CRIM 3333 - Victimology
  • CRIM 3411 - Criminal Investigations
  • CRIM 3705 - Criminal Profiling
  • CRIM 3900 - Social Science in the Legal System
  • CRIM 4000 - Research Methodology
  • CRIM 4230 - Ethics and the Criminal Justice System

Mentor: Mai Naito Mills

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