General Catalog 2021-2022

Forensic Science (BS)

The Forensic Science Program presents an interdisciplinary program of studies that aims to develop in students the knowledge and fundamental skills necessary for the application of scientific methods used to contribute to the discovery of the causes, method and circumstances of violent deaths and other crimes. The Program emphasizes the treatment of evidence and is characterized by its combination of knowledge in the natural sciences, forensic sciences and in criminology.

The Aguadilla, Barranquitas, Bayamón and Ponce campuses are authorized to offer this Program.

Competencies Profile of Graduates

This Program is designed to develop the competencies that will enable students to:

Knowledge

  1. Demonstrate knowledge in natural sciences, forensic sciences and criminology.
  2. Demonstrate scientific knowledge in the administration of the crime scene and in its procedures.

Skills

  1. Use techniques for the scientific analysis of evidence in the laboratory.
  2. Apply investigation skills for the scientific-forensic analysis in the crime scene.
  3. Operate equipment and scientific instrumentation for the collection of data and its interpretation in the scientific-forensic analysis.

Attitudes

  1. Demonstrate an ethical and professional attitude in the scientific analysis of the evidence and in their role as investigator.
  2. Recognize the importance of the legal frame of the criminal justice system.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Science

General Education Requirements 45 credits
Major Requirements 27 credits
Required Related Courses 46 credits
Elective Courses 3 credits
Total 121 credits

General Education Requirements - 45 credits

Forty-five (45) credits are required as explained in the section “General Education Requirements for Bachelors’ Degrees.” Students are exempt from taking courses in the Scientific and Technological Context category. Students will take the course GEMA 1200 in the Basic Skills in Mathematics category.

Major Requirements - 27 credits

CJUS 1000Introduction to Criminology

3

CJUS 3025Criminal Law

3

FORS 2000Introduction to Forensic Science

3

FORS 3970Special Topics

3

FORS 4400Forensic Toxicology

4

FORS 4421Forensic Investigation I

3

FORS 4422Forensic Investigation II

4

FORS 4910Forensic Practice

3

FORS 4960Integration Seminar

1

Required Related Courses - 46 credits

BIOL 1101General Biology I

3

BIOL 1103Biology Skills Laboratory I

1

BIOL 1116Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology

5

CHEM 1111General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 2212General Chemistry II

4

CHEM 2221Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 2222Organic Chemistry II

4

CHEM 3320Analytical Chemistry

4

CHEM 4220Biochemistry

4

MATH 1500Precalculus

5

PHYS 3001General Physics I

4

PHYS 3002General Physics II

4