BIOLOGY (Pre-Forensics Track-DNA Analysis)  (last modified 16 Feb 2007)   

 

Fall Semester

 

Spring Semester

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

 

BIO 1110 General Biology I 4 cr 

 

BIO 1120 General Biology II  4 cr 

FPG (2 COURSES) (met by ENG 1110 and CTA 1102

(1)              CULTURAL DIVERSITY (may meet a second general education requirement - choose very carefully to ensure that it does)

(2)              SOCIAL SCIENCE

(3)              WORLD LANGUAGE

(4)              LITERATURE

(5)              ANALYTICAL REASONING (met with calculus)

(6)              NATURAL SCIENCE (met with CHM 1110)

(7)              HISTORY (Not HIS 2231)

(8)              FINE ARTS

(9)              PHILOSOPHY

(10)           RELIGIOUS STUDIES

(11)           GENERAL EDUCATION  UPPER DIVISION

ELECTIVE WRITING COURSE - Must take during junior or senior year. Recommend CTA 3450 Argumentation

 

CHM 1110 General Chemistry I I  4 cr 

 

CHM 1120 General Chemistry I I  4  cr 

 

DGN 1101 The Responsible Self 2 cr and

ENG 1110 First Year Composition  4 cr (or spring sem)

 

DGN 1102 And Dignity for All 2 cr and

CTA 1102 Human Communication  4 cr (or fall sem)

 

Gen Ed Course 4 cr

 

Gen Ed Course (MTH 2211-ShortCalc) 4 cr (May take calculus I instead of short calculus)

 

BIO 2110 Anatomy & Physiology I  4 cr

 

BIO 2120 Anatomy & Physiology I I   4 cr

 

CHM 2200 Organic Chemistry I   4 cr 

 

CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I I   4 cr 

 

PSY 3331 Statistics 4 UD (MWF 9:15-10:20) or Mth 4411

 

BIO 2250 Microbiology 4 cr  or Fall semester

 

Gen Ed Course 4 cr

 

Gen Ed Course 4 cr

Application to the major is made during the SPRING semester of the SOPHOMORE year.

An internship with the MN Bureau of  Criminal Apprehension (MN BCA), or other agency, is strongly recommended and should take place during the summer between the junior and senior year.

 

BIO 3500 Genetics  4 UD or Spring semester

 

Gen Ed or Elective [Bio 4135 Histology alt yr offering)] 4 UD

Notes:

     A world language proficiency of completion of a college second semester is required. It is strongly recommended that three years of foreign language be taken in the high school. If three years of high school foreign language have been taken then the language requirement is waived. However, if less than three years of high school foreign language have been taken, then a placement test must be taken. Depending on the results of the placement test, a language requirement of 2, 4, 6, or 8 credits may be required. Language courses are offered in 2 credit modules. Keep in mind that a foreign language may be helpful in securing a position of employment.

     In order to graduate in four years it is necessary that mathematics proficiency at the time of college entry be such that placement into calculus is possible.

     Very strong written and oral communication skills are essential. When selecting your general education courses be sure to choose those courses which will provide you with the best oral and written communication skills possible.

 

CHM 3240 Biochemistry I  4 UD

 

CHM 3000 Analytical Chemistry 4  UD

 

PSC 2001 Physics I   4 cr

 

PSC 2002 Physics I I   4 cr

 

Gen Ed Course 4 cr

 

Gen Ed Course 4 cr

 

BIO 4150 DNA Analysis  I    2  UD

 

BIO 4160 DNA Analysis II     2  UD

 

[BIO 4170 Ecology 4 UD (MWF 9:15-10:20, R 1-3:50)]  OR [BIO 3220 Plant Systematics] in Spring semester.

 

[BIO 3220 Plant Systematics 4 UD, TR 1-3:20] OR [BIO 4170 Ecology] in Fall Semester

 

Elective

 

Elective (recommend Bio 3600)

 

Gen Ed Course 4

 

Gen Ed Course 4 cr

 

*Chm 4120 Instrumental Analysis  (alt yr offering) 4 UD or Gen Ed

 

Gen Ed or Elective [Bio 4135 Histology alt yr offering)]  4 UD

 

Gen Ed Course 4 cr. here or in Spring. Depends on whether Chm 4120 is offered in which case it is a strong recommend.

 

BIO 4000 Outcomes Assessment 0 cr

128 credits, of which 42 must be upper division credits (UD), are needed to graduate. Make sure when taking elective courses and general education courses that you keep in mind UD credits. A minimum of 32 biology credits (grade “C” or higher) are required for the major but adequate forensics preparation requires additional course work. See the Strong Recommendations.

Completion of the forensics track leads to a major in biology and a minor in chemistry.

If the opportunity arises, the following Strong Recommendations Electives are made:. Some of these courses a re included in the above schema to indicate to the student the term in which the course is normally offered and to indicate alternate year offerings of some of the courses.:

§          BIO 3020 Pathophysiology (4 cr),  BIO 4135 Histology (4 cr)   BIO 3600 Molecular Cell Biology (4 cr), Bio 3700 Immunology, BIO 4125 Biology of Aging (2 cr), BIO 4140 Techniques in Microscopy (2 cr),  BIO 4130 Endocrinology (4 cr), BIO 4210 Advanced Physiology I (2 cr), BIO 4220  Advanced Physiology II (2 cr)

§          *CHM 4120 Instrumental Analysis (4 cr) – offered alternate odd years: F 20057 F 2009, etc.

PSY 3330 - Research Methods (4 cr)

Course recommendations for general education: determine with your advisor. Be sure to  choose those courses which will provide you with the best communication skills possible.  Duties required of Forensics Scientist positions are report writing, presentations, courtroom testimony.

 

 

BIOLOGY (Forensics Track-DNA Analysis)     

 

Some Coursework Recommendation Rationale:

 

BIO 3600 Molecular Cell Biology (4 cr) – Many Forensics Scientist Entry and Level I positions require this as background coursework.

 

BIO 4135 Histology (4 cr) – Many Forensics Scientist Entry and Level I positions require this as background coursework.

 

BIO 4140 Techniques in Microscopy (2 cr) – Many Forensics Scientist Entry and Level I positions require this as background coursework.

 

CHM 4120 Instrumental Analysis (4 cr) – Many Forensics Scientist Entry and Level I positions require this as background coursework.

 

In order to be competitive it is strongly recommended that the above courses be taken as electives.

 

Things to keep in mind:

 

Forensic Scientist positions generally require one to two years of experience. This experience can be gotten by performing internships as well as by securing a higher degree. It is the position of our Biology Department that you do go on and get a M.S. or Ph.D. Not only will this serve as experience, it will also provide you with upward mobility within the profession.

 

The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) recommend the following ancillary course work if it is available: Criminal Law, Courtroom Procedures, Expert Testimony , Internships. The ASCLD also states that DNA Technical Leaders (Supervisors) are required to have a M.S. in a related field such as molecular biology. A Ph.D. is preferred.

 

In order to be employed as a Forensic Scientist you must successfully pass a background check. The nature of the background check may vary between agencies. Check with a particular agency as to what may impede your employability. Always remember, if you are to serve society you must also serve as an example to society.

 

The Biology Forensics Track is designed to

prepare the student with the necessary coursework to enter into the Forensic Scientist Entry/Level 1 position. However, it is strongly recommended that the student pursue graduate school in order attain leadership positions within the field of forensics. Additionally, the Biology Forensics Track has been designed so that should the student decide against a career in forensics the student is strongly prepared for entry into graduate school, medical school, or other professional schools.

 

4/18/07