Forensics Certificate

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The Forensics certificate provides recognition for students completing the required core curriculum and electives of forensics-related classes from at least two academic departments. Certification will provide students with an introduction to the topic and may assist them in their future job searches. By itself the certificate is not sufficiently comprehensive to indicate a student is highly trained in forensic science.

Required Courses Credits: 15

Courses may be taken in any order, although the Introduction to Forensics course is recommended to be taken early. It is acceptable to count any of these courses in a major as well as in the certificate.

ANTH 310 - Research/Laboratory in Biological Anthropology Credits: (1-2)
ANTH 315 - Forensic Skeletal Analysis Credits: (4)
ANTH 318 - Introduction to Forensics Credits: (4)
OR LAJ 318 - Introduction to Forensics Credits: (4)
LAJ 300 - Administration of Criminal Justice Credits: (4)
ANTH 409 - Forensics Capstone Credits: (1)
OR LAJ 409 - Forensics Capstone Credits: (1)

Electives Credits: 15

A total of 15 or more credits must be taken from the following list. Courses must include at least two different academic departments. It is recommended that students enroll in at least one laboratory or field course (indicated with *), but this is not required.

Anthropology:

ANTH 316 - History and Theory of Molecular Anthropology (Put on Reserve 9/1/2020) Credits: (4)
ANTH 323 - Field Archaeology Credits: (3-6) *
ANTH 357 - Medical Anthropology: Cross-cultural Perspectives on Health and Healing Credits: (4)
ANTH 414 - Forensic Anthropology: Cold Case Analysis Credits: (6) *
ANTH 415 - Forensic Anthropology: Theoretical and Applied Issues Credits: (4)
ANTH 425 - Zooarchaeology Credits: (4) *
ANTH 444 - Ethnographic Field Methods Credits: (4)
ANTH 486 - Advanced Methods in Archaeology Credits: (1-8) *
ANTH 490 - Cooperative Education Credits: (1-12)

Biological Sciences:

BIOL 321 - Genetics Credits: (5) *
BIOL 351 - General Entomology Credits: (5) *
BIOL 353 - Integrative Anatomy Credits: (6) *
BIOL 355 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: (5) *
BIOL 356 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: (5) *
BIOL 425 - Molecular Biotechnology Credits: (5) *
BIOL 490 - Cooperative Education Credits: (1-12)

Chemistry:

(Note that typically 30 quarter hours in chemistry are required for work in state forensics laboratories, such as for Forensic Scientist I at the Washington State Patrol.)

CHEM 112 - Introduction to Organic Chemistry Credits: (4)
CHEM 112LAB - Introduction to Organic Chemistry Laboratory Credits: (1) *
CHEM 113 - Introduction to Biochemistry Credits: (4)
CHEM 113LAB - Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory Credits: (1) *
CHEM 181 - General Chemistry I Credits: (4)
CHEM 181LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: (1) *
CHEM 182 - General Chemistry II Credits: (4)
CHEM 182LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: (1) *
CHEM 183 - General Chemistry III Credits: (4)
CHEM 183LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory III Credits: (1) *
CHEM 332 - Quantitative Analysis Credits: (3)
CHEM 332LAB - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory Credits: (2) *

Law and Justice:

LAJ 302 - Criminal Procedure Credits: (4)
LAJ 313 - Introduction to Criminal Law Credits: (4)
LAJ 331 - Investigation Credits: (4)
LAJ 490 - Cooperative Education Credits: (1-12)

Physics:

(Note that typically 8 quarter hours in physics are required for work in state forensics laboratories, such as for Forensic Scientist I at the Washington State Patrol.)

PHYS 111 - Introductory Physics I with Laboratory Credits: (5)
PHYS 112 - Introductory Physics II with Laboratory Credits: (5)
PHYS 490 - Cooperative Education Credits: (1-12)

Psychology:

PSY 449 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: (4)
PSY 484 - Violence and Aggression Credits: (4)

Sociology:

SOC 346 - Criminology Credits: (5)
SOC 348 - Women and Crime Credits: (5)
SOC 490 - Cooperative Education Credits: (1-12)

Total Credits: 30

College and Department Information

Anthropology and Museum Studies Department
College of the Sciences

Program Outcomes
Visit program outcomes to find out what you can expect to know and do after successful completion of this program.