Forensic Science

Prepare Scientific Work to be Presented in Courts of Law

As a Forensic Science major, you’ll learn how to collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes so it can be used in court cases or the criminal justice system. Become an expert witness in criminal cases, or work in the field as a crime scene or fingerprint technician. You’ll learn how to approach crime scenes in a methodical, detail-oriented way that engages both critical and creative thinking. And you’ll graduate ready to use science to create a more just and safe society.

Why earn your Forensic Science degree at St. Edward’s?

Whether you want to enter a forensic career with police or fire departments, coroner’s offices, the FBI or CIA, or private enterprises — or pursue an advanced degree in forensics, law or medical school — one thing is certain: The advantages of your St. Edward’s education will prepare you to succeed. You’ll find opportunities in and outside the classroom to learn, give back and achieve your goals. And your mentors will support you every step of the way.

Build relationships with your professors

You’ll learn in small classes taught by award-winning professors who keep up with the newest developments in forensic science. They’ll get to know you, help you identify and focus on your goals, and provide guidance and insight during your college years and after you graduate.

Conduct advanced research

You’ll engage in faculty-mentored research in the university’s state-of-the-art labs — or Wild Basin Creative Research Center in Austin, a nature preserve managed by St. Edward’s. You’ll advance the state of forensic science by conducting research into potential new technologies and techniques.

Gain skills with experiential learning

Courses are designed to give you an immersive experience that parallels real-life scenarios you’ll encounter in your career. For example, you’ll investigate simulated crime scenes, master crime scene photography, and take on the role of an expert witness in a mock criminal trial.

Get involved in the professional science community

The St. Edward’s chapters of the American Criminal Justice Association and the American Chemical Society open doors to exploring internships, research and volunteer opportunities, and science-based careers. You’ll connect with people who love the challenge of forensic science as much as you do.

Reap the Rewards of Austin

Austin is a fast-growing technology hub and emerging center of science research and innovation. As a Forensic Science major, you can explore career paths and practical application of your studies through internships and interactions within the greater Austin community.

What do our graduates do?

Forensic Science majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample.

Pursuing careers at the Texas Department of Public Safety, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office, Austin Police Department, Houston Forensic Science Center, San Antonio Police Department and Round Rock Police Department
Attending the South Texas College of Law
Attending graduate school at Sam Houston State University, University of North Texas and University of Central Lancashire
Attending medical school at the St. George’s University Charter Program to Medicine and the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Medical School

Explore Details About the BS in Forensic Science

Major Requirements: The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science major requires 96–97 hours of Forensic Science major courses, including courses in subjects such as Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

General Education Requirements: In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.

View and download the full degree plan for the BS in Forensic Science major (PDF). This helpful course map shows the sequence of prerequisites in the department.

What You Will Learn

The Forensic Science program combines rigorous classroom, lab and experiential learning that covers crime scene investigation techniques, scientific methods for analyzing the data you collect, and legal and ethical protocols. You’ll be well prepared to handle these tasks and responsibilities:

Analyze crime scenes to determine what evidence should be collected and how.
Take photographs or make sketches of the crime scenes and evidence.
Record observations and findings, such as the location and position of evidence.
Collect and preserve evidence, including weapons, fingerprints and bodily fluids.
Reconstruct crime scenes.
Perform chemical, biological and microscopic analyses on evidence taken from crime scenes.
Explore possible links between suspects and criminal activity, using the results of DNA or other scientific analyses from specialists, such as toxicologists (poisons) or odontologists (teeth).
Prepare written reports that detail your findings and investigative methods.
Explain your reports to lawyers, detectives and other law enforcement officials.
Testify as an expert witness in court about your findings and methods.

Skills You Will Gain

As a Forensic Science major, you’ll cultivate a range of skills that employers look for and that prepare you to excel in the workplace.

Critical and creative thinking
Problem-solving
Attention to details
Data collection and analysis
Laboratory research and safety techniques
Math and science skills to analyze evidence
Communicate effectively orally and in writing
Teamwork

Experiential Learning

Your classes are taught by professors who have years of experience in the field and keep up with new developments as forensic science evolves. Each course is designed to give you an immersive, engaging experience that parallels real-life scenarios you’ll encounter in your career. Here’s a sample of courses:

In Crime Scene Photography, you will learn the parts of a digital camera, learn to document indoor and outdoor scenes and practice photographing wounds on faux body parts, creating a portfolio of your work. You also will review photographs in a virtual setting using virtual reality headsets to explore the immersive experience of being on a crime scene.
In Crime Scene Investigations I & II, you’ll assess and document mock crime scenes that simulate common field experiences. You’ll also process simulated evidence with field and laboratory techniques. Some of these mock crime scenes are staged in person, either on the main St. Edward’s campus or at the Wild Basin Creative Research Center. For others, you’ll use a virtual reality headset or your computer to investigate evidence at mock crime scenes — like a hotel room where a body was found — and click on hotspots with embedded photos and case information.
In Forensics in the Wild, you’ll explore the distinct challenges of investigating crimes committed outdoors. You’ll critically analyze environmental factors affecting outdoor crime scenes and learn to evaluate samples within forensic botany, soil recovery and analysis, and anthropology.
In Principles and Practices of Science and Law, you’ll explore the interaction between the ideas and practices of the scientific community and the legal community. Taking on the persona of an expert witness, you’ll prepare to present a piece of forensic evidence in a mock criminal trial. You’ll also pose as an attorney, calling the “expert” to testify.

Study Abroad

History and Philosophy of Science, a required course for Forensic Science majors, has been taught both on campus and abroad. When taught in London and Edinburgh, the class focused on the history of medicine and disease and how it intersects with the history of crime. Students in the course visited sites in London related to scientific and medical history, including the Alexander Fleming Museum, which showcases the laboratory where Fleming discovered penicillin. They also visited the Surgeons’ Hall Museums in Edinburgh, which has collections of pathological anatomy specimens and an anatomy theater with an interactive dissection table.

Research

You’ll advance the state of forensic science by conducting research into potential new technologies and techniques. College students can test whether these techniques show enough promise to merit investment by professional labs. Through your research, you’ll address challenges currently being faced by investigators in the field and build marketable skills.

Internships

You’ll have an opportunity to apply for internships where you’ll utilize some of the same skills you’ve been developing in your experiential classes. Forensic Science majors have earned highly competitive internships at state and local agencies, including:

Travis County Medical Examiner's Office
Austin Police Department
Travis County Sheriff's Office
Leander Police Department
El Paso Police Department
Bexar County Sheriff's Office

STEM students at St. Edward’s can access paid internships offered by our National Science Foundation-funded Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4). For more information on these internship programs, please visit the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4).

Student Organizations

The Forensic Association Committed to Truth — SEU F.A.C.T. for short — is a student organization dedicated to forensic science and meets biweekly. Members build their networks and learn about careers. F.A.C.T. also hosts fun collaborative events that give you the chance to explore other science-based fields, like teaming up with the American Chemical Society chapter to conduct spooky Halloween-themed experiments.

The St. Edward’s Criminal Justice Club is a chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon. The club meets twice a month to hear guest speakers, go on field trips, offer community service and complete training together.

The St. Edward’s student affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society hosts guest speakers who talk about their research, industry jobs, and the ins and outs of graduate school. Members have volunteered at the ACS Southwest Regional Meeting and given poster presentations of their research, and they have traveled to other universities for hands-on training at advanced instrumentation workshops. Our ACS chapter also hosts social and fun events like tie-dyeing lab coats and movie nights.

Service

Forensic Science students have worked for several years on a grant-funded STEM outreach program for sixth-graders. The St. Edward’s students create crime-scene kits that the younger students use to solve a case. The program encourages elementary- and middle-school students to get curious about careers in science.

Students who are interested in the forensic field can complete a minor in Forensic Science to establish baseline knowledge and experience within the subject. This is especially helpful for individuals who are interested in pursuing careers where forensic knowledge enhances their job applicant profile.

Required Coursework