Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science

If you're interested in studying living things and how they can apply to legal questions in unique ways, you should consider majoring in forensic biology. Our forensic science major offers a concentration in forensic biology, in which you ll take upper-division courses that focus on the forensic application of biological knowledge ranging from plants, insects, and mammals to microbes to DNA and human physiology. At the same time, you'll be getting a broad forensic training through our core forensic science courses. Our core forensic science curriculum is based on the requirements of the Forensic Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

The time you ll need to complete the forensic biology major will vary based on your educational background, but the degree can be attained in four years. If you think that you might be interested in majoring in forensic biology, we strongly encourage you to speak with the forensic biology advisor, Dr. Kenwyn Cradock, as quickly as possible about which classes to take and when. Many of our classes are not offered every semester, so working with the advisor in the forensic biology concentration will help you to ensure that you can enroll in all of the required classes for a timely graduation.

Special Services and Opportunities

When you major in forensic biology, you'll get plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning. We strongly encourage you to design and conduct your own empirical research project with the help and supervision of our faculty, and then to present your results at a local or national conference. The kinds of research questions you can explore in forensic biology are restricted only by your imagination. You'll get the opportunity to learn a wide range of laboratory methods and instruments as your education progresses. If you're interested participating in an internship to enhance your education with real-world experience and connections, we will endeavor to place you in one of our labs on campus, or to help you to find an external position with a local, regional or state agency.

Advising

As a forensic biology major, your faculty advisor will be Dr. Cradock, who has a specialization in entomology, and fully understands the expectations of training in the field of forensic biology, as well as the University requirements for a timely graduation. All of the forensic science faculty are committed to responsible academic advising, and will work to help you to negotiate the course offerings and timing. We are specialists in our areas of advising and we have a strong record of helping our students advance in the field of forensic science.

Service and Mutual Interest Organizations

The Forensic Science Society (FSS) is organized and run by the students, so you'll get to take a role in deciding the focus and activities of the group, and you'll have the opportunity to take a leadership position on campus. In recent years, the FSS has taken field trips to various forensic facilities around the state, has participated in many campus-wide events, and contributed to a range of philanthropic projects to support the needs of the local community.

National Forensic Science Society

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Eastern New Mexico University is committed to helping you finance your education. You can find more information about admissions scholarships and find out why more than $22 million in financial assistance was awarded to students last year. Additionally, many ENMU students work part-time jobs on campus to help finance their education.

Career Opportunities

As a forensic biology major, you will be getting the broad foundations in science and forensics that could lead to a career as:

Crime scene investigator
Medicolegal death investigator
Crime lab technician
Autopsy technician
Forensic pathologist
Quality control lab technician
Biomedical testing specialist
Forensic entomologist
Research lab technician
High school science teacher
College professor

In addition to the help that you advisor can offer you in searching and applying for a rewarding job, the ENMU Career Services offers job placement assistance to all students.

View Career Services resources >

High School or General Education Courses

If you are interested in pursuing any aspect of forensic science, it's important to remember that it is an applied science, so you can prepare by taking courses that will enhance your scientific knowledge and analytical skills, such as lab classes in biology, chemistry and physics, as well as statistics and calculus. Other courses that are helpful are those that help you to write more effectively, and any class that helps you to master the use computer hardware, software, and other technology. Photography and sketching are always great skills to master to prepare for work in our field, as well!