Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science Highlights

Biblical — You will learn how science and Scripture intersect through courses that integrate the Bible and recognize God’s Word as the ultimate authority in every area. You’ll discover that as a Christian forensic scientist, it is critical that you analyze evidence in a way that is both accurate and ethical. Proverbs 17:15 says “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.” You will learn to do everything possible to convict the guilty but exonerate the innocent, to follow ethical practices without cutting corners or drawing conclusions beyond what the evidence warrants, and to pursue justice justly.

Rigorous, interdisciplinary — You’ll take at least 10 credits of math, 22 credits of chemistry, 16 credits of biology, 8 credits of physics, and 18 credits of criminal justice, plus specialized forensic science courses and science electives. You will graduate knowing the scientific theory behind the tests you run in the lab and understanding how to conduct a criminal investigation.

Practical — You will complete an internship in an actual crime lab to gain forensic laboratory experience and make contacts to help you in your future career. Cedarville University has an ongoing relationship with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation; most of our students perform their internship there.

What Can I Do With a Forensic Science Degree?

The forensic science major will prepare you for a number of exciting careers. You’ll be prepared to begin an entry-level position as a crime lab technician immediately upon graduation. This is a growing field, and the industry expects an increase in available jobs for well-prepared candidates. Additionally, because of the academic rigor of the major, you will have other options as well, including working in chemical testing labs or performing environmental analysis or quality control. You can also choose to pursue a graduate degree, such as an M.S. in forensic science or a Ph.D. in chemistry, leading to careers as crime lab directors or university professors. You could also go to medical school and train to be a medical examiner. Or, you could go straight to a police academy and use your forensic science training as a springboard to launch a career as a police detective.

Specific careers in forensic science include:

• Criminalist – Study physical evidence to link it to suspects
• Document Examiner – Answer questions regarding documents, such as whether or not a signature is real and if a document has been altered
• Pathologist – Study diseases and assist with determining cause/time of death
• Toxicologist – Determine any substances in a victim’s or suspect’s system (drugs, alcohol, poison, and more)

Graduates from Cedarville’s B.S. in forensic science program are currently employed at a range of laboratory facilities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Internships — You will complete an internship at a crime lab as part of your degree program. This will give you valuable practical experience observing and assisting forensic scientists while also gaining contacts in the field. Most of our students have completed their internship at Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification.

Hands-on lab experience — You will gain hands-on experience through the lab component of the Forensic Science course. This includes practice collecting and analyzing trace evidence like hair and fibers, taking and matching fingerprints, evaluating handwriting samples, and chemical analysis of simulated drugs.