The forensic science track will turn students into sleuths who look at a mysterious environmental situation and work on the issue of who or what did it.
This forensic science track will allow students to earn a BS in Environmental Science with a focus on coursework that will prepare them for careers with environmental forensics components, such as determining or confirming environmental liability in working for government agencies, consulting firms or industry. These students will be the sleuths to look at a mysterious environmental situation and work on the issue of who or what did it.
The goal of this emphasis is to allow students to develop strong analytical skills and an understanding of the legal framework for this type of science. For example, students will take a microscopy course that will allow them to test trace evidence without destroying it. These skills are integral when cases are consistently retried and evidence retested with new methods; traditionally, environmental science classes do not focus on maintaining the integrity of the sample after analysis. A course focused on toxicology provides instruction related to environmental law and regulation, as well as determination of sources and effects of toxic chemicals in the environment.
The ES Forensic Science program will attract students interested in essentially any and all environmental science professions and career tracks, and not just those who plan to work specifically as environmental forensic technicians or scientists. For example, many environmental scientists perform Phase I and Phase II investigations of sites for a variety of reasons, from due diligence for land or facility purchases to determining whether closed or operating sites have environmental challenges that may require remediation. The skills and knowledge learned in the concentration are most helpful in those types of investigations, and students are expected to be competitive for a wide variety of positions working for environmental labs, regulatory agencies, industry, consulting firms, law firms and non-governmental organizations.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS1 | CREDIT HOURS |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Core Skills |
|
||
| ENGL 101 | Writing and Inquiry I | 3 | |
| ENGL 102 | Writing and Inquiry II | 3 | |
| MATH 123 | Calculus and its Applications OR MATH 141 Single Variable Calculus I |
3 | |
|
B. Humanities and Fine Arts |
6 | ||
| C. Behavioral and Social Perspectives | |||
| ANTH 104 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
| Behavioral and Social Perspectives elective | 3 | ||
| D. Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning | |||
| MATH 211 | Statistical Methods I | 3 | |
| PHYS 201 | Introductory Physics I OR PHYS 211 General Physics |
4 | |
| E. Founding Documents of the United States | |||
| HIST 111R2 | United States History to 1877 OR HIST 112R2 United States History since 1877 OR POLS 101R2 American National Government |
3 | |
| F. World Cultures | |||
| CHEM 381 | Cultural Perspectives of Pollution | 3 | |
| G. LINK 101 | 1 | ||
| Total General Education Requirements | 35 | ||
1 For approved courses see the General Education section
2 If you already have credit for HIST 111, do not take HIST 111R; if you already have credit for HIST 112, do not take HIST 112R; if you already have credit for POLS 101, do not take POLS 101R
| MAJOR PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 111 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| BIOL 306 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 415 | Limnology | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 330 | Analytical Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 420 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| ES 111 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| ES 301 | Introduction to Environmental Science 1 | 4 |
| ES 302 | Introduction to Environmental Science 2 | 4 |
| ES 407 | Research in Environmental Science OR ES 490 Internship in Environmental Science |
3 |
| GEOL 111 | Physical Geology OR PSCI 112 Earth and Space Science |
4 |
| PSCI 499 | Senior Seminal | 3 |
| MAJOR PROGRAM ELECTIVES | CREDIT HOURS |
|
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 101 | Introduction to Criminalistics | 3 |
| CHEM 260 | Microscopical Methods | 3 |
| CHEM 360 | Toxicology | 3 |
Choose 3: BIOL 112, BIOL 213, BIOL 303, BIOL 403, BIOL 421, CHEM 222, CHEM 301, CHEM 331, CHEM 341, CHEM 401, CRIM 101, POLS 308, POLS 313, POLS 379, PUBH 415, SOCI 363 |
9-12 | |
| Total Major Program Requirements | 71-74 | |
| Additional Electives | 11-14 | |
| TOTAL FOR BS DEGREE | 120 | |