Forensic Science, Associate in Science
Forensic Science, Associate in Science
The Associate in Science in Forensic Science is designed to prepare students for careers as field evidence technicians or forensic laboratory technicians and to enhance the credentials of police officers desiring to join a CSI unit. Students receive instruction in the areas of crime scene processing, documentation and reconstruction, digital assessments, evidence collection, cataloging and preservation, fingerprints and fingerprint examination, crime scene photography, chemical, biological, and microscopic analysis on evidence, report writing, and legal issues relating to physical evidence.
Students will learn the skills necessary to identify potential evidence, analyze and process a crime scene and establish a chain of custody for all collected evidence, both in the field and in the laboratory. This specialized knowledge will provide investigative personnel with the skills to facilitate their career advancement and is a foundation for students who wish to pursue advanced degrees and careers as criminalists, forensic scientists, or crime scene investigators.
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| BIOL V01 & V01L | Principles of Biology and Principles of Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM V120A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| or CHEM V101 | Elementary Chemistry | |
| CJ V04 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 |
| CJ V06 | Criminal Justice Report Writing and Courtroom Procedures | 3 |
| CJ/ANTH V35 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| CJ/ANTH V35L | Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory | 1 |
| CJ V49 | Ethics for the Criminal Justice System Professional | 3 |
| CJ V50 | Career Preparation Workshop for Forensic Studies | 1 |
| CJ V52 | Forensic Photography and Digital Documentation | 4 |
| CJ V59 | Capstone Project in Forensic Science | 2 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| Required Core Units | 33 | |
| Required Additional Courses | ||
Select four courses from the following: | ||
| ART V70A | Adobe Photoshop I | 3 |
| CJ V01 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ V19 | Anatomy of Murder | 3 |
| CJ V28 | Fundamentals of Criminology | 3 |
| CJ/ANTH V36 | Forensic Anthropology | 3 |
| CJ V37 | Introduction to Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CJ V38 | Crime Analytics | 3 |
| CJ V51 | Crime Scene Management and Processing | 3 |
| CJ V54 | Fingerprint Identification | 3 |
| CJ V56 | Criminalistics: Trace and Pattern Evidence | 3 |
| SOC V13 | Sociology of Deviance, Crime, and Society | 3 |
| Required Additional Units | 12 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| Total Major Units | 45 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| VCCCD General Education Pattern | ||
| Required Major Units | 45 | |
| VCCCD General Education Units | 24 | |
| Double-Counted Units | (9) | |
| Elective Units | 0 | |
| Total Units for the A.S. Degree | 60 | |
This Plan of Study illustrates one sequence of courses that a student could take to complete the degree requirements in two years (four semesters). Students are encouraged to consult with a counselor to create an individual plan of study that is best suited to each student's educational goals.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Units/Hours | |
| BIOL V01 & V01L | Principles of Biology and Principles of Biology Laboratory (VCCCD GE Area 5 (Double Count)) | 4 |
| CJ V04 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 |
| CJ V50 | Career Preparation Workshop for Forensic Studies | 1 |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing (VCCCD GE Area 1A) | 4 |
| Select course . . . . VCCCD GE Area 1B (PHIL V05 recommended) | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CJ/ANTH V35 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| CJ/ANTH V35L | Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory | 1 |
| STAT C1000 or PSY V04 | Introduction to Statistics (Both courses are VCCCD GE Area 2 (Double Count)) or Introductory Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences | 4 |
| CJ V52 | Forensic Photography and Digital Documentation | 4 |
| Select Elective Course from - Major Elective Courses | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHEM V120A or CHEM V101 | General Chemistry I or Elementary Chemistry | 5 |
| CJ V06 | Criminal Justice Report Writing and Courtroom Procedures | 3 |
| Select Elective Course from - Major Elective Courses | 3 | |
| Select Elective Course from - Major Elective Courses | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CJ V49 | Ethics for the Criminal Justice System Professional (VCCCD GE Area 4 (Double Count)) | 3 |
| CJ V59 | Capstone Project in Forensic Science | 2 |
| Select Elective Course from - Major Elective Courses | 3 | |
| Select course . . . . VCCCD GE Area 6 | 3 | |
| Select course . . . . VCCCD GE Area 3 | 3 | |
| Select course . . . . VCCCD GE Area 7 (HED V24 recommended) | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 17 | |
| Total Units/Hours | 61 | |
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate ability to observe objectively and to collect data and facts to make an informed judgment.
- Apply the rules of evidence, forensic science techniques and technology, and report writing to crime scene situations and scenarios.
- Assess the techniques of crime scene searches, evidence analysis, and courtroom demeanor related to a variety of criminal investigation situations.