Forensic Science, BS, Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science
Sample Plan for New Students
The sample shows a typical plan to complete the degree based on current degree requirements and course offerings, and is not the only possible plan. The number of credits for each course is in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites, and the order of courses in the sample plan accounts for these. Each new student, in consultation with their advisor, will complete a personal academic plan tailored to their specific goals and interests.
- Semester Degree Plan (for students who enroll in Summer 2027 or beyond)
- Quarter Degree Plan (for students who enroll prior to Summer 2027)
For more information about 魔都资源网's transition to the semester calendar, visit SU Moves to Semesters.
Important Major Information
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits or 180 quarter credits
- Credits in Major: 82-83 semester credits or 120 quarter credits
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Semester-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Plan For New Students
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
College Language Requirement |
College Language Requirement
|
| Course 2 |
UCOR 1000 (3) |
UCOR Stage 1 (3) |
| Course 3 |
MATH 1024 PreCalc or higher (3) |
UCOR Stage 1 (3) |
| Course 4 |
CHEM Gen Chem I/lab (4) |
CHEM Gen Chem II/lab (4) |
| Course 5 |
|
MATH 1028 (2) or test out
|
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Take math placement test(s)
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Learn about what this specialization means in comparison to other CRJS specializations.
- Meet faculty advisor
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
CRJS 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) |
CRJS 2090 Criminology (3) |
| Course 2 |
College History Requirement (3) |
BIOL Geb BIOL II/lab or CRJS Elective (3-4) |
| Course 3 |
BIOL Gen BIO I/lab (4) |
CHEM Organic Chem II/lab (4) |
| Course 4 |
CHEM Organic Chem I/lab (4) |
UCOR Stage 2 (3)
|
| Course 5 |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with an Advisor
- Meet with Career Engagement Office, and meet with faculty advisor to discuss career opportunities
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
CRJS 3010 Research Methods (3) |
CRJS 3020 Statistics (3) |
| Course 2 |
CRJS 3200 Crim Investigation (3) |
CRJS 3120 Criminal Law (3) |
| Course 3 |
PHYS 1XXX /lab (4) |
PHYS 1XXX /lab (4)
|
| Course 4 |
CHEM Quant Analysis (5) |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
| Course 5 |
CRJS Elective (3) |
UCOR Stage 2 (3) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
CRJS 4800 Forensic Science (3) |
CRJS 4850 Forensic Science Lab (3)
|
| Course 2 |
CRJS 4050 Gender, Race & Crime (3) |
CRJS Elective (3)
|
| Course 3 |
UCOR Stage 3 (3) |
BIOL Anat & Phys II (4) |
| Course 4 |
BIOL Anat & Phys I (4) |
UCOR Stage 3 (3) |
| Course 5 |
UCOR Stage 3 (3) |
|
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Apply for Graduation and check remaining requirements with an advisor.
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
Prospective students can preview the semester-based University Core by reviewing the University Core Stages Visual Plan (PDF) or explore the current University Core curriculum at seattleu.edu/core.
Curriculum Notes
Curriculum Notes specific to this sample degree plan will be updated throughout 2026.
Plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the
- Level up your skills at the
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for
- Search the expansive network of .
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.
Expand your horizons:
- Apply for .
- Create something at the .
Quarter-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Plan For New Students
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | Modern Language 1150 (5) | Modern Language 1250 (5) | Modern Language 1350 (5) |
| Course 2 | MATH 1026 – Advanced Algebra & Functions OR Higher (5)鈥� | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) |
| Course 3 | CHEM 1500 – Gen Chem I + CHEM 1501 – Gen Chem Lab I (4+1)鈥� | CHEM 1510 – Gen Chem II + CHEM 1511 – H2O Chemistry: Global Impact (4+2)鈥� | CHEM 1520 – Gen Chem III (4) |
| Course 4 | MATH 1028 – Trigonometry (2) OR Test Out (0) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Take math placement test(s)
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Learn about what this specialization means in comparison to other CRJS specializations.
- Meet faculty advisor
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | †HIST 1200, 1210 OR 2310 (5) | CRJS 2090 – Criminology (5)鈥� | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) |
| Course 2 | CRJS 1100 – Intro to Criminal Justice (5)鈥� | BIOL 1610 – Molecular & Cellular Biology + BIOL 1611 – Lab (4+1) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) |
| Course 3 | CHEM 2500 – Org Chem: Structures & Reactivity + CHEM 2501 – Org Chem Lab: Techniques (4+2)鈥� | CHEM 2510 – Org Chem: Functional Group Intercoversions + CHEM 2511 – Org Chem Lab: Applications (4+2)鈥� | CRJS 4050 – Gender, Race & Crime (5) |
| Course 4 | CRJS Specialization Elective (5)鈥� |
†Choose HIST 1200 – Constructing Past & Present I (5), HIST 1210 – Constructing Past & Present II (5), OR HIST 2310 – US in the World (5)
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with an Advisor
- Meet with Career Engagement Office, and meet with faculty advisor to discuss career opportunities
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | CRJS 3120 – Criminal Law (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) |
| Course 2 | CHEM 3000 – Quantitative Analysis (5) | CRJS 3010 – Research Methods (5) | CRJS 3020 – Criminal Justice Statistics (5) |
| Course 3 | BIOL 1620 – Evolution & Ecology (4) AND BIOL 1621 – Lab (1) (if continuing Bio series) OR BIOL 2200 – Anatomy & Physiology I (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) (if continuing Bio series) OR BIOL 2210 – Anatomy & Physiology II (5) | BIOL 1630 – Physiology & Development (4) AND BIOL 1631 – Lab (1) (if continuing Bio series) OR UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) |
| Course 2 | CRJS 3200 – Criminal Investigation (5) | CRJS 4800 – Forensic Science (5) | CRJS Specialization Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | PHYS 1050 – Mechanics + PHYS 1051 – Lab (4+1) | PHYS 1060 – Waves, Sound, Elec & Magnetism (4) AND PHYS 1061 – Lab (1) (if continuing Phys series) OR BIOL 2200 – Anatomy & Physiology I (5) | PHYS 1070 – Thermodynamics, Optics & Modern Physics (4) AND PHYS 1071 – Lab (1) (if continuing Phys series) OR BIOL 2210 – Anatomy & Physiology II (5) |
| Course 4 | General Elective (5) | CRJS 4850 – Forensic Science Lab (3) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Apply for Graduation and check remaining requirements with an advisor.
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See for prerequisites and for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements.
Module I:
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- Satisfied in Major: UCOR 1200 Quantitative Thinking
- UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
- UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
- UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- Satisfied in Major: UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
Module II:
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
- UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning
Module III:
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3400 Humanities and Global Challenges
- Choose UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges OR UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences and Global Challenges
Curriculum Notes
- This specialization includes a lot of math and science. Its 120 credits of major requirements don’t include Trigonometry or Math-1023, which are needed for students who don’t test out of those requirements. This is the largest CRJS specialization, credits-wise. MATH, CHEM, BIOL, and PHYS classes have minimum grades needed to move on to the next science class. Talk to an advisor if you’re considering changing out of this specialization or into it. Talk to faculty advisors if you’re unsure about career options between different specializations.
- Students planning to pursue a career as a鈥�crime lab forensic scientist鈥�or graduate study in forensic science are strongly encouraged to: a) add a Chemistry double-major (or at least minor), b) opt to continue the Physics series (rather than Biology), c) consult the minimum qualifications for employment with the WA State Patrol Crime Lab (or comparable agencies), and d) apply for and complete a laboratory internship.鈥�
- Students planning to pursue a career in鈥�medico-legal death investigation鈥�are strongly encouraged to: a) add a Biology double-major (or at least minor), b) opt to continue the Biology series (rather than Physics), and c) apply for and complete an internship with the medical examiner or coroner’s office (or related agency).
- Quarters where students are taking more than 18 credits may result in additional tuition charges.
- For complete information on CRJS specialization electives, courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Use My魔都资源网U Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Find the perfect spot to study at the
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the
- Level up your skills at the
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for
- Search the expansive network of .
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.