Quinnipiac University’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) is in discussion to launch a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Studies next fall to provide new opportunities, knowledge and experience.
Forensic Studies combines natural science with criminal justice and applies science to solve legal problems such as examining fingerprints or DNA to find the truth in a case.
Forensic Studies was launched as a minor at Quinnipiac in 2023.
“The university is exploring the possibility of a forensic studies program, but nothing has been approved,” John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations, wrote in a statement to The Chronicle. “Any proposal must go through the university’s formal academic review and approval process. We will share updates as appropriate.”
Each student within this major has an academic plan that they consult with their academic advisor to build.
First and second year students are required to meet with their advisor at least once a semester to discuss academic, experiential learning, career and co-curricular opportunities.
“With the new business building and the SITE, Quinnipiac is expanding so I believe it is very valuable having more majors,” Mason Marcellus, a junior finance major, said. “I like how they’re branching off to new fields as well, it’ll allow for more students to be interested in coming to our school.”
Marcellus believes “the more the merrier.”
For the major, first-year students must earn 30 credits with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher and a science GPA of 2.25 or higher. They must take an English class, First-Year Seminar, 100-level chemistry and biology course and Special Topics in Forensic Science in their first semester.
For their second semester they are required to take another 100-level chemistry and biology course, biostatistics, English and Special Topics in Forensic Science.
Second-year students must earn 60 credits. Courses they are required to take are a 100-level physics course, Crime and Society, University Curriculum Humanities, a 101 level language and two Special Topics in Forensic Science.
During the spring semester, the necessary courses are two Special Topics in Forensic Science, 100-level physics, a 102 level language, Intro to Forensic Science and Forensic Anthropology.
Junior finance 3+1 major with a minor in artificial intelligence Nat Kuna expressed her excitement for the new program.
“I definitely believe that forensic studies would be a great asset to our university’s curriculum,” she said. “I know loads of students that are biology majors but are more interested in cell forensics so having this option may allow students to deepen their studies into something they are more passionate or interested in learning.”
Third and fourth year students have less requirements.
Third year students must take a Special Topics course, University Curriculum Fine Arts, Forensic Issue in Law Enforcement, Gender/Sex/Sexuality and an elective of choice.
In their second semester, they must take an elective of choice, Bones, Genes and Everything in Between, Dirt Artifacts and Ideas and a University Curriculum Personal Inquiry.
“If students are more passionate about their education, they will put more effort into their studies and help Quinnipiac be seen as a better and more progressive institution,” Kuna said.
Fourth-year students are required to take Career Practicum, Practicing Archaeology and two electives of their choice. For their last semester, they must take CAS Capstone, Science of Human Diversity (University Breadth) and three electives of their choice.
Forensic Studies majors must have a total of 120 credits for curricular requirements and 64-65 credits, depending on focus, for Forensic Studies.
Kuna believes adding more majors to Quinnipiac will help to build new opportunities.
“They started a new sports communications major this year which has been fairly popular, and my newly added minor right now is AI, which is super relevant in the business world,” she said. “It’s very admirable that Quinnipiac is still continuing to add more majors that connect with what is popular in today’s society.”
Many colleges already offer forensic studies such as Pennsylvania State University, University of New Haven, University of Central Florida and more.
“I believe that if our school continues to add more majors, they will stand out among other universities that don’t offer the same opportunities,” Kuna said. “My minor will also help me stand out when applying for jobs which is ultimately the goal once I graduate.”
