Pre-forensic Science

What is pre-forensic science?

The forensic science major at Bowling Green State University is a secondary admit program. Students that are evaluated for the major will fall into three categories after their evaluation by the forensic science office:

• Full admit into the forensic science major OR
• Enrollment into the pre-forensic science designation OR
• Students that do not meet either of the above. For Fall 2025, these students will have their major changed to chemistry.

Pre-forensic science was designed to allow students to progress to the forensic science major as well as receive exposure to the field and curriculum prior to admittance into the major in order to ensure student success and their desire to continue on to further study of forensic science.

How long does a student have to move from pre-forensic science to forensic science as a major?

Enrollees in the pre-forensic science program will be allotted a maximum duration of two years (6 semesters including summers) to fulfill the matriculation requirements for admission to the Forensic Science program.

How do I know if I am ready to be moved out of pre-forensic science into forensic science?

The requirements for matriculation admittance into the foresnic science major are:

Obtained a cumulative college GPA of a 3.0 or better,

and Earned a “C” or better in CHEM 1230 (including CHEM 1240 lab) or CHEM 1350

and Earned a "C" or better in CHEM 1270 (including CHEM 1280 lab) or CHEM 1370 (including CHEM 1380 lab)

and Earned a “C” or better in the Organic Chemistry sequence: CHEM 3410 and CHEM 3440 (including CHEM 3450 or CHEM 3460 lab)

and Earned a "C" or better in CHEM 2010 Quantitative Chemistry

and Earned a "C" or better in CHEM 1770 Introduction to Forensic Science

and Earned a  "satisfactory" (S/C or better, as applicable) Forensic Science Seminar FSCI 1910

I have the requirements to move out of pre-forensic science- what do I do next?

If you feel as though you have meet the requirements set forth for matriculation out of pre-forensic science into forensic science please do the following:

• Select a specialization. This will be needed to move forward with any change. The specializations are forensic DNA analysis, forensic drug analysis, or forensic examination.
  
• Contact the forensic science office by emailing Christina Guinsler
• Fill out the major change form found on the College of Arts and Sciences website

The College of Arts and Sciences will contact the forensic science office to evaluate the student.

The forensic science office will work with the student simutaneously to ensure appropriate timing and class enrollment after evaluation, if needed.

What happens if I do not meet the requirements ?

If enrollees in the pre-forensic science program do not meet the requirements within the allotted maximum duration of two years (6 semesters including summers) to fulfill the matriculation requirements for admission to the forensic science major, students will be moved to the Deciding Student Program and will meet with Life Design Coaches to investigate other majors and careers.