Forensic Science Joint Degree with Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY Justice Academy)

As part of the CUNY Justice Academy, the Forensic Science Joint AS/BS degree allows students to complete an AS in Science for Forensics at Borough of Manhattan Community College and continue in the BS degree program in Forensic Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The major in Forensic Science is designed to provide academic and professional training for students seeking to work in forensic science laboratories, or who are planning to pursue careers as research scientists, teachers or medical professionals. The major draws primarily from chemistry (organic, analytical and physical) with courses in biology, physics and law. Students may specialize in one of three tracks: Criminalistics, Molecular Biology, or Toxicology.

Learning outcomes. Students will: 

• Draw appropriate scientific conclusions from evidence and experimental data. 
• Understand the role of creativity in problem solving. 
• Apply scientific principles in gathering and interpreting scientific data. 
• Acquire broad fundamental concepts, theories, and principles in physical and biological sciences. 
• Use the primary scientific literature effectively in their own research. 
• Describe the scientific progress that has led to their research project. 
• Accrue hands-on laboratory and practical research skills, including emphasizing the role of quality assurance and objectivity in scientific data collection and how these relate to the system of professional ethics in science. 
• Develop competence in oral and written forms of scientific communication. 

Admission Requirements. To be admitted to the Forensic Science major, students must have earned a Mathematics/Science GPA of 2.5 or higher in science major courses. CUNY Justice Academy students who possess an A.S. in Science for Forensics but do not meet this standard may select a Chemistry minor and enroll in CHE 220 (if not taken at the community college) and/or CHE 302. Upon completing these courses with a grade of C or higher, the student may petition the department chair for admission to the major. 

Coordinator. Professor Nicholas Petraco, Department of Sciences (212.484.1315, npetraco@jjay.cuny.edu). 

Advisor. Professor Sandra Swenson, Department of Sciences (212.237.8820, sswenson@jjay.cuny.edu)

Science Internship Directors. Professor Linda Rourke for forensic science laboratory internships (646.557.4501, lrourke@jjay.cuny.edu), Edgardo Sanabria-Valentin for research internships (212.393.6489, esanabriavalentin@jjay.cuny.edu)

Advising resources.  

Two-year Plan of Study (coming soon)

Additional information. An internship is required for the forensic science degree. This can be fulfilled by either FOS 401 or FOS 402. The internship requirement is to be completed after the junior year in the Forensic Science major progression. Consult the course descriptions in this bulletin or the designated coordinator for proper program planning. Please note that certain courses have specific prerequisites that must be taken for timely progression through the major. The chemistry or biology taken in the freshman year of the Forensic Science major fulfills the science component of the general education requirements.

Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2017 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose either the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained in the 2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin. 

Honors in the Major: Students must have completed FOS 401 Forensic Science Laboratory Internship or FOS 402 Undergraduate Research Internship with a grade of B+ or higher, completed all requirements for the major and have earned at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA in courses above the 100-level in the major. Credit for courses required as prerequisites for major courses and transfer credits applied to the major will not be calculated into the major cumulative GPA. Students must also have earned at least a 3.2 overall cumulative GPA. This honor will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Please note: The majority of courses required for the degree in Forensic Science are not available in the evening.

Total Credit Hours: 70-76