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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Biology provides students with a foundation in biology, chemistry, and law with the necessary course work to become a certified molecular biologist or chemist by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) through examination upon graduation. Students will also accrue all of the prerequisite courses to continue into medical, dental, graduate, or law school, should they choose one of those paths.

The accompanying laboratory components within all of the biology and chemistry classes will offer ample hands-on experiences with techniques and equipment. In the Forensic Crime Scene Investigation Lab and the Forensic Biology Lab, students participate in evidence collection, crime scene investigation, tissue sampling and analysis, and DNA and biological specimen analysis techniques.

Led by faculty from science, law enforcement and judicial backgrounds, the program provides the necessary breadth and expertise to students’ studies. Students enrolled in this program will be part of a team of experts that has had and will continue to have an impact in forensic science.

Students have the chance to join Lambda Alpha Epsilon (ACJA-LAE), the ERAU chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, as well as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). Students can also opt to participate in annual national and regional competitions in crime scene investigation, firearms, physical agility, and academics, in addition to participating in undergraduate research projects with various faculty mentors.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics has predicted that employment opportunities for forensic science professionals will grow 17 percent from 2016 through 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Graduates of the Forensic Biology program often find jobs in local and state crime labs, private forensic labs, medical examiners’ offices, offices of prosecutors and defenders, the FBI, or even the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab, to name a few in the forensic branches. Students can also find gainful employment in medical research, biotechnology companies, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies.

The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Biology curriculum brings together the disciplines of forensics, biology, chemistry, and law to give students the basic laboratory skills and theoretical background required of investigators and leading professionals in forensic science laboratories, law enforcement, pre-medical fields, research areas, and legal contexts.

Degree Requirements

Students in Forensic Biology take 123 credits. Students in the program need a solid foundation in science, which is achieved through 31 credit hours in biology and 20 credit hours in chemistry. All of the biology and chemistry courses have accompanying hands-on laboratory components. The students also take 19 credits from the SIS/SS curriculum to gain an understanding of law and the legal system and an understanding of the unique requirements for evidence in a court of law. A forensic internship/co-op is highly recommended between junior and senior years. The course of study for the program is completed with credits from the general education offerings, including several courses in math and communication.