Forensic Science Minor

Program Overview

Western Oregon University's Forensic Science Minor prepares students for professional roles in chemistry or forensic science, graduate studies, or pre-professional training in health sciences or secondary education. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, laboratory methods, and ethical conduct in scientific research. Potential career paths include chemistry, forensic science, environmental science, and related fields such as biochemistry and toxicology.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Program Name: Forensic Science Minor
• Institution: Western Oregon University
• Program Overview: The Forensic Science Minor provides preparation for professional work in chemistry or forensic science, graduate work in chemistry, environmental or forensic science, or pre-professional training in the health sciences or secondary education.
• Program Objectives:
• Demonstrate an understanding of major concepts, theoretical principles, and experimental findings in chemistry.
• Employ critical thinking and quantitative analytical skills to solve problems and evaluate scientific data.
• Use and application of laboratory methods and scientific instrumentation to investigate a scientific hypothesis, conduct experiments, analyze data, and interpret results.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to transmit complex scientific or technical information in a clear and concise manner.
• Demonstrate ethical awareness and conduct with regards to: (1) honesty in data reporting; (2) the safety of practitioners, test subjects, and the local community/environment; and (3) their social responsibility to recognize the impact that our actions have on the natural and human world.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Professional work in chemistry or forensic science
• Graduate work in chemistry, environmental or forensic science
• Pre-professional training in the health sciences or secondary education
• Related fields such as biochemistry, oceanography, pharmacy, toxicology, and the atmospheric sciences

Other:

• Program Requirements: Students completing this minor are required to maintain a C average within the required courses.
• Faculty: Professor: Patricia Flatt, Associate professor: Feier Hou