Forensic Science (BS)
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Forensic Science to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.
Advising Notes
Important Notes for Forensic Science majors from Advising:
- The Forensic Science major is the largest major that Loyola University Chicago offers. Because of this, it is not probable that you will be able to pursue any additional minors or majors.
- Studying abroad with this major may be possible but will require summer course work due to the required sequencing of the major.
- Your ability to complete this major in eight semesters may be impacted if you do not begin with your recommended calculus-track math placement this year.
- If you receive a math placement of 161, that means you are eligible to take either MATH 131: Applied Calculus (3 credits) or MATH 161: Calculus (4 credits), two different Calculus tracks. You can learn more information about the differences between Math 161 and Math 131 here. For your major, MATH 131 is the department recommendation as it will be tailored to the math that you will need and will leave more room in your schedule for other coursework.
- When registering for your courses, it's a good idea to prioritize lab courses first. Labs often require a significant chunk of time in a single day, sometimes spanning several hours. By registering for these early, you can plan your schedule around these time-intensive commitments and avoid conflicts with other classes or responsibilities. This will help you manage your workload and ensure you're not overloading yourself with back-to-back commitments.
- Remember to check the AP/IB guide to ensure you know if you have any incoming credit that will count towards your Core requirements.
- If you are bringing in AP Chemistry credit, we recommend denying that credit and enrolling in CHEM 160 at Loyola in order to effectively prepare for higher level CHEM courses included in this major.
First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Forensic Science major, you will enroll in the following courses:
- BIOL 101 (3 credits) and BIOL 111 (1 credit)
- CJC 101 (3 credits)
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101
One of the following math courses based on your math placement:
- MATH 100 or MATH 117 or MATH 118 or MATH 131 (3 credits)
From here, your math placement will have you enroll in either Plan A or Plan B.
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 17-18 credits.
Plan A: If you have a math placement of MATH 118 or above you will register for:
- CHEM 160 (3 credits) and CHEM 161 (1 credit)
One of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 3 total credits):
- College Writing Seminar: UCWR 110, based on writing placement
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 103, or HIST 104
- Foundational Philosophical Knowledge: PHIL 130
- Foundational Literary Knowledge: UCLR 100M, UCLR 100C, or UCLR 100E
- Foundational Theological Knowledge: THEO 100 or THEO 107
- Foundational Societal & Cultural Knowledge: ANTH 100, PLSC 102, SOCL 101, or WSGS 101
- Artistic Knowledge: (see options in the Undergraduate Catalog)
Plan B: If you have a math placement of MATH 117 or below you will register for:
Two of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 6 total credits):
- College Writing Seminar: UCWR 110, based on writing placement
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 103, or HIST 104
- Foundational Philosophical Knowledge: PHIL 130
- Foundational Literary Knowledge: UCLR 100M, UCLR 100C, or UCLR 100E
- Foundational Theological Knowledge: THEO 100 or THEO 107
- Foundational Societal & Cultural Knowledge: ANTH 100, PLSC 102, SOCL 101, or WSGS 101
- Artistic Knowledge: (see options in the Undergraduate Catalog)
Interdisciplinary Honors First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Forensic Science major, you will enroll in the following courses:
BIOL 101 (3 credits) and BIOL 111 (1 credit)
Interdisciplinary Honors Requirements (6 credits)
- HONR 101
- HONR D101
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101
From here based on your math placement, you will enroll in Plan A, Plan B, or Plan C.
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 17-18 credits.
Plan A: If you have a math placement of MATH 131 or MATH 161, you will register for:
- CHEM 160 (3 credits) and CHEM 161 (1 credit)
- CJC 101 (3 credits)
- NOTE: With this Math Placement, we recommend you wait until the next semester to take math to ensure you are not overwhelmed with your coursework.
Plan B: If you have a math placement of MATH 118, you will register for:
- CHEM 160 (3 credits) and CHEM 161 (1 credit)
- MATH 118 (3 credits)
Plan C: If you have a math placement of MATH 117 or below, you will register for:
- MATH 100 or MATH 117 (3 credits)
- CJC 101 (3 credits)
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Forensic Science to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.