B.I.S. Interdisciplinary Studies Program Map
Forensic Science and Investigation Pathway
This pathway is for students interested in applying science, social context, and rules of criminal procedure to the seizure and analysis of physical evidence. Students in this pathway learn theories and methods enabling them to address forensic questions by integrating insights, methods, and techniques from multiple relevant disciplines.
Stats
60
Core Credit Hours
36
Major Credit Hours
24
Elective Credit Hours
- Plan Your Degree
- Crush Your Course
- Find Your Place
- Broaden Your Perspectives
- Connect Off-Campus
- Take Care of Yourself
- Pave Your Path
Plan Your Degree
Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
C1: ENGL 1101
English Composition I |
3 |
|
M: MATH 1111, 1112, OR 1113
College Algebra, Trigonometry & Analytical Geometry, or Precalculus |
3 |
|
T3: ANTH 1105
Introduction to Physical Anthropology |
3 |
| T1: BIOL 1107 OR 2107 + Lab
Principles of Biology I |
4 |
| I1: Written and Oral Communications | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete ENGL 1101 with a C or better
- Consider a possible Minor Declaration as early as possible to select the appropriate lab science courses
- Take ANTH 1105
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
C2: ENGL 1102
English Composition II |
3 |
|
T2: BIOL 1108 OR 2108 + Lab
Principles of Biology II |
4 |
|
I2: XIDS 2002
(Recommended) First-Year Seminar |
2 |
|
F: CRIM 1100
Introduction to Criminal Justice |
3 |
| A: Humanities | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete ENGL 1102 with a C or better
- Take CRIM 1100
16 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 31 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
F: XIDS 2000
Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies |
3 |
|
S1: HIST 1111 OR 1112
World History |
3 |
|
F: CHEM 1211 + Lab
Principles of Chemistry I |
4 |
|
F: MATH 1111/1112
(If needed) |
3 |
|
ANTH 4125
Forensic Anthropology |
3 |
Milestones:
- Take XIDS 2000
- Take ANTH 4125
- Declare your Minor (if interested)
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
F: CHEM 1212 + Lab
Principles of Chemistry II |
4 |
|
P1: HIST 2111 OR 2112
US History |
3 |
|
CHEM 3130
Modern Forensic Science |
3 |
|
A2: PHIL 2030
Introduction to Ethics |
3 |
|
BIS Area Course
Discipline 1 |
3/4 |
Milestones:
- Take CHEM 3130
- Complete BIOL and CHEM 1000/2000 level courses
- Begin BIS Area Courses
16 Fall Credit Hours + 16/17 Spring Credit Hours = 32/33 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
P2: POLS 1101
American Government |
3 |
|
BIS Area Course
Discipline 1 |
3/4 |
|
BIS Area Course
Discipline 2 |
3/4 |
| Minor/Elective | 3 |
| Minor/Elective | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete at least 2 BIS Area Courses
- Begin Minor/Elective
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
XIDS 3000
Interdisciplinary Methods |
3 |
|
BIS Area Course
Discipline 3 |
3/4 |
| S2: Social Science | 3 |
| Minor/Elective | 3 |
| Minor/Elective | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete Core IMPACTS
- Take XIDS 3000, complete capstone plan
- Continue taking BIS Area Courses
- Continue Minor/Elective
15/17 Fall Credit Hours + 15/16 Spring Credit Hours = 30/33 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
XIDS 4000
Interdisciplinary capstone |
3 |
|
BIS Area Course
Discipline 4 |
3/4 |
|
BIS Area Course
Discipline 1 |
3/4 |
| Minor/Elective | 3 |
| Minor/Elective | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete XIDS 4000 capstone, submit project
- Continue BIS Area Courses
- Continue Minor/Elective
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
BIS Area Course
Discipline 3 |
3/4 |
|
BIS Area Course
Discipline 2 |
3/4 |
| Minor/Elective | 3 |
| Minor/Elective | 3 |
Milestones:
- Complete BIS Area Courses
- Complete all required courses
- Total credit hours required to graduate: 120
15/17 Fall Credit Hours + 12/14 Spring Credit Hours = 27/30 Credit Hours
Crush Your Course
First Year:
- Make sure to take XIDS 2000: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies to start your intellectual, boundary-crossing journey!
- Discover your interests in your core classes. These can help you establish your disciplines.
Middle Years:
- Work with your IDS professors in XIDS 3000 to establish your degree plan, including identifying your complex problem and exploring how and what disciplines can help inform your inquiry.
Last Year:
- This is the time for your XIDS capstone! Make sure you have 9 hours of 3000-4000-level coursework for each of your two disciplines!
Find Your Place
First Year:
- Check out UWG’s Academic Transition Programs and take a cornerstone course (XIDS 2002).
- Explore events, clubs, and organizations available to you! Let the program and/or disciplines you’ve identified guide your search.
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Middle Years:
- Attend UWG Scholars’ Day.
- Check out what university associations and community organizations relate to your disciplines.
Last Year:
- Hone your leadership skills by mentoring new IDS majors!
- Consider running for an officer position in a student organization.
Broaden Your Perspectives
First Year:
- Check out the education abroad office.
Middle Years:
- Consider a study abroad program. Check out students’ stories of their experiences.
Last Year:
- Assess your cultural competency.
- Consider working abroad and research visa regulations.
- Explore practices of creating more inclusive careers.
Connect Off-Campus
First Year:
- Visit Wolves Vote to learn about the voting process and registration.
- Consider volunteering for a campaign or organization in your community.
Middle Years:
- Complete an internship in your field.
- Consider a summer or part-time job.
- Ask your department about networking opportunities with alumni.
Last Year:
- Ask for advice from professionals in your field of interest.
- Explore career shadowing opportunities.
Take Care of Yourself
First Year:
- Visit Health Services.
- Get fit! Visit URec to see all your options.
- Visit the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy.
Middle Years:
- Take a fitness class, climb the rock wall, or join an intramural team.
- Consider whether counseling is right for you: take a mental health screening.
Last Year:
- Explore a farmer’s market for fresh produce.
- Develop a post-graduation exercise plan.
- Explore your loan repayment options and complete your exit counseling.
Pave Your Path
First Year:
- Complete a self-assessment to see what careers and majors are right for you.
- Visit Career Services.
- Create your profile on Handshake.
- Consider applying for an on-campus job.
Middle Years:
- Draft your resume and attend a resume blitz.
- Learn about how to network on social media and update your Handshake profile.
- Draft your personal statement.
- Visit the graduate school to find out about graduate programs and admission requirements.
Last Year:
- Request references from professors and supervisors.
- Draft your resume cover letter and personal statement and revise it with career services.
- Attend business fairs and career fairs at UWG and across the state.
- Attend an interview workshop.
- Apply for graduate programs.
Careers
Career Opportunities
This degree can help you get work as the following:
- Analytical Chemist
- Biomedical Scientist
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Detective
- Educator
- Forensic Computer Analyst
- Forensic Scientist
- Scientific Laboratory Technician
- Science Writer
- Toxicologist
Requirements
Degree Requirements
IDS MAJORS
All IDS majors complete an XIDS course sequence through which they learn interdisciplinary concepts and method, culminating with a capstone project that reflects their intellectual and career interests:
- XIDS 2000 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
- XIDS 3000 - Interdisciplinary Methods
- XIDS 4000 - Interdisciplinary Capstone
Pathway requirements
Pathway Requirements
Required Foundation Courses
- ANTH 1105 - Introduction to Physical Anthropology
- CRIM 1100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
- XIDS 2000 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
- Principles of Biology
- BIOL 1107/1107L and BIOL 1108/1108L, OR
- BIOL 2107/2107L and BIOL 2108/2108L
- Principles of Chemistry II
- CHEM 1211/1211L
- CHEM 1212/1212L*
*MATH 1111 and MATH 1112, OR MATH 1113
Required Upper-Level Area Courses
- ANTH 4125 - Forensic Anthropology
- CHEM 3130 - Modern Forensic Science
- XIDS 3000 - Interdisciplinary Methods
- XIDS 4000 - Interdisciplinary Capstone
Student Selected Upper-Level Area Courses
Students will choose two of the four disciplines as their main subjects. From these two disciplines, they must take a minimum of 9 credit hours each. From the remaining two disciplines, they must take at least one course each. Total minimum credit hours:
Anthropology
- ANTH 3110 - Human Osteology
- ANTH 3250 - Pig Dig Crime Scene: Methods in Forensic Archaeology and Biological Anthropology
- ANTH 4122 - Skeletal Indicators of Health and Behavior
- ANTH 4135 - Genes and Genomania
- NOTE: ANTH 4125 hours also count here.
Mentors: Corey Maggiano and Isabel Maggiano
Biology
- BIOL 3134 - Molecular Cellular Biology
- BIOL 3231 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
- BIOL 3513 - Human Physiology
- BIOL 3621 - Genetics and Medical Genetics
- BIOL 4241 - Entomology
Mentor: Gregory Payne
Chemistry
- CHEM 3140 - Drugs and Drug Abuse
- CHEM 3310K - Analytical Chemistry**
- NOTE: CHEM 3130 hours also count here.
Mentor: Megumi Fujita
**MATH 1111 and MATH 1112, OR MATH 1113 AND MATH 1634
Criminology
- CRIM 3333 - Victimology
- CRIM 3411 - Criminal Investigations
- CRIM 3705 - Criminal Profiling
- CRIM 3900 - Social Science in the Legal System
- CRIM 4000 - Research Methodology
- CRIM 4230 - Ethics and the Criminal Justice System
Mentor: Mai Naito Mills
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Have any questions about your major?
Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!