What Classes Should I Take For Forensic Science

The Reality of Getting Into Forensic Science Programs

Most people asking this question don't realize that forensic science isn't actually a single major at most universities. It's usually a concentration within chemistry, biology, or criminal justice. The classes you take depend entirely on which track your program follows, and that's where most students get confused.

When I was figuring this out back in 2008, I assumed "forensic science" meant you'd just take forensic-specific classes from day one. That was wrong. My undergraduate program at a state university had me doing general chemistry I, general chemistry II, organic chemistry I and II, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry before they'd even let me into the upper-level forensic courses. The reasoning is sound — you can't analyze evidence properly if you don't understand the underlying chemistry — but the practical effect is that you graduate with basically a chemistry degree and a handful of specialized electives.

What Classes Should I Take For Forensic Science

The Core Requirements Across Most Programs

Chemistry is non-negotiable. Both Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry matter more than general chemistry. If you're struggling with O-Chem, take it early and retake it if you need to — forensic labs expect you to understand reaction mechanisms, not just memorize procedures. Analytical Chemistry teaches you instrumentation like HPLC, GC-MS, and IR spectroscopy, which are the exact tools you'll use analyzing drug samples and trace evidence. Most programs require at least four semesters of lab-based science with a minimum 2.5 GPA in those courses for competitive admission into the forensic concentration.

Biology follows chemistry in importance. I'd recommend General Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Forensic Serology if your program offers it. DNA analysis is the bread and butter of modern forensic labs, and you'll see very little of the actual technique in undergrad unless you get it in class. One thing people underestimate is how much statistics matters here. Forensic science has a quantitative side that most programs treat as an afterthought. A solid Stats course — preferably one that covers probability theory and hypothesis testing — will make you significantly more employable. I took a basic stats class my junior year and completely blew it because I hadn't seen this material in a rigorous context before. Took the class again with the math department's version and suddenly everything clicked. The programs worth your time typically have partnerships with local law enforcement or medical examiner offices where students do internships. Look for ABET accreditation if your program offers it, though it's far from universal in forensic science. The more hands-on lab time you get with actual instrumentation — not simulation software — the better off you'll be entering the workforce. I spent three weeks learning GC-MS operation during a summer internship at a county crime lab, and that alone was more valuable than any two lectures on the topic in a classroom setting. I worked alongside someone once who was technically brilliant but couldn't write a coherent report to save his life. His conclusions were correct, but his documentation was so messy and full of contradictions that the defense attorney tore it apart in cross-examination. The case got thrown out partly because of his writing, not because of any error in his science. Bad documentation is worse than no documentation. At least if you didn't document it, nobody can claim it was poorly documented.

Also, consider taking a forensic accounting or economics class if you have the flexibility. Financial crime is one of the fastest-growing areas in forensic work, and having even a baseline understanding of financial investigation opens doors that traditional forensic science paths don't. Some labs are merging financial and traditional forensic units, and the people with cross-training in both areas tend to get promoted faster.

Where This Actually Leads

A forensic science degree alone won't guarantee you a job at a state lab. Those positions are competitive and often require passing a civil service exam plus a drug screen and background investigation. I've seen candidates rejected because their transcripts showed too many incomplete or withdrawal grades, even when the rest of their qualifications were strong. Keep your record clean. The other reality is that many people end up working in private labs, medical examiner offices, or as independent consultants rather than at government crime labs. The pay and benefits differ significantly between those sectors, and the day-to-day work can be quite different too. Government labs tend to have heavier backlogs and more bureaucratic overhead. Private labs often move faster but pay less and offer fewer benefits.

If you're choosing between programs and can't tell the difference by looking at course catalogs, call the department and ask about their internship placement rates and what percentage of graduates actually work in forensic science within five years. Some programs have fancy websites and impressive-sounding course titles but very weak career outcomes. I found that out the hard way when a friend of mine graduated from a well-publicized program and spent two years working retail before landing anything related to his field. The program had basically no industry connections and no career services support for forensic science graduates specifically.