Forensic Science

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Forensic Science provides the student with a specialization in forensic investigation as it relates to crime. The curriculum presents a specialized scope of knowledge about photography, collection and preservation of evidence, and investigative strategies. The program provides students with an important knowledge base for investigative specialization in a wide range of disciplines and careers. This degree pathway also provides students with the opportunity to complete two Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Crime Scene Investigation, and Fingerprint Identification and Photography.

Details

Field of Interest

Behavioral Science and Human Services

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Academic Plan

Forensic Science (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

3183

Total credits required

61-68

Catalog Year

2023-2024

Effective Term

Fall 2022

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This program replaces:
AAS/3041 Forensic Science: Crime Lab
AAS/3404 Forensic Technology

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

Synthesize multiple sources of information to make timely assessments.
Solve problems through logical and sound reasoning.
Communicate orally, visually and in writing precisely, appropriately, and effectively to varied audiences.
Communicate in the language common to the criminal justice system.
Collaborate with diverse agencies, community representatives and individuals to achieve common goals.
Apply the principles and processes of criminal and constitutional law, criminology theory, knowledge of the functions and components of the criminal justice system, and current issues to criminal justice operations.
Utilize technology to collect, analyze and communicate data.
Practice professional standards appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
Subscribe to and practice ethical behavior appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Compliance Officers

$62,470 Show expanded career information for Compliance Officers

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

$91,350 Show expanded career information for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

$98,870 Show expanded career information for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Forensic Science Technicians

$63,360 Show expanded career information for Forensic Science Technicians

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

$66,020 Show expanded career information for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2021.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Forensic Science
Crime Scene Emphasis
Lab Science Emphasis

Pathway Map Option Details

No pathway map option has been selected. Please select from the pathway map options listed above.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1 Term 1 Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1 Term 1 Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AJS101	Introduction to Criminal Justice		Critical course Gateway course	SB	3
AJS215 or AJS219 or FOR105	Criminalistics: Physical Evidence or Crime Scene Technology: Physical Evidence or Forensic Science: Physical Evidence		Critical course		3–4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC	3
Math Requirement	Math Requirement				3–6
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3
MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152 or MAT187	College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or Precalculus	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, OR an appropriate district placement.	OR higher course with an [MA] general education designation	MA	3–5
CIS105 or BPC110	Survey of Computer Information Systems or Computer Usage and Applications			CS	3
MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142 or MAT145 or MAT146	College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review	Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103 or MAT114 or MAT115. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+. or No requisites or No requisites	OR higher course with an [MA] general education designation	MA	3–6
CIS105 or BPC110 or AJS+++++	Survey of Computer Information Systems or Computer Usage and Applications or Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies Course not listed in the pathway			CS	3

Term 2 Term 2 Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 Term 2 Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AJS123	Ethics and the Administration of Justice			HU	3
AJS216 or FOR106	Criminalistics: Biological Evidence or Forensic Science: Biological Evidence				3–4
Math Requirement	Math Requirement		Lab Science emphasis only		0–3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent by assessment	L	0–3
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework				3–4
(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or Elective	(Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory) or Elective	Prerequisites: C or better in [CHM090 or MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or (MAT103AA & MAT103AB) or higher or satisfactory placement score] and [RDG100 or higher or eligibility for CRE101], or permission of the Instructor/Department/Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: A grade of "C" or better in CHM130. or No requisites	CHM130/CHM130LL only needed if not eligible for CHM151/CHM151LL	SQ	3–4
MAT182	Plane Trigonometry	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, OR an appropriate district placement. Corequisites: MAT15+.	MAT 182 OR Higher	MA	0–3
(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or (CHM151 and CHM151LL)	(Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory) or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory)	Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM100 or MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or higher or satisfactory math placement) and (RDG100 or RDG100LL, or higher or eligibility for CRE101 as indicated by appropriate reading placement)] or permission of the Instructor. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: A grade of "C" or better in CHM130. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr high school chemistry taken in last 5 yrs] and (C or better in MAT151 or higher level math course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of Instructor/Departmnt/Division Chair and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151	OR FOR105 OR FOR106	SQ	0–4

Term 3 Term 3 Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 Term 3 Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
AJS275	Criminal Investigation I			3
AJS290BN	Courtroom Testimony Seminar			1
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework			3–4
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework			3–4
COM225	Public Speaking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.	L	3
PHY111	General Physics I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT182 or MAT187 or MAT220 or MAT221 or eligibility for MAT220 as indicated by appropriate placement or one year high school Trigonometry with a grade of C or better or permission of Department or Division.	SQ	4
CHM151 and CHM151LL	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory	Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr high school chemistry taken in last 5 yrs] and (C or better in MAT151 or higher level math course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of Instructor/Departmnt/Division Chair and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151	SQ	4
AJS213	Evidence Technology: Fingerprints			3
AJS214	Evidence Technology/Photography			3

Term 4 Term 4 Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 Term 4 Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework				3–4
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework				3–4
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework				3–4
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework				3–4
Elective	Elective Course				0–3
ASM275 or FOR275	Forensic Anthropology or Forensic Anthropology			SB, SG	4
CHM152 and CHM152LL	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM152 or Corequisites: CHM152.		SQ	4
PHY112	General Physics II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in PHY111.		SQ	4
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design		If completing the AGEC-A, select a course that satisfies the HU and C and G or H		3
AJS109	Substantive Criminal Law				3
AJS260	Procedural Criminal Law				3
AJS210	Constitutional Law				3
Elective	Elective				3
Elective	Elective				0–3
Elective	Elective				0–3
Elective	Elective				0–1

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AJS101	Introduction to Criminal Justice		Critical course Gateway course	SB	3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AJS215 or AJS219 or FOR105	Criminalistics: Physical Evidence or Crime Scene Technology: Physical Evidence or Forensic Science: Physical Evidence		Critical course		3–4
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent by assessment	L	0–3

Term 3 Term 3 Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 Term 3 Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AJS216 or FOR106	Criminalistics: Biological Evidence or Forensic Science: Biological Evidence				3–4
Math Requirement	Math Requirement				3–6
MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152 or MAT187	College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or Precalculus	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, OR an appropriate district placement.	OR higher course with an [MA] general education designation	MA	3–5
MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142 or MAT145 or MAT146	College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review	Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103 or MAT114 or MAT115. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+. or No requisites or No requisites	OR higher course with an [MA] general education designation	MA	3–6

Term 4 Term 4 Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 Term 4 Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AJS123	Ethics and the Administration of Justice			HU	3
Math Requirement	Math Requirement		Lab Science emphasis only		0–3
CIS105 or BPC110	Survey of Computer Information Systems or Computer Usage and Applications			CS	3
MAT182	Plane Trigonometry	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, OR an appropriate district placement. Corequisites: MAT15+.	MAT 182 OR Higher	MA	0–3
CIS105 or BPC110 or AJS+++++	Survey of Computer Information Systems or Computer Usage and Applications or Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies Course not listed in the pathway			CS	3

Term 5 Term 5 Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5 Term 5 Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
AJS275	Criminal Investigation I				3
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework				3–4
(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or Elective	(Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory) or Elective	Prerequisites: C or better in [CHM090 or MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or (MAT103AA & MAT103AB) or higher or satisfactory placement score] and [RDG100 or higher or eligibility for CRE101], or permission of the Instructor/Department/Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: A grade of "C" or better in CHM130. or No requisites	CHM130/CHM130LL only needed if not eligible for CHM151/CHM151LL	SQ	3–4
(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or (CHM151 and CHM151LL)	(Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory) or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory)	Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM100 or MAT090 or MAT091 or MAT092 or higher or satisfactory math placement) and (RDG100 or RDG100LL, or higher or eligibility for CRE101 as indicated by appropriate reading placement)] or permission of the Instructor. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: A grade of "C" or better in CHM130. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr high school chemistry taken in last 5 yrs] and (C or better in MAT151 or higher level math course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of Instructor/Departmnt/Division Chair and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151	OR FOR105 OR FOR106	SQ	0–4

Term 6 Term 6 Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6 Term 6 Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework			3–4
COM225	Public Speaking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.	L	3
CHM151 and CHM151LL	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory	Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr high school chemistry taken in last 5 yrs] and (C or better in MAT151 or higher level math course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of Instructor/Departmnt/Division Chair and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM150 or CHM151 or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151	SQ	4
AJS214	Evidence Technology/Photography			3

Term 7 Term 7 Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7 Term 7 Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
AJS290BN	Courtroom Testimony Seminar			1
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework			3–4
CHM152 and CHM152LL	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHM152 or Corequisites: CHM152.	SQ	4
AJS210	Constitutional Law			3

Term 8 Term 8 Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8 Term 8 Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework				3–4
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework				3–4
PHY111	General Physics I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT182 or MAT187 or MAT220 or MAT221 or eligibility for MAT220 as indicated by appropriate placement or one year high school Trigonometry with a grade of C or better or permission of Department or Division.		SQ	4
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design		If completing the AGEC-A, select a course that satisfies the HU and C and G or H		3
AJS109	Substantive Criminal Law				3
AJS213	Evidence Technology: Fingerprints				3

Term 9 Term 9 Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9 Term 9 Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework			3–4
Emphasis Coursework	Emphasis Coursework			3–4
ASM275 or FOR275	Forensic Anthropology or Forensic Anthropology		SB, SG	4
PHY112	General Physics II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in PHY111.	SQ	4
AJS260	Procedural Criminal Law			3
Elective	Elective			3

Term 10 Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10 Term 10
Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Elective	Elective	0–3
Elective	Elective	0–3
Elective	Elective	0–1

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First Year Composition
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry

MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s curriculum website for the Associate in Applied Science in Forensic Science (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=176666).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Forensic Science