Forensic Biology

Bachelor of Arts

Many students considering a career in Forensic Biology have been challenged and excited by the image that forensic science has in the popular culture. Helping solve crimes by collecting and analyzing the physical and biological evidence obtained from crime scenes is part of that image. Forensic biologists are active in the field and laboratory analyzing substances, working with DNA from victims and suspects, identifying decomposer organisms, reconstructing the biological structure of victims, performing microbiological tests and many other scientific procedures. The work of forensic biologists is crucial to the criminal justice process.

The new Forensic Biology program at MidAmerica offers you an opportunity to pursue this demanding career in science. You’ll take challenging courses in biology and chemistry, supported by significant hands-on experiences in the field and laboratory. Because solving crimes isn’t just about what happens in a temperature cycler or beneath the microscope but also what happens in the criminal justice system, you’ll also develop an understanding of how to write scientific reports, preserve evidence, and deal with the ethical and legal issues involved in forensic investigation.

With intense competition for the growing number of positions in forensics, it is good to know that graduates of MNU’s Forensic Biology program will not only have an excellent preparation for beginning a career with law enforcement agencies, crime labs or research centers, but will also be qualified to continue their study of the biological sciences at the graduate level.

Why MNU?

A challenging and rigorous course of scientific study means you’ll be prepared to excel in your future career. You’ll be a competitive candidate if you decide to apply to graduate school. Hands-on research opportunities give you additional opportunities to achieve.

High-tech biology labs have the best in microscopes and state-of-the-art instrumentation in the DNA and microbiology research labs. Forensic Biology students work with field and lab equipment typically found in forensic labs and analytical chemistry instruments including a gas chromatograph, high performance liquid chromatograph, and nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, ultraviolet and atomic absorption spectrometers – the same equipment found in high-level government and industrial labs.

Small lab sizes ensure that each student will conduct hands-on experiments and gain experience with lab technology and techniques. Small class sizes mean that students receive high-quality attention and expert guidance from dedicated professors. Classes are taught by faculty members, not graduate students or teaching assistants.

Because forensic science requires scientists to work in complicated and stressful situations, it is crucial that they have superior skills in dealing with a wide variety of people. It is also important that they be able to think, write and speak well. That’s where a liberal arts school, like MNU, excels in preparation of students for a world that demands more than just “good science”.

Clubs & Organizations

Criminal Justice Club
Get involved in MNU’s Criminal Justice Club to help plan campus and community events, develop your professional network and make friends with classmates who share your interests.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Several scholarships and awards are available to Forensic Biology students.

Charles K. Morrow Memorial Scholarship
Earl Thomas Memorial Scholarship
Science Pioneer Award/Scholarship

Internships

Learning extends beyond the classroom with MNU’s internship program. Students participate in an internship at a crime lab, gaining a fascinating opportunity to learn what goes on behind the scenes and what they can expect from a day on the job.