The Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science is the only four-year Forensic Science degree program in Georgia and is housed in the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science. Our Forensic Science program is accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFC) accreditation body-Forensic Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), Forensic Science is the application of scientific methods to crime scene investigation and criminal prosecution. The program is interdisciplinary and is based on the natural sciences; chemistry, physics and biology. This program prepares students for professional careers in crime laboratories as criminalists, trace evidence specialists, serologists, DNA specialists, toxicologists, drug analysts, firearms and fingerprint examiners, staff photographers and evidence technicians. The core modules are:

• Biochemistry
• Physical Chemistry I and II
• Principles of Physics I and II
• Introduction to Physics
• Behavioral Statistics
• Behavioral Research
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Forensic Microscopy of Trace
• Criminal Evidence/Court Procedure
• Forensic Serology/DNA Techniques
• Forensic Chemistry
• Evidence Analysis/Research I
• Evident Procedure

ASU through its four (4) colleges offers 36 undergraduate and 16 graduate degree programs. These programs are supported by an array of administrative units focusing on student success, enrollment management, research and sponsored programs, military science, internationalization, instructional technology, institutional research, effectiveness and assessment and access to state of the art library resources and facilities.

Our overarching goal is to provide an educational environment where the search for solutions to real world problems, the quest for life-long learning, the respect and value of diversity and the standard of on-going quality improvement serve as the benchmark for all that we do at ASU. I encourage you to explore other parts of the ASU website and to share with us any questions you may have about the University, its programs, resources or services.

The statements set forth in this catalog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as the basis of a contract between a student and this institution. While every effort will be made to insure accuracy of the material stated herein, the University of North Georgia reserves the right to change any provision listed in this catalog, including but not limited to academic requirements for graduation, curricula, course offerings, and academic regulations without actual notice to individual students. Every effort will be made to keep students advised of such changes. Students should refer to our web site at www.ung.edu for the most recent update of our catalog. The core modules are:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• History of Criminal Justice
• Introduction to Sociology
• Introduction to Law Enforcement
• Statistics for Social Sciences
• Criminalistics
• Corrections
• Criminal Forensics I and II
• Criminal Investigations
• Drug Identification
• Death Investigation
• Evidence
• Criminal Typologies

The University of North Georgia was formed through the consolidation of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College in January 2013. The consolidation was part of a University System of Georgia initiative to increase system efficiencies while increasing educational attainment levels for Georgians. During the same period, six other USG institutions were consolidated into three new institutions. The creation of the University of North Georgia built upon a tradition of excellence at both NGCSU and GSC and the distinct previous missions of those institutions.

Following the Civil War, an abandoned U.S. Mint property in Dahlonega, Ga., was given to the state for educational purposes, thus giving birth to what became North Georgia College & State University. Originally named North Georgia Agricultural College, the institution was established in 1873 as a agricultural and mechanical arts college, focusing particularly in mining engineering. As area gold mining resources were depleted, the college’s mission evolved into one emphasizing arts and sciences. The school was renamed North Georgia College in 1929. The institution received university status in 1996 and was given the name North Georgia College & State University. As a state university, the institution expanded its graduate degree programs and admission to its undergraduate programs became more selective.

The state’s second-oldest institution, NGCSU had the distinction of being the first co-educational college in the state and the first to graduate a woman, in 1878. From its beginning, the university has provided military instruction as an option for its students. The university maintains its designation as a Senior Military College through federal legislation. The university has produced generations of military leaders, including some 40 generals, who have served the United States with honor. Today, the Corps of Cadets continues to be a signature program of the university.

As the  reliance on computers grows, so does the threat of computer crimes. Attend a computer forensics college in Atlanta and earn a degree that gives you the skills to fight digital threats. Westwood College offers a bachelor’s degree in information and network technologies: major in computer forensics that gives you the tools to design secure networks, collect and analyze digital evidence and manage incident responses.

Course topics in the program include disk based forensics, forensic digital evidence handling and investigation, mobile device analysis and managing malicious software. As a graduate of the hands-on program, you will be trained to secure industry-standard operating systems, design secure computer networks and protect commercial networks from security risks. Westwood’s experienced faculty members will help you become qualified for entry-level positions in the possible career fields of computer forensics, digital evidence handling, information security and malicious software management. The degree in information and network technologies: major in computer forensics is available at both the Westwood College campuses – Atlanta Midtown or Atlanta Northlake. The core modules are:

• Information and Network Technologies
• Introduction to Computer Forensics
• Forensic Digital Evidence Handling and Investigation
• Managing Malicious Software
• Mobile Device Analysis
• Operating System Forensics
• Network Intrusion Detection and Network Forensics
• Forensic Capstone
• Introduction to Network Security
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Criminal Investigations
• Disk Based Forensics
• Database Management Systems
• Linux Systems Administration
• Technical Troubleshooting
• Firewalls and VPNs
• Political Science

The information technology: major in computer forensics program provides the educational background and hands-on experience necessary to successfully begin a career in computer forensics. The faculty of professionals who work in their fields will provide you with the knowledge, training and insight that you’ll use in your career. Program features include:preparation for industry-relevant certificates*, such as Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), Microsoft® (server, active directory), CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Linux+; courses taught in forensics, networking, and security similar to the training provided to law enforcement and industry forensics professionals techniques for managing computer crime, evidence handling, evidentiary recovery, traffic sniffing, digital forensics, forensic investigation and recovery, and managing malicious software access to Microsoft IT Academy resources, including software and MS Certification review material.

The Forensic Biology M.S. degree at the University at Albany involves an unprecedented collaboration and cooperation between the Department of Biological Sciences and the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center situated adjacent to the university campus.

With the rapid development of advances in modern biology, and because of the precision of the science, courts are apportioning greater weight to physical DNA evidence. This has created a critical need for personnel with specialized training in the field of forensic biology. The core modules are:

• Special Topics in the Biological Sciences
• Cell Biology
• Introduction to Biological Materials
• Population Genetics
• Modern Use of Light Microscopy
• Responsible Conduct and Skills in Research
• Current Literature in Forensic Biology
• Cell and Molecular Developmental Neurobiology
• Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory
• Advanced Molecular Biology
• Comparative and Evolutionary Immunology
• Molecular Neurobiology

The program’s strong emphasis on the theories and techniques in forensic biology is designed to instruct individuals for scientific careers in various forensic science and conventional analytical laboratories. Graduates of the program can apply to private or public laboratories as DNA Analysts. Students with sufficient work experience could qualify for positions as laboratory supervisors, managers or directors. Graduates will also find the program very useful in pursuing future studies at the Ph. D. level.

Individuals seeking employment, as a forensic scientist in an accredited forensic science laboratory, will normally have to undergo a background check. Depending on the agency or company, the background check may be quite extensive and include a lie detector test, fingerprinting, and drug tests.

Applications are submitted through the Office of Graduate Education and are reviewed when completed. Since a limited number of slots are available, the later the application the less likely it is to receive full consideration. No applications for the Fall semester are considered after August 1.