Academic Catalog

Geosciences | Bachelor of Science: Criminalistics (Crime Mapping & Spatial Analysis)

The Bachelor of Science: Criminalistics program is an interdisciplinary degree housed in the Criminal Justice program, with concentration options available in Chemistry, Biology, or Geosciences.

 

Program Summary

General Education 234
Criminalistics Core
Required Courses34
Directed Choices13
Crime Mapping & Spatial Analysis Concentration30
Open Electives 19
Total Hours120
1

Open electives are the credit hours required to reach a minimum of 120 total hours and 45 upper division hours.  The number listed assumes all courses are completed at FHSU as listed.  This number may vary if students transfer courses, or have individual substitutions allowed.  Students should speak with their advisor if either situation applies to determine if the number will vary, and to ensure they enroll in a minimum of 45 upper division hours.   

Students entering within 1 year of high school graduation will take UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar and may apply that hour in the open elective category.

2

In order to complete the degree program efficiently, students who have not already fulfilled their General Education - Natural & Physical Sciences requirement may wish to take CHEM 120/CHEM 122L, as it is also a major requirement.

Program Requirements 

General Education

All undergraduate degrees require completion of the Kansas Systemwide General Education

Courses identified with GE on this page may satisfy a general education requirement in addition to the identified degree requirement.  Students who apply a degree requirement to satisfy a general education requirement will typically add an equal number of hours to the university elective category.  This flexibility may allow you to complete a minor or certificate within the 120 hour degree.  Transfer students are especially encouraged to select these courses in completing General Education requirements to maximize the likelihood of completing the degree with 120 credit hours.  

General Education34-35

Effective in Fall 2025 the math pathway course identified below is required for this degree.

The General Education Math Pathways course identified for this major is MATH 250 Elements of Statistics . All students pursuing this degree program will be required to complete this course or the corequisite support course. Students who place into a higher level math course may be able to satisfy this requirement; consult with your Academic Advisor for additional information.

Placement measures for MATH 250 Elements of Statistics  include:

  • Math ACT: 19 or higher OR
  • Math SAT: 510 or higher OR
  • ALEKS PPL: 30 or higher OR
  • Accuplacer QAS: 255 or higher OR
  • HS GPA and Course Grade: 3.00 cumulative GPA (unweighted) and C- or higher in Second Semester Algebra 2 or Integrated Math 3 OR
  • Institutional Measure

Students who do not meet any of the placement measures listed above will need to register for the corequisite support course: MATH 245 Elements of Statistics with Review

Criminalistics Core 

Required Courses
CHEM 120
120L
University Chemistry I
and University Chemistry Laboratory I GE
5
CHEM 122
122L
University Chemistry II
and University Chemistry Laboratory II
5
CHEM 382Introduction to Forensic Science3
CRJ 200Criminology3
CRJ 210Introduction to Criminalistics3
CRJ 245Ethics in Criminal Justice3
CRJ 307Administration of Justice Systems3
CRJ 331Criminal Law3
CRJ 355Criminal Investigation3
CRJ 395Crime Analysis3
Total Hours34

 Directed Choice

CHEM 304
304L
Essentials of Organic Chemistry
and Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
or CHEM 340
340L
Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 360
360L
Essentials of Biochemistry
and Essentials of Biochemistry Laboratory
5
or CHEM 662
662L
Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry Laboratory I
CRJ 499Capstone Seminar: Critical Issues in Criminal Justice3
or CRJ 600 Internship in Criminal Justice
Total Hours13

Crime Mapping & Spatial Analysis Concentration 

Required Courses
CRJ 275 - Course is under development. DC3
CRJ 377Crime and Society3
GSCI 240Geographic Information Systems (GIS) One3
GSCI 290Cartography: Theory and Applications3
GSCI 330Remote Sensing Concepts3
GSCI 360Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Two3
GSCI 603Urban Geography: A Global Perspective3
GSCI 625Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Three3
GSCI 630Geostatistics and Spatial Data Analysis3
GSCI 655Geographic Information Systems Programming3
SOC 384Social Problems3
Total Hours33

Degree Requirements

All bachelor degrees require:
GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set)
A minimum of 30 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A
Successful completion of an upper division Writing and Information Literacy course (Most majors contain a course designated)
A minimum of 45 hours of recognized upper division credit
A minimum of 120 hours of recognized college credit

Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.

To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. Open electives indicate the student is free to choose courses from any subject, but students should discuss with their advisor how many of these hours must be upper division. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.

The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.