MCCCD Program Description

Major: 3183 Catalog Year: 2024-2025 Effective Term: 2022 Fall Last Admit Term: 2023 Summer Award: AAS Total Credits: 61-68 CIP Code: 43.0406	Primary College: Initiating College: Mesa Community College Program Availability: Not Found Program Availability: Shared Program Availability: CG GC MC PC PV SC SM Field of Interest: Behavioral Sciences and Human Services Instructional Council: Administration of Justice Studies (01) GPA: 2.0
SOC Code: 19-4092.00, 13-1041.06, 33-1012.00, 33-3021.01, 33-3021.02, 33-3051.00, 33-3051.01, 33-3021.00, 33-3021.06, 33-3021.03

Description: 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.

Learning Outcomes
1. Synthesize multiple sources of information to make timely assessments. (AJS101, AJS123, AJS210, AJS213, AJS214, AJS215, AJS216, AJS219, AJS260, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, BPC110, [FYC], [MA], [SQ]) 2. Solve problems through logical and sound reasoning. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS123, AJS210, AJS213, AJS214, AJS215, AJS216, AJS219, AJS260, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, BPC110, CIS105, [COM], [FYC], [MA], [SQ]) 3. Communicate orally, visually and in writing precisely, appropriately, and effectively to varied audiences. (AJS101, AJS210, AJS213, AJS214, AJS215, AJS216, AJS219, AJS260, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, BPC110, CIS105, [COM], [FYC], [MA], [SQ]) 4. Communicate in the language common to the criminal justice system. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS210, AJS215, AJS219, AJS213, AJS214, AJS216, AJS260, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, [COM], [FYC], [MA], [SQ]) 5. Collaborate with diverse agencies, community representatives and individuals to achieve common goals. (AJS101, AJS123, AJS210, AJS213, AJS214, AJS215, AJS216, AJS219, AJS260, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, [COM], [FYC], [SQ]) 6. 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. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS123, AJS210, AJS213, AJS214, AJS215, AJS216, AJS219, AJS260, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, [FYC], [MA], [SQ]) 7. Utilize technology to collect, analyze and communicate data. (AJS101, AJS210, AJS213, AJS214, AJS215, AJS216, AJS219, AJS260, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, BPC110, CIS105, [COM], [FYC], [MA], [SQ]) 8. Practice professional standards appropriate to the field of criminal justice. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS123, AJS210, AJS213, AJS214, AJS215, AJS216, AJS219, AJS260, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, [COM], [FYC], [SQ]) 9. Subscribe to and practice ethical behavior appropriate to the field of criminal justice. (AJS101, AJS109, AJS210, AJS213, AJS214, AJS215, AJS216, AJS219, AJS260, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, [FYC], [MA], [SQ]) 10. Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. (AJS101, AJS213, AJS214, AJS215, AJS216, AJS219, ASM/FOR275, AJS290BN, [FYC], [MA], [SQ]) 11. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field. (FYE101, FYE103)

Program 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

Required Courses

AJS101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
AJS123 Ethics and the Administration of Justice 3
AJS275 Criminal Investigation I 3
AJS290BN Courtroom Testimony Seminar 1

AJS215 Criminalistics: Physical Evidence (3) OR
AJS219 Crime Scene Technology: Physical Evidence (3) OR
FOR105 Forensic Science: Physical Evidence (4) 3-4

AJS216 Criminalistics: Biological Evidence (3) OR
FOR106 Forensic Science: Biological Evidence (4) 3-4

FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) 1-3

Students should select courses from one of the following specializations based on career goals.

Specialization 1: Crime Scene (15 credits)
AJS109 Substantive Criminal Law 3
AJS210 Constitutional Law 3
AJS213 Evidence Technology/ Fingerprints 3
AJS214 Evidence Technology/Photography 3
AJS260 Procedural Criminal Law 3

Specialization 2: Lab Science (23 credits)
ASM/FOR275 Forensic Anthropology 4
+ CHM151 General Chemistry I 3
+ CHM151LL General Chemistry I Laboratory 1
+ CHM152 General Chemistry II 3
+ CHM152LL General Chemistry II Laboratory 1
+ PHY111 General Physics I 4
+ PHY112 General Physics II 4
Any course with the HU, C and G general education designations (3) OR
Any course with the HU, C and H general education designations (3) 3

Credits: 32-44

Restricted Electives
Students must complete three (3) credits of restricted electives. Students interested in Specialization 1: Crime Scene CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems (3) OR BPC110 Computer Usage and Applications (3) OR AJS+++++ Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies course not listed in the required courses area. (3) 3 Students interested in Specialization 2: Lab Science CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems (3) OR BPC110 Computer Usage and Applications (3) 3	Credits: 3

General Electives
Students must choose zero 0-14 additional credits of General Elective courses. Total number of General Electives required will largely depend upon specialization selected.	Credits: 0-14

General Education Requirements

General Education Requirement	Credits: 12-24

General Education Core	Credits: 12-20

First-Year Composition	Credits: 6
+ ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) AND + ENG102 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG108 First-Year Composition for ESL (3)

Oral Communication	Credits: 3
+ COM225 Public Speaking 3

Critical Reading	Credits: 0-3
+ CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR Equivalent by assessment

Mathematics	Credits: 3-8
For Specialization 1: Crime Scene + MAT140 College Mathematics (5) OR + MAT141 College Mathematics (4) OR + MAT142 College Mathematics (3) OR higher course with an [MA] general education designation 3-5 For Specialization 2: Lab Science + MAT150 College Algebra/Functions (5) OR + MAT151 College Algebra/Functions (4) OR + MAT152 College Algebra/Functions (3) AND + MAT182 Plane Trigonometry (3) OR + MAT187 Precalculus (5) OR higher course with an [MA] general education designation 3-8

General Education Distribution	Credits: 0-4

Humanities, Arts and Design	Credits: 0
Met by AJS123 in Required Courses area

Social-Behavioral Sciences	Credits: 0
Met by AJS101 in Required Courses area

Natural Sciences	Credits: 0-4
Recommended for Specialization 1 Crime Scene: + CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry (3) AND + CHM130LL Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory (1) OR + CHM151 General Chemistry I (3) AND + CHM151LL General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) OR FOR105 Forensic Science: Physical Evidence (4) OR FOR106 Forensic Science: Biological Evidence (4) 0-4 For Specialization 2 Lab Science: met by CHM151 and CHM151LL

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 28, 2022

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.