Bringing the Past Into the Future

Valerie Andrushko, associate professor of anthropology at Southern, coordinates a forensic science minor that was offered for the first time last fall.

Andrushko said the program is designed both for students interested in pursuing a forensic sciences career and for those merely interested in the field. In addition, the minor focuses mainly on applied aspects of natural sciences and complements a criminal justice minor already offered at Southern.

The minor requires students to take 18 credits from several disciplines including anthropology, biology, chemistry, psychology and sociology. Among the courses offered are Crime Scene Investigation, Crime Science Chemistry and Forensic Biology.

“While the minor does not provide any certification that can be immediately used for a job in forensic science, it does provide a broad-based understanding that students may use in further exploring careers through undergraduate and/or graduate study,” said Andrushko.