Aspiring forensic scientists should choose a scientific discipline as their major field of study in college. The most appropriate subject depends on a person's career interests. A student who is interested in forensic engineering, for example, should major in an engineering field, such as mechanical, chemical or civil engineering. Many students wish to become forensic science technicians, analyzing physical evidence in crime labs. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences advises majoring in chemistry or biology and reports that a good degree program should include at least 24 semester hours -- the equivalent of about eight courses -- in chemistry or biology. Florida State University criminologist Dale Nute advises taking courses in genetics, biochemistry and microbiology.
Math is a must for forensic scientists, according to AAFS. Forensic scientists use mathematical skills for a range of tasks, from analyzing crime scene evidence and studying weapons ballistics to reconstructing traffic collisions. Students preparing for a forensics career should take courses in algebra, trigonometry, statistics and calculus.
Effective forensic scientists must be able to communicate the technical details of their analyses in a manner than nonscientists, including police investigators and attorneys, can understand and put to use. This means forensic scientists need excellent communication skills to prepare written reports of their findings. AAFS advises taking English composition courses.
Although not required, college courses in criminal justice, law enforcement, judicial processes and related subjects will provide future forensic scientists a better understanding of the criminal justice system and the legal process in which they apply their work.
The popularity of forensic science as a profession has fueled the growth of degree programs in forensic science, but Nute of Florida State University cautions against many of them. He points out four years provides hardly enough time to acquire the grounding in science that a forensic scientist needs. In addition, a student with a chemistry degree has other career options if the job market for forensic scientists is tight. A student with a forensic science degree has less flexibility.