2nd Major / Minor in Forensic Science

Notice

Updated 3 December 2025 – From AY25/26, FSC2101 Forensic Science will also be offered during Special Semester. Please refer to NUSMods for more information.

Updated 20 October 2025 – The Second Major in Forensic Science will be offered from AY25/26 Semester 2 for cohorts AY22/23 onwards.

Updated 5 April 2024 – For cohorts AY2021/22 onwards, FSC3101 is not required as an essential course; it is regarded as an elective option. The gateway FSC2101 remains the only essential course. Please refer to the updated requirements for the Minor in Forensic Science.

Updated 5 April 2024 – HS2916 Love That Kills: A Criminal Justice Perspective has been added as an elective option.


The 2nd Major and Minor in Forensic Science aims to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles behind the application of scientific techniques to forensic investigations and to the criminal justice system. Advances in basic scientific research have had a rapid and dramatic impact in these fields and it is only through an understanding of these fundamental scientific concepts that the legal system may be effective in criminal investigations. This 2nd Major and Minor offers a strong complementary training in criminal justice to students from all disciplines. Undergraduates from all Faculties/Schools are welcome to apply.

To be awarded the Minor, the following requirements (20 units) are to be fulfilled (for Cohorts AY2021/2022 onwards):

Click on the course for its details at NUSMods.

1. Essential Courses – Pass FSC2101 Forensic Science (4 units)

2. Elective Courses – Pass 4 of the following (Total 16 units)

  • Up to 8 units (i.e., two courses) may be double counted and used to meet (i) the Minor requirement and (ii) another requirement, e.g. General Education (only for students admitted from AY2021/2022 onwards), College (e.g. Common Curriculum), Faculty, Major, Second Major, Minor, Specialisation or other requirement, i.e. at least 12 units of the Minor must be distinct and not overlapping.
  • At least 12 units for any Minor must be taken from outside the entire set of courses that are listed for the major(s)/another minor that the student is taking/has taken.
  • A minimum of 60% of the Minor requirements must be earned from courses read at NUS. Courses read at NUS include all courses taught, co-taught, supervised or co-supervised by NUS faculty member(s). These consist of graded courses or courses with an ‘S’ or ‘CS’ grade. The remaining units may be earned through credit transfers, advanced placement and exemptions, from courses deemed relevant to the particular Minor.

To be awarded the 2nd Major, the following requirements (40 units) are to be fulfilled (for Cohorts AY2022/2023 onwards):

Click on the course for its details at NUSMods.

1. Essential Courses – Pass FSC2101 Forensic Science (4 units)

2. Elective Courses – Pass 9 of the following (Total 36 units)

  • Up to 16 units (40% of the unit requirements for a Second Major) may be double counted and used to meet (i) the Second Major requirement and (ii) another requirement, e.g. General Education (only for students admitted from AY2021/2022 onwards), College (e.g. Common Curriculum), Faculty, Major, Second Major, Minor, Specialisation or other requirement, i.e. at least 24 units of the Second Major must be distinct and not overlapping.
  • At least 12 units must be at Level 3000 or above.
  • A minimum of 60% of the Second Major requirements must be earned from courses read at NUS. Courses read at NUS include all courses taught, co-taught, supervised or co-supervised by NUS faculty member(s). These consist of graded courses or courses with an ‘S’ or ‘CS’ grade. The remaining units may be earned through credit transfers, advanced placement and exemptions, from courses deemed relevant to the particular Second Major.

Application

This is a restricted 2nd Major and Minor. Application is open to undergraduate students from all disciplines. Applicants should have passed or are reading FSC2101 and have obtained or expecting a good grade for the course, and preferably a GPA of at least 3.5. Successful entry to the 2nd Major and Minor is subject to approval. The application to join the 2nd Major and Minor should be made by the start of the fifth semester of the undergraduate candidature. Applications beyond the fifth semester will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Application is via EduRec. Please refer to the Academic Plan Application/Declaration (APAD) website for more details. There is only one intake each AY at the end of Semester 1, to join at the following Semester 2.

To join the 2nd Major or Minor in Semester 2 of AY2025/26, please submit the application when the APAD cycle opens from 14 November to 30 November 2025 (i.e. start of reading week to end of 1st week of examinations). Guide to APAD application available here. The selection process may involve an interview with Assoc Prof Stella Tan and/or a reflection essay on a topic as assigned.

For enquiry on the 2nd Major or Minor in Forensic Science, you may contact the Programme Coordinator, Assoc Prof Stella Tan dbstwls@nus.edu.sg.