When sophomores and juniors are considering their class options for next year, they may have new factors to take into consideration. Forensics has been offered in previous years as a science class for upperclassmen and has counted as an elective science. Mrs. Laura Brun is now in the process of getting it approved to become a lab science for the UC and CSU requirements. Forensics teacher Brun goes more into detail on what this change presents.

Q: What is forensic science?

A: It is basically the application of science to law enforcement.

Q: What type of science requirement does forensics currently fulfill, and what will it possibly fulfill after the change?

A: Right now it counts for a UC elective credit, falling under the “g” category. We are trying to get it changed to satisfy the “d” requirement, which is a lab science elective.

Q: Is the switch official and if not when will it be announced?

A: We are submitting the course to the UC system in February. They have several months, a long window of time to decide. They can say “yes” right away, or it could be in May, or it might not even be until next year.

Q: Can you explain the process that is undergone to result in this change?

A: We have to submit a very detailed outline of the course and what we are going to do in the course including the labs, content we cover, for review by the UC committee.

Q: How will the change possibly affect the curriculum?

A: The curriculum itself should not change that much because what we already do is most of what they are looking for. The change is only happening now partially because when we first applied for it years ago they were very adamant to not allow forensics to be a “d” level science. Forensics seems to be more recognized and so they are now more open to the thought.

Q: What does this affect when considering the requirements of getting into a UC or CSU and the “a-g” requirements?

A: For students with that aspect, since so many students want to take forensics but most competitive colleges look for four years of lab sciences, taking forensics has had to be a compromise.They could not get the lab science credit but they really wanted to take forensics anyway so they would take it as an elective. This means they would also have to take another science. Now it is a two-for-one; it can count for something they want to take but also give them the lab science credit that so many schools are looking for.

Q: Can you explain any other effect this will have on incoming students?

A: Actually, students should not see many other changes. It is more what it looks like on their transcript and in terms of trying to organize their classes to meet certain needs that will change. It can now be considered a bonus.

by HANNAH BLACKWELL