Ep 25: Forensic Science Programs with Dr. Lori Wilson

After covering some other great higher education topics in the last few weeks, it’s time to get back to degree programs! This week, we cover the fascinating world of forensic science. Scott is joined by Dr. Lori Wilson, Professor of Chemistry and the Director of the Forensic Science program at Eastern Kentucky University.

Forensic science is all about the applications of scientific principles and techniques to criminal justice issues… especially as it relates to the collection, examination, and analysis of physical evidence. If you’ve ever been curious about the careers and educational path of people who use science to help solve crimes, you’re going to love this episode.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What “forensic science” really is, in Dr. Wilson’s own words.
• What career options are out there for students with forensic science degrees.
• Why accreditation is so important when deciding on a forensic science school.
• How an accredited forensic science program is structured (courses, curriculum, etc.).
• Which areas of forensic science tend to trip students up, and how to avoid them.

Featured on the Show:

• Connect with Dr. Lori Wilson: LinkedIn
• Connect with the Show: Facebook | Twitter

Eastern Kentucky University at a Glance



Eastern Kentucky University began as a small teacher training college, quickly grew to a four-year institution, and today thousands of students are enrolled in their associate, baccalaureate, certificate, and master’s programs. The university values high-quality instruction, scholarship, and service, and strives to offer education in a variety of disciplines and degree levels. To reflect this, EKU now also offers several joint doctoral programs with cooperating institutions. Students are encouraged to participate in community service, and in any of the 270+ registered student organizations.

• University Established: 1906
• University Student Population: ~14,000
• Location: Richmond, Kentucky
• Mascot: The Colonel

B.S. in Forensic Science from Eastern Kentucky University

At Eastern Kentucky University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree, and pursue a concentration in Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Biology. The Forensic Chemistry concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in public and private sector crime, and the Forensic Biology concentration is best suited for students interested in DNA and biology work. A degree in either concentration consists of a minimum of 120 credit hours.

Interested in Forensic Science? Click here to explore Bachelor’s in Forensic Science programs further and learn about your degree options.

Student Organization Pick of the Week: The Big Data & Analytics Association (BDAA) at Ohio State

Each week we select a student organization that deserves recognition for getting students involved, making positive change, and really just contributing to their college or university’s community. Without students, higher education wouldn’t exist, so organizations that foster student engagement and success are essential. Our selection this week is The Big Data and Analytics Association (BDAA)!

The Big Data and Analytics Association is the premier organization for all things data at Ohio State University. Their mission is to inspire students to think analytically by empowering them with tools in the ever-growing field of data analytics. They hold weekly “tech-talk” meetings with their company sponsors, as well as workshops which include teaching new skills in programming languages, cloud computing, and other techniques in data science. They have even held their own career fair for the last three years and had over 20 companies and 250 students in attendance at the most recent event.

• Click here to connect with BDAA on Facebook.

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