Forensic Chemistry Major (BS)

Degree Requirements

The major in Forensic Chemistry requires the completion of all the core and ancillary courses that are listed below, as well as satisfying the University's General Education (GenEd) requirements. A grade of C or better must be earned in each of the required core and ancillary courses. Students who wish to earn internship credit (CHEM 395) for work in a crime lab must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher and must pass a background investigation.

The Forensic Chemistry major is offered in three separate tracks, as described below. These tracks provide the student with options to prepare for the specialized areas of forensic science in the professional workforce or for graduate programs. These tracks have been designed to fulfill the accreditation standards required by the Forensic Education Program Accreditation Committee. Students are expected to declare their track of study by the end of their sophomore year.

Core Courses (required for all tracks):

CHEM 110/111	General Chemistry I,II (4,4)
CHEM 210	Introduction to Analytical Chemistry (5)
CHEM 301	Professional Ethics for Scientists (3)
CHEM 331/332	Organic Chemistry I,II (5,5)
CHEM 351	Biochemistry I (3)
FRSC 367	Forensic Chemistry (3)
FRSC 368	Professional Practices in Forensic Science (3)
FRSC 440	Forensic Biochemistry, Emergency Medicine, and Death Analysis (3)

Ancillary Courses (required for all tracks):

ANTH 357	Introduction to Forensic Crime Analysis (3)
ANTH 457	Advanced Forensic Crime Analysis (3)
BIOL 201	General Biology (4)
COSC 175	General Computer Science (4)
MATH 211	Calculus for Applications (3) or
MATH 273	Calculus I (4)
PHYS 211/212	General Physics I,II (non-calculus) (4,4) or
PHYS 241/242	General Physics I,II (4,4)
SOCI 254	Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
SOCI 370	Criminal Law (3)

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General Forensic Science Track:

This track is intended for students who are considering employment in a drug analysis, trace evidence analysis, or DNA analysis laboratory, or to pursue a graduate degree in a non-specialized forensic master's program.

In addition to the university's GenEd courses and the core and ancillary courses required for all Forensic Chemistry tracks, the following courses are required for the General Forensic Science track:

BIOL 309	Principles of Genetics (4)
BIOL 409	Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 410	Molecular Biology Lab (2)
CHEM 310	Instrumentation in Analytical Chemistry (5)
CHEM 323	Inorganic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 345	Principles of Physical Chemistry (3)
FRSC 363	Chemistry of Dangerous Drugs (3)
CHEM 480	Chemical Toxicology (3)
MATH 231	Basic Statistics (3) or
MATH 237	Biostatistics (4)

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Trace Evidence/Drug Analysis Track:

This track is intended for students who desire a strong chemistry and instrumental analysis education and are considering a profession in a forensic chemistry laboratory or graduate program specializing in the analysis of trace evidence (fibers, paint, soil, flammables, explosives, etc.) or in the analysis of illegal drugs and toxicology.

In addition to the university's GenEd courses and the core and ancillary courses required for all Forensic Chemistry tracks, the following courses are required for the Trace Evidence/Drug Analysis track:

CHEM 310	Instrumentation in Analytical Chemistry (5)
CHEM 323	Inorganic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 345	Principles of Physical Chemistry (3)
FRSC 363	Chemistry of Dangerous Drugs (3)
CEHM 372	Intermediate Lab (2)
CHEM 480	Chemical Toxicology (3)
MATH 231	Basic Statistics (3) or
MATH 237	Biostatistics (4)

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DNA Track:

This track is intended for students who desire a strong biochemistry and molecular biology education and are considering a profession in a forensic laboratory or graduate program specializing in body fluid and tissue analysis, and human identification using serology and DNA technology.

In addition to the university's GenEd courses and the core and ancillary courses required for all Forensic Chemistry tracks, the following courses are required for the DNA track:

BIOL 309	Principles of Genetics (4)
BIOL 409	Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 410	Molecular Biology Lab (2)
CHEM 356	Biochemistry Lab (2)
CHEM 357	Biochemistry II (3)
CHEM 4xx	Forensic Laboratory Analysis (4)
MATH 237	Biostatistics (4)

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