Chemistry, Forensics Concentration, B.S.

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The forensics concentration has a curriculum that includes the Chemistry B.S. with additional courses in biology and criminal justice to prepare a student for application to a masters program in forensic science. Ultimately, these students will be candidates for employment in the forensic chemistry field. Students interested in completing the chemistry-forensics concentration must complete all courses in the chemistry core curriculum and those listed below. Students desiring additional preparation and certification by the American Chemical Society should also complete the requirements listed under ACS Certification.

Students enrolled in the forensic concentration may apply for an internship at the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office Forensic Laboratory in Carlisle, PA. To be eligible for the internship students must have completed Organic Chemistry II, have a minimum QPA of 3.0, complete a background check and polygraph test at an interview. Students who would like to graduate with ACS certification must take an additional 2 credits in research and CHEM 313 - Chemistry Seminar .

Credit Requirements*

General Education: 47 credits
Major Requirements: 65 credits
Free Electives: 8 credits
Total Credits to Graduate: 120 credits

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Chemistry Core Curriculum

The following courses are part of the department core curriculum. These courses are required for all chemistry majors and concentrations. All chemistry majors will take a comprehensive examination in the beginning of the fall semester of their senior year at a time and place designated by the department. A satisfactory performance in all areas of this examination is a requirement for departmental recommendation and ACS certification.

Required (36 crs.)

Allied Fields (9 crs.)

Arts and Sciences students majoring in chemistry must take the following courses in allied fields.

Chemistry Courses Required for Concentration (4-5 crs.)

CHEM 324 - Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
One 400 level Chemistry Course Credits: 3-4

Allied Fields Required (16 crs.)

General Education

General Education Requirements

General Education Program (45 crs.)

General Education Requirements Specific for this Major:

Quantitative (Q): MATH 211
Natural World (N): CHEM 121
Natural World (N): BIOL 161
Natural World (N): PHYS 205

Advising Notes:

Students should begin their math sequence in their 1st year.
Semester I: CHEM 121, CHEM 123, MATH 211
Semester II: CHEM 122, CHEM 124, MATH 212, BIOL 161
Semester III: PHYS 205, PHYS 123, CHEM 221, CHEM 223, BIOL 260
Semester IV: PHYS 206, PHYS 125, CHEM 222, CHEM 224