DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

Bachelor of Arts

CHEMISTRY MAJOR

(Forensic Science Option)

The Forensic Science option includes courses recommended by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences for undergraduate forensic science degree programs, and will provide the minimum educational background for a career as a forensic chemist. Students completing this degree program will be prepared to pursue employment in chemistry and forensic chemistry, as well as graduate studies in chemistry.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

B.A. chemists employed by government or private industry are typically involved in research, product development, synthesis, forensic analysis, quality control, industrial hygiene and safety, or testing for environmental regulation compliance. Many B.A. chemists tend to go into technical management, marketing, or sales (e.g. pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and instruments). Some use their computer skills in information retrieval, computer modeling, process automation, and software development and evaluation. Others may use their writing skills to become technical writers.

Forensic scientists typically work in crime laboratories run by city, county, or state governments, or for Federal agencies such as the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and U.S. Postal Inspections.

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK:

According to Chemical and Engineering News, forensic chemistry, particularly DNA analysis, is on the verge of explosive growth. It is predicted that 10,000 new forensic scientists will be needed over the next decade to address the expanding backlog of DNA evidence alone. The median starting salary for BA chemists was around $33,000 according to the ACS 2004 salary survey. (ACS data shows a direct relationship between GPA and starting salaries for BS chemists, i.e. those with higher GPA’s generally start at higher salaries.) The median salary for all employed BS chemists was $59,700 according to the ACS 2003 salary survey.

HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATION FOR MAJOR:

Ideal: 4 units English, 3 units of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), and Math through Trigonometry and Pre-calculus.

Requirements for BA Chemistry Major – Forensic Science – No Minor Required

	Credit Hours
University Studies Core Curriculum	30*
The University Studies Core Must include:
Living Systems: BI151 Biological Reasoning
Oral Expression: SC105 Fundamentals of Oral Communication
UI-100 First Year Seminar	3
University Studies Interdisciplinary Courses	6*
The University Studies Interdisciplinary Courses Must Include:
UI331 Biochemistry I (CH342)
Required Courses (pre-requisites)	41
CH185/005/085 General Chemistry I (MA095 or equiv)	5**
CH186 General Chemistry II (CH185)	3
CH187 Qualitative Analysis (CH186 pre or co)	2
CH271 Quantitative Analysis (CH187), offered Fall only	4
CH341 Organic Chemistry I (CH186)	4
CH342 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (CH341 pre or co)	1
CH310 Introduction to Physical Chemistry (MA 139,CH271, PH121 or PH230), offered Fall only	5
CH498 Professional Presentation in Chemistry (UI443)	1
MA139 Applied Calculus (MA134 or equiv.)	3**
PH120/020 Introductory Physics I (MA133 and MA134 or equiv.)	5
PH121/021 Introductory Physics II (PH120)	5
UI443 Professional Experience in Chemistry, offered Spring only	3**
Other Chemistry Requirements	3
CH343 Organic Chemistry II (CH342 pre or co)	3
Forensic Science Component	17-18
CJ100 Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
CH420 Forensic Chemistry (CH342)	4
CJ350 Evidence Collection and Preservation (CJ330, 5 hours of nat. science)	3
FS550 Crime Laboratory I: Microscopy (CH344 or consent of instructor)	2
FS552 Crime Laboratory II: Blood and Fluids (CH344 or consent of instructor)	2
Take one of the following courses:
CH575 Chemical Instrumentation (CH310 with consent of instructor)	4
OR
EV460 Introduction to Toxicology (CH343)	3
Electives	19-20
EN100 English Composition	0-3
Minimum Degree Requirement	120

*Does not include hours for University Studies courses included in core curriculum.

**University Studies course

Notes:

1. Required courses offered in both fall and spring semesters unless otherwise specified.

2. Completion of an experiential learning project (undergraduate research, internship) in the major is required of all graduates. Requirement met by completion of CH498 Professional Presentation in Chemistry. Consult with your departmental advisor.

B.A. in Chemistry

(Forensic Science Option)

Suggested 8 Semester Sequence^¨

First Semester	Hrs.	Second Semester	Hrs.
UI100 First Year Seminar CH185 General Chemistry I Lecture CH085 General Chemistry I Lab. CH005 General Chemistry I Rec. MA139 Applied Calculus EN100 English Comp.	3 5 + + 3 3	CH186 General Chemistry II CH187 Qualitative Analysis University Studies Electives EN140 Rhetorical & Critical Thinking Electives	3 2 6 3 3
Third Semester*	Hrs.	Fourth Semester	Hrs.
CH271 Quant. Analysis PH120 Intro. Physics I Lecture PH020 Intro. Physics I Lab University Studies Electives Electives	4 5 + 3 3	CH341 Organic Chemistry I CH342 Organic Chemistry Lab I PH121 Intro. Physics II Lecture PH021 Intro. Physics II Lab University Studies Electives	4 1 5 + 6
Fifth Semester	Hrs.	Sixth Semester	Hrs.
CH310 Introduction to Physical Chemistry University Studies Electives CH343 Organic Chemistry II	5 6 3	UI443 Prof. Experience in Chemistry University Studies Elective Elective WP003 75 Hour Writing Exam	3 6 6 0
Seventh Semester	Hrs.	Eighth Semester	Hrs.
CH420 Forensic Chemistry UI331 Biochemistry I FS550 Crime Lab I: Microscopy CJ100 Introduction to Criminal Justice UI3XX University Studies	4 3 2 3 3	CH498 Prof. Presentation in Chemistry CH575 Chemical Instrumentation CJ350 Evidence Collection and Preserv. FS552 Crime Lab II: Blood and Fluids Electives OR EV460 Introduction to Toxicology CH498 Prof. Presentation in Chemistry CJ350 Evidence Collection and Preserv. FS552 Crime Lab II: Blood and Fluids Electives	1 4 3 2 4 1 3 3 2 5

^¨Assumes all prerequisites have been met for each course.

*Since all chemistry courses numbered 200 and above may only be offered one semester a year, it is strongly recommended that all chemistry majors consult with a chemistry staff member before the end of their freshman year.