Forensic Biochemistry Major

This major prepares students for a career in the field of forensic science. It provides the science background required for working as a forensic investigator in a crime lab. In addition, it prepares students for entry into a graduate program in forensic science. The forensic biochemistry curriculum includes courses from multiple departments and is the credit-hour equivalent of a major plus a minor, therefore no additional minor is required.

Only those chemistry courses passed with a grade of “C-” or better apply to the forensic biochemistry major.

For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Chemistry department page.

For related information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biochemists-and-biophys…

Total Credits Required

120

General Education

30-40

Required Courses in Major	33
CH 111 General Chemistry I [SCII]	5
CH 112 General Chemistry II	5
CH 241 Chemical Equilibrium	3
CH 242 Quantitative Analysis	2
CH 315 Organic Chemistry I	3
CH 317 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I	1
CH 325 Organic Chemistry II	3
CH 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	1
CH 435 Gas and Liquid Chromatography	2
CH 440 Forensic Chemistry	4
CH 450 Biochemistry I	4
CH 479 Graduate Assessment for Chemistry	0

Required Program Electives	21
Choose from the following:
(Must include a minimum of 5 credits in chemistry at the 300-level or above.)
AN 365 Forensic Anthropology* (4 cr.)
BI 112 Introductory Biology: Diversity (4 cr.)
BI 207 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (4 cr.)
BI 406 Advanced Cell Biology (4 cr.)
BI 418 Molecular Biology (4 cr.)
BI 424 Entomology (4 cr.)
BI 426 Human Histology (4 cr.)
CH 215 Chemistry of the Elements (4 cr.)
CH 341 Physical Chemistry I (4 cr.)
CH 342 Physical Chemistry II (4 cr.)
CH 415 Inorganic Chemistry (4 cr.)
CH 436 Modern Spectroscopy (3 cr.)
CH 437 Atomic Spectrometry (1 cr.)
CH 452 Biochemistry II (4 cr.)
CH 454 Biochemical Techniques (4 cr.)
CH 490 Senior Research and Seminar I (2 - 4 cr.)
CH 491 Senior Research and Seminar II (2 - 4 cr.)
CH 499 Forensic Laboratory Internship (1 - 4 cr.)
CJ 213 Introduction to Criminal Courts (4 cr.)
CJ 255 Drugs, Crime and the Justice System (4 cr.)
CJ 263 Criminology (4 cr.)
CJ 315 Criminal Procedure (4 cr.)
CJ 333 Forensic Photography (4 cr.)
CJ 350 Substantive Criminal Law (4 cr.)
CJ 414 Advanced Criminal Investigation (4 cr.)
CJ 480 Cybercrime (4 cr.)
MA 163 Calculus II (4 cr.)
PL 184 Legal Ethics (4 cr.) [PERS]
PS 215 Introduction to Law (4 cr.) [PERS]

Other Required Courses	41
BI 111 Introductory Biology: Principles [SCII]	4
BI 203 Medical Microbiology or	3 - 5
BI 303 General Microbiology (5 cr.)
BI 218 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology [SCII]	4
BI 312 Genetics	4
CJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice [PERS]	4
CJ 214 Criminal Investigation	4
MA 161 Calculus I [QUAR]	4
DATA 109 Introduction to Statistics [QUAR]	4
PH 220 Introductory Physics I [SCII] or	5
PH 201 College Physics I (5 cr.) [SCII]
PH 221 Introductory Physics II [SCII] or	5
PH 202 College Physics II (5 cr.) [SCII]

*AN 365 requires AN 101 Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Archaeology (4 cr.) as a prerequisite.

Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in biochemistry or chemistry should take MA 163, CH 342, CH 452 and CH 454 or MA 163, CH 341, CH 342 and CH 415, respectively.

This major does not require a minor.

Bulletin Year: 2022 - 2023 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.