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 Major33
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
Required Program Electives21
Choose from the following:
(Must include a minimum of 5 credits in chemistry at the 300-level or above.)
BI 207 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (4 cr.)
BI 112 Introductory Biology: Diversity (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 315 Criminal Procedure (4 cr.)
CJ 414 Advanced Criminal Investigation (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 Courses41
BI 111 Introductory Biology: Principles [SCII] 4
BI 203 Medical Microbiology or3 - 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
MA 109 Introduction to Probability and Statistics [QUAR] 4
PH 220 Introductory Physics I [SCII] or5
     PH 201 College Physics I (5 cr.) [SCII]
PH 221 Introductory Physics II [SCII] or5
     PH 202 College Physics II (5 cr.) [SCII]

Note: 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.