Forensic Science: Forensic Chemistry

86-90 Hour Major – No minor required

Core Courses: (59-61 hours)

• BY163/063 Ecology & Evolution (4)
• BY173/073 Cell & Organismal Biology (4)
• BY283/083 Genetics (4)
• CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
• CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
• CH186 General Chemistry II (3)
• CH187 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
• CH341 Found of Organic Chem (4)
• CH342 Organic Chemistry Lab I (1)
• CH343 Adv Organic Chem (3)
• CH344 Organic Chem Lab II (2)
• CH531 Found of Biochemistry (3)
• FS101 Introduction to Forensic Science (3)
• FS351 Criminalistics (3)
• FS405 Forensic Expert Witness Testimony (2)
• MA139 Applied Calculus (3) OR MA140 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I (5)
• MA223 Elementary Probability & Statistics (3)

Physics Option – choose 1 group:

• PH120 Introductory Physics I (5) AND PH121 Introductory Physics II (5)
• OR
• PH230 General Physics I (5) AND PH231 General Physics II (5)

Experiential Learning – Choose 2 hours:

• CH391 Undergraduate Research (1-3)
• BY582 Internship in Biology (1-3)
• BY591 Biological Research (1-6)

Forensic Chemistry Option: (22 hours)

• CH195 Chemistry Seminar I (1)
• CH271/071 Analytical Chemistry (5)
• CH306 Inorganic Chemistry (3)
• CH420/020 Forensic Chemistry (4)
• CH575/075 Chemical Instrumentation (4)
• FS550 Forensic Microscopy (2)
• FS553 Introductory Analysis of Pattern Evidence (3)

Option Electives – Choose 5-7 hours:

• BY440 Toxicology (3)
• CH295 Chemistry Seminar II (2)
• CH495 Chemistry Seminar III (1)
• CH311 Foundations of Physical Chemistry (4)
• CH312 Advanced Physical Chemistry (3)
• CH533 Biochemistry Lab (2)
• FS552 Forensic Serology & DNA Analysis (2)

General Electives – 2-6 hours

A minimum 2.0 GPA in the major and overall are required to graduate with a BS degree.

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
• Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
• Written Communication – 6 hours
• Oral Communication – 3 hours
• Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
• Mathematics – 3 hours
• Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
• Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
• Civics examination

First Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

• UI100 (1)
• FS101 (3)
• CH184/185 (4)
• MA139 (3)
• BY163/063 (4)

Spring Semester (14 Hours)

• BY173/073 (4)
• CH186 (3)
• CH187 (1)
• MA223 (3)
• General Education (3)

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0

Second Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

• BY283/083 (4)
• CH271/071 (5)
• CH341 (4)
• CH342 (1)

Spring Semester (14 Hours)

• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)
• CH343 (3)
• CH344 (2)
• Elective (3)

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0

Third Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

• CH420/020 (4)
• FS351 (3)
• CH531 (3)
• Physics I (5)

Spring Semester (16 Hours)

• FS405 (2)
• Physics II (5)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0

Fourth Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

• CH306 (3)
• FS550 (2)
• Option Elective (2)
• Experiential Learning (2)
• General Education (3)
• Elective (3)

Spring Semester (16 Hours)

• FS553 (3)
• CH575/075 (4)
• Option Elective (3)
• General Education (3)
• General Education (3)

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

Forensic science is a rigorous, science-intensive discipline, but that's what makes it so rewarding! Students should expect a strong emphasis on chemistry, biology, and laboratory science, along with coursework in criminal justice, legal frameworks, and investigative methodology. The program is demanding by design, because the careers it leads to require precision, critical thinking, and the ability to perform under pressure.

The good news? You will not navigate it alone. SEMO's faculty bring real-world experience into the classroom and are committed to supporting students through every stage of the program, from foundational science courses to advanced laboratory work.

A Forensic Science degree opens doors across law enforcement, laboratory science, public health, and the legal system.

Graduates may pursue roles including:

• Forensic Scientist
• Crime Laboratory Analyst
• DNA Analyst
• Toxicologist
• Trace Evidence Examiner
• Digital Forensics Analyst
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Forensic Toxicology Technician
• Evidence Technician
• Environmental Forensic Scientist

Forensic science and criminal justice are complementary fields that often work side by side.

• Forensic Science is rooted in natural science. It focuses on the collection, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence using chemistry, biology, and laboratory methods. Forensic scientists answer the question: what does the evidence tell us?
• Criminal Justice focuses on the systems, institutions, and processes that make up the legal and law enforcement landscape, including policing, courts, corrections, and policy. Criminal justice professionals answer the question: how does the system respond?

In practice, both fields intersect often. Forensic scientists provide the scientific foundation that criminal justice professionals rely on to investigate crimes, build cases, and pursue justice.

Yes, and in many cases, a forensic science background is a significant advantage in criminal justice careers! Forensic science graduates bring a level of scientific literacy and analytical precision that is highly valued across law enforcement agencies, legal offices, and investigative units.

Roles where a forensic science degree translates directly into criminal justice work include:

• Crime Scene Investigator
• Evidence Technician
• Forensic Consultant for legal defense or prosecution teams
• Investigative analyst roles within federal agencies
• Expert witness in legal proceedings