Bachelor of Science, Major in Forensic Chemistry
Students seeking background and training in the area of forensic science can obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Chemistry with options for no minor, a Forensic Science minor, or a Criminal Justice minor. This degree option educates students for careers in forensic chemistry in both private and government arenas and also prepares students to enter graduate schools in forensic science.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science, Major in Forensic Chemistry | ||
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) 1 | 3 | |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 2 | 8 | |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3 | 3 | |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 1, 4 | 4 | |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| BIOL 1406 | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIOL 1407 | General Biology II | 4 |
| BIOL 2440 | Introductory Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 3450 | Introductory Genetics | 4 |
| ENGL 3330 | Introduction to Technical Writing | 3 |
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1430 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 3379 | Statistical Methods in Practice | 3 |
| or FORS 4317 | Applied Statistics for Forensic Science | |
| PHYS 1301 & PHYS 1101 | General Physics-Mechanics and Heat and General Physics Laboratory I | 4 |
| or PHYS 1411 | Introduction To Physics I | |
| PHYS 1302 & PHYS 1102 | General Physics-Sound, Light, Electricity, and Magnetism and General Physics Laboratory II | 4 |
| or PHYS 1422 | Introduction To Physics II | |
| UNIV 1101 | Bearkat U 4 | 1 |
| Major: Foundation | ||
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 2323 & CHEM 2123 | Organic Chemistry I: Lecture and Organic Chemistry I: Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 2325 & CHEM 2125 | Organic Chemistry II: Lecture and Organic Chemistry II: Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 2401 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 3367 | Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 3438 | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 4100 | Chemical Literature Seminar | 1 |
| CHEM 4367 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 4380 | Forensic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 4440 | Instrumental Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 4448 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| Minor: Options 5, 6, 7 | 15-18 | |
| Option 1: No Minor in Forensic Science or Criminal Justice (126 total hours) 5, 6, 7 | ||
| Forensic Science 6 | ||
| Introduction to Forensic Chemistry 6 | ||
| Ethics and Professional Practice 6 | ||
Prescribed Electives: FORS or CRIJ courses (6 hours, at least 4 hours should be advanced) 5 | ||
| Option 2: Forensic Science Minor (129 total hours) 5, 6, 7 | ||
| Select 18 hours from the following (at least 4 hours should be advanced): | ||
| Criminal Investigation | ||
| Courts And Criminal Procedure | ||
| Forensic Science 6 | ||
| Introduction to Forensic Chemistry 6 | ||
| Physical Evidence Techniques | ||
| Applied Statistics for Forensic Science | ||
| Fundamentals of Forensic Biology | ||
| Fingerprint Examination | ||
| Crime Scene Investigation Techniques | ||
| Ethics and Professional Practice 6 | ||
| Option 3: Criminal Justice Minor (126 total hours) 5, 6, 7 | ||
| Select 15 hours from the following: | ||
| Introduction To The Criminal Justice System 3 | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Fundamentals Of Criminal Law | ||
| Introduction To Methods Of Research | ||
| Criminal Justice and Social Dynamics | ||
| Forensic Science 6 | ||
| Total Hours | 126-129 | |
- 1
MATH 1420 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics), one credit hour of Component Area IX (Component Area Option), and the Degree Specific requirement.
- 2
CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) and the Major requirement.
- 3
CRIJ 2361 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).
- 4
UNIV 1101 satisfies one credit hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Option Area) and the Degree Specific requirement.
- 5
Students should use minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. Advanced hours are 3000- and 4000-level courses.
- 6
Students opting for the Forensic Science minor are highly recommended to select FORS 3366 (Forensic Science) and FORS 4380 (Ethics and Professional Practice) as part of their degree plan to help prepare for the Texas Forensic Analysis licensing exam. A course in statistics is also required but is part of the Degree Specific requirements. Selection of FORS 3380 (Introduction to Forensic Chemistry) in the minor is also highly recommended.
- 7
Students can have additional minors or, in the no minor option, add minors other than Criminal Justice or Forensic Science. Additional minors add additional coursework to the degree plan. The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Chemistry. The Minor in Advanced Chemistry can be added to achieve American Chemical Society certification for the degree.
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
A grade of C or higher is required for CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, CHEM 2123, CHEM 2125, CHEM 2323, CHEM 2325, CHEM 2401, CHEM 3367, CHEM 4440, CHEM 4448, and in all required Physics and Mathematics courses.
This sequence has three options for the required minor as listed above: no minor in Forensic Science or Criminal Justice, a minor in Forensic Science, or a minor in Criminal Justice. Students should use the minor or elective hours to satisfy the 42-advanced hour requirement. Advanced hours are 3000- and 4000-level courses.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 1406 | 4 | BIOL 1407 | 4 |
| CHEM 14111 | 4 | CHEM 14121 | 4 |
| ENGL 13012 | 3 | ENGL 13022 | 3 |
| MATH 14203 | 4 | MATH 1430 | 4 |
| UNIV 1101 (or General Elective)4 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CHEM 2323 & CHEM 2123 | 4 | CHEM 2325 & CHEM 2125 | 4 |
| CHEM 2401 | 4 | ENGL 3330 | 3 |
| CHEM 3367 | 3 | FORS 3366 (required in all minor options)5 | 3 |
| PHYS 1301 & PHYS 1101 (or PHYS 1411) | 4 | PHYS 1302 & PHYS 1102 (or PHYS 1422) | 4 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area IV | 3 | Component Area VIII | 3 |
| BIOL 2440 | 4 | BIOL 3450 | 4 |
| CHEM 3438 | 4 | Elective (Advanced) or Minor Option Course5, 7, 8, 9 | 3 |
| CHEM 4448 | 4 | MATH 3379 or FORS 43178 | 3 |
| POLS 23056 | 3 | POLS 23066 | 3 |
| 18 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area IX | 3 | Component Area V | 3 |
| CHEM 4440 | 4 | CHEM 4100 | 1 |
| Elective (Advanced) or Minor Option Course5, 7, 8, 9 | 3 | CHEM 4367 | 3 |
| HSTY 130110 | 3 | CHEM 4380 | 3 |
| Minor Option Course5, 7, 8, 9 | 3 | HSTY 130210 | 3 |
| Minor Option Course5, 7, 8, 9 | 3-6 | ||
| 16 | 16-19 | ||
| Total Hours: 126-129 | |||
- 1
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) and the Major requirement.
- 2
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).
- 3
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics), one credit hour of Component Area IX (Component Area Option), and the Degree Specific requirement.
- 4
UNIV 1101 satisfies one credit hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option) and the Degree Specific Requirement.
- 5
FORS 3366 is required in all three minor options. The remaining minor option courses vary depending on whether the student opts for no minor in Forensic Science or Criminal Justice, the Forensic Science minor, or the Criminal Justice minor. Students should select courses to ensure they achieve the 42 required advanced hours. Advanced hours are 3000- or 4000 level courses.
- 6
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).
- 7
Students selecting a minor in Forensic Science or Criminal Justice can have additional minors as well (though this adds additional coursework to the degree plan). The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Chemistry. The Minor in Advanced Chemistry can be added to achieve American Chemical Society certification for the degree.
- 8
Students who are interested in the graduate programs in Forensic Science at SHSU are encouraged to take BIOL 3470 and either BIOL 4480 or BIOL 4381 as advanced electives. Students seeking licensing as Forensic Analysts take FORS 4317 (or alternatively MATH 3379) to meet statistics requirements to take the licensing exam (the most up to date licensing requirements). Course selections in minor and electives must ensure at least 42 advanced hours for degree.
- 9
See Minor Options course listings below.
- 10
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Option 1: No Minor in Forensic Science or Criminal Justice 9 | ||
| FORS 3366 | Forensic Science 1 | 3 |
| FORS 3380 | Introduction to Forensic Chemistry | 3 |
| FORS 4380 | Ethics and Professional Practice | 3 |
| Prescribed Electives: FORS or CRIJ courses (six hours, at least four hours should be advanced) | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
FORS 3366 is required in all three minor options.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Option 2: Forensic Science Minor 9 | ||
| Select 18 hours from the following (at least four hours should be advanced): | 18 | |
| Criminal Investigation | ||
| Courts And Criminal Procedure | ||
| Forensic Science 1 | ||
| Introduction to Forensic Chemistry | ||
| Physical Evidence Techniques | ||
| Applied Statistics for Forensic Science | ||
| Fundamentals of Forensic Biology | ||
| Fingerprint Examination | ||
| Crime Scene Investigation Techniques | ||
| Ethics and Professional Practice | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
FORS 3366 is required in all three minor options.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Option 3: Criminal Justice Minor 9 | ||
| Select 15 hours from the following: | 15 | |
| Introduction To The Criminal Justice System 1 | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Fundamentals Of Criminal Law | ||
| Fundamentals Of Criminal Law | ||
| Introduction To Methods Of Research | ||
| Introduction To Methods Of Research | ||
| Criminal Justice and Social Dynamics | ||
| Forensic Science 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
CRIJ 2361 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).
- 2
FORS 3366 is required in all three minor options.
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
A grade of C or higher is required for CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, CHEM 2123, CHEM 2125, CHEM 2323, CHEM 2325, CHEM 2401, CHEM 3367, CHEM 4440, CHEM 4448, and in all required Physics and Mathematics courses.
This sequence has three options for the required minor as listed above: no minor in Forensic Science or Criminal Justice, a minor in Forensic Science, or a minor in Criminal Justice. Students should use the minor or elective hours to satisfy the 42-advanced hour requirement. Advanced hours are 3000- and 4000-level courses.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The BS in Forensic Chemistry is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Work safely with standard chemicals in a chemistry laboratory.
- Keep thorough and accurate records of chemistry experiments.
- Write final research reports and orally present results of experiments.
- Analyze and interpret experimental data, including spectrophotometric data.
- Understand the use of the major methods of purification of chemical compounds, including chromatographic techniques.
