Bachelor of Science, Major in Forensic Chemistry

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Students seeking background and training in the area of forensic science can obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Chemistry with either a Criminal Justice minor or a Forensic Science 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 for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

Bachelor of Science, Major in Forensic Chemistry with Criminal Justice Minor
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (American History)6
Component Area VII (Government/Political Science)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 33
Component Area IX (Area IV elective or Oral Communication)4
Degree Specific Requirements
BIOL 1406General Biology I4
BIOL 1407General Biology II4
BIOL 3450Introductory Genetics4
ENGL 3330Intro to Technical Writing3
MATH 1420Calculus I 14
MATH 1430Calculus II4
MATH 3379Statistical Mthods in Practice3
or FORS 4317 Applied Statistics for Forensic Science
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
General Phy-Mechanics & Heat
and General Physics Laboratory I
4
PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
Gen Phy-Snd,Lght, Elec, & Mag
and General Physics Laboratory II
4
Major: Foundation
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I 24
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II 24
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 2401Quantitative Analysis4
CHEM 3438Biochemistry I4
CHEM 4100Chemical Literature Seminar1
CHEM 4367Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3
CHEM 4380Forensic Chemistry3
CHEM 4448Physical Chemistry I4
CHEM 4440Instrumental Analytical Chem4
Minor: Required
Criminal Justice Minor
CRIJ 2361Intro To The Crim Justice Sys 33
CRIJ 2362Criminology3
CRIJ 2364Fundamentals Of Criminal Law3
CRIJ 3378Intro To Methods Of Research3
CRIJ 4385Criminl Justc & Social Divrsty3
FORS 3366Forensic Science3
Electives: General
UNIV 1101Bearkat U (or general elective)1
Electives: Advanced 47
Advanced Electives
Total Hours126
1

MATH 1420 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) 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 Core Curriculum requirement for the Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) and the CJ minor requirement.

4

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 are encouraged to take FORS 4317 (or alternatively MATH 3379) to meet statistics requirements to take the licensing exam (the most up to date licensing requirement). Course selections in minor and electives must ensure at least 42 advanced hours for degree.

Bachelor of Science, Major in Forensic Chemistry with Forensic Science Minor
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (American History)6
Component Area VII (Government/Political Science)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Area IV elective or Oral Communication)4
Degree Specific Requirements
BIOL 1406General Biology I4
BIOL 1407General Biology II4
BIOL 3450Introductory Genetics4
ENGL 3330Intro to Technical Writing3
MATH 1420Calculus I 14
MATH 1430Calculus II4
MATH 3379Statistical Mthods in Practice3
or FORS 4317 Applied Statistics for Forensic Science
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
General Phy-Mechanics & Heat
and General Physics Laboratory I
4
PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
Gen Phy-Snd,Lght, Elec, & Mag
and General Physics Laboratory II
4
Major: Foundation
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I 24
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II 24
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 2401Quantitative Analysis4
CHEM 3438Biochemistry I4
CHEM 4100Chemical Literature Seminar1
CHEM 4367Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3
CHEM 4380Forensic Chemistry3
CHEM 4448Physical Chemistry I4
CHEM 4440Instrumental Analytical Chem4
Minor: Required 3
Forensic Science Minor Coursework (18 hrs, at least 6 advanced)18
Electives: General
UNIV 1101Bearkat U (or general elective)1
Advanced Electives 44-10
Total Hours126-132
1

MATH 1420 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) 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

The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Chemistry. 

4

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 are encouraged to 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.

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 2323, CHEM 2123, CHEM 2325, CHEM 2125, CHEM 2401, CHEM 4448 and CHEM 4440, and in all required Physics and Mathematics 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
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 14064BIOL 14074
CHEM 141114CHEM 141214
ENGL 130123ENGL 130223
MATH 142034MATH 14304
UNIV 1101 (Or general elective)1 
 16 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CHEM 21231CHEM 21251
CHEM 23233CHEM 23253
CHEM 24014ENGL 33303
CRIJ 236143FORS 33663
PHYS 11011PHYS 11021
PHYS 13013PHYS 13023
 15 14
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IV3BIOL 34504
CHEM 34384CRIJ 2364 (or FORS minor course for FORS minors)63
CHEM 44484CRIJ 3378 (or FORS minor course for FORS minors)63
POLS 230553Elective (Advanced)74
CRIJ 2362 (or FORS minor course for FORS minors)63POLS 230653
 17 17
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IX3Component Area V3
CHEM 44404CHEM 41001
Elective (Advanced) or Advanced FORS minor course for FORS minors6,73CHEM 43673
HIST 130183CHEM 43803
MATH 3379 or FORS 43173CRIJ 4385 (or FORS minor course for FORS minors)63
 HIST 130283
 16 16
Total Hours: 126
1

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) and the Major requirement. 

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) and the Degree Specific requirement. 

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences). Students who are Forensic Science minors may choose a different Area VIII course, for Criminal Justice minors this course counts both in the core and in the minor.

5

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

6

The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Chemistry. 

7

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 seek licensing as Forensic Analysts are encouraged to take FORS 4317 (or alternatively MATH 3379) to meet statistics requirements to take the licensing exam (the most up to date licensing requirements can be found at https://www.txcourts.gov/fsc/licensing/). Course selections in minor and electives must ensure at least 42 advanced hours for degree.

8

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (History).

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 2323, CHEM 2123, CHEM 2325, CHEM 2125,CHEM 2401, CHEM 4448 and CHEM 4440, and in all required Physics and Mathematics courses.

This sequence has a built-in minor in Criminal Justice, with alternatives for Forensic Science minors listed.  Students should use the 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.