Bachelor of Science, Major in Chemistry: Forensic Science Concentration

Bachelor of Science, Major in Chemistry: Concentration Forensic Science
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
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
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 14
Degree Specific Requirements
MATH 1420Calculus I 14
MATH 1430Calculus II4
ENGL 3330Introduction to Technical Writing3
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 4100Chemical Literature Seminar1
CHEM 4260Advanced Integrated Laboratory2
CHEM 4448Physical Chemistry I4
Concentration: Forensic Science
BIOL 1406General Biology I4
CHEM 3438Biochemistry I4
CHEM 4327Polymer Chemistry3
CHEM 4367Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3
CHEM 4380Forensic Chemistry3
CHEM 4395Undergraduate Research In Chemistry3
CHEM 4440Instrumental Analytical Chemistry4
CHEM 4449Physical Chemistry II4
FORS 4317Applied Statistics for Forensic Science3
or MATH 3379 Statistical Methods in Practice
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 1101Bearkat U1
Electives: Advanced General
Advanced Elective2
Minor: Required 3, 4
Minor (at least 10 hours, with at least 6 advanced hours)10
Total Hours120
1

MATH 1420 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics), the one semester credit hour Core Curriculum requirement for 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

A minor generally requires six semesters of coursework, a minimum of 18 credits (six advanced) in an approved field. Students should use elective and minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. Advanced hours are 3000- and 4000-level courses. A minor in Math, as a common example, requires 10 additional hours beyond MATH 1420 and MATH 1430 for 121 hours total. Alternatively, a Forensic Science minor is recommended for additional coursework in ethics and evidence handling. The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Chemistry.

4

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

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 4448, and in all required Physics and Mathematics courses.

A minor generally requires six semesters of coursework, a minimum of 18 credits (six advanced) in an approved field. Students should use elective and minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. Advanced hours are 3000- and 4000-level courses. 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 14064CHEM 141214
CHEM 141114ENGL 130223
ENGL 130123MATH 14304
MATH 142034POLS 230543
UNIV 11011 
 16 14
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IV3CHEM 21251
CHEM 21231CHEM 23253
CHEM 23233ENGL 33303
CHEM 24014Minor54
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101 (or PHYS 1411)
4PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102 (or PHYS 1422)
4
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CHEM 34384Component Area V3
CHEM 43273Component Area IX3
CHEM 44484CHEM 43953
HIST 130163CHEM 44494
 HIST 130263
 14 16
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CHEM 41001Component Area VIII3
CHEM 44404CHEM 42602
Elective: Advanced General2CHEM 43673
FORS 4317 or MATH 33793CHEM 43803
Minor Advanced53Minor Advanced53
POLS 230643 
 16 14
Total Hours: 120
1

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

2

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

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) as well as one credit hour of Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

4

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

5

A minor generally requires six semesters of coursework, a minimum of 18 credits (six advanced) in an approved field.  Students should use elective and minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.  Advanced hours are 3000- and 4000-level courses.  A minor in Math, as a common example, requires 10 additional hours beyond MATH 1420 and MATH 1430 for 121 hours total.  Alternatively, a Forensic Science minor is recommended for additional coursework in ethics and evidence handling.  The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program:  Minor in Chemistry.

6

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. 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 2123, CHEM 2125, CHEM 2323, CHEM 2325, CHEM 2401, CHEM 4448, and in all required Physics and Mathematics courses.

A minor generally requires six semesters of coursework, a minimum of 18 credits (six advanced) in an approved field. Students should use elective and minor 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 Chemistry: Forensic Science Concentration is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Work safely with standard chemicals in a chemistry or forensic laboratory.
  • Keep thorough and accurate records of chemistry and forensic experiments.
  • Write final research reports and orally present results of experiments.
  • Analyze and interpret experimental data, including spectrophotometric data and statistical analysis.
  • Understand the application of chemical measurements to forensic investigation.