Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry

Forensic chemistry is the application of chemistry to forensic investigation. The objective of the program is to provide students with a strong background in both traditional chemistry areas and chemical and biochemical applications for analysis, detection, and characterization of forensic and controlled substances. This chemistry-centered forensic science program will prepare students with a systematic training in chemical science and chemical, biochemical, and instrumental analysis for forensic applications. Majors will gain technical skills to develop a career in forensic science, forensic medicine, forensic drug analysis, toxicology, DNA analysis, health care, or criminalistics.

Required Courses

Forensic Chemistry Requirements (51)
CHEM 100Introduction to the Profession2
CHEM 124Principles of Chemistry I with Laboratory4
CHEM 125Principles of Chemistry II with Laboratory4
CHEM 237Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 239Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 240Organic Chemistry Laboratory2
CHEM 247Analytical Chemistry3
CHEM 321Instrumental Analysis4
CHEM 343Physical Chemistry I3
CHEM 344Physical Chemistry II4
CHEM 415Inorganic Chemistry3
CHEM 434Spectroscopic Methods in Identification and Analysis4
CHEM 463Analytical Method Development Laboratory3
CHEM 475Forensic Chemistry3
CHEM 476Forensic Chemistry Laboratory3
CHEM 485Chemistry Colloquium1
CHEM 495Seminar in Special Topics1
Forensic Chemistry Electives (6)
Select two courses from the following:6
Advanced Chemistry Laboratory3
Cheminformatics3
Bioanalytical Chemistry3
Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory3
Medicinal Chemistry3
Environmental Chemistry3
Environmental Analytical Chemistry3
Advanced Analytical Chemistry3
Statistics for Analytical Chemists3
Physical Biochemistry3
Biology Requirements (6-7)
BIOL 107General Biology Lectures3
or BIOL 115 Human Biology
BIOL 401Introductory Biochemistry3-4
or BIOL 403 Biochemistry
Mathematics Requirements (18)
MATH 151Calculus I5
MATH 152Calculus II5
MATH 251Multivariate and Vector Calculus4
MATH 252Introduction to Differential Equations4
Physics Requirements (8)
PHYS 123General Physics I: Mechanics4
PHYS 221General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
Computer Science Requirement (2)
CS 105Introduction to Computer Programming2
or CS 110 Computing Principles
Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements (21)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C21
Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) (6)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E6
Free Electives (9)
Select nine credit hours 19
Total Credit Hours127-128
1

Suggested electives include: BIOL 210, BIOL 214, BIOL 445, BIOL 514, BIOL 550, ITMD 521, ITMD 525, ITMD 527, and ITMS 538.

 

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry Curriculum

Year 1
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
CHEM 1244CHEM 1002
CS 105 or 1102CHEM 1254
MATH 1515MATH 1525
Humanities 200-level Course3PHYS 1234
 Social Sciences Elective3
 14 18
Year 2
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
CHEM 2374CHEM 2393
BIOL 107 or 1153CHEM 2402
MATH 2514CHEM 2473
PHYS 2214MATH 2524
Humanities or Social Sciences Elective3Humanities Elective (300+)3
 18 15
Year 3
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
CHEM 3214CHEM 3444
CHEM 3433CHEM 4344
IPRO Elective I3CHEM 4753
Social Sciences Elective (300+)3CHEM 4851
Free Elective13Humanities Elective (300+)3
 16 15
Year 4
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
BIOL 401 or 4033-4CHEM 4951
CHEM 4153Forensic Chemistry Elective23
CHEM 4633Forensic Chemistry Elective23
CHEM 4763IPRO Elective II3
Free Elective13Social Sciences Elective (300+)3
 Free Elective13
 15-16 16
Total Credit Hours: 127-128
1

Suggested electives include: BIOL 210, BIOL 214, BIOL 445, BIOL 514, BIOL 550, ITMD 521, ITMD 525, ITMD 527, and ITMS 538.

2

Choose from the following courses: CHEM 416, CHEM 452CHEM 460, CHEM 461, CHEM 467, CHEM 472, CHEM 473, CHEM 500, CHEM 513, or CHEM 538.