Chemistry B.S. – Forensic Science Emphasis

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Contact: Hua Zhao, Ph.D., Chair

Location: Ross Hall 3480

Telephone: [phone]

Website: http://www.unco.edu/nhs/chemistry

Advising Information:

Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.

Assigned advisor is available through the Ursa login; ursa.unco.edu; under Student tab Academic Profile channel and is term specific. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.

The program consists of four parts:

1. Liberal Arts Core (LAC) Credits
2. Required Major Credits
3. Required Minor 
4. University-Wide Credits

Program Description:

This program is designed to prepare students to enter the field of forensic science by providing them with background courses in chemistry, physics, sociology and criminal justice along with laboratory experiences as research and an internship. Students completing this degree emphasis who wish to pursue graduate study in one of the areas of chemistry may be required to complete additional course work in physical chemistry and/or mathematics and biology depending on the entrance requirements of the specific graduate school.

Program Admission Requirements:

Academic Good Standing

Program Requirements:

• All students in the program must take an assessment examination before graduation.
• Students majoring in chemistry must earn a grade of “C” or better (C- is not acceptable) in all courses having a CHEM prefix which count toward the major.

• In accordance with University Policies, coursework earned more than 10 years prior to the date of matriculation to UNC may not be used to satisfy any major or minor requirements.  Any exception to this policy is at the discretion of the academic program.

Program Recommendations:

• Graduate level CHEM courses are recommended for juniors and seniors. Other recommended electives include courses in statistics, sociology, criminal justice, anthropology, or additional courses in mathematics.
• It is recommended that students have a fundamental background in computers.
• Juniors and seniors are expected to participate in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s undergraduate research program.
• Qualifying students may be eligible for a five-year program resulting in a B.S./M.S. degree. Consult your advisor early in your program for details.

Degree Requirements — 120 Credits

Degree Requirements

1. Required Specified LAC — 21 credits

LAC area 1b. — Intermediate Composition

SCI 291

Scientific Writing

3

LAC area 2 — Mathematics

MATH 131

Calculus I

4

LAC area 6 — Physical and Life Sciences

BIO 110	Principles of Biology	4
CHEM 111	Principles of Chemistry I	4
CHEM 111L	Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory	1
PHYS 220	Introductory Physics I	5

Remaining LAC — 19 credits

See “Liberal Arts Core”.

NOTE: Students need to select courses from LAC areas 7 and 8 that also count for areas 3, 4, or 5.

2. Required Major — 45 credits

Take all of the following courses:

CHEM 112	Principles of Chemistry II	4
CHEM 112L	Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory	1
CHEM 321	Chemical Analysis	4
CHEM 331	Organic Chemistry I	4
CHEM 331L	Organic Chemistry I Laboratory	1
CHEM 332	Organic Chemistry II	4
CHEM 332L	Organic Chemistry II Laboratory	1
CHEM 381	Principles of Biochemistry	3
CHEM 381L	Principles of Biochemistry Lab	1
CHEM 421	Instrumental Analysis	4
CHEM 422	Directed Studies	1-3
CHEM 425	Forensic Chemistry	4
CHEM 441	Inorganic Chemistry I	3
CHEM 450	Survey of Physical Chemistry	3
CHEM 450L	Survey of Physical Chemistry Laboratory	1
CHEM 499	Seminar and Research in Chemistry	1-3
PHYS 221	Introductory Physics II	5

CHEM 422: Take 0-2 credits

CHEM 499: Take 0-2 credits

CHEM 422 and CHEM 499: Take 2 credits total between those two courses.

3. Required Minor 18-21 Credits

A minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice or Anthropology is required. 

4. University-Wide Credits — 14-17 credits

Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this degree, that will typically be 14-17 credits.

NOTE: Students wishing to participate in the Honors Program should consult their advisors about Liberal Arts Core selections and other requirements.