Chemistry B.S. – Forensic Science Emphasis
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Contact: Hua Zhao, Ph.D., Chair
Location: Ross Hall 3480
Telephone: 970.351.2559
Website: http://www.unco.edu/nhs/chemistry
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of four parts:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- Required Minor
- 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
1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits
To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the 66 required major credits.
Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.
Written Communication — 6 credits
SCI 291 (3) is recommended to fulfill the Intermediate Writing Course in the Written Communication requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Written Communication courses
Mathematics — 3 credits
MATH 131 (4) is recommended to fulfill Mathematics requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Mathematics courses
Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies, and International Studies — 15 credits
To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.
See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses
Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
CHEM 111 (4), CHEM 111L (1), and BIO 110 (4) are recommended to fulfill Natural & Physical Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Natural & Physical Sciences courses
See Liberal Arts Curriculum
2. Required Major — 66 credits
Take all of the following courses:
3. Required Minor — 18 Credits
A minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice or Anthropology is required.
4. University-Wide Credits — 5 credits*
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for any degree at UNC; for this program, that will typically be 5 credits.
*Note: Students who apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and the major requirements will have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree. See your advisor for details.
NOTE: Students wishing to participate in the Honors Program should consult their advisors about Liberal Arts Curriculum selections and other requirements.