Forensic Chemistry Major B.S.
- Preparation for chemistry-related positions in crime labs or law enforcement
- Preparation for graduate school in forensic chemistry, forensic science or analytical chemistry
- The Forensic Chemistry degree has full (part of ) through January 2028.
About the FEPAC Accredited B.S. in Forensic Chemistry
Major code BS3310
Faculty Contact: Dr. Rebecca Barlag, director of B.S. Forensic Chemistry
Program Overview
Forensic chemistry is the application of chemistry and related sciences to criminal investigation. The program prepares the student to work in crime laboratories or other law enforcement agencies, such as FDA, OSHA, and EPA, or for graduate work in forensic chemistry, forensic science or analytical chemistry.
The forensic chemistry program is accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) through the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).
Careers and Graduate School
A large number of graduates go on to take advanced degrees in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry. Graduates go on to take advanced degrees in toxicology, forensic science or medicine. Jobs held by recent graduates include applications lab technician, attorney, associate chemist, criminalist, drug analyst, document examiner, environmental engineer, forensic scientist, physician, and serologist/drug analyst.
Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for 91̽»¨ students and alumni on , OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.
91̽»¨s Information
Freshman/First-Year 91̽»¨: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change to Program Policy: Students wishing to change or add a chemistry major or minor at 91̽»¨ should go to the Office of Undergraduate Advising & Student Affairs in the College of Arts & Sciences in Gordy 155.
External Transfer 91̽»¨: No requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Degree Requirements
University-wide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.
College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences
View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Forensic Chemistry Major-Departmental Requirements
Complete a total of 51 semester hours of CHEM coursework, including the following:
- CHEM 1510 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 1520 - Fundamentals of Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 2410 - Analytical Chemistry I: Quantitative Analysis and Electrochemistry Credit Hours: 3
- CHEM 2410L - Analytical Chemistry I Lab Credit Hours: 1
- CHEM 3050 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3
- CHEM 3060 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hours: 3
- CHEM 3080 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hours: 1
- CHEM 3090 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Advanced Credit Hours: 2
- CHEM 3510 - Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
- CHEM 3760 - Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
- CHEM 4310 - Analytical Chemistry II: Chromatography and Spectroscopy Credit Hours: 3
- CHEM 4310L - Analytical Chemistry II Lab Credit Hours: 2
- *CHEM 4410 - Forensic Firearms and Ballistics Analysis Credit Hours: 2
- CHEM 4840 - Forensic Chemistry I: Arson, Explosives and DNA Credit Hours: 3
- CHEM 4840L - Forensic Chemistry I lab: Arson, Explosives and DNA Credit Hours: 2
- CHEM 4850 - Introduction to Toxicology Credit Hours: 3
- CHEM 4870 - Forensic Chemistry II: Procedures, Drugs and Trace Analysis Credit Hours: 3
- CHEM 4870L - Forensic Chemistry II Lab Credit Hours: 2
- CHEM 4890 - Basic Biochemistry Credit Hours: 3
Extra-Departmental Courses
Complete the following courses:
- BIOS 1700 - Biological Sciences I: Molecules and Cells Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 1705 - Biological Sciences I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- BIOS 1710 - Biological Sciences II: Ecology, Evolution, Animal Body Systems Credit Hours: 3
- BIOS 1715 - Biological Sciences II Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- BIOS 3640 - Forensic Biology Credit Hours: 3
- **BIOS 3100 - General Genetics Credit Hours: 3
- **BIOS 3105 - General Genetics Lab Credit Hours: 2
- **BIOS 4260 - Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 3
- CAS 2000 - Foundations in Forensic Studies Credit Hours: 3
- LET 1050 - Ethics and Legal Issues Credit Hours: 3
OR PHIL 1300 - Introduction to Ethics Credit Hours: 3 - LET 3500 - Criminalistics and Criminal Investigation for Forensic Chemists Credit Hours: 3
- LET 3600 - Chemistry and the Law Credit Hours: 3
- LET 4550 - Forensic Science Capstone Credit Hours: 3
- MATH 2301 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
- PHYS 2054 and 2055 - General Physics I and Lab Credit Hours: 4
- PHYS 2056 and 2057 - General Physics II and Lab Credit Hours: 4
- PSY 2110 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Credit Hours: 4
- SOC 2600 - Criminal Justice Credit Hours: 3
*Course is not required but is recommended for Forensic Firearms Examiner careers.
**Courses are not required but recommended to complete a minor in Biological Sciences and to be eligible for Forensic DNA Analyst careers.