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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Forensic Chemistry Requirements | (51) | |
| CHEM 100 | Introduction to the Profession | 2 |
| CHEM 124 | Principles of Chemistry I with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 125 | Principles of Chemistry II with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 237 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 239 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 240 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 247 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 321 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 343 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 344 | Physical Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 415 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 434 | Spectroscopic Methods in Identification and Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 463 | Analytical Method Development Laboratory | 3 |
| CHEM 475 | Forensic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 476 | Forensic Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| CHEM 485 | Chemistry Colloquium | 1 |
| CHEM 495 | Seminar in Special Topics | 1 |
| Forensic Chemistry Electives | (6) | |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Advanced Chemistry Laboratory | 3 | |
| Cheminformatics | 3 | |
| Bioanalytical Chemistry | 3 | |
| Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory | 3 | |
| Medicinal Chemistry | 3 | |
| Environmental Chemistry | 3 | |
| Environmental Analytical Chemistry | 3 | |
| Advanced Analytical Chemistry | 3 | |
| Statistics for Analytical Chemists | 3 | |
| Physical Biochemistry | 3 | |
| Biology Requirements | (6-7) | |
| BIOL 107 | General Biology Lectures | 3 |
| or BIOL 115 | Human Biology | |
| BIOL 401 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 403 | Biochemistry | |
| Mathematics Requirements | (18) | |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 152 | Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 251 | Multivariate and Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 4 |
| Physics Requirements | (8) | |
| PHYS 123 | General Physics I: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 221 | General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| CS 105 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 2 |
| or CS 110 | Computing Principles | |
| Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements | (21) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) | (6) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E | 6 | |
| Free Electives | (9) | |
| Select nine credit hours 1 | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 127-128 | |
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 124 | 4 | CHEM 100 | 2 |
| CS 105 or 110 | 2 | CHEM 125 | 4 |
| MATH 151 | 5 | MATH 152 | 5 |
| Humanities 200-level Course | 3 | PHYS 123 | 4 |
| Social Sciences Elective | 3 | ||
| 14 | 18 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 237 | 4 | CHEM 239 | 3 |
| BIOL 107 or 115 | 3 | CHEM 240 | 2 |
| MATH 251 | 4 | CHEM 247 | 3 |
| PHYS 221 | 4 | MATH 252 | 4 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Elective | 3 | Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 321 | 4 | CHEM 344 | 4 |
| CHEM 343 | 3 | CHEM 434 | 4 |
| IPRO Elective I | 3 | CHEM 475 | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 | CHEM 485 | 1 |
| Free Elective1 | 3 | Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 401 or 403 | 3-4 | CHEM 495 | 1 |
| CHEM 415 | 3 | Forensic Chemistry Elective2 | 3 |
| CHEM 463 | 3 | Forensic Chemistry Elective2 | 3 |
| CHEM 476 | 3 | IPRO Elective II | 3 |
| Free Elective1 | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Free Elective1 | 3 | ||
| 15-16 | 16 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: 127-128 | |||
