Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Biochemistry with Forensic Science Option

About

The forensic science option prepares you for entry-level positions in state and federal forensic science labs as well as for graduate and professional schools. Competitive internships at regional forensic labs are integrated into the curriculum, along with research and independent study. You must complete 45 hours of specified core courses with a combined minimum GPA of 3.0 before being eligible to declare the forensic major. It is assumed that you will enter the program ready to take MATH 161. To finish in four years, you must take an average load of more than 15 credits per quarter.

A partnership has been established with the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory Division. They provide internship opportunities for our students on a competitive basis. Guest lecturers are also provided throughout the course of study. For all internships with law enforcement agencies, you will be required to pass a thorough background check.

For more information, contact the program advisors:

Robin McRae, PhD: kraymond@ewu.edu

Curriculum & Requirements Academic Plan

Curriculum & Requirements

Chemistry/Biochemistry Major with Forensic Science Option, Bachelor of Science (BS)

The forensic science option prepares students for entry-level positions in state and federal forensic science labs as well as for graduate and professional schools. 

Major Declaration Requirements

Students must complete 45 hours of specified core courses with a combined minimum GPA 3.0 before being eligible to declare the forensic major (see note below).

It is assumed that the student will enter the program ready to take MATH 161.

For all internships with law enforcement agencies, students will be required to pass a thorough background check. Competitive internships at regional forensic labs are integrated into the curriculum along with research and independent study.

This option will require more than 12 terms (or 4 years) to complete at an average of 15 credits per term.

Note: these core courses are to be completed before formal acceptance into the forensics major and enrollment in the forensics science internship course: BIOL 171, BIOL 172, CHEM 140, CHEM 171, CHEM 171L, CHEM 172, CHEM 172L, CHEM 173, CHEM 173L, CHEM 304, CHEM 304L,  PHYS 151.

Grade Requirements: due to the cumulative nature of chemistry courses, the department strongly recommends that students receive a grade ≥C in all prerequisite chemistry courses. 

Required Chemistry Courses
CHEM 140CRIMINALISTICS AND FORENSIC CHEMISTRY5
CHEM 171
171L
CHEM 172
CHEM 172L
CHEM 173
CHEM 173L
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY III
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III
15
CHEM 304
304L
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
and QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS LAB
6
CHEM 319MODERN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY4
CHEM 351ORGANIC CHEMISTRY4
CHEM 352ORGANIC CHEMISTRY4
CHEM 353ORGANIC CHEMISTRY3
CHEM 372ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I3
CHEM 373ORGANIC CHEM LABORATORY II3
CHEM 420INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS5
CHEM 421PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY4
CHEM 422PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY4
CHEM 431PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY1
CHEM 445TOPICS IN FORENSIC CHEMISTRY5
CHEM 450ADVANCED FORENSIC CHEMISTRY5
CHEM 480BIOCHEMISTRY5
CHEM 495INTERNSHIP5
or CHEM 399 DIRECTED STUDY
or CHEM 499 DIRECTED STUDY
Required Supporting Courses
BIOL 171BIOLOGY I5
BIOL 172BIOLOGY II5
BIOL 173BIOLOGY III5
BIOL 310FUNDAMENTALS OF GENETICS5
BIOL 438MOLECULAR BIOLOGY5
CRIM 300INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM5
MATH/HONS 161CALCULUS I5
MATH 162CALCULUS II5
MATH 163CALCULUS III5
MATH 380ELEMENTARY PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS5
PHYS 151GENERAL PHYSICS I4
PHYS 152GENERAL PHYSICS II4
PHYS 153GENERAL PHYSICS III4
PHYS 161MECHANICS LABORATORY1
PHYS 162HEAT AND OPTICS LABORATORY1
PHYS 163ELECTRONICS LABORATORY I1
Required Senior Capstone
CHEM 491SENIOR THESIS (variable credit–must be taken for 5 credits)5
Total Credits151
Suggested Supporting Courses
BIOL 301MICROBIOLOGY5
CMST 201PUBLIC SPEAKING5
CRIM 304FORENSIC INQUIRY5
POLI 306BASIC CONCEPTS OF CRIMINAL LAW5
TCOM 205INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION5

Catalog Listing

Additional Information

The following are some valuable forensic science sites. Like all things on the internet, links and addresses change frequently so only a select few links are included here. Consider this a gateway to forensic science on the internet!