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Bachelor of Science - Columbus State University

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Academics

Bachelor of Science

Program Description

This B.S. in Forensic Chemistry is designed for students interested in working in a forensics laboratory or pursuing graduate studies in forensics. In addition to the general degree requirements, the track requires satisfactory completion of courses in chemistry, criminal justice, mathematics, and physics. These provide a broad foundation in the field and permit flexibility for evolving and changing student interests. In addition to the core chemistry courses, the Forensic Chemistry track consists of a broad range of upper-level elective courses to expose students to modern techniques in chemistry and chemical forensics and help them expand their college experience. The curriculum emphasizes evidence collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of physical evidence.

Career Opportunities

Students majoring in chemistry may pursue careers as teachers, entry level chemist, and medicine.

Admission Requirements

There are no program specific admission requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge of the diverse areas of chemistry, both theoretical and practical
  • communicate the rapidly changing field of chemical knowledge effectively
  • estimate and interpret chemical information in the context of the day-to-day events
  • demonstrate skills in quantitative and qualitative problem-solving related to the chemical sciences
  • demonstrate knowledge of chemical instrumentation and its theoretical basis, including the operation of microprocessor controlled instruments
  • integrate the usage of information technology in chemistry
  • think independently and apply chemical knowledge to real-world problems
  • demonstrate knowledge of safety methodologies used in the chemical laboratory
  • enter into employment in the chemical industry or into graduate or professional schools

Additional Program Requirements

There are no program specific academic regulations.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
MATH 1113

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4
COMM 1110
Select one of the following courses:

ITDS 2726
ITDS 2727
ITDS 2735
ITDS 2746
ITDS 2748
ITDS 2749
ITDS 2755

OR
Select one of the following courses:

EURO 2105
INTS 2105
LEAD 1705
LIBR 1105
POLS 2401
HIST 1111
HIST 1112

Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the two extra hours may be used as electives.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

ENGL 2111
ENGL 2112
ITDS 1145*
ITDS 1155
ITDS 2125
PHIL 2010

Select one of the following fine arts courses:

ARTH 1100
ITDS 1145*
MUSC 1100
THEA 1100
ARTH 2125
ARTH 2126

*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 11
Take the following courses:
MATH 1131 Calculus w/Analytical Geom 1 (one hour to Area H)

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

ECON 2105
ECON 2106
PHIL 2030
PSYC 1101
SOCI 1101

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

ANTH 1105
ANTH 1107
ANTH 2105
ANTH 2136
ENGL 2136
GEOG 1101
HIST 1111
HIST 1112
INTS 2105
ITDS 1156

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3 

PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
Students must have a C or better in the courses used to satisfy the major.

CHEM 2115 Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 2315 Quantitative Analysis Lab
MATH 1132 Calculus with Analytical Geometry 2
PHYS 2211 Principles of Physics 1
PHYS 2212 Principles of Physics 2
PHYS 2311 Principles of Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 2312 Principles of Physics 2 Lab
STAT 1401 Elementary Statistics

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 42
Students must have a C or better in the courses used to satisfy the major.

CHEM 3111 Organic Chemistry 1
CHEM 3112 Organic Chemistry 2
CHEM 3135 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 3141 Biochemistry 1
CHEM 3142 Biochemistry 2
CHEM 3311 Organic Chemistry 1 Lab
CHEM 3312 Organic Chemistry 2 Lab
CHEM 3335 Inorganic Chemistry Lab
CHEM 3345 Biochemistry 1 Lab
CHEM 3346 Biochemistry 2 Lab
CHEM 4115 Foundations of Physical Chemistry
CHEM 4175 Instrumental Analysis
CHEM 4181 Forensic Chemistry 1
CHEM 4315 Foundations of Physical Chemistry lab
CHEM 4375 Instrumental Analysis Lab
CHEM 4381L Forensic Chemistry 1 Lab
CRJU 1105 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJU 3167 Forensic Evidence
CRJU 4178 Forensic Criminal Justice

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 18
Students must have a C or better in the courses used to satisfy the major.
CHEM 1715 Introductory Chemistry Seminar
MATH 1131 (one hour from Area D)
MATH 1132 (one hour from Area F)
Select 15 credit hours from the following, at least 12 hours must be in chemistry:

CHEM 3555 Selected Topics in Chemistry
CHEM 3698 Internship (may be taken for a maximum of 4 hours of credit towards satisfying major)
CHEM 4112 Physical Chemistry 2
CHEM 4312 Physical Chemistry 2 Lab
CHEM 4182 Forensic Chemistry 2
CHEM 4382L Forensic Chemistry 2 Lab
CHEM 4899 Supervised Undergraduate Research (Department chair approval required, may be taken for a maximum of 4 hours of credit towards satisfying major)
CHEM 5105 Polymer Chemistry
CHEM 5110 Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHEM 5115 Spectroscopic Ident of Org Comp
CHEM 5116 Catalysis
CHEM 5555 Selected Topics in Chemistry (may be repeated for credit with different course topic)

Additional courses in astronomy, biology, computer science, geology, mathematics, or engineering may be selected as approved by advisor and department chair.

Total Hours Required 123

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