Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Academic Programs

• Chemistry Major for ACS Certified B.S.  
• Chemistry Major, B.A.  
• Chemistry Major, B.S.  
• Biochemistry Major, B.S.  
• Chemistry Minor  
• Criminalistics Concentration  
• Criminalistics Minor  

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers several degree programs: the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry; the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with American Chemical Society (ACS) Certification; the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry; the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a Criminalistics Concentration; and the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. In addition, the department offers minors in chemistry and criminalistics. Students who plan to pursue a career in chemistry / biochemistry after graduation or plan to attend graduate school in chemistry / biochemistry should choose the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (with or without ACS Certification) or Biochemistry degree programs. The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry program is designed for students who plan a career in a field related to chemistry, but who do not intend to attend graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry. The Bachelor of Arts option, which requires fewer hours, may be especially attractive to those desiring a second major or secondary education licensure.

Criminalistics is the scientific investigation, identification, and comparison of physical evidence for criminal or civil court proceedings. Criminalists must be trained in many disciplines including chemistry, biology, law enforcement, physics, and mathematics. The four-year criminalistics curriculum leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and includes a half-time internship in a criminalistics laboratory during the senior year. Students in the criminalistics program are encouraged to complete all the requirements for a degree in chemistry approved by the American Chemical Society while completing the criminalistics degree program. Graduates of the program are prepared for employment in criminalistics and have completed the requirements for admission to graduate school in chemistry or criminalistics, medical school, dental school, or law school.

For further information about the criminalistics programs, students should contact the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Students seeking secondary education licensure in science should see an advisor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, as well as in the teacher education program.