Additional Information about the BS Degree in Chemistry with the Forensic Science option.
Overview
The forensic science option is a combination of
courses that are taken in conjunction with a larger set of core courses
in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. This combination leads to a
B.S. degree in chemistry. The final course transcript will specify that
the student has earned the forensic science option.
The courses selected for the forensic science option are based on
general course recommendations by directors and forensic scientists at
state crime laboratories or faculty at institutions offering graduate
degrees in forensic science or chemistry. Chemistry and other majors
such as biochemistry and microbiology are normally regarded as
providing a good foundation for working in crime labs and further
training beyond the B.S. is normal. This further education may be
formal education in a graduate school or "on the job" training in a
crime lab. OSU does not offer courses in forensic chemistry, but the
curriculum provides a strong analytical chemistry background and
exposure to many of the techniques and instruments used in crime labs.
The OSU forensic science option allows a chemistry
major to gain more experience in biology and biochemistry, as for premed and
biochemistry options, and also allows the student to select some electives
including toxicology,
microbiology, environmental forensic chemistry, and statistics. This
option also includes three advanced courses in analytical chemistry as is
required for the advanced chemistry and environmental chemistry options. We believe
that the combination of courses in the option will make a strong chemistry major at OSU
more competitive for positions in crime labs or for continuing their
education in forensic chemistry at a graduate school.
Students with the forensic science option are also well
prepared careers not directly involving forensic science. Possible areas include other types of laboratories
such as biotechnology, medical, or environmental or for pursuing graduate
degrees in chemistry and related areas where a stronger biological and
analytical background is advantageous.
Students entering the option program should be aware that obtaining positions in
the forensic science area is very competitive. Many many applicants apply for
one position. Employers will choose only the top students. Within Oregon there
are less than 100 positions in state crime labs, and at most typically one or
two positions open a year. The OSU BS chemistry degree with any option provides
a strong science background credential that is suitable for pursuing many
chemistry related professions or graduate degrees.
Details
Also see policies
1. CH 463 is the recommended WIC course but CH 462 is the recommended alternative and also a recommended extra lab course.
2. Both chemistry and biochemistry advanced laboratories are scheduled on TU/TH so students need to plan carefully if they choose biochemistry as an elective.
3. CH 411 and CH 412 are a sequence so that CH 411 is the specified inorganic chemistry course.
4. DHE 250 is now the accepted elective in textiles.
5. BI 315 has not been taught for several years so that BB 494 is the only option to fulfill the requirement of a lab with some molecular biology.
6. BI 211 is not specifically required by chemistry or part of the total option credits, but now is required by Biology as an enforced prerequisite for BI 314 as of Spring 07. BI 211, 212, & 213 can be taken in any order.
Elective courses
| COURSE NUMBER | TYPE OF COURSE | COMMENTS | Enforced pre-requisite |
| BB 452 or BB 492 | biochemistry - 3rd term | BB 452 has been dropped as a course as of F07 | |
| BI 311 | genetics | BI 314 | |
| CH 401 | research | three credits maximum toward option | |
| CH 410 | internship | student makes own arrangements to work voluntarily at a crime lab, see internships | |
| CH 424 | bioanalytical chemistry | not taught often | |
| CH 467 | molecular spectroscopy | not taught for many years | |
| CH 661 | separations, chromatography and related methods | ||
| CH 676 | neutron activation | ||
| CH 697 | mass spectrometry | ||
| DHE 250 | textiles | not taught every year | |
| MB 302, 303 | microbiology lecture and lab | BI 314 | |
| ST 201 & 211 | statistics | ||
| ST 351 | statistics | ||
| TOX 490 | Environmental Forensic Chemistry | ||
| Z 331 | human anatomy | ||
| Z 341 | human anatomy lab |
Other suggested experience: guns such as a safety course, photography (Art 261, 262, 263 or Bi 434 (Field Photography)), microscopy, DNA course, in biochemistry there is a summer molecular biology workshop and under science connection (Ahern) there is some DNA fingerprinting work, Corvallis offers a Citizens Academy called "Cops and Robbers 101". It is a 10-week workshop, 3 hr/week, optional 1 cr through LBCC. Overview of what Corvallis police do; includes learning to: drive police car, shoot guns, fingerprint, etc. See the web page at: www.ci.corvallis.or.us/police
last updated 07/06/2009