Chemistry | Bachelor of Science: Criminalistics (Forensic Chemistry)
The Bachelor of Science: Criminalistics program is an interdisciplinary degree housed in the Criminal Justice program, with concentration options available in Chemistry, Biology, or Geosciences.
Program Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education 2 | 34 | |
| Criminalistics Core | ||
| Required Courses | 34 | |
| Directed Choices | 13 | |
| Forensic Chemistry Concentration | 26 | |
| Required Courses | ||
| Open Electives 1 | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Open electives are the credit hours required to reach a minimum of 120 total hours and 45 upper division hours. The number listed assumes all courses are completed at FHSU as listed. This number may vary if students transfer courses, or have individual substitutions allowed. Students should speak with their advisor if either situation applies to determine if the number will vary, and to ensure they enroll in a minimum of 45 upper division hours.
Students entering within 1 year of high school graduation will take UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar and may apply that hour in the open elective category.
- 2
In order to complete the degree program efficiently, students who have not already fulfilled their General Education - Natural & Physical Sciences requirement may wish to take CHEM 120/CHEM 122L, as it is also a major requirement.
Program Requirements
General Education
All undergraduate degrees require completion of the Kansas Systemwide General Education.
Courses identified with GE on this page may satisfy a general education requirement in addition to the identified degree requirement. Students who apply a degree requirement to satisfy a general education requirement will typically add an equal number of hours to the university elective category. This flexibility may allow you to complete a minor or certificate within the 120 hour degree. Transfer students are especially encouraged to select these courses in completing General Education requirements to maximize the likelihood of completing the degree with 120 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34-35 | |
Effective in Fall 2025 the math pathway course identified below is required for this degree.
The General Education Math Pathways course identified for this major is MATH 250 Elements of Statistics . All students pursuing this degree program will be required to complete this course or the corequisite support course. Students who place into a higher level math course may be able to satisfy this requirement; consult with your Academic Advisor for additional information.
Placement measures for MATH 250 Elements of Statistics include:
- Math ACT: 19 or higher OR
- Math SAT: 510 or higher OR
- ALEKS PPL: 30 or higher OR
- Accuplacer QAS: 255 or higher OR
- HS GPA and Course Grade: 3.00 cumulative GPA (unweighted) and C- or higher in Second Semester Algebra 2 or Integrated Math 3 OR
- Institutional Measure
Students who do not meet any of the placement measures listed above will need to register for the corequisite support course: MATH 245 Elements of Statistics with Review
Criminalistics Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CHEM 120 & 120L | University Chemistry I and University Chemistry Laboratory I GE | 5 |
| CHEM 122 & 122L | University Chemistry II and University Chemistry Laboratory II | 5 |
| CHEM 382 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| CRJ 200 | Criminology | 3 |
| CRJ 210 | Introduction to Criminalistics | 3 |
| CRJ 245 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 307 | Administration of Justice Systems | 3 |
| CRJ 331 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRJ 355 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| CRJ 395 | Crime Analysis | 3 |
| Total Hours | 34 | |
Directed Choice
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 304 & 304L | Essentials of Organic Chemistry and Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| or CHEM 340 & 340L | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| CHEM 360 & 360L | Essentials of Biochemistry and Essentials of Biochemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| or CHEM 662 & 662L | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry Laboratory I | |
| CRJ 499 | Capstone Seminar: Critical Issues in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| or CRJ 600 | Internship in Criminal Justice | |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
Forensic Chemistry Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CHEM 342 & 342L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 5 |
| CHEM 350 & 350L | Chemical Analysis and Chemical Analysis Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 656 & 656L | Instrumental Analysis and Advanced Instrumental and Physical Laboratory | 5 |
| CRJ 350 | Drugs and Society | 3 |
| CRJ 390 | Sex Crimes | 3 |
| Directed Choices | ||
| Select on of the following | 5 | |
| Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry and Advanced Physical and Inorganic Laboratory | ||
| Biochemistry II and Biochemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Survey of Physical Chemistry and Survey of Physical Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Total Hours | 26 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All bachelor degrees require: | ||
| GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set) | ||
| A minimum of 30 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A | ||
| Successful completion of an upper division Writing and Information Literacy course (Most majors contain a course designated) | ||
| A minimum of 45 hours of recognized upper division credit | ||
| A minimum of 120 hours of recognized college credit | ||
Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.
To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. Open electives indicate the student is free to choose courses from any subject, but students should discuss with their advisor how many of these hours must be upper division. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.
The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.