Program Overview

Forensic Science Chemistry Degree

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a Forensic Science concentration at the University of North Texas prepares students for careers in crime laboratories, where they can use deep knowledge of chemistry to uncover evidence. Students can also prepare for medical school, to pursue careers as medical examiners. Students earn a Certificate in Forensic Science as part of the program.

Program Details

• Program Type: Major
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 4 years
• Credit Hours: 120

Program Description

UNT's BS in Chemistry with a Forensic Science concentration provides a strong foundation in chemistry and cutting-edge forensic techniques. The program prepares students for careers in crime laboratories, where they can use deep knowledge of chemistry to uncover evidence. Students can also prepare for medical school, to pursue careers as medical examiners.

Requirements

• Certificate in Forensic Science: Earned as part of the program
• Forensic Science Assessment Test: Must be successfully completed

Marketable Skills

• Operation of modern spectrometric instrumentation
• Operation of modern chromatographic instrumentation
• Application of appropriate statistical methods
• Safe handling of stable compounds
• Laboratory notebook keeping

Program Highlights

• Many opportunities for undergraduate research
• Faculty members with national and international recognition for their scholarship
• Forensic science program certified by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
• Use of cutting-edge equipment featured in the nation's top crime labs
• Facilities include a new criminalistics lab focusing on fingerprint, ballistic, and laser analysis
• Chemistry program recognized for its excellence in education, earning accreditation from the American Chemical Society

Career Outlook

Forensic scientists work in crime laboratories as forensic chemists and biologists. Their jobs may include:

• Applying principles and techniques of the physical and natural sciences to the analysis of the many types of evidence that may be recovered during a criminal investigation
• Providing expert court testimony
• Participating in training law enforcement personnel in the proper recognition, collection, and preservation of physical evidence

Other specialized forensic science careers outside the crime laboratory include:

• Forensic pathology
• Forensic anthropology
• Forensic entomology
• Forensic psychiatry
• Forensic odontology
• Forensic engineering

Courses

• Forensic Chemistry: Analytical chemistry applied to forensic science
• Biochemistry I: Chemistry and biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and proteins, and nucleic acids
• Instrumental Analysis: Principles and theory of chemical analysis utilizing absorption spectroscopy, nuclear and electron spin resonance, mass spectrometry, chromatography, polarography, and other advanced instrumental techniques
• Forensic Science Analysis: Comprehensive understanding of today's crime laboratories and investigative techniques used in the proper collection, preservation, and analysis of evidence
• Biomedical Criminalistics: Survey of the various forensic sciences with emphasis on direct examination of human remains and directly related biological evidence
• Principles of Forensic Science: Reinforces knowledge of forensic techniques and skills critical to evidence preservation and collection, and provides an understanding of professional ethics in forensic science and courtroom techniques

Department and College

• Department of Chemistry
• College of Science