Forensic Chemistry

Faculty

David E. Marx, Ph.D., Chair
Christopher A. Baumann, Ph.D.
Michael C. Cann, Ph.D.
John C. Deak, Ph.D.
Trudy A. Dickneider, Ph.D.
Timothy Daniel Foley, Ph.D.
David A. Rusak, Ph.D.
Jennifer A. Tripp, Ph.D.
Joe A. Vinson, Ph.D.
Joan Wasilewski, Ph.D.

Overview

In recent years, public and academic interest in forensic science opportunities has soared. Demand for those trained in forensic science is increasing, and educational programs are growing. In response to this growth, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) – the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice – initiated the Technical Working Group on Education and Training in Forensic Science (TWGED) to recommend best practices for forensic science education. Their report, released in June 2004, comments on and is evidence of the growing demand for training in forensic science.

The Forensic Chemistry program at The University of Scranton has been designed according to recommendations made by the NIJ. Specifically, the curriculum includes courses in all traditional areas of chemistry in addition to forensic chemistry lecture and lab. The curriculum is consistent with the requirements of FEPAC, the Forensic Education Program Accreditation Committee, and students completing the program receive a minor in Criminal Justice.

Forensic chemists are employed in federal, state, and county crime labs, private labs and research facilities. Students are also prepared to continue in graduate work and forensic specializations such as wildlife forensics, forensic pathology, and forensic anthropology.

Forensic Chemistry Curriculum
Dept. and No.				Descriptive Title of Course	Credits
				FIRST YEAR	FALL	SPRING
MAJOR		CHEM 112-113		General Analytical Chem. I-II	4.5	4.5
COGNATE		CJ 110–S/CJ 213		Intro to Crim. Just.–Criminology	3	3
COGNATE		BIOL 141–142		General Biology I–II	4.5	4.5
GE C/IL		C/IL 102		Computing and Information Literacy		3
GE WRTG-SPCH		WRTG 107–COMM 100		Composition–Public Speaking	3	3
GE FSEM		INTD 100		Freshman Seminar	1
					16	18
				SECOND YEAR
MAJOR		CHEM 232–233		Organic Chemistry I–II	4.5	4.5
COGNATE		SOC 110		Intro to Sociology	3
COGNATE		S/CJ 237		Investigative Process		3
COGNATE		PHYS 120–121		General Physics I–II	4	4
COGNATE		MATH 114		Analysis I	4
GE PHIL		PHIL 120		Intro. to Philosophy		3
GE PHED		PHED ELECT		Physical Education		1
					15.5	15.5
				THIRD YEAR
MAJOR		CHEM 240		Inorganic Chemistry		3
MAJOR		CHEM 350		General Biochemistry	3
MAJOR		CHEM 360 (362)		Bio. P-Chem. I (P-Chem I)	4.5
MAJOR		CHEM 370		Instrumental Analysis		5
MAJOR		CHEM ELECT		Chem. Elective 1		3
COGNATE		S/CJ 310		Criminal Justice Process	3
COGNATE		S/CJ 312		Criminal Law	3
COGNATE		S/CJ 316		Principles of Evidence		3
GE T/RS		T/RS 121–122		Theology I–II	3	3
GE PHED		PHED ELECT		Physical Education	1	1
					17.5	18
				FOURTH YEAR
MAJOR		CHEM 470		Forensic Chemistry	5
MAJOR		CHEM ELECT		Chemistry Elective 1	3	3
GE PHIL		PHIL 210		Ethics	3
GE PHIL-T/RS		PHIL-T/RS ELECT		Philosophy or T/RS Elective		3
GE HUMN		HUMN ELECT		Humanities Elective	6	6
GE ELECT		FREE ELECT		Free Elective		3
					17	15
					Total: 132.5 Credits
1 Chemistry electives include CHEM 340: Environmental Chemistry, CHEM 342: Environmental Toxicology, CHEM 344: Environmental Geochemistry, CHEM 351: General Biochemistry II, CHEM 352: Chemical Toxicology, CHEM 361: Biophysical Chemistry II, CHEM 363: Physical Chemistry II, CHEM 440: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry and CHEM 464: Polymer Chemistry.