Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Forensic Chemistry

The Slippery Rock University Chemistry Degree is certified by the American Chemistry Society or ACS. In order to earn ACS certification, students must complete 2 credits of Independent Study and 1 credit of Research in addition to the BS requirements. Students can also choose an option concentration in order to broaden their background in chemistry or to gain additional experience if they wish to pursue other interests.

Concentrations are available in the following areas:

  • Biochemistry
  • Computational Chemistry
  • Education
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Health Sciences

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the main disciplines of chemistry, namely Organic, Analytical, Biological, Physical, and Inorganic chemistry.
  • Students will demonstrate development of technical skills for practical applications of chemistry.
  • Students will present collected experimental data in written and oral reports.
  • Students and faculty will participate in faculty-led research projects. Students are expected to be actively working in the laboratory under the supervision and guidance of a faculty mentor.

Related Links

Chemistry - Forensic Chemistry, BS Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements45
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major Requirements54
Natural Science and Math College Wide Requirement12
Forensic Chemistry Concentration20
ACS Certification – Optional0-3
Electives1

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 225Calculus I4
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal16
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
CHEM 107
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab 2,3
4
Physical Sciences Inquiry
PHYS 216University Physics 1 with Lab 2,34
Subtotal17
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 412
Total Hours45
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take in first major subject

2

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

3

Course can be counted as a Rock Studies 2 Requirement, but earns credit only once toward your 120-credits total.

4

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major/Concentration Requirements

  • 27 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 27 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Required Introductory Chemistry Courses
CHEM 108General Chemistry II 13
CHEM 112General Chemistry II Lab 11
Subtotal4
Required Foundation Chemistry Courses
CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I 13
CHEM 211Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 11
CHEM 301Physical Chemistry 1 13
CHEM 321Physical Chemistry Laboratory I 11
CHEM 335Biochemistry I 13
CHEM 336Biochemistry Laboratory I 11
CHEM 350Analytical Chemistry 13
CHEM 351Analytical Chemistry Lab 11
CHEM 442Inorganic Chemistry 13
CHEM 452Physical Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 11
Subtotal20
Required In-Depth Chemistry Courses
CHEM 202Organic Chemistry II 13
CHEM 212Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 11
CHEM 302Physical Chemistry II 13
CHEM 425Instrumental Analysis 13
CHEM 426Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 11
CHEM 460Materials Chemistry 13
Subtotal14
Additional Required In-Depth Chemistry Courses
Select one lecture and one laboratory course:4
Biochemistry II 1
Biochemistry Laboratory II 1
Air Quality Assessment 1
Water Quality Assessment 1
Forensic Analysis 1
Forensic Analysis Lab 1
Advanced Organic Synthesis 1
Subtotal4
Cognate Courses
BIOL 114Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab 14
PHYS 217University Physics 2 with Lab 14
MATH 230Calculus II 14
Subtotal12
Total Hours54
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirement

CHEM 107General Chemistry I 1,23
CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab 1,21
MATH 225Calculus I 1,24
PHYS 216University Physics 1 with Lab 1,24
Total Hours12
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

2

Course can be counted as a Rock Studies 2 Requirement, but earns credit only once toward your 120-credits total.

Forensic Chemistry Concentration

Required Courses
CHEM 204Introduction to Forensic Science 13
CHEM 415Forensic Analysis 13
CHEM 416Forensic Analysis Lab 11
BIOL 250Genetics with Lab 14
BIOL 370Molecular Biology 13
CRIM 110Introduction to Criminology & Criminal Justice Systems 13
Subtotal17
Electives
Department of Chemistry strongly recommends that the following course be taken:
CRIM 343Criminal Investigations3
Subtotal3
Total Hours20
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

ACS Certification – Optional

CHEM 490Independent Study 12
CHEM 496Research 11
Total Hours3
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes (e.g., Organic Chemistry II Lab)
  2. Student-faculty research
  3. Student leadership development (Chemistry Club)
  4. Career education and development
  5. Internships
  6. Student teaching (serve as Lab Assistants and tutors)
  7. Volunteering

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

CHEMISTRY - BS (6118)
Concentration in Forensic Chemistry (FORE)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revised 07.16.2024
UCC 03.22.2022

Recommended Four-Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
CHEM 107
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
BIOL 114 Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab 4
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
Select one of the following: 3-4
Intermediate Algebra (if necessary)
Precalculus (if necessary)
Calculus I (if necessary)
Calculus II
 Hours15-16
Spring
CHEM 108
CHEM 112
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 204 Introduction to Forensic Science 3
BIOL 250 Genetics with Lab 4
Select one of the following: 4
Precalculus (if necessary)
Calculus I (if necessary)
Calculus II
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
 Hours18
Second Year
Fall
CHEM 201
CHEM 211
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
4
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
PHYS 216 University Physics 1 with Lab 4
Select one of the following: 4
Calculus I (if necessary)
Calculus II
 Hours15
Spring
CHEM 202
CHEM 212
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
4
CRIM 110 Introduction to Criminology & Criminal Justice Systems 3
MATH 230 Calculus II 4
PHYS 217 University Physics 2 with Lab 4
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
 Hours18
Third Year
Fall
Select one of the following: 7-8
In even years, select:
Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry Laboratory I
Inorganic Chemistry
In odd years, select:
Physical Chemistry 1
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Lab
BIOL 370 Molecular Biology 3
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
 Hours16-17
Spring
Select one of the following: 11
In odd years, select:
Inorganic Chemistry
Materials Chemistry
In even years, select:
Physical Chemistry II
Forensic Analysis
and Forensic Analysis Lab
Instrumental Analysis
and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
 Hours17
Fourth Year
Fall
Select one of the following: 7-8
In even years, select:
Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry Laboratory I
Inorganic Chemistry
In odd years, select:
Physical Chemistry 1
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Lab
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
 Hours16-17
Spring
Select one of the following: 10-11
In odd years, select:
Physical Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
Materials Chemistry
In even years, select:
Physical Chemistry II
Forensic Analysis
and Forensic Analysis Lab
Instrumental Analysis
and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
Inquiry/Thread/Elective Course 3
 Hours16-17
 Total Hours**131-135
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject

*

Students are encouraged to takeESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 6118
Concentration Code: FORE
Revised date: 07.10.2023