The forensic science option prepares students for entry-level positions in local, state, and federal forensic science labs. Competitive internships at regional forensic labs are integrated into the curriculum along with research and independent study. Student must complete 46 hours of specified core courses with a combined average GPA in these classes of 3.0 or better before they are eligible to declare the major. The chemistry core is supplemented with courses in biology, forensic science, criminalistics, and math. For all internships with law enforcement agencies, students will be required to pass a thorough background check. It is assumed that the student will enter the program ready to take MATH 161. To finish in 4 years, a student must take an average of more than 15 credits per quarter.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS BS = 180 minimum to graduate EWU

Option: Forensics (151 credits)
Required Courses: 86 credits
CHEM 140 Criminalistics & Forensic Chemistry* (5)
CHEM 151 General Chemistry* (5)
CHEM 152 General Chemistry* (5)
CHEM 153 General Chemistry* (5)
CHEM 304 Quantitative Analysis* (6)
CHEM 319 Modern Inorganic Chemistry (5)
CHEM 351 Organic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 352 Organic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 353 Organic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 372 Organic Chemistry Lab I (3)
CHEM 373 Organic Chemistry Lab II (3)
CHEM 420 Instrumental Analysis (5)
CHEM 421 Physical Chemistry (4)
CHEM 422 Physical Chemistry (3)
CHEM 431 Physical Chemistry Lab (1)
CHEM 445 Topics in Forensic Science (5)
CHEM 450 Advanced Forensic Chemistry (5)
CHEM 480 Biochemistry (5)
CHEM 399 or 495 or 499 Internship &/or research (5)
CHEM 491 Senior Thesis (5)** Research on forensic project
Required Supporting Courses: 65 credits
BIOL 171 Biology I* (4)
BIOL 172 Biology II* (4)
BIOL 173 Biology III(4)
BIOL 270 Biological Investigation* (3)
BIOL 301 Microbiology (5)
BIOL 310 Fundamentals of Genetics (5)
BIOL 438 Molecular Biology (5)
CRIM 300 Introduction to Criminal Justice (5)
MATH 161 Calculus I* (5)
MATH 162 Calculus II (5)
MATH 380 Elementary Probability & Statistics (5)
Physics courses with labs (select one complete series)*: 15 credits
PHYS 131 Intro to Physics I(4)
PHYS 132 Intro to Physics II(4)
PHYS 133 Intro to Physics III(4)
or
PHYS 151 General Physics I(4)
PHYS 152 General Physics II(4)
PHYS 153 General Physics III (4)
PHYS 161 Mechanics Laboratory (1)
PHYS 162 Heat and Optics Laboratory (1)
PHYS 163 Instrumentation Laboratory (1)
Suggested Electives select one from:
CMST 210 Public Speaking (5)
CRIM 304 Forensic Inquiry (5)
ENGL 205 Introduction to Technical Writing (5)
GOVT 306 Basic Concepts of Criminal Law (5)

*Must be completed before the student can apply for an internship; combined average GPA of 3.0 or better in these classes is required.

**Students are required to do research on a forensic project and to take CHEM 491 for 5 credits

Total required credits: 86
Minimum total required supporting credits: 65
Minimum total credits for the above Major: 151
Suggested Supporting Credits: 5

View Four Year Sample Schedule for this option.

Revised 12/15/08