Forensic BA

The BA degree with a Concentration in Forensics provides the basic training for an entry-level position in the field of laboratory-based chemical forensics.  Today a forensic scientist must have a solid background in Chemistry with additional coursework in Criminal Justice and Biological Sciences.

Requirements - Bachelor of Arts Degree
Units required for Major: 64 -77
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
A minimum grade of ''C-'' is required in all courses applied to the Chemistry major. Grades below "C-" in prerequisite courses do not satisfy prerequisite requirements. 
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites. 
A. Core Requirements (39-43 units)

(5) CHEM 1A* General Chemistry I (High school chemistry and college algebra; sufficient performance on the college algebra diagnostic test, or equivalent)
(5) CHEM 1B General Chemistry II (CHEM 1A with a passing grade of "C" or better)
(3) CHEM 24 Organic Chemistry Lecture I (CHEM 1B)
(3) CHEM 25 Organic Chemistry Lab (CHEM 24, CHEM 124; CHEM 124 may be taken concurrently)
(4) CHEM 31 Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 1B)
(3) CHEM 124 Organic Chemistry Lecture II (CHEM 24, or instructor permission; concurrent enrollment in CHEM 25 recommended)
(4) MATH 30 Calculus I (MATH 29 or four years of high school mathematics which includes two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and one year of mathematical analysis; completion of ELM requirement and Pre-Calculus diagnostic test)
(4) MATH 31 Calculus II (MATH 30 or appropriate high school based AP credit)
(8-12) PHYS 5A General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound (Recently completed three years of high school algebra and geometry; and a college course in algebra and trigonometry; MATH 9 recommended for those having an inadequate mathematics background AND
PHYS 5B General Physics: Light, Electricity, and Magnetism, Modern Physics (PHYS 5A or instructor permission) OR
PHYS 11A General Physics: Mechanics (MATH 30, MATH 31 or equivalent certificated high school courses; MATH 31 may be taken concurrently) AND
PHYS 11B General Physics: Heat, Light, Sound (MATH 31, PHYS 11A) AND
PHYS 11C General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics (MATH 31, PHYS 11A)

*Passing a placement exam or obtaining a passing grade of "C" or better in CHEM 4 is required to enroll in CHEM 1A. 

Forensic Chemistry Concentration (25-28 units)
(3) CHEM 125 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 25, CHEM 124, ENGL 20 or an equivalent second semester composition course)
(4) CHEM 142 Introduction to Physical Chemistry (CHEM 1B, CHEM 24, PHYS 5A, PHYS 5B, MATH 31) 
(3) CHEM 161 General Biochemistry (CHEM 20 or CHEM 124; one year of biological science is recommended)
(3) CHEM 162 General Biochemistry Laboratory (CHEM 31; CHEM 160A or CHEM 161 either may be taken concurrently, ENGL 20 or an equivalent second semester composition course)
(3) CRJ 1 Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society
(3) CRJ 154 Introduction to Physical Evidence (CRJ 4 and CRJ 102; restricted to declared majors and minors or instructor permission)
(6-9) A minimum of six units from the following:
CHEM 110 Inorganic Chemistry Lecture (CHEM 125, CHEM 140B or CHEM 142 or instructor permission; CHEM 140B may be taken concurrently, however, students are encouraged to complete CHEM 140B and CHEM 141 first; Corequisite: CHEM 110L) AND
CHEM 110L Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 125, ENGL 20 or an equivalent second semester composition course; Corequisite: CHEM 110)
CHEM 133 Chemical Instrumentation (CHEM 31, CHEM 140B or CHEM 142, ENGL 20 or an equivalent second semester composition course)
CHEM 141 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 140A and CHEM 140B or CHEM 142 or instructor permission, ENGL 20 or an equivalent second semester composition course; CHEM 140B may be taken concurrently)
CHEM 164 Advanced Biochemsitry Laboratory (CHEM 162 or equivalent, ENGL 20 or an equivalent second semester composition course)