About the Program
Chemistry Department
SAMC 164
(716) 878-5204
chemistry.buffalostate.edu/
Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) accredited.
Forensic chemistry is a program of professional study whose graduates are prepared to assume entry-level positions as forensic scientists in federal, state, local, and corporate laboratories.
Admission Requirements
All incoming students (freshmen and transfer) are admitted directly into the Forensic Chemistry program. However, to progress to any subsequent chemistry coursework within the major (200-, 300-, or 400-level), students must have completed the foundational general chemistry sequence —CHE 111, CHE 112, CHE 113 and CHE 114 (or the equivalents) — with a grade of C or better in each course.
Recommended Transfer Coursework
To ensure a smooth transition and avoid potential delays in graduation, transfer students from two-year colleges are strongly encouraged to complete coursework to the following prior to entering Buffalo State:
CHE 111 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I 3
CHE 112 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II 3
CHE 113 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I 1
CHE 114 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II 1
CHE201 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
CHE202 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3
CHE203 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I 1
CHE204 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1
MAT161 CALCULUS I 4
MAT162 CALCULUS II 4
MAT163 USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE CALCULUS I 1
MAT164 USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE CALCULUS II 1
PHY111 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I 5
PHY112 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II 5
BIO211 INTRODUCTION TO CELL BIOLOGY AND GENETICS 4
Transfer students must complete a minimum of 10 credit hours in chemistry at Buffalo State. Chemistry courses taken elsewhere may be substituted for similar courses at Buffalo State only if they have equivalent prerequisites. Chemistry courses not meeting this criterion may be transferred as elective credit.
Important Note: Individuals seeking an internship or employment in a forensic science laboratory may be required to undergo an extensive background check including a lie detector test, fingerprinting, and drug testing.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. apply foundational principles and practical applications in organic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry to solve practical problems in forensic investigation and chemical analysis.
2. employ the theoretical principles behind modern laboratory instrumentation to collect, analyze, and interpret scientific data.
3. analyze chemical evidence safely and precisely, strictly adhering to quality control protocols and professional documentation standards.
4. apply critical thinking and quantitative reasoning to analyze, evaluate, and draw valid scientific conclusions from experimental data using modern computing tools.
5. communicate scientific findings and forensic data clearly and professionally through proficient written reports and oral presentations.
navigate professional career paths in forensic science, chemical industries, or graduate and professional studies.
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements (33 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Required Courses in Chemistry (33 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Required Chemistry Courses
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
CHE111 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE112 FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE113 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY I | 1 - Credit Hours
CHE114 LABORATORY FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY II | 1 - Credit Hours
CHE201 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE202 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE203 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I | 1 - Credit Hours
CHE204 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II | 1 - Credit Hours
CHE301 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY | 4 - Credit Hours
CHE331 PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE403 INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE404 INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS LAB | 2 - Credit Hours
CHE470 BIOCHEMISTRY I | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE471 BIOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES | 2 - Credit Hours
Required Courses in Forensic Sciences (19 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Forensic Science
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
FOR122 SCIENTIFIC CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ANALYSIS | 3 - Credit Hours
FOR312 CHEMISTRY AND CRIMINALISTICS | 4 - Credit Hours
FOR410 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES IN FORENSIC SCIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
Advanced Forensic Science
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
FOR414 FORENSIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | 3 - Credit Hours
FOR416 CHEMICAL MICROSCOPY | 3 - Credit Hours
OR CHE406 ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
Capstone (Choose one from the following)
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
FOR412 INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINALISTICS | 3 - Credit Hours
FOR475 CAPSTONE RESEARCH IN FORENSIC CHEMISTRY | 3 - Credit Hours
Required Courses in Biology (8 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Biology Courses
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
BIO211 INTRODUCTION TO CELL BIOLOGY AND GENETICS | 4 - Credit Hours
BIO303 GENETICS | 4 - Credit Hours
OR BIO350 GENES IN POPULATIONS | 4 - Credit Hours
Upper Division Elective Courses (3-4 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Select at least 3 credits from the following
Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
ANT324 THE HUMAN SKELETON | 3 - Credit Hours
ANT325 FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
BIO305 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | 4 - Credit Hours
BIO308 SURVEY OF HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
BIO309 LABORATORY SURVEY OF HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY | 1 - Credit Hours
BIO314 ADVANCED CELL BIOLOGY | 4 - Credit Hours
BIO316 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY | 4 - Credit Hours
BIO450 RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY | 4 - Credit Hours
CHE310 LITERATURE OF CHEMISTRY | 1 - Credit Hours
CHE325 PRINCIPLES OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE327 MEDICINAL PLANT CHEMISTRY | 2 - Credit Hours
CHE360 INTRODUCTION TO INORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE406 ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
CHE427 CANNABIS ANALYSIS | 2 - Credit Hours
CHE472 BIOCHEMISTRY II | 3 - Credit Hours
FOR412 INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINALISTICS | 3 - Credit Hours
FOR416 CHEMICAL MICROSCOPY | 3 - Credit Hours
FOR475 CAPSTONE RESEARCH IN FORENSIC CHEMISTRY | 3 - Credit Hours
FOR497 FORENSIC MICROCOURSE | 1 - 3 Credit Hours
GES360 FORENSIC GEOSCIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
PSY375 FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
*Neither CHE 406 nor FOR 416 can be double-counted to satisfy both the Advanced Forensic Science elective and this elective category. For example, a student may use CHE 406 to fulfill the Advanced Forensic Science elective and apply FOR 416 as an elective course in this category."
**Neither FOR 412 nor FOR 475 can be double-counted to satisfy both the Capstone requirement and this elective category. For example, a student may use FOR 412 to fulfill the Capstone requirement and apply FOR 475 as an elective course in this category.
Required Courses Outside the Major (21 credit hours)
Completion requirement
Required Courses
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
MAT161 CALCULUS I | 4 - Credit Hours
MAT162 CALCULUS II | 4 - Credit Hours
MAT311 INTRODUCTORY PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS | 3 - Credit Hours
PHY111 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I | 5 - Credit Hours
PHY112 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II | 5 - Credit Hours
All College Electives (2-3 credit hours)
Completion requirement
120 Total Credit Hours
Completion requirement