Course Sections | Registrar

Forensic Chemistry. The continued popularity of crime scene analysis dramas and literary whodunits reflect society's fascination with criminal investigation. This introductory survey course in chemistry will focus on the theme of forensic science. Designed for non-science concentrators, this class explores the historical and philosophical developments in chemistry, as well as applications of chemical principles to criminalistics in the laboratory setting. Topics include the development of the atomic theory of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, the chemistry of life (organic and biochemistry), and forensic analysis. In addition, the course will explore the role of forensics in law enforcement, data ethics, bias, and issues relating to equity and social justice. Some elementary mathematics will be used. Class meetings are complemented by a required laboratory activity each week. Partially fulfills the College laboratory science requirement, but cannot be combined with CHE-101 or CHE-111 to complete this distribution requirement. This course does not satisfy major or minor requirements for chemistry or those for the biochemistry major. Only one course from CHE-101, CHE-102, or CHE-111 may be counted toward the total number of credits required for graduation.