Students completing the Forensic Science - Biochemistry Track B.S. degree will also meet the requirements for ACS certification. This track is designed to align students with specific courses necessary for the examination of DNA and other biochemical evidence. Students should be advised that background checks similar to those required for law enforcement officers are likely to be a condition of employment (Reference: NIJ Report NCJ 203099).
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
- Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
- Departmental Residency Requirement consists of at least 30 semester hours of regularly scheduled 3000-4000 level courses taken from the UCF Department of Chemistry.
- Co-op credit cannot be used in this major.
- Students should consult with a departmental advisor.
- Students must earn a “C” (2.0) or higher in each course and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in all courses in Common Program Prerequisites, Core Requirements: Basic Level, Core Requirements: Advanced Level, and Restricted Electives.
- All prerequisites of courses taught within the College of Sciences will be enforced.
- Courses designated in Common Program Prerequisites are usually completed in the first 60 hours.
General Education Program (GEP) (39 Credit Hours)
- Certain courses must be selected in the GEP for this major, which brings the GEP hours above 36.
- At least one course completed in each Foundation area must be a designated State General Education Core Course.
Communication Foundations (9 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3 (Required)
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3 (Required)
- SPC 1603C - Fundamentals of Technical Presentations Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
Cultural & Historical Foundations (9 Credit Hours)
Mathematical Foundations (7 Credit Hours)
- Before registering for Math, take Math Placement Test, see: https://www.sdes.ucf.edu/placement-tests/
- MAC 2311C - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Credit Hours: 4 (Required)
- STA 2023 - Statistical Methods I Credit Hours: 3 (Required)
Social Foundations (6 Credit Hours)
Science Foundations (8 Credit Hours)
- Before registering for Chemistry, take Chemistry Placement Test, see: https://www.sdes.ucf.edu/placement-tests/
- BSC 2010C - Biology I Credit Hours: 4 (Required)
- PHY 2048C - General Physics Using Calculus I Credit Hours: 4 (Required)
Common Program Prerequisites (CPP) (24 Credit Hours)
- See Acceptable Substitutes for Transfer Courses for possible substitutes for the courses listed below.
Select one of the following sequences of courses:
- CHM 2040 - Chemistry Fundamentals IA Credit Hours: 3
- and
- CHM 2041 - Chemistry Fundamentals IB Credit Hours: 3
- or
- CHM 2045C - Chemistry Fundamentals I Credit Hours: 4
Take all of the following:
- BSC 2010C - Biology I Credit Hours: 4 (GEP)
- CHM 2046 - Chemistry Fundamentals II Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 2046L - Chemistry Fundamentals Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- CHM 2210 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 2211 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 2211L - Organic Laboratory Techniques I Credit Hours: 2
- MAC 2311C - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Credit Hours: 4 (GEP)
- MAC 2312 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Credit Hours: 4
- PHY 2048C - General Physics Using Calculus I Credit Hours: 4 (GEP)
- PHY 2049C - General Physics Using Calculus II Credit Hours: 4
- STA 2023 - Statistical Methods I Credit Hours: 3 (GEP)
Core Requirements: Basic Level (12 Credit Hours)
- All courses specifically identified in the preceding Common Program Prerequisites section of this catalog are also required in the Basic Core, and must be taken.
Basic Core: Required, satisfies the CPP
- BSC 2010C - Biology I Credit Hours: 4 (GEP/CPP) and
- CHM 2040 - Chemistry Fundamentals IA Credit Hours: 3 (CPP) and
- and
- CHM 2041 - Chemistry Fundamentals IB Credit Hours: 3 (CPP)
- or
- CHM 2045C - Chemistry Fundamentals I Credit Hours: 4 (CPP)
- CHM 2046 - Chemistry Fundamentals II Credit Hours: 3 (CPP) and
- CHM 2046L - Chemistry Fundamentals Laboratory Credit Hours: 1 (CPP) and
- CHM 2210 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3 (CPP)
- CHM 2211 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hours: 3 (CPP)
- CHM 2211L - Organic Laboratory Techniques I Credit Hours: 2 (CPP)
- MAC 2311C - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Credit Hours: 4 (GEP/CPP) and
- MAC 2312 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Credit Hours: 4 (CPP) and
- PHY 2048C - General Physics Using Calculus I Credit Hours: 4 (GEP/CPP) and
- PHY 2049C - General Physics Using Calculus II Credit Hours: 4 (CPP)
- STA 2023 - Statistical Methods I Credit Hours: 3 (GEP/CPP)
Basic Core: Additional Requirements (12 Credit Hours)
- BSC 2011C - Biology II Credit Hours: 4 and
- CHM 3120 - Analytical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3 and
- CHM 3120L - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Credit Hours: 1 and
- PCB 3063 - Genetics Credit Hours: 3 and
- PCB 3063L - Genetics Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
Core Requirements: Advanced Level (47 Credit Hours)
Forensic Science Core: (35 Credit Hours)
- BCH 4053 - Biochemistry I Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 3422 - Applied Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
- CHS 3501 - Introduction to Forensic Science Credit Hours: 3
- CHS 3505C - Forensic Microscopy Credit Hours: 4
- CHS 3511C - Trace Evidence Credit Hours: 4
- CHS 3530C - Forensic Analysis of Controlled Substances Credit Hours: 4
- CHS 3533 - Forensic Biochemistry I Credit Hours: 2
- CHS 3595 - Forensic Science in the Courtroom Credit Hours: 3
- CHS 4515C - Forensic Crime Scene Investigation Credit Hours: 3
- CHS 4537 - Forensic Laboratory Quality Assurance and Professional Practice Credit Hours: 3
- CHS 4591 - Forensic Science Internship Credit Hours: 3
Forensic Biochemistry Track: (12 Credit Hours)
- CHS 3533L - Forensic Biochemistry I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- CHS 4534C - Forensic Biochemistry II Credit Hours: 3
- MCB 3020C - General Microbiology Credit Hours: 5
- PCB 3522 - Molecular Biology I Credit Hours: 3
Restricted Electives (2 Credit Hours)
Note: A minimum of two hours are required but more hours may be taken. Select from the courses listed below or an alternate course as approved by the Forensic Science Program Advisor
- ANT 4521 - Forensic Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
- BCH 4054 - Biochemistry II Credit Hours: 3
- BSC 3403C - Quantitative Biological Methods Credit Hours: 4
- CHM 3215L - Organic Laboratory Techniques II Credit Hours: 2
- CHM 4130 - Advanced Analytical Laboratory Technique Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 4130L - Advanced Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Credit Hours: 2
- CHM 4220 - Organic Chemistry III Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 4223 - Advanced Organic Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 4230 - Applied Molecular Spectroscopy Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 4427 - Electrochemistry Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 4912 - Directed Independent Research Credit Hours: 3
- CHS 4615 - Environmental Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
- CHS 5504 - Topics in Forensic Science Credit Hours: 3
- DSC 4012 - Terrorism Credit Hours: 3
- PCB 3233 - Immunology Credit Hours: 3
- PCB 3233L - Immunology Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- PCB 4524 - Molecular Biology II Credit Hours: 3
- PCB 4684 - Population Genetics Credit Hours: 3
- STA 4163 - Statistical Methods II Credit Hours: 3
- ZOO 3733C - Human Anatomy Credit Hours: 4
- Students may choose one of the following:
- CCJ 3014 - Crime in America Credit Hours: 3
- CCJ 3024 - Criminal Justice System Credit Hours: 3
- CJE 4012 - Criminal Profiling in Criminal Justice Credit Hours: 3
- CJE 4610 - Criminal Investigation Credit Hours: 3
Capstone Requirements
- CHS 4591 Forensic Science Internship is the capstone for the program.
Electives
Foreign Language Requirements
Admissions
- Two years high school, or one year college language (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.
Graduation
Additional Requirements
Required Minors
Departmental Exit Requirements
- Students must earn a “C” (2.0) or higher in each course and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in all courses in Common Program Prerequisites, Core Requirements: Basic Level, Core Requirements: Advanced Level, and Restricted Electives.
- All attempts of courses taken that could meet major requirements are included in the GPA calculation.
- Additional courses that could meet requirements but are taken beyond the minimum required (e.g., additional restricted electives) and a “C” (2.0) or better is earned are also included in both GPA calculations.
University Minimum Exit Requirements
- A 2.0 UCF GPA
- 48 semester hours of upper division credit completed
- 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded
- 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
- A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
- Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 124
Additional Information
Honors In Major
- Application and admissions through The Burnett Honors College and department. More information about Honors in the Major can be found at https://honors.ucf.edu/research/.
Related Programs
- Forensic Science, Chemistry Track (B.S.)
- Chemistry (B.S.)
- Biomedical Sciences (B.S.)
Certificates
Related Minors
- Chemistry Minor
- Biomedical Sciences Minor
Advising Notes
- Students should consult with a departmental advisor.
- Contact your college advisor in the College of Sciences Advising Services (COSAS) office (CSB 250) for more information about overall progress toward your degree, GEP and other university requirements, academic probation, special problems as well as general academic advising.
Transfer Notes
- Lower division courses do not substitute for upper division courses.
- Courses transferred from private and out-of-state schools must be evaluated for equivalency credit. The student must provide all supporting information.
- Submit your requests for course evaluations at https://sciences.ucf.edu/cosas/ and click on “COS Course Evaluation”..
Acceptable Substitutes for Transfer Courses
- CHM 2045C: may use CHM 2040 plus CHM 2041.
- Calculus: Although other math classes satisfy the CPP, the specified courses are required in the major and still must be taken.
- Physics: Although CPP requirements permit substitution by Organic Chemistry, all the specified courses are required for graduation and still must be taken.
Program Academic Learning Compacts
- Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs are located at: http://www.oeas.ucf.edu/alc/academic_learning_compacts.htm
Equipment Fees
- Part-Time Student: $45 per term
- Full-Time Student: $90 per term
Plan of Study
- One of numerous possible plans of study. See program description for all requirements.
- Consult a departmental advisor for alternate, new or more appropriate selections.
- Use your Pegasus Path planning tool in your myUCF portal to plan your courses through to graduation.
- Before registering for Chemistry, take Chemistry Placement Test ~ https://www.sdes.ucf.edu/placement-tests/
- Before registering for Math, take Math Placement Test ~ https://www.sdes.ucf.edu/placement-tests/
- This plan assumes you need to begin with the three semester chemistry sequence and calculus. Having to start at a lower math class will increase the hours taken.
Freshman Year - Fall (14 Credit Hours)
- CHM 2045C - Chemistry Fundamentals I Credit Hours: 4
- CHS 3501 - Introduction to Forensic Science Credit Hours: 3
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3
- MAC 2311C - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I Credit Hours: 4
Freshman Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- BSC 2010C - Biology I Credit Hours: 4
- CHM 2046 - Chemistry Fundamentals II Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 2046L - Chemistry Fundamentals Laboratory Credit Hours: 1 Lab may be taken in a later term if seats are not available.
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3
- MAC 2312 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Credit Hours: 4
Freshman Year - Summer (4 Credit Hours)
- BSC 2011C - Biology II Credit Hours: 4
Sophomore Year - Fall (14 Credit Hours)
- CHM 2210 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3
- PCB 3063 - Genetics Credit Hours: 3
- PCB 3063L - Genetics Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- PHY 2048C - General Physics Using Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
- SPC 1603C - Fundamentals of Technical Presentations Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- CHM 2211 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hours: 3
- MCB 3020C - General Microbiology Credit Hours: 5
- PHY 2049C - General Physics Using Calculus II Credit Hours: 4
- STA 2023 - Statistical Methods I Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Summer (5 Credit Hours)
Lab may be taken in a later term if seats are not available.
- CHM 2211L - Organic Laboratory Techniques I Credit Hours: 2
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Fall (14 Credit Hours)
- BCH 4053 - Biochemistry I Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 3120 - Analytical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
- CHM 3120L - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
- CHS 3505C - Forensic Microscopy Credit Hours: 4
- CHS 3533 - Forensic Biochemistry I Credit Hours: 2
- CHS 3533L - Forensic Biochemistry I Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
Junior Year - Spring (13 Credit Hours)
- CHS 3511C - Trace Evidence Credit Hours: 4
- CHS 3595 - Forensic Science in the Courtroom Credit Hours: 3
- CHS 4534C - Forensic Biochemistry II Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Fall (13 Credit Hours)
- CHM 3422 - Applied Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
- CHS 3530C - Forensic Analysis of Controlled Substances Credit Hours: 4
- CHS 4515C - Forensic Crime Scene Investigation Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Spring (14 Credit Hours)
- CHS 4537 - Forensic Laboratory Quality Assurance and Professional Practice Credit Hours: 3
- PCB 3522 - Molecular Biology I Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective Credit Hours: 2
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
- GEP Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Summer (3 Credit Hours)
- CHS 4591 - Forensic Science Internship Credit Hours: 3
