The minor in Forensic Science, developed jointly by the Chemistry and Public Justice Departments. The program is designed to strengthen the student's scientific background while, at the same time, giving expertise in the application of science to law. The program consists of 10 semester hours of chemistry, including two specialized chemistry courses (CHE 305 and CHE 405) and 9 semester hours of Public Justice courses.
Chemistry 305, Criminalistic Chemistry, is a course designed to survey the various techniques used in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence arising from a crime or suspicious incident. Criminalistic Chemistry has a prerequisite of 3 semester hours of college chemistry. It is strongly recommended that any Public Justice student interested in Criminalistic Chemistry take the General Education science course Chemistry 101, Survey of Chemistry, or its equivalent, to fulfill the prerequisite.
The second course, Chemistry 405, Forensic Science, is an in-depth study of the methods and techniques used in the analysis of physical evidence in the crime lab. The course will give students the opportunity to actually analyze physical evidence in the crime laboratory. The prerequisites for Forensic Science are CHE 305 and one semester hour of chemistry lab (CHE 101L is recommended).
Further information regarding the Forensic Science minor and its requirements may be obtained by contacting Sue Haddadi, Forensic Science minor advisor, 233 Shineman Center, (315.312.6589 or by email: shokouh.haddadi@oswego.edu)