The information below is offered by the Department. Official program requirements and course descriptions, above, are the most recent available.

Of special interest to many Public Justice majors is 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 may be obtained by contacting Larry Fuller, Forensic Science minor advisor, 321A Snygg Hall, ([315] 312-3048 or the Forensic Science Minor web site or by e-mail: fuller@oswego.edu) or the Public Justice Department, 446 Mahar Hall ([315] 312-4121).

Forensic Science Minor - 19 sh
CHE* 101 Survey of Chemistry            
CHE** 101L Chemistry Lab                 
CHE 305 Criminalistic Chemistry          
CHE 405 Forensic Science                   
PBJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
PBJ 201 Survey of American Law         
PBJ 365 Intro to Criminal Law              
* = Prerequisite for CHE 305
** = Prerequisite for CHE 405

Please Note: This minor is mainly intended for Public Justice students with an interest in criminal investigation. There are also graduate programs that specialize in this area. If you wish to work as a chemist or technician in a crime laboratory, you need a much more extensive background in chemistry, including courses in organic and analytical chemistry. If this is what you are looking for, you should contact Professor Fuller for advice about taking the appropriate courses in chemistry and biology.