Chemistry: Forensic Science

The nuts and bolts of the field of forensic science are the messy details of a crime scene.

Emmanuel’s forensic science concentration gives students the ability to apply scientific principles to the resolution of legal issues and continue on to research labs performing forensic analyses. Our faculty provide a comprehensive curriculum for the concentration in forensic science that encompasses chemistry, biology, psychology, social science and the city streets of Boston.

Major Requirements

View the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for B.S. in Chemistry with Concentration in Forensic Science

  • CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I (SI-L)(NSL)AND CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II(SI-L)(NSL) OR CHEM1103 Chemical Perspectives(SI-L)
  • CHEM1117 Forensic Chemistry (SI)(NS)
  • CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM2102 Organic Chemistry II
  • CHEM2104 Analytical Chemistry
  • CHEM2114 Chemistry of Fire and Explosives(SI)
  • CHEM3105 Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics
  • CHEM3106 Physical Chemistry II: Quantum Mechanics
  • CHEM3108 Instrumental Methods of Anaylsis
  • CHEM3115 Introduction to Toxicology
  • CHEM3160 Seminar in Chemistry
  • CHEM4194 Internship in Chemistry
  • MATH1111 Calculus I (QA)(QR)
  • MATH1112 Calculus II (QA)(QR)
  • PHYS2201 General Physics I (calculus based) (SI-L)
  • PHYS2202 General Physics II (calculus based) (SI-L)(NSL)

Major Requirements - ACS

View the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for B.S. in Chemistry with Concentration in Forensic Science - ACS

  • CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I (SI-L)(NSL)AND CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II(SI-L)(NSL) OR CHEM1103 Chemical Perspectives(SI-L)
  • BIOL1105 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology 
  • CHEM1117 Forensic Chemistry (SI) (NS)
  • CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM2102 Organic Chemistry II
  • CHEM2104 Analytical Chemistry
  • CHEM2211 Biochemistry
  • CHEM2114 Chemistry of Fire and Explosives(SI)
  • CHEM3105 Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics
  • CHEM3106 Physical Chemistry II: Quantum Mechanics
  • CHEM3108 Instrumental Methods of Anaylsis
  • CHEM3115 Introduction to Toxicology
  • CHEM3160 Seminar in Chemistry
  • CHEM4194 Internship in Chemistry
  • MATH1111 Calculus I (QA)(QR)
  • MATH1112 Calculus II (QA)(QR)
  • PHYS2201 General Physics I (calculus based) (SI-L)
  • PHYS2202 General Physics II (calculus based) (SI-L)(NSL)

Learning Goals & Outcomes

At the completion of the Chemistry degree the student will be able to:

  • Apply knowledge of the sub-disciplines of chemistry including inorganic, organic, analytical, and physical chemistry.
  • Develop testable chemical hypotheses, design and execute experiments to test the hypotheses, analyze the data, and draw meaningful conclusions.
  • Effectively communicate chemical knowledge and research to general and specialized audiences.
  • Execute chemical literature searches to assess experimental design, results, and conclusions in scientific scholarly articles.
  • Utilize laboratory skills of experimental design, chemical synthesis, purification, data and error analysis, and computational analysis with full regard to safe laboratory practices.
  • Follow a high standard of ethics in regard to the scientific method.

Explore Emmanuel

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Eileen Milien '22: A Career-Affirming CURE

When choosing a college, Eileen knew two things for sure—that she would be able to get to know her professors and peers and that she wanted to be in an area in which she would have myriad opportunities in the research and medicine.

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The Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA)

In a city known for innovation in healthcare, opportunities for Emmanuel students are bolstered by our location within the world-renowned Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA). With walking-distance access to cutting-edge scientific and medical institutions, ours is a neighborhood that stands hand-in-hand with the future.

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Jolie Erlacher ’19 Finds Purpose Counseling Those in Need

As early as her second year at Emmanuel College, Jolie Erlacher '19 discovered the power of networking, seeing firsthand how the connections she has made at Emmanuel-and then beyond-have affected the course of her academic and career trajectory, each opportunity opening a door to the next.

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Featured Faculty: Aren Gerdon

Professor Aren Gerdon is the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics and an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Emmanuel College. He leads his own chemistry research group, focusing on biomaterials, and works closely with other research groups across campus. Professor Gerdon is passionate about sharing his deep knowledge of chemistry with his students, guiding them from class work to practical, real-world lab experiments.

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Emmanuel is a place where students broaden their sense of what’s possible and prepare for inspiring careers in an ever-changing world. Be here.