CHE 1112 - Investigating Forensic Chemistry

Credits: 4
This course introduces students to the chemical concepts used in solving crimes in forensic science. Basic chemical principles presented will include atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, and pH. Following an introduction to the types and reactions of organic functional groups and molecules, the major classes of biomolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) will be reviewed and their importance to crime investigation discussed. Finally, structures of drugs and poisons will be introduced and methods for detection of these compounds will be explored. The course includes mini-labs relating chemistry to real world problems of forensic interest. Instrumentation important in crime scene laboratories will be used by the students,hands-on. This course fulfills a requirement for the minor in Forensic Science but does not satisfy any major requirement in Chemistry, in major in Biochemistry, or in the dual major in Exercise Chemistry.
McDaniel Plan: Scientific Inquiry Embedded Lab