Academic Catalog 2025-2026 Edition

Forensic Science (B.S.)

College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Chemistry and Physics

Website: https://www.fgcu.edu/cas/departments/cphy/forensicscibs/

(239) 590-7196

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Forensic Science covers the areas of forensic chemistry, biochemistry, and criminal justice.  This rigorous science degree prepares graduates for positions such as criminalists in crime laboratories, research assistants in grant funded university research, and for entry into graduate programs in forensic science and medical schools.  Coursework integrates chemistry with forensic science and criminal justice including forensic chemistry, forensic biochemistry and forensic anthropology. The program provides opportunities for undergraduate research and internships at the University or at crime laboratories.

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

For timely degree completion, students must complete all program milestones. The following actions occur when milestone are missed: first occurrence—warning and advising hold; second occurrence—advising hold and counseling regarding progression requirements; and third occurrence—counseling and change to a major outside of the Department of Chemistry and Physics or Department of Biological Sciences that is more appropriate to student goals and academic performance. Appeals are handled through the relevant department. The decision of the appeal committee is final. Program milestones include the following:

  • CHM 1045 General Chemistry I/CHM 1045L General Chemistry I Laboratory (or CHM 1045C ) minimum grade of C completed one calendar year from admission as FTIC or 30 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
  • CHM 1046 General Chemistry II/CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Lab (or CHM 1046C ) minimum grade of C completed by end of fifth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 60 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
  • CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I/CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (or CHM 2210C ) minimum grade of C completed by end of seventh semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 75 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
  • CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II/CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry II Laborator (or CHM 2211C ) minimum grade of C completed by end of eighth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 90 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
  • CHM 3120 Analytical Chemistry/CHM 3120L Analytical Chemistry Lab (or CHM 3120C ) minimum grade of C completed by end of eighth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 90 credits earned, whichever is earlier.

Transfer students may declare the major after they have completed CHM 1045 General Chemistry I/CHM 1045L General Chemistry I Laboratory, CHM 1046 General Chemistry II/CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Lab, and CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I/CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory with grades of C or better in each course. CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II/CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry II Laborator and CHM 3120 Analytical Chemistry/CHM 3120L Analytical Chemistry Lab must be completed with a grade of C or better within three semesters (including summer) of declaring the major.

In addition to the program requirements, students must:

  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
  • Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
  • Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
  • Satisfy the Service-Learning requirement.
  • Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
  • Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
  • Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
  • Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.