BS Forensic Chemistry

At the scene: a partial footprint, a small bloodstain, a few blue threads. What may seem random to many is valuable evidence for forensic chemists to examine and analyze for crime-solving clues. The forensics lab is a vital resource for agencies including the FBI, federal, state and local police departments, medical examiner’s offices, and on plenty of television shows from CSI to NCIS.

At Marshall University in Huntington, WV, you can begin building your career in this unique field of science with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Forensic Chemistry.

Forensic Chemistry is an excellent major for detail-oriented science students who also have an interest in law enforcement. Forensic Chemistry majors frequently go on to work in state crime labs and other agencies. In addition, students who choose professions like law also benefit from a technical background in a specialized field like Forensic Chemistry.

The Forensic Chemistry major is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in the field of forensics. The Bachelor of Science degree program, offered by an excellent faculty in the Department of Chemistry, also ensures that Forensic Chemistry majors receive a sound foundation in science by:

Marshall’s Department of Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Marshall has been recertified by ACS through 2026. The department has been continuously certified since 1963.

Studying Forensic Chemistry at Marshall means not only learning what others have discovered in the field of Chemistry, but also creating new knowledge. To enable this, the Department of Chemistry has an active undergraduate research program for Forensic Chemistry majors.

Forensic Chemistry majors learn in small classes and can study state-of-the-art science by joining a small research group as early as their first semester. Engaging in research enables students in the bachelor’s in Forensic Chemistry degree program to exercise and expand their innate creativity while strengthening their laboratory skills and problem-solving abilities. This experience also helps to prepare students for lifelong success.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of forensic science technicians, which includes forensic chemists and forensic biologists, is projected to grow 14 percent through 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The ACS reports that job prospects are positive, given an increasing application of forensic science techniques to examine, solve and prevent crime. This includes greater use of DNA analysis, which is creating more jobs.

Most forensic chemists spend their career working at a federal, state or county lab associated with the medical examiner’s office, says ACS. Other career opportunities are available in the fields of forensic science, academia or administration. Chemists can also move up within an organization to a position as the director of a crime lab, supervising other forensic scientists rather than being involved in day-to-day analysis. A director is also responsible for case review and general lab management.
Major employers. State and local governments are expected to hire additional forensic science technicians to process their high caseloads. Additionally, scientific and technological advances are expected to increase the availability, reliability and usefulness of objective forensic information used as evidence in trials. As a result, forensic science technicians and forensic chemists will be even more necessary to provide timely forensics information to law enforcement agencies and courts.

The BLS reports the median annual wage for forensic science technicians, including forensic chemists, was $60,590 in May 2020; salaries overall can range from $36,630 to a high of $100,910.

The Department of Chemistry reports that over the past five years, 80 percent of Marshall students in bachelor’s degree programs in chemistry have gone on to advanced degree programs in a range of fields, including medicine and chemistry.

Marshall University also offers a nationally ranked Master of Science (MS) in Forensic Science, giving students the opportunity to learn in accredited (ISO 17025) forensic testing and DNA data basing labs.

The capstone graduation requirement for Forensic Chemistry majors is either a research project or internship. Nearly all students select a research project (80 of 86 for the past 3 years). Of those, the large majority engages in research with a chemistry faculty member, but Marshall also allows students to work on chemistry-based projects in the Departments of Biological Sciences, Pharmacy, and Forensic Science, and with faculty in the Biomedical Sciences program at Marshall’s medical school. Research with chemistry faculty includes the study of biofuels, the surface science of synthetic DNA, diabetes research, microfluidics as applied to drug delivery devices, and electrically responsive surfaces, among the many types of projects.

Forensic Chemistry majors may engage in work in an industrial setting where they can put their chemical training into practice, typically working as a laboratory technician. Students find a placement and the department evaluates it for appropriateness. Guidelines are provided to students so they can choose an acceptable placement. Internships are helpful for Forensic Chemistry majors planning to find employment immediately following graduation.

Chemical instrumentation has become an essential component of both teaching and research in modern chemistry. Marshall is among the few medium-sized universities nationwide that offer the extensive collection of state-of-the-art chemical instrumentation used by the Marshall Chemistry department.