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College of Science and the Environment

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Forensic Chemistry combines elements of criminal justice and Chemistry

The B.S. in Forensic Chemistry combines elements of criminal justice with a strong chemistry program. The forensic chemist analyzes and interprets materials collected at crime scenes, accidents, and at sites of terrorist activities.

The degree is offered in response to strong student, state and local government demand for an undergraduate academic program to prepare students for careers in forensic chemistry. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 Occupational Outlook Handbook, forensic science technicians will grow much faster than average.

Graduates with a bachelor of science in forensic chemistry work in forensic laboratories for federal, state, or local government agencies or in some cases, work for private investigative laboratories. Some graduates may also go on to pursue a graduate degree.

The LSSU chemistry program has been approved by the American Chemical Society, and may provide a certified degrees in Chemistry if a student chooses this track.  Graduates completing the prescribed requirements are awarded an ACS certificate signifying their completion of the approved degree and can qualify for membership in the Society upon graduation.

Why Study Forensic Chemistry at LSSU?

  • Access to Faculty: The LSSU porensic chemistry Program boasts a low student to faculty ratio.  Class size in the capstone course, forensic chemistry,  is limited to 24 students.  In addition, the course is team taught by faculty with varying areas of specialization.
  • Access to Instrumentation: The field of forensic chemistry exists at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry and instrumental analysis. Thus, it is imperative that graduates have a strong foundation in the operation of instrumentation.  At Lake Superior State University, students are not merely introduced to, but regularly operate instruments such as Q-PCR thermocyclers, ICP-MS, NMR, HPLC, GC-MS and FTIR spectrometers.
  • Research: Students in the Forensic chemistry program have the opportunity to perform a senior research project under the guidance of a faculty member.  Projects are related to the student’s area of focus and culminate in a poster and oral presentation at our University Research Symposium.  Students have also presented their work at national conferences and been published in peer reviewed journals.
  • Internships: Internships are a great opportunity for students to gain experience with methodology, operate instrumentation and acquire job specific skills in your field of study.  On campus internships are available during both the academic year and summer in faculty research projects, the Chemical preparation laboratory and the Superior Analytics Laboratory.
  • Placement: The Forensic Chemistry Program at LSSU has been successful in maintaining a high placement in summer internships, jobs upon graduation, and seats in graduate and professional schools.  For more information see student success stories under the student profile section.
  • Accreditation: The Chemistry Department at LSSU is approved by the American Chemical Society.  As an ACS-approved program, LSSU is charged with holding and maintaining modern instrumentation, offering a rigorous and coherent program, and employing accomplished faculty which will attract top talent entering college.

Facilities

The Departments of Chemistry & Environmental Science maintain a full compliment of modern chemical instruments.  Our undergraduate students and faculty use these instruments both in their laboratory experiences and to support their research. 

See for yourself!

We would enjoy the opportunity to discuss careers in the chemical sciences with you. During a campus visit, be sure to ask to speak with the Environmental Chemistry Department. We would like to show you our excellent facilities and take the time to discuss some of the exciting research projects now underway.

  • Double Beam UV-Visible Spectrophotometer

    Quantification and characterization of organic and inorganic chromophores, trace environmental analysis

    Double Beam UV-Visible Spectrophotometer: Quantification and characterization of organic and inorganic chromophores, trace environmental analysisDouble Beam UV-Visible Spectrophotometer: Quantification and characterization of organic and inorganic chromophores, trace environmental analysis
  • Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS)

    High magnification imaging and elemental composition analysis of vacuum stable samples

    Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS): High magnification imaging and elemental composition analysis of vacuum stable samples
  • Ion Chromatograph with Conductivity Detector (IC)

    Separation and determination of anions in aqueous samples

    Ion Chromatograph with Conductivity Detector (IC): Separation and determination of anions in aqueous samples
  • Soxhlet Extractors

    Extraction of organic compounds from solid sample matrices

    Soxhlet Extractors: Extraction of organic compounds from solid sample matricesSoxhlet Extractors: Extraction of organic compounds from solid sample matrices
  • Portable VIS-NIR Diode Array Spectrophotometer

    Measurement of VIS-NIR (350-1000nm) absorption or emissions using a fiber optic probe. Portability permits easy relocation and application to a variety of experiments

    Portable VIS-NIR Diode Array Spectrophotometer: Measurement of VIS-NIR (350-1000nm) absorption or emissions using a fiber optic probe. Portability permits easy relocation and application to a variety of experiments
  • Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) with Purge and Trap Sample Introduction System

    Trace analysis of volatile and semi-volatile analytes, forensic toxicology, arson investigation, analysis of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants

    Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) with Purge and Trap Sample Introduction System: Trace analysis of volatile and semi-volatile analytes, forensic toxicology, arson investigation, analysis of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants
  • HEPA Filtered DNA Prep Hood

    Contamination free DNA sample preparation

    HEPA Filtered DNA Prep Hood: Contamination free DNA sample preparation
  • Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Fluorescence Spectrophotometer (q-PCR)

    Amplification and quantification of DNA and RNA, quantification of environmental pathogens, rapid detection of DNA

    Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Fluorescence Spectrophotometer (q-PCR): Amplification and quantification of DNA and RNA, quantification of environmental pathogens, rapid detection of DNA
  • Rotary Evaporators (2)

    Removal of excess solvents from samples

    Rotary Evaporators (2): Removal of excess solvents from samples
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) and Class 100 Clean Room

    Trace analysis of heavy metals in environmental samples, elemental analysis of trace evidence

    Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) and Class 100 Clean Room: Trace analysis of heavy metals in environmental samples, elemental analysis of trace evidence
  • Gas Chromatographs with Thermal Conductivity and Flame Ionization Detectors (GC-TCD/FID)

    Separation and quantification of volatile organic mixtures, analysis of accelerants in arson investigations, analysis of inorganic gas mixtures, hydrogen carrier gas method development

    Gas Chromatographs with Thermal Conductivity and Flame Ionization Detectors (GC-TCD/FID): Separation and quantification of volatile organic mixtures, analysis of accelerants in arson investigations, analysis of inorganic gas mixtures, hydrogen carrier gas method development
  • Fourier Transform- Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) with ATR Accessory

    Structural determination and identification of functional groups in organic molecules, identification of unknown organic substances

    Fourier Transform- Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) with ATR Accessory: Structural determination and identification of functional groups in organic molecules, identification of unknown organic substances
  • Graphite Furnace/Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GF/FAAS)

    Major Ion and heavy metal quantification in aqueous samples

    Graphite Furnace/Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GF/FAAS): Major Ion and heavy metal quantification in aqueous samples
  • Class 100 Clean Room

    Contamination free laboratory for sample analysis and manipulation

    Class 100 Clean Room: Contamination free laboratory for sample analysis and manipulation
  • Automated Discrete Colorimeteric Analyzer

    Automated colorimetric determination of ions and nutrients for water quality and soil science applications

    Automated Discrete Colorimeteric Analyzer: Automated colorimetric determination of ions and nutrients for water quality and soil science applications
  • Gas Chromatograph with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID)

    Separation and quantification of volatile organic mixtures, quantification of hydrocarbons in environmental samples, analysis of accelerants in arson investigations

    Gas Chromatograph with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID): Separation and quantification of volatile organic mixtures, quantification of hydrocarbons in environmental samples, analysis of accelerants in arson investigations
  • Polarized Light Microscope with CCD Camera

    Imaging and examination of trace evidence, mineralogy and petrology

    Polarized Light Microscope with CCD Camera (shared with Geology): Imaging and examination of trace evidence, mineralogy and petrology
  • Lyophiliser

    Lyophilisation (freeze-drying) of solid and liquid samples

    Lyophiliser: Lyophilisation (freeze-drying) of solid and liquid samples
  • UV-Visible and Fluorescence Microplate Reader

    Automated biochemical assay of up to 96 samples, screening of environmental contaminants

    UV-Visible and Fluorescence Microplate Reader: Automated biochemical assay of up to 96 samples, screening of environmental contaminants
  • Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS)

    Analysis of volatile and semi-volatile analytes, characterization of organic molecules

    Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS): Analysis of volatile and semi-volatile analytes, characterization of organic molecules
  • Level II Biohazard Facility

    Contamination free manipulation of Level I and II biohazardous materials

    Level II Biohazard Facility: Contamination free manipulation of Level I and II biohazardous materials
  • Microbalance

    Mass determination of sub-milligram samples

    Microbalance: Mass determination of sub-milligram samples
  • Fluorescence Microplate Reader

    Automated biochemical assay of up to 96 samples, screening of environmental contaminants

    Fluorescence Microplate Reader: Automated biochemical assay of up to 96 samples, screening of environmental contaminants
  • Thermocycler for Polymerase Chain Reaction

    Amplification of DNA and RNA for separation by gel electrophoresis

    Thermocycler for Polymerase Chain Reaction: Amplification of DNA and RNA for separation by gel electrophoresis
  • High Capacity Centrifuge

    High capacity refrigerated centrifuge with rotors accommodating up to 250 ml sample volumes

    High Capacity Centrifuge: High capacity refrigerated centrifuge with rotors accommodating up to 250 ml sample volumes
  • Microwave Digester

    Microwave assisted digestion of solid sample matrices

    Microwave Digester: Microwave assisted digestion of solid sample matrices
  • HEPA Filtered Trace Metal Prep Hood

    Contamination free sample preparation for trace metal analysis

    HEPA Filtered Trace Metal Prep Hood: Contamination free sample preparation for trace metal analysis
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR)

    Structural determination of organic moleculesNuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR): Structural determination of organic molecules

    Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR): Structural determination of organic molecules
  • Research Fume Hoods

    Dedicated synthetic space for student/faculty research. Hoods are equipped with Schlenk Lines (vacuum & inert gas, etc.) for preparation and handling of air sensitive molecules

    Research Fume Hoods: Dedicated synthetic space for student/faculty research. Hoods are equipped with Schlenk Lines (vacuum & inert gas, etc.) for preparation and handling of air sensitive molecules
  • Fourier Transform - Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR)

    Structural determination and identification of functional groups in organic molecules, identification of unknown organic substances

    Fourier Transform - Infrared Spectrometer Fourier Transform - Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR): Structural determination and identification of functional groups in organic molecules, identification of unknown organic substances
  • Automated Block Digester

    Thermal decomposition of multiple solid sample matrices

    Automated Block Digester: Thermal decomposition of multiple solid sample matrices
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Degrees

  • B.S.  Forensic Chemistry

$52,840

Annual starting salaries for forensic chemists (Bureau of Labor statistics)

Career Choices

  • Forensic science technician
  • Crime scene investigator
  • Latent print examiner
  • DNA analyst
  • Drug analysis technician
  • Forensic pathologist
  • Medical examiner
  • Forensic laboratory manager
  • Toxicologist
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Senior Projects & Undergraduate Research

Halley Borseth in Forensic Chemistry lab
Biochemistry student Halley Borseth holds bacteria colonies that have been engineered to produce a protein normally found in jellyfish that glows a fluorescent green under black light. This feature provides researchers with a powerful tool that reveals whether certain genes are activated, in this case in a bacteria culture. This project is part of an introductory biochemistry laboratory class that all chemistry majors and many biology majors take while at LSSU. Students learn modern biochemical and molecular biology techniques that can be applied in research and medical careers. Borseth is a junior pre-med student from Ontonagon, Mich., studying biology with a minor in chemistry.

“I graduated from LSSU in 2003 with a B.S. in Chemistry. I had a wonderful experience as an undergraduate student in the chemistry department. The faculty were always very approachable and eager to help me and their other students understand their course material. The small class size of the upper level classes provided a more intimate learning environment which encouraged me to engage more in class discussions and aided in my desire to learn and do well in my classes. It is obvious the faculty are passionate about providing the best learning environment possible and stimulating students to get excited about chemistry. I had exposure to an impressive variety of instrumentation which I though would only be possible at large university. It allowed me to apply the knowledge I gained through my classes and give me a better understanding of how chemistry could be used in a real world situation.

I am currently attending Johns Hopkins University where I received my masters in chemistry in 2005 and am working towards a Ph.D. degree. Initially graduate school was not even a consideration for me until some of the faculty members in the chemistry department at LSSU encouraged me to apply. I am appreciative for all the people in the department who helped me attain a great education while I was there and I thank them for the huge part they played in my academic success.”

Leslie (Machado) BransfieldGraduate Studies, Johns Hopkins University
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