New major at URI to combine chemistry and forensic science

The University of Rhode Island has established a forensic-chemistry major that puts a strong emphasis on chemistry coursework.
The 130-credit major, initially offered this past fall, is the only forensic-chemistry program in New England with a bachelor of science degree accredited by the American Chemical Society.
The nearest forensic-chemistry programs are offered at Western New England College in Springfield, Mass., State University of New York at Albany and the College of New Jersey.
URI’s program, however, is different because it is a core chemistry major first and a forensic program second, according to Bill Euler, URI chemistry professor and department chair.
The new program has been designed so a student can take a different chemistry-related career path other than forensics, if they chose.
Euler said the major grew out of the URI Forensic Science Partnership, which was established in April 1999 to link the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory at URI with academic disciplines involved in forensics at the university — chemistry, engineering, textiles, computer science and the social sciences.