Engaging non-majors beyond introductory chemistry: A liberal arts science course in forensic chemistry

CHED 144

Lon A. Porter Jr., Department of Chemistry, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN 47933
Recently, we have been looking into engaging non-majors beyond the first semester survey of chemistry course at Wabash College. In response, we designed a new forensic chemistry course; open to any undergraduate student, regardless of major, that has completed one semester of introductory chemistry. Interdisciplinary topics, such as forensic chemistry, provide an excellent way of learning to look at the opportunities that arise when various fields of science connect. Students draw upon their fundamental knowledge of chemistry and other disciplines to gain insight into the collection, handling, and analysis of evidence. The course spotlighted case studies, analytical experiments, and the presentation of data.