Course Descriptions

College Catalog

Forensic Science Courses

FSCI 101
Survey of Forensic Science
This survey course in Forensic Science will introduce the student to the arenas of Forensic Science, such as forensic chemistry (CDS and instrumental methods of analysis), forensic biology, the expert witness, physical evidence, and the crime scene. This course is designed for science majors who intend to pursue further study in forensic science. Spring semester. Three credits. (15 Nov 2006)

FSCI 400
Senior Forensic Science Seminar
pending AAC approval

FSCI 500
Survey of Forensic Science
A survey course in forensic science that introduces the scientific basis for solving crimes. The various chemical analyses and instrumentation utilized will be introduced. Basic principles of biology and chemistry are presented and explored in the context of forensic investigation. Topics include drugs and toxicology, arson explosives, forensic biology (DNA), trace evidence analysis, firearms and toolmark identification, and questioned document examination. Background checks and other requirements of forensic scientists are discussed. (3 hours lecture per week for 3 credits) (19 Oct 2005)

FSCI 610
Physical Evidence & Crime Scene Investigation
This course introduces the student to the types of physical evidence, how it is left at a crime scene, and how to properly collect and preserve the evidence. Students also learn the standard procedures used in the field during a crime scene investigation: search patterns, note taking and recording the scene through photography, video taping, and sketching. Four credits. (19 Oct 2005)

FSCI 615
Safety/Quality Control/Quality Assurance I
This course introduces the student to the safety and quality assurance procedures routinely in operation within an accredited forensic laboratory. Due to the nature of the work, safety in the forensic laboratory goes beyond that of regular chemistry and biology labs. Additionally, students will learn about the quality criteria that govern the work product of an accredited forensic lab. The course will introduce and reinforce the practices that protect the work product through good QC/QA and those policies that protect the most important aspect of the lab-the employee. Fall semester. Two credits. (19 Oct 2005)

FSCI 617
Trace Evidence
This course prepares the student to collect and process evidence that may be present in very small quantities at a crime scene. This type of trace evidence includes, but is not limited to, hair, fibers, glass, paint, soil, gunshot residue and arson debris. The course will emphasize the scientific procedures used to identify the evidence, the analysis of data generated during the identification phase, and the deductive reasoning process which allows the forensic scientist to draw conclusions based on the evidence. Prerequisites: FSCI 120, FSCI 500. Spring semester. 4 credits.

FSCI 645
DNA Analysis
In this course, the student will master and apply a variety of concepts related to DNA structure and genetic transference. Various techniques for DNA analysis will be applied and evaluated, such as RFLP, PCR, STR, and Y-STR. Capillary electrophoresis and FMBIO procedures will be utilized. Students will also become familiar with and learn to use the national DNA database CODIS. Prerequisites: FSCI 500 and FSCI 640. Spring semester. Three credits.

FSCI 655
Practicum Rotations
The student will rotate through a minimum of three specialty areas in a forensic science laboratory or a criminal justice agency. Exposure to the variety of opportunities and applications of science in forensics will be invaluable to the student as he/she begins the process of selecting a topic for thesis research. Furthermore, this practical experience will enable the student to develop further the thinking skills required of a practicing forensic scientist. (20 hours/week 150 300 total 150 for 5 credits) (19 Oct 2005)

FSCI 720
Seminar in Forensic Science I
This course will cover a broad range of topics within the forensic science disciplines. The student will prepare presentations based on papers from peer-reviewed scientific journals and will present these papers to his/her peers for discussion and critique of the scientific merit of the paper. In addition, visiting forensic scientists will present periodically on new techniques, topics and research in the forensic sciences. Prerequisite: FSCI 655. Fall semester. 2 credits.

FSCI 721
Seminar in Forensic Science II
Based on their overview of the forensic science literature conducted during Seminar in Forensic Science I (FSCI 720), and building on the critical thinking skills developed in that survey course, students will select an area of controversy within the field of forensic science which they will examine in depth through the semester. Students will present all aspects of the topic based on their literature reviews, critically examining the controversy from a wide variety of perspectives. In addition, experts in the field will be invited periodically to discuss their views of the topic. Prerequisites: FSCI 720. Spring semester. 2 credits. (21 Nov 2006)

FSCI 760
Research Project & Presentations
This is a laboratory-based research project that will culminate in a formal master's thesis. This course is the first half of a two-course, year-long sequence that will conclude with FSCI 761. The student will conduct a forensic science research project on campus or at one of the local police forensic laboratories. Under the direction of the host mentor, each student will perform independent and original research that is part of the host laboratory's ongoing research program. The student will develop a formal research proposal which he/she will then present to faculty and peers. The student will complete a minimum of 300 hours of laboratory work during this course towards the completion of the thesis. Written requirements include keeping a formal laboratory notebook, preparing the introduction section of the thesis, and completing initial drafts of the methods and results sections of the thesis. Prerequisite: FSCI 655. Fall semester. 6 credits.

FSCI 761
Research & Thesis II
This is a laboratory-based research project that will culminate in a formal master146s thesis. This course is the second half of a two-course, year-long sequence that begins with FSCI 760. The student will complete the forensic science research project begun in FSCI 760 on campus or at one of the local police forensic laboratories. Under the direction of the host mentor, each student will perform independent and original research that is part of the host laboratory's ongoing research program. The student will complete a minimum of 200 hours of laboratory work during this course toward the completion of the thesis. Written requirements include keeping a formal laboratory notebook, and completing the final draft of the Master's Thesis. Additionally, the student will present his/her research result to the scientific community in the forma of a defense seminar. Prerequisite: FSCI 760. Spring semester. 6 credits.