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FRSC 1001  Intro to Fornsc Science Tech I

Credits: 1.00 Credit

Forensic Science 1001 is an introductory expository course designed for forensic science technology majors to complete during their first semester of enrollment in the program. It is the first in a two-semester required sequence (along with FRSC 2001) for forensic science technology majors. Students are introduced to the requirements and expectations for success within the forensic science technology program as well as various technical disciplines and skills commonly brought to bear during a criminal investigation. Students are required to demonstrate written and oral communication skills by completing a project in a topic relevant to the class material.

FRSC 1103  Forensic Science Concepts

Credits: 3.00 Credits

This course provides an overview of forensic science concepts and techniques as they relate to a criminal investigation. Topics covered range from a historical perspective of forensic science within the criminal justice system to specific methodologies often performed by a first responder or crime scene investigator. The proper identification, collection, and preservation of various types of physical evidence is presented. In addition, an introduction to the field and laboratory tests that may be performed on physical evidence is discussed. This course is intended for non-forensic science technology majors. Students cannot receive credit for FRSC 1103 if they are in the Forensic Science or Biological Sciences curricula.

FRSC 2001  Intro to Frnsc Science Tech II

Credits: 1.00 Credit

Forensic Science 2001 is the continuation of a required two-semester sequence for forensic science technology majors. It is an introductory expository course designed for forensic science technology majors to complete during their second semester of enrollment in the program. Students are introduced to further technical disciplines and skills commonly brought to bear during a criminal investigation as well as current topics relevant to the field of forensic science. Students are required to demonstrate written and oral communication skills by completing a project in a topic relevant to the class material.

FRSC 3001  Topics in Forensic Science I

Credits: 1.00 Credit

The focus of this course is to explore various topics of concern in the field of forensic science and hold in-class debate style presentations to discuss these topics. Each student participates in one debate style presentation during the semester. Each student is responsible for the introduction of the topic, selecting a point of view to debate regarding the topic, and encouraging the class to offer comments and ask questions. Topics for discussion may be directly related to material discussed during other curriculum coursework or may originate from current media sources, as long as the students have established familiarity with the topics.

FRSC 3113  Forensic Pathology

Credits: 3.00 Credits

This course provides an overview of forensic pathology and the medicolegal death investigation system in the United States. Students will be introduced to the role and jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner as they relate to the determinations of cause, manner, and mechanism of death. Specific patterns of injury, types of deaths referred to the Medical Examiner, postmortem decompositional changes, and special topics of interest in death investigation will be discussed.

FRSC 4001  Topics in Forensic Science II

Credits: 1.00 Credit

The focus of this course is to expose students to peer-reviewed reference journal articles relevant to the field of forensic science and to expand on topics discussed during other curriculum coursework. The format of the course is reading and discussion, with each student accepting responsibility for serving as a discussion leader on a chosen journal article once during the semester. The discussion leaders' roles are to introduce the article topic, to provide background information about the topic, and to encourage the class to offer comments and ask questions.

FRSC 4900  Directed Study

Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00 Credits

A student may contract for one to six credit hours of independent study through an arrangement with an instructor who agrees to direct such a study. The student will submit a plan acceptable to the instructor and to the department chairperson. The instructor and student will confer regularly regarding the progress of the study.

FRSC 5900  Directed Study

Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00 Credits

A student may contract for one to six credit hours of independent study through an arrangement with an instructor who agrees to direct such a study. The student will submit a plan acceptable to the instructor and to the department chairperson. The instructor and student will confer regularly regarding the progress of the study.

FRSC 6214  Microscopy and Criminalistics

Credits: 4.00 Credits

This course is an exploration of the basic theory and practice of traditional criminalistics and microscopic techniques commonly performed in forensic science. Topics covered include: crime scene investigation; evidence collection and handling; microscopic theory and techniques; analysis of trace evidence to include hair, fiber, paint, soil, and glass evidence; analysis of fingerprint evidence; analysis of firearms and ammunition; analysis of gunshot residue evidence; and analysis of impression and toolmark evidence.

FRSC 7214  Forensic Chemistry

Credits: 4.00 Credits

This course is an exploration of the basic theory and practice of commonly performed examinations on chemical evidence in forensic science. Topics covered include: principles of various chemical and instrumental separation techniques; sampling plans and uncertainty in measurements; an introduction to quality control and quality assurance concepts; principles and techniques of controlled substance examinations; principles and techniques of forensic toxicology; principles and techniques of fire debris and explosive evidence examinations; and principles and techniques of material analysis to include inks, dyes, colors, colorants and polymers.

FRSC 8111  Forensic Science Tech Capstone

Credits: 1.00 Credit

This course is intended for students to complete during the eighth and final semester of their enrollment in the forensic science technology program. It is to be taken concurrently with FRSC 8113. The course is designed to prepare the student to enter the workforce and/or continue their education at the graduate level. Students complete a capstone project requiring the analysis of physical evidence in a simulated casework setting. Students also apply the fundamentals of proper forensic laboratory report writing by producing a professional quality laboratory report suitable for admission into a court of law that communicates their findings. In addition, students are required to prepare and deliver expert witness testimony in a simulated mock courtroom setting.

FRSC 8113  Forensic Scie Tech Prof Prepar

Credits: 3.00 Credits

This course is intended for students to complete during the eighth and final semester of their enrollment in the forensic science technology program. It is to be taken concurrently with FRSC 8111. The course is designed to prepare the student to enter the workforce and/or continue their education at the graduate level. Students learn the details of topics such as resume and cover letter preparation as well as job interview success. The importance of ethical behavior in the field of forensic science is discussed through both theoretical and applicative presentations. Quality control, quality assurance, and standard operating procedures are presented as well as a debate on current issues and legal decisions challenging the validity of scientific testing procedures commonly performed in forensic laboratories. The course culminates with a curriculum cumulative final examination.

FRSC 8213  Forensic Biology

Credits: 3.00 Credits

This course is an exploration of the basic theory and practice of commonly performed examinations on biological evidence in forensic science. Topics covered include: principles and techniques of serological examinations to include identification of body fluids, species determinations, and enzymatic analysis; blood spatter evidence interpretation and crime scene reconstruction; principles and techniques of forensic DNA examinations to include polymerase chain reaction, variable number tandem repeat profiling, short tandem repeat profiling and an introduction to Y-STR and mitochondrial DNA; and introductory principles and techniques of forensic pathology,and forensic photography.

FRSC 8214  Forensic Biology

Credits: 4.00 Credits

This course is an exploration of the basic theory and practice of commonly performed examinations on biological evidence in forensic science. Topics covered include principles and techniques of serological examinations to include identification of body fluids, species determinations, and enzymatic analysis; blood spatter evidence interpretation and crime scene reconstruction; principles and techniques of forensic DNA examinations to include polymerase chain reaction, variable number tandem repeat profiling, short tandem repeat profiling and an introduction to Y-STR and mitochondrial DNA; and introductory principles and techniques of forensic pathology and forensic photography.

FRSC 8703  Senior Research Project

Credits: 3.00 Credits

This course is intended for students in the final year of the four-year forensic science technology curriculum. Students are required to complete an approved research project in an area of special interest in forensic science. The student will submit a plan for research acceptable to the forensic science technology program director and to the department chair. The instructor and student will confer regularly regarding the progress of study and research. The student will be required to prepare a formal scientific paper and will be required to give a formal presentation to the campus community upon completion of the research project. Students will be encouraged to present their findings at a national or regional forensic science conference.

FRSC 8713  Forensic Sci Tech Internship

Credits: 3.00 Credits

This course is intended for students in the final year of the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science Technology. A student completes a 3-credit hour (120 hour total) internship at an approved off-campus site. The student works under the guidance of a qualified professional, the onsite Internship Site Supervisor, while receiving college consultation from a Faculty Internship Coordinator. The internship is designed for a student to obtain forensic science technology-related research or work experience in theoretical and application-based procedures previously studied. The student submits required reports and evaluations. In addition, the student presents oral and written explanations and defense of the information acquired and applied during the internship. This course is graded as a Pass/Fail option only.

FRSC 8900  Directed Study

Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00 Credits

This course is designed to allow students to pursue advanced work in an area of special interest or obtain extended internship opportunities in Forensic Science Technology. A student may contract for one to six credit hours of independent study through an arrangement with an instructor who agrees to direct such a study. The student will submit a plan acceptable to the instructor, to the Forensic Science Technology Program director, and to the department chair. The instructor and student will confer regularly regarding the progress of the study.