Course Descriptions

FIS-I 420 - Forensic Biology

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall. This course is an introduction to the use of biological materials to assign identity to persons associated with a crime. The course will introduce methods for the preliminary detection of biological evidence and introduce the use of DNA. The materials learned will encompass broader topics such as immunology, molecular biology, and genetics.

Prerequisite:

BIOL-K 322 and BIOL-K 324, both with a C or better.

FIS-I 421 - Forensic Biology Laboratory

Credits:

1

Description:

Fall. This laboratory section includes practical exercises that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories, including but not limited to collection and preservation of biological evidence, presumptive and confirmatory tests, DNA extraction, and PCR amplification.

Prerequisite:

or C: FIS-I 420.

FIS-I 430 - Forensic Genetics

Credits:

3

Description:

Spring. This course is a continuation of FIS-I 420 and will go into more detail about the structure of DNA, the application of molecular biology techniques for the determination of individual identity. The materials learned will encompass broader topics such as immunology, molecular biology, genetics, population genetics and statistics.

Prerequisite:

FIS-I 420 with a C or better, or instructor consent.

FIS-I 431 - Forensic Biology Practical Capstone III

Credits:

1

Description:

Spring. This laboratory section includes practical exercises that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories. This laboratory is a continuation of FIS-I 421.

Prerequisite:

Forensic and Investigative Science majors only.

Corequisite:

FIS-I 430.

FIS-I 440 - Population Genetics

Credits:

3

Description:

Spring. This course will serve as an introduction to the principles of population genetics. The course will cover the theory behind population genetics that includes a historical perspective to the current accepted models of population theory; examine the relationships between allele and genotype frequencies, and the fundamentals of molecular evolutionary genetics.

Prerequisite:

BIOL-K 322 and BIOL-K 323 and STAT-I 301, all with a grade of C or better.

FIS-I 450 - Forensic Science Research

Credits:

1-4

Description:

Forensic science or literature research with a report.

Prerequisite:

Requires application and approval of faculty member supervising the research.

FIS-I 480 - Forensic Science Capstone II

Credits:

1

Description:

Fall. This course will serve as a culminating research project surpervised and mentored by FIS faculty and requires a final paper and presentation.

Prerequisite:

Forensic and Investigative Science majors only.

FIS-I 495 - Internship in Forensic Science

Credits:

0 - 5

Description:

The internship experience is designed to bring together the diverse areas of knowledge that the student has gained during the pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science. It is a synthesis of knowledge; where the student takes what they learn in the classroom and translates that to the real world of forensic science. This is usually completed at the end of the student's undergraduate career in Forensic Science. The experience of an internship can aid with the transition to a crime laboratory. However, students have the opportunity to complete an internship at any time during their undergraduate career. The internships should be related to forensics and have ranged from a variety of experiences. Internship location must be approved by the instructor.

Prerequisite:

Completion of application and permission of instructor.

FIS-I 496 - Special Topics in Forensic Science

Credits:

1 - 6

Description:

This is a variable topic course. Repeatable with different topics.

FIS-I 500 - Crime Scene Investigation and Quality Assurance

Credits:

2

Description:

This course will cover material on crime scene investigation, blood spatter analysis, and various quality assurance/control procedures and recommendations that allow labs to maintain a high degree of confidence in their analyses.

FIS-N 500 - Crime Scene Investigation

Credits:

3

Description:

This course will introduce students to the investigative techniques used to conduct a crime scene investigation. Topics include securing and processing a crime scene, collection and preservation of physical evidence, and crime scene reconstruction. Students will develop and gain skills to perform and document a systematic crime scene search.

FIS-I 505 - Overview of Forensic Biology

Credits:

1

Description:

This course will cover material on serology, an overview of DNA processing and analysis, and how DNA profiles can be identified via DNA databases.

FIS-N 505 - Criminalistics

Credits:

3

Description:

This course will introduce the history and investigative methods utilized in forensic science. Cases significant to the evolution of forensic science will be evaluated, discussed. Students will analyze functions and multiple disciplines within a laboratory. Conclusions derived from analysis of evidence will be compared and results conveyed in lay terms.

FIS-N 509 - Forensic Microscopy Lecture

Credits:

1

Description:

Discuss techniques used in the analysis of forensic trace evidence, such as impressions, glass, biological materials, hairs, and fibers. Topics include properties of light, compound microscopy, micrometry, refraction, dispersion, stereomicroscopy, and polarizing light microscopy.

Prerequisite:

Open only to FIS graduate students.

FIS-I 510 - Advanced Forensic Microscopy Lecture

Credits:

1

Description:

P: Previous microscopy experience or FIS-I 300. Spring. Discussion of advanced topics in forensic microscopy. This will include review of common forensic laboratory microscopes such as, stereomicroscope, compound light microscope, and polarizing light microscope. The course will include the fundamentals of light, matter, and optics common to microscopy. Introduction to the application of spectroscopy to microscopy will be examined as well as thermal microscopy and comparison microscopy. Discussion on advanced trace evidence analysis will be covered, including impression evidence, plant material, feathers, polymers, and minerals.

Prerequisite:

FIS-I 300 and FIS-I 301, with a grade of C or better or previous microscopy experience.

FIS-N 510 - Comparative Sciences

Credits:

3

Description:

This course will cover the history and general concepts of comparative science relating to forensic science. Students will be introduced to comparative science disciplines, such as fingerprints, bullets, impressions, questioned documents, and physical matches, utilized in the forensic field through techniques, procedures, analysis, and evaluation.

FIS-I 511 - Advanced Forensic Microscopy Laboratory

Credits:

2

Description:

This will be a hands-on laboratory course. During this course, students will perform analysis of trace evidence. This will include a more complex use of light and comparison microscopes and instrumental microscopes. Topics will include mineral content in soil, dispersion of glass particles, physical matches and impressions of trace evidence, polymer identification and microspectrophotoscopy. Students will also participate in a mock case and trial at the conclusion of the course.

Corequisite:

FIS-I 510.

FIS-I 515 - Overview of Forensic Chemistry

Credits:

1

Description:

This course will cover the theory and application of forensic chemistry techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, spectrometry, and toxicology.

FIS-N 515 - Law & Ethics in Forensic Science

Credits:

3

Description:

This course will cover an overview of ethical standards required in forensic science. Students will learn about ethical issues in the laboratory and courtroom, be introduced to key court cases influencing forensic research and evidence analysis, and participate in documenting a case involving unethical behavior in the forensic field.

FIS-I 520 - Chemical Analysis of Alcohol and Drugs

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall. This course will focus on the analysis and identification of commonly abused chemicals such as ethanol, controlled substances, and prescription drugs. The history, legal issues, synthesis, chemical/physical properties, and laboratory analysis of these materials will be discussed. Special topics of the students' choosing will also be included in the form of student presentations. A separate laboratory section will also be offered in which students will complete practical exercises utilizing spectroscopy, chromatography and mass spectrometry that reflect common practice in forensic science laboratories.

Prerequisite:

Forensic and Investigative Science graduate student or Chemistry graduate student.