Forensic Science (FORS)

FORS120
Introduction to Forensic Science

Register for FORS 120L as an optional one credit hour lab.

Description: The United States legal system, serology, DNA analysis, crime scene investigation, comparative analysis, digital forensics, and behavioral sciences.

Course details
Credit Hours:2
Max credits per semester:2
Max credits per degree:2
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:2

ACE:

FORS120L
Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory

Prerequisites: Forensic Science major

Description: Practical aspects of forensic sciences. Forensic entomology, soil science, blood spatter, fingerprints, trace evidence, odontology, footmark analysis, palynology, and osteology.

This course is a prerequisite for: FORS 200; FORS 302; FORS 306; FORS 400; FORS 401; FORS 411

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:FALL
Course and Laboratory Fee:$25

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

FORS200
Forensic Science Seminar

Prerequisites: FORS 120/L or instructor permission

Description: Current issues in research, ethics, and professional practice related to forensic science.

This course is a prerequisite for: FORS 320; FORS 330; FORS 400

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:SPRING

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

FORS300
Forensic Taphonomy

Prerequisites: LIFE 120/121, CHEM 109A/109L and CHEM 110A/110L, and FORS 120/L

Description: Forensic application of processes associated with decomposition and preservation of organic materials.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS302
Principles of Forensic Photography

Prerequisites: FORS 120/L or instructor permission

Description: Concepts, techniques, analysis and interpretation of photographic evidence.

This course is a prerequisite for: FORS 411; FORS 803, FORS 403; FORS 804, FORS 404

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

FORS306
Crime Scene Management

Prerequisites: FORS 120/L or instructor permission

Description: Critical thinking, reasoning, investigative failure, resource management, and supervision in criminal investigation.

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:SPRING

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

FORS307
Forensic DNA for Crime Scene Investigators

Prerequisites: LIFE 120/L and LIFE 121/L

Description: Basic terminology, concepts, and techniques that are currently, or have been previously used in operational crime laboratories. The concepts of laboratory techniques, measurements, analysis of the various analytical methods, and quality assurance/quality control are also included.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded
Offered:SUMMER

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS320
Latent Print Analysis

Prerequisites: FORS 200

Description: An introduction to the history of latent print examination; physiology and biology of fingerprints; fingerprint pattern recognition; recording finger and palm prints; latent print analysis and comparison.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS330
Introduction to Firearms Examination

Prerequisites: FORS 200

Description: Introduction to the history of firearms examination, manufacturing methods for firearms and ammunition components, examination of cartridge cases and current legal issues firearms examiners encounter.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS340
Forensic Chemistry

Prerequisites: Successful completion or parallel registration in CHEM 251 and CHEM 253.

Description: Introduction to theory and practice of Forensic Chemistry. Forms a foundation for more advanced studies in Forensic Chemistry. Study of current techniques used in operational crime laboratories in the United States. Also covers laboratory safety, QA/QC, data analysis, and statistical analysis.

Course details
Credit Hours:4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Graded
Offered:SPRING

Credit Hours:4

ACE:

FORS400
Crime Scene Investigation

Prerequisites: FORS 120/L, FORS 200 and FORS 411 or instructor permission

Description: Identification, collection, preservation, presentation of physical evidence. Ethics and chain of custody.

This course is a prerequisite for: FORS 485

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS400L
Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory

Prerequisites: Parallel FORS 400

A lab for credit to go with FORS 400.

This course is a prerequisite for: FORS 485

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:FALL
Course and Laboratory Fee:$50

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

FORS401
Forensic Biology

Prerequisites: LIFE 120/L and LIFE 121/L, BIOS 205, BIOS 206, and FORS 120/L or instructor permission

Description: Ethics, quality assurance, quality control, analysis, and interpretation of biological evidence for the legal system.

This course is a prerequisite for: FORS 410; FORS 485

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded
Offered:SPRING

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS401L
Forensic Biology Laboratory

Prerequisites: Parallel FORS 401

A lab for credit to go with FORS 401.

This course is a prerequisite for: FORS 410; FORS 485

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Graded
Offered:SPRING
Course and Laboratory Fee:$50

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

FORS403
Advanced Forensic PhotographyCrosslisted with FORS 803

Prerequisites: FORS 120/L or FORS 302.

Description: Advanced concepts, techniques, analysis, and interpretation of photographic evidence.

This course is a prerequisite for: FORS 411; FORS 804, FORS 404

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:SPRING

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

FORS404
Bloodstains as EvidenceCrosslisted with FORS 804

Prerequisites: FORS 120/L, FORS 302 or FORS 403/803.

Description: Documentation and interpretation of geometric bloodstains, calculating probable origins, and collecting blood as a source of DNA evidence.

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

FORS410
Advanced Forensic DNA Methods

Prerequisites: FORS 401/401L

Description: Provides a comprehensive description of forensic DNA analysis and includes a complete discussion of the process of forensic DNA analysis, from evidence collection to statistical analysis of DNA profiles, including the subjects of DNA extraction, quantitation, PCR amplification, allele detection, PCR artifact identification, and DNA profile interpretation. Particular attention will be given to the areas of mixed profile interpretation and statistical methods

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS411
Overview of Forensic Comparative Analysis

Prerequisites: FORS 120/L; LIFE 120/L; FORS 302 or FORS 403; CHEM 109A/L; and STAT 218.

Description: Covers the main forensic science comparisons that are seen in most crime scene investigation units and forensic science labs. Provides a broad overview of the concepts and analytical techniques of forensic comparative science. Covers basic microscopic applications, photography, computer applications, courtroom testimony, ethics, cognitive bias, and the concepts of error and sufficiency in forensic science.

This course is a prerequisite for: FORS 400

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:SPRING

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS414
Forensic EntomologyCrosslisted with ENTO 414, ENTO 814, FORS 814

Prerequisites: ENTO 115 or equivalent introductory course.

Description: Application of entomology to legal issues. Criminal investigations, insects of forensic importance, insect succession on carrion, and case studies.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS415
Forensic ToxicologyCrosslisted with FORS 815

Prerequisites: CHEM 252/254; BIOC 401 (concurrent).

Description: Provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles of toxicology, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, analytical methods and instrumentation relative to forensic science.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

FORS445
Human Remains in Forensic ScienceCrosslisted with FORS 845

Prerequisites: LIFE 120/L and LIFE 121/L, CHEM 109A/L, CHEM 110A/L, and FORS 120/L.

Description: Forensic anthropology within the broader context of forensic sciences and biological anthropology. Estimation of biological profile and trauma assessment.

Course details
Credit Hours:4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:FALL
Course and Laboratory Fee:$90

Credit Hours:4

ACE:

FORS446
Pollen Analysis for Behavioral, Biological and Forensic ScienceCrosslisted with FORS 846, NRES 446, NRES 846

Prerequisites: FORS 120

Description: Collection, processing, identification of common North American pollen types. Pollination ecology relating to scene reconstruction. Fundamental statistics and presentation requirements for a legal and scientific audience.

Course details
Credit Hours:4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:4

ACE:

FORS485
Current Issues in Forensic Science

Prerequisites: FORS 400/L or FORS 401/L

Description: Application and integration of principles to address emerging issues involving forensic science.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded with Option
Offered:SPRING
Course and Laboratory Fee:$50
ACE Outcomes: ACE 10 Integrated Product
Experiential Learning:Case/Project-Based Learning

Credit Hours:3

ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product

FORS495
Internship in Forensic Science

Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and permission.

Requires a structured practical experience under the supervision of a forensic science professional.

Course details
Credit Hours:1-4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Graded with Option

Credit Hours:1-4

ACE:

FORS496
Independent Study in Forensic Science

Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and permission.

Requires an individual or group project in research or literature review, or extension of course work.

Course details
Credit Hours:1-6
Max credits per semester:6
Max credits per degree:6
Grading Option:Graded with Option

Credit Hours:1-6

ACE:

FORS498
Special Topics in Forensic ScienceCrosslisted with FORS 898

Prerequisites: 3 hrs FORS or equivalent.

Description: Current issues in forensic science.

Course details
Credit Hours:1-6
Max credits per semester:6
Max credits per degree:12
Grading Option:Graded with Option

Credit Hours:1-6

ACE:

FORS499H
Honors Thesis

Prerequisites: Good standing in the University Honors Program and permission. AGRI 299H recommended.

Description: Conduct a research project and write a University Honors Program or undergraduate thesis.

Course details
Credit Hours:1-6
Max credits per semester:6
Max credits per degree:6
Grading Option:Graded

Credit Hours:1-6

ACE: