Forensic Science (Archive 2018-2019)

Forensic Science Minor Archive 2018-2019

Forensic Science is broadly defined as the application of science to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. The Forensic Science minor is constructed to give students a broad foundation in the sciences underpinning forensic science, which will complement any major. However, the Forensic Science minor when taken with a science major will prepare the student for work in a testing or crime laboratory, as well as provide the required courses for entrance into master's or doctoral programs in forensic science.

Minor Requirements: 5 courses and corresponding laboratories where applicable, 19-20 credits

Core Requirements (2 courses and corresponding laboratories, 8 credits)

Prerequisites:

FS-L103 concurrently

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Application of the principles of forensic science in evaluating physical evidence, with emphasis on its role in criminal investigation. Class experiences may include guest lectures and field trips. 3-hour lecture. Normally offered Fall

Prerequisites:

FS-103 concurrently

Credits:

1.00

Description:

Laboratory experiences related to the collection and analysis of physical evidence as performed by forensic science professionals. Experiments may include forensic microscopy, drug analysis, forensic serology, physical patterns, fingerprint and firearm evidence analysis techniques. 3-hour laboratory. Normally offered Fall

Prerequisites:

CHEM 211; CHEM L314 must be taken concurrently.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Explores the basic techniques of collecting and analyzing data from different types of instrumentation, including: ultraviolet, visible, fluorescence, atomic and emission spectroscopy; chromatographic methods; electrochemical measurements. Students will apply these techniques to problems in chemistry, forensics, and environmental science.

Prerequisites:

CHEM L211; CHEM 314 must be taken concurrently

Credits:

1.00

Description:

Laboratory experiments in chemical analysis using instrumental techniques, including spectroscopy and chromatography. Data collection and evaluation includes computer-based methods. Reports are prepared in professional style.

Please note that CHEM-314 has the following prerequisites:

Prerequisites:

Placement at MATH 104 or better. Students who do not place at MATH 104 must take MATH 104 concurrently. Must be taken concurrently with CHEM-L111.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Fundamental principles of chemistry are discussed. Introduces atomic structure, stoichiometry, the periodic table, the nature of chemical bonds, and chemical reactions. This course is recommended for science majors or those considering careers in the health sciences.

Prerequisites:

MATH-104 MATH-108 MATH-121 MATH-128 MATH-130 MATH-134 MATH-164 MATH-165 MATHT-MPEL1 MATHT-MPEL2 or MATHT-MPEL3. Must be taken concurrently with CHEM 111.

Credits:

1.00

Description:

Introduces the basic principles of chemistry through "discovery" laboratory experiments. Learn safe laboratory practices and basic techniques such as determining mass and volume, representing data in the form of tables and graphs, and synthesizing and isolating a metal complex. Participate in workshop activities that include understanding modern approaches to the scientific method, reading and understanding the scientific literature, and building molecular models. This laboratory is designed around the foundational laboratory skills practiced by science students in a wide variety of majors.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 111/L111; CHEM-L112 must be taken concurrently. MATH 104 placement or higher.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

This course is a continuation of General Chemistry I. Fundamental principles of chemistry are discussed. Introduces thermochemistry, gases, solution chemistry, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base systems, and thermodynamics.

Prerequisites:

CHEM-111/L111; CHEM-112 must be take concurrently. MATH-104 placement or higher.

Credits:

1.00

Description:

This course is a continuation of General Chemistry I Laboratory. Apply the basic principles of chemistry through discovery laboratory experiments with an emphasis on quantitative analysis. Execute basic analytical techniques such as the application of Beer's Law and acid-base titrations. This laboratory is designed around the foundational laboratory skills practiced by science students in a wide variety of majors.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 112 and CHEM-L112. CHEM-L211 must be taken concurrently.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Introduces basic theories of structure, bonding, and chemical reactivity as specifically applied to modern organic chemistry. Includes functional groups, acid/base chemistry, nomenclature, resonance, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry.

Prerequisites:

CHEM-112 and CHEM-L112. Must be taken concurrently with CHEM 211.

Credits:

1.00

Description:

Introduces synthetic organic chemistry techniques. Includes melting point determination, distillation, crystallization, extraction, chromatographic separations, and infrared spectroscopy. Discusses experimental design within the context of green organic chemistry.

Electives (3 courses and corresponding laboratories where applicable, 11-12 credits)

Choose three of the following:

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Study of the varieties of fraud, including financial statement fraud, fraud against organizations, consumer fraud, bankruptcy fraud, tax fraud and e-commerce fraud. The causes, prevention, detection and investigation of fraud are explored. Examination of famous past frauds with hands-on cases are used to apply these concepts and to understand the resolution of fraud in the legal system.

Prerequisites:

Must take BIO L111 concurrently

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Explanation of key biological structures and reactions of the cell. This is an introductory course required of all biology majors and minors, and some non-biology science majors. This course is not recommended for the non-science student.

Prerequisites:

Concurrently with BIO 111

Credits:

1.00

Description:

Sessions are designed to familiarize the student with biological molecules, and the techniques used in their study. The techniques covered include basic solution preparation, separation and quantification of molecules, enzyme catalysis,and cell isolation.

Prerequisites:

BIO 111/L111 and BIO 114/L114; BIO L274 concurrently;

Credits:

3.00

Description:

An examination of the basic principles of genetics in eukaryotes and prokaryotes at the level of molecules, cells, and multicellular organisms, including humans. Topics include Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, structure and function of chromosomes and genomes, biological variation resulting from recombination, mutation, and selection, and population genetics.

Prerequisites:

BIO-111, BIO-L111, BIO-114, and BIO-L114. Must be taken concurrently with BIO 274.

Credits:

1.00

Description:

Experiments designed to demonstrate principles presented in lecture, using a range of genetic model organisms that include E. coli, B. subtilis, S. cerevisiae, D. melanogaster, S. fimicola, and C. elegans.

Prerequisites:

CHEM-331 or instructor's consent

Credits:

3.00

Description:

The study of toxic actions of chemicals on biological systems, with discussion of general principles, methodology, and target organ toxicity. Topics may include pesticides, neurotoxicants, toxicity of metals, and carcinogenesis/ mutagenesis. Examples will be drawn from forensic toxicology, as well as environmental and occupational toxicology.

Prerequisites:

Take CHEM-212 previously, CHEM-453 concurrently

Credits:

1.00

Description:

Laboratory course where students learn to use biochemistry, cheminformatics and bioinformatics tools to predict the effect that various xenobiotics will have on various receptors, transporters and enzymes in the human body. Lab techniques may include: enzyme kinetics, binding affinity, ELISA.

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite: Phil 119, or 123, or 127.

Credits:

4.00

Description:

An examination of the moral problems facing health-care practitioners, their patients, and others involved with the practice of medicine in today's society. Issues include euthanasia, the ethics of medical experimentation, the use of reproductive technologies, genetic counseling and genetic engineering, truth-telling and confidentiality in doctor-patient relationships, the cost and availability of medical care. Normally offered every third year.

Prerequisites:

PSYCH 114. 54 credits or more only.

Credits:

4.00

Description:

Examines the interface between psychology and the law by exploring the theoretical, conceptual, and applied facets of forensic psychology. Topics include: the assessment of competence, civil commitment, insanity defenses, violence risk assessment, the detection of deception, expert testimony, assessment of child abuse and neglect, child custody/visitation and ethical issues in the practice of forensic psychology.

Credits:

4.00

Description:

This course provides an overview of youth gangs and their sociological underpinnings, which are rooted in poverty and racism. Topical areas are discussed in relation to these key factors. Study topics include the history of gangs, theories about gang formation and individual membership, gangs and criminal behavior, socio-cultural importance of gangs, and strategies to control gang behavior. The course will utilize current gang issues in the US generally and in Massachusetts in particular as a basis to better understand the nuances of youth gangs.

Credits:

4.00

Description:

An overview of issues and social variables involved in the pre-arrest and arrest stages followed by a more in-depth analysis of pre-trial, trial, sentencing, and correctional phases. Sociological and criminal justice models are examined and compared with the actual processes and purported functions of criminal justice agencies. Required for all majors in the Crime and Justice Concentration.

Credits:

4.00

Description:

Who and what is deviant? How shall the society respond? The course examines a range of deviance theories and associated social policies. A number of case studies will be used to evaluate these theories, such as body piercing, witchcraft, gay and lesbian sexuality, corporate crime, disability, prostitution, violence against women, racism, anti-Semitism, and gangs.

Credits:

4.00

Description:

This course will look at the special opportunities and obligations of those in the health and legal professions to protect human rights. There will be an overview of human rights doctrine and key documents. Students will learn to apply human rights principles to particular occupations in the health and legal professions.

Residency Requirement Policy: In the College of Arts and Sciences, a two-course (8 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for completion of a minor and a four-course (16 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for the completion of a major.

Minor Programs Policy: A student declaring a minor may use no more than two courses from a major to fulfill the requirements for the minor. No more than one course from one minor may count toward the fulfillment of a second minor. Students may not minor in a subject in which they are also completing a major. For more information, see the Minor Programs section of the CAS Degree Requirements page.

Forensic Science Courses Archive 2018-2019

Forensic Science Courses

Prerequisites:

FS-L103 concurrently

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Application of the principles of forensic science in evaluating physical evidence, with emphasis on its role in criminal investigation. Class experiences may include guest lectures and field trips. 3-hour lecture. Normally offered Fall

Prerequisites:

FS-103 concurrently

Credits:

1.00

Description:

Laboratory experiences related to the collection and analysis of physical evidence as performed by forensic science professionals. Experiments may include forensic microscopy, drug analysis, forensic serology, physical patterns, fingerprint and firearm evidence analysis techniques. 3-hour laboratory. Normally offered Fall

Prerequisites:

Instructor's permission is required for registration

Credits:

1.00- 4.00

Description:

The practicum involves participation in government crime laboratories, private forensic laboratories, private analytical chemical laboratories (including biomedical laboratories), a forensic science project at Suffolk University or other laboratories where the student can demonstrate that he or she can acquire skills applicable to forensic analysis. Students are encouraged to seek a practicum sponsor that suits his/her skills and interests; assistance may be provided by the Forensic Science Program Director. Participation at the laboratories is subject to requirements of the particular laboratory and will be open only to those students approved by the Forensic Science Director. Development of a research report and poster presentation to the department are required elements. Depending on the project undertaken, students may obtain ECR credit.

Prerequisites:

Instructor's permission is required for registration

Credits:

1.00- 4.00

Description:

The practicum involves participation in government crime laboratories, private forensic laboratories, private analytical chemical laboratories (including biomedical laboratories), a forensic science project at Suffolk University or other laboratories where the student can demonstrate that he or she can acquire skills applicable to forensic analysis. Students are encouraged to seek a practicum sponsor that suits his/her skills and interests; assistance may be provided by the Forensic Science Program Director. Participation at the laboratories is subject to requirements of the particular laboratory and will be open only to those students approved by the Forensic Science Director. Development of a final research report and oral presentation to the department and the SU community are required elements. Depending on the project undertaken, students may obtain ECR credit.