Forensic Chemistry Curriculum

Transcription

1 SECTION 1 GENERAL STANDARDS. [Excerpt] Standard General Curriculum Requirements The undergraduate program in forensic science shall offer a coherent curriculum that reflects the mission and goals of the program and provides the student with the appropriate skills requisite for the bachelor s degree. The curriculum shall, at a minimum, ensure that each student: 1. Obtains a thorough grounding in the natural sciences, 2. Builds upon this background by taking a series of more advanced science classes, and, 3. Develops, through course work and laboratory-based instruction, an appreciation of issues specific to forensic science, The program shall have clear procedures for assessing and documenting each student s progress toward fulfillment of these objectives. Program Response: The following is the suggested curriculum for the Bachelor of Science degree in forensic chemistry: Contact: Department of Chemistry, 322 Coulter Hall, Total minimum hours: Fall Semester Spring Semester (17) Freshman Year English composition 101 (3) English 102 or LIBA 102 Chemistry 105 (3) Chemistry 106 Chemistry 115 (1) Chemistry 116 Foreign language 102 or 121 (3) Biology 162 Biology 160 (3) Biology 163 Biology 161 (1) Mathematics 262 Mathematics 261 (3) Page 29

2 (18) Sophomore Year English literature (3) English literature Foreign language 201 (3) Foreign language 202 Chemistry 221 (3) Chemistry 222 Chemistry 225 (1) Chemistry 226 Physics 213 (3) Physics 214 Physics 223 (1) Physics 224 Biology 336 (4) (16) Junior Year Mathematics 375 (3) Chemistry 469 Chemistry 331 (3) 2nd Social Sciences Chemistry 314 (4) Criminal Justice (CJ) 415 1st Social Sciences (6) Chemistry 459 (3) SUMMER: State Crime Lab (15) Senior Year Chemistry 415 (or CSCI 251) (3) Pharmacology 381 Chemistry 463 (3) Chemistry 470 Chemistry 471 (3) Chemistry 512 Fine Arts (3) Chemistry 473 Electives (3) CJ 310, 230, or 410 Major requirements include: Chemistry 105, 106, 115, 116; 221, 222, 225, 226; 314; 331; 415 (or CSCI 251); 459; 463; 469; 470, 471, 473; and 512. Also required: Biology 160, 161, 162, 163; 336; and Pharmacology 381; and Criminal Justice 371 or 476; and 372 or 374; and Physics 213, 223, 214, 224. Art 390 is recommended. This program description includes recent revisions approved by the Department of Chemistry but not yet entered into the Undergraduate Catalog. Revised 05/15/06 On-Site Evaluation Team Comments for Standard 4.3: The basic curriculum set out by the Program is seen to be in line with FEPAC expectations for a Forensic Chemistry degree. Page 30

3 Each student is expected to complete a form showing courses completed and bring that to an advisement session with the Program Director for comparison to the planned curriculum to ensure that students are progressing to degree completion. This advisement session is conducted prior to each semester s enrollment in classes for the coming semester. In the opinion of the evaluators, the Program is in compliance with this Standard. University Response to Team Evaluation: The program agrees with the evaluation and assessment. Standard Specific Curriculum Requirements The specific curricular requirements that follow are based on the fact that most forensic scientists work in areas such as drug analysis, trace analysis, firearms and toolmarks, and forensic biology. Students seeking to work in alternative areas of forensic science such as computer analysis or crime scene reconstruction will require other curricula or further training. Because certain forensic science disciplines require more rigorous coursework than the minimum described below, particularly more biology and chemistry, the program shall ensure that its curriculum is adequate to prepare students for specialization in subdisciplines of forensic science such as forensic biology, forensic chemistry, toxicology, or pattern evidence examination. Table 1: Example Curricula for Forensic Science Undergraduate degrees in the TWGED report provides sample curricula. The curriculum shall include the following minimum components: Natural Science Core Courses Biology: at least one course, which includes an associated laboratory, in biology for science majors (4 semester hours). Physics: at least two courses, each of which includes an associated laboratory, in physics for science majors (8 semester hours). Note: Calculus-based physics is preferred but not required. Chemistry: at least four courses, each of which includes an associated laboratory. Two of the courses shall be in general chemistry for science majors (8 semester hours), and two shall be in organic chemistry for science majors (8 semester hours). Mathematics: at least one course in differential and integral calculus (3 semester hours) and at least one course in statistics (3 semester hours). Page 31

4 Program Response: Self-Study, The University of Mississippi Forensic Chemistry Program Description The following list of courses is the natural science core courses that students must complete to prepare them for the science nature of the crime laboratory: Natural Science Core Courses Bisc 160 General Biology I 3 Bisc 161 General Biology I Lab 1 Phys 213 General Physics I 3 Phys 223 General Physics I Lab 1 Phys 214 General Physics II 3 Phys 224 General Physics II Lab 1 Chem 105 General Chemistry I 3 Chem 115 General Chemistry I Lab 1 Chem 106 General Chemistry II 3 Chem 116 General Chemistry II Lab 1 Chem 221 Organic I 3 Chem 225 Organic I Lab 1 Chem 222 Organic II 3 Chem 226 Organic II Lab 1 Math 261 Calculus I 3 Math 375 Introduction to Statistics 3 Analysis This curriculum meets all the requirements outlined in Plan N/A Supporting Documentation Required for Standard Total = 34 hrs Syllabi will be available to the evaluators on the new UM Forensic Chemistry link that will be operational prior to site visit. On-Site Evaluation Team Comments for Standard : The courses required and/or recommended for students in the Forensic Chemistry program are those specified by FEPAC. Page 32

5 The program is in full compliance with this standard. University Response to Team Evaluation: The program agrees with the evaluation and assessment Specialized Science Courses A minimum of 12 additional semester hours in more advanced coursework in chemistry or biology. Note: These classes shall be consistent with the degree program and shall meet the needs of students specializing in subdisciplines of forensic science. At least two of the classes shall include laboratory training. A suggested list of classes that satisfy this requirement may be found in the TWGED report. Program Response: Description The following list of courses reinforces a student s science knowledge base that will make them more competitive in specific sections of the crime laboratory including biological evidence, toxicology, and trace evidence: Specialized Science Courses Bisc 162 and 163 Biology II and Lab 4 Bisc 336 Genetics lecture and lab 4 Chem 512 Advanced Analytical Chem. and Lab 3 Chem 331 Physical Chemistry 3 Total = 14 hrs Analysis This curriculum meets all the requirements outlined in Supporting Documentation Required for Standard Syllabi will be available to the evaluators on the new UM Forensic Chemistry link that will be operational prior to site visit. On-Site Evaluation Team Comments for Standard : The courses required and/or recommended for students in the Forensic Chemistry program are those specified by FEPAC. Page 33

6 The program is in full compliance with this standard. FEPAC Administrative Assessment Committee Comments: If the Bisc 162 & 163 courses are removed as "Specialized Science Courses" and the lack of a laboratory component in the Bisc 336 course, Ole Miss does not meet the accreditation standards for this section. The Committee does not consider a Biology II course to be a specialized science course, and the TWGED Table 2 lists this as a course that is more properly included in the science core. The University s own website refers to these courses as "initial/introductory" foundational courses for admission into advanced major courses. The Committee does not consider the courses as advanced course work, rather as prerequisites. The Bisc 336 course is listed in the 2006 Academic Program as "lecture only"; there is no mention of a laboratory component. The course BISC 336 shows a Genetics lecture and lab component in the SSR, but the 2005 Ole Miss catalog does not indicate that this course has a lab, although it is 4 hours. The physical chemistry course also does not have a lab. Removing the BISC course takes the total to only 10 hours in 3 courses, and only one of the courses has a lab. The standard requires that the two courses should have labs. If the above comments are correct, the Committee does not believe that the program meets the accreditation standards for this section. University Response to Team Evaluation and Administrative Assessment: On page 28 of the self study document, Calculus II (Math 262) should replace Biological Sciences II and Biological Sciences Laboratory II (Bisc 162 and 163, respectively) as a specialized science course in accordance with FEPAC recommendations ( ) as shown below: BISC 162 and 163 Biology II and Lab 4 (Moved to Natural Science Core Courses) MATH 262 Calculus II 3 (Added from Additional Courses) BISC 336 Genetics lecture and lab 4 CHEM 512 Advanced Analytical Chem. and Lab 3 CHEM 331 Physical Chemistry 3 Total = 13 hrs This is a reordering of courses in the current curriculum and satisfies the 12 h requirement for specialized science courses. In this reordering, Bisc 162 and 163 are relegated to the science core as suggested by the FEPAC Administrative Assessment Committee. The genetics course offered by the UM Biology Department (Bisc 336) consists of integrated lecture (3 h) and laboratory (1 h) components totaling 4 credit hours. (There is no 4 h lecture course offered by any department at UM; 4 h courses indicate a 1 or 2 h laboratory component.) The course Page 34

7 description provided in the UM catalog does not make this clear, so we have provided as an attachment a current syllabus for this course Forensic Science Courses A minimum of 15 semester hours in forensic science coursework that covers the following topics: courtroom testimony; introduction to law; quality assurance; ethics, professional practice, background; evidence identification, collection, processing; and a survey of forensic science. Of these 15 hours, 9 semester hours shall involve classes in forensic chemistry, forensic biology, physical methods, or microscopy that contain a laboratory component. Internships or independent study/research courses may be used to fulfill up to 6 hours of this laboratory requirement. Program Response: The following courses are forensic science courses that cover each of the topics listed in the standard: Description Chem 470 Forensic DNA 4 (lecture + lab) Chem 469 Instrumental Analysis 4 (lecture + lab) Chem 459 Forensic Science Internship 3 Phcl 381 Toxicology 3 CJ 415 Forensic Science Analysis 3 Total = 17 hrs Analysis This curriculum meets all the requirements outlined in The strengths of the curriculum in relation to the required forensic science coursework are that students receive a strong dose of laboratory experience that will be valuable for future employment with crime laboratories. The program s complete curriculum places an emphasis in instruction to the application and principles of the instrumental methods used in the modern academic, industrial, and forensic science laboratories. Supporting Documentation Required for Standard Syllabi and chart that show which course covers which topics will be available to the Page 35

8 evaluators on the new UM Forensic Chemistry link that will be operational prior to site visit. On-Site Evaluation Team Comments for Standard : The Program provides courses to meet the FEPAC curricular expectations. The program is in full compliance with this standard. FEPAC Administrative Assessment Committee Comments: The CHEM 470 & CJ 415 courses are listed in the 2006 Academic Program section. In a Forensic Chemistry Program, this Committee would expect to see more specialized forensic science courses and/or a more rigorous course content. The course CHEM 470 is not listed in the Ole Miss 2005 Catalog. The course CJ 415 is not listed in the Ole Miss 2005 catalog. The Committee cannot judge whether these courses actually exist and are being taught, or whether they are lab courses or not. If these courses are only being planned, and do not yet exist, then the Committee does not believe that the program meets the accreditation standards for this section. The standard requires 12 hours, with at least 2 of the classes having laboratories. University Response to Team Evaluation and Administrative Assessment: It is easy to understand why the FEPAC Administrative Committee might question the existence of Chem 470 and CJ 415 because no information about either course appears in the existing UM catalog. This omission reflects a title and numbering change for CJ 415 and that Chem 470 was established after the present catalog was assembled in Due to circumstances far beyond our control, UM did not prepare a paper catalog for However, a new catalog will be issued for Both Chem 470 and CJ 415 are listed in this new catalog. (As proof of this assertion, copies of the page proofs of this new catalog showing the Chem 470 and CJ 415 course descriptions are attached to this response.) In summary, both Chem 470 and CJ 415 do exist and are being taught on a yearly basis. Chem 470, which is in progress as of this writing, has a vigorous and detailed laboratory component exactly as indicated in the table on page 30 of the self-study report Additional Courses A minimum of 19 additional semester hours in courses that provide greater depth in the student s area of specialization. Table 1: Example Curricula for Forensic Science Undergraduate degrees in the TWGED report provides sample courses. Program Response: Page 36

9 Description The following lists courses that expand a student s knowledge in forensic chemistry: Chem 314 Quantitative Analysis 4 (with lab) Chem 415 or CSCI 251 Computer Methods 3 Chem 471 Biochemistry I 3 Chem 473 Biochemistry II 3 Chem 463 Senior Research 3 Math 262 Calculus II 3 Total = 19 hrs Analysis This curriculum meets all the requirements outlined in The range of courses listed exposes students to many topics that they will encounter in a crime laboratory from understanding computer programming as it relates to analytical instrumentation to understanding the importance of DNA in a living organism. Supporting Documentation Required for Standard Syllabi will be available to the evaluators on the new UM Forensic Chemistry link that will be operational prior to site visit. On-Site Evaluation Team Comments for Standard : The evaluators believe that the program is in compliance with this standard. Although courses are not provided which are titled with each topic indicated in the TWGED Sample Curriculum table, the program has provided a table which lists the respective topics and the available courses wherein these topics are covered. A copy of this table is attached below. FEPAC Administrative Assessment Committee Comments: The course MATH 262 is described in the catalog as a terminal course for non-science majors. The Committee does not consider this as a course that provides greater depth in an area of forensic specialization, since students have already been required to take MATH 261, which is Calculus I. According to the catalog description, CHEM 415 deals with use of computers with instrumentation. Based on that information, the Committee does not consider this course to provide greater depth in an area of forensic specialization. The CHEM 463 course (research) is shown as a 3-hour course in this section, but is said to be a 2-credit hour course on P. 12 of the SSR. The research project does not necessarily seem to be related to anything forensic, since students can apparently work with any faculty member on any topic. Based on this information, I do not believe that the program meets the accreditation standards for this section. Overall, the Page 37

10 curriculum does not seem to provide much forensic coursework, and is weak in the specialized and greater depth areas. University Response to Team Evaluation and Administrative Assessment: Chem 314 Quantitative Analysis 4 (with lab) Chem 415 Computer Methods 3 Chem 471 Biochemistry I 3 Chem 473 Biochemistry II 3 Chem 463 Senior Research 3 Math 262 Calculus II 3 (moved to Specialized Courses) CJ 410 (preferred) Criminal Procedure 3 or CJ 230 Principles of Investigation 3 or CJ 310 Law Enforcement Process and Policy 3 Total = 19 hrs (Added: one course chosen from this group is already required during the senior year of the FC curriculum, see self study page 25. These courses cover topics such as criminal investigation procedures, case preparation, police administration, crime scene search, identification and preservation of evidence, firearms identification, and fingerprint identification. CJ 410 (syllabus attached) is the preferred course; CJ 230 and 310 are used as substitute courses in the rare event that CJ 410 is not available. The inclusion of these courses satisfies the requirement for course(s) such as Introduction to Criminal Justice and/or Legal Evidence as indicated in the sample curricula in Table 1 on page 12 of the FEPAC Accreditation Standards.) Chem 415, Computer Methods in Chemistry In our opinion, Chem 415, Computer Methods in Chemistry, does provide greater depth in the in the area of forensic specialization. To appreciate this aspect of this course, please consider that our program is designed to produce students with extensive training in analytical chemistry. We expect that these students will be hired by crime laboratories to carry out the instrumental analysis of crime scene materials. In Chem 415, which has a strong laboratory component, students learn about the conversion of analog signals to digital signals and how computers are used to control instrument functions through a digital to analog interface. They perform actual laboratory experiments in which they write software to collect and analyze data from an actual analog to digital interface board that is connected in turn to a chromatograph, a spectrometer, and an electrochemical instrument. Why is this course important to forensic chemistry students? Because it provides students with the knowledge and confidence they will need during courtroom testimony when challenged by a defense attorney with the questions: "how does this Page 38

11 instrument work?" or "how do you know that the data from this instrument is faithfully recorded by the computer attached to the instrument?" or "how accurate is the data collected by this computer-controlled instrument?" The Director and staff of the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory consider this to be a very valuable and worthwhile course for our FC students because it produces future employees with in-depth knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of the instrumentation that they use in the modern crime lab. Put another way, how could a person perform competently as an instrumental analyst in a crime lab without having completed such a course? Chem 463 Senior Research Chem 463 is a variable hour course. B.S. chemistry students take this course for 2 h each of two semesters. B.S. forensic chemistry majors are required to take one semester (or full summer) for 3 h credit. In the past, FC majors were permitted to perform their senior research with any member of the faculty. However, for the past two years, FC students have been required to complete their projects on a forensic chemistry topic that is approved by the Director or Department Chair. The Director and Department Chair, in conjunction with various elements of the state crime lab system, are in the process of assembling a portfolio of research projects that can be used by students in Chem 463 each semester with the intent to use the data produced by these students to address specific crime lab problems. For. Sci.& Crm Scn Anal. (CJ 415) Topics For. DNA (Chem 470) Instrm Anal (Chem 469) Intern. (Chem 459) (Phcl 381) 1) crt rm test. x x 2) into to law x x x 3) quality assurance x x X 4a) ethics x x X 4b) professional practice x x X x 4c) background x x X x 5a) evidence identif. x x x X x 5b) collection x x x X x 5c) processing x x X x 6) survey of F.S. x x x Forensic chemistry x x x X Forensic biology x physical methods x x x X microscopy x x X res. (chem463) Page 39