Coursework

BPS 580. Forensic Science: Survey and Foundations. 2 hours.
Survey of the forensic sciences with emphasis on criminalistics; unique characteristics, underlying philosophies; nature, analytical methods, significance of results with chemical, biological, trace, pattern evidence. 2 cr hrs
(Cross-listed as CLJ 580)

BPS 581. Forensic Analysis of Biological Evidence. 4 hours.
Forensic blood and physiological fluid identification; DNA typing; reporting results; expert testimony. 4 cr hrs. Lect/Lab.

BPS 582. Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence Analysis 4 hours.
Trace evidence: hairs, fibers, glass, soil, paint and miscellaneous; nature, chemical, instrumental, microscopical methods of analysis; interpretation and significance of trace similarities; expert testimony.4 cr hrs. Lect/Lab.

BPS 583. Physical Pattern Evidence Analysis. 4 hours.
Pattern evidence: individualization, reconstruction; fingerprint classification, latent print development, AFIS; questioned documents, ink, paper, handwriting comparison; firearms and tool marks comparisons; scene patterns and reconstruction. 4 cr hrs Lect/Lab.

BPS 584. Forensic Drug Analysis and Toxicology. 4 hours.
Analysis of commonly abused drugs in their solid-dosage form and in biological media. Emphasis on modern instrumental methods and interpretation of results. 4 cr hrs. Lecture/Lab.

BPS 585 Ethical, Quality, Practice and Legal Issues in Forensic Science. 3 hours.
A topical presentation-discussion of ethical, quality control, admissibility and practice topics emanating from the law-science interface integral to forensic science. 3 cr. hrs.

BPS 586 Topics in Specialty Forensic Examinations. 3 hours.
Topic varies. Specialty forensic examinations, covering specific evidentiary classes (e.g. drug identification, DNA typing, fingerprints), with emphasis on forensic laboratory methods, approaches and interpretation. Generally designed for students admitted into the Residency program in a specialty area. 3 cr hrs.Maybe repeated for credit if topic is different. Consent of instructor and approval of the Director of Graduate Studies required for registration.

BPS 587 Forensic Science Seminar.  1 hour
Weekly seminar series on forensic science research and topics, especially those outside the core requirements. Presentations by students, faculty, and guests. 1 cr hr. Must be repeated for credit at least twice. Consent of Director of Graduate Studies required for registration.
BPS 588. Expert Witness Testimony and Courtroom Demeanor
Trials, hearings, grand jury; expert vs. lay witnesses; personal and behavioral characteristics on the stand; results, reports and courtroom testimony; simulated trial testimony. 3 cr hrs

BPS 589 Special Topics in Forensic Science. 3 hours.
Content varies. Theoretical, philosophical, moral, and managerial problems associated with criminalistics practice. Quality control issues relating to evidence collection, analysis, reporting and testimony. 3 cr hrs.
(Cross-listed as CLJ 589)

BPS 590. Forensic Science Residency. 3-12 hours
In-depth training for casework analysis in a specific forensic discipline (e.g. drug identification, DNA typing, fingerprint comparisons) in an approved forensic science laboratrory. May be repeated for credit. 3 – 12 cr hrs. Prerequisites: Graduate standing; Consent of the Director of Graduate Studies; Successful completion of the core course (581 through 584) that covers the specific topic. Acceptance into residency program by the agency offering the residency.

BPS 591 Topics in Forensic Microscopy. 2 hours.
Content varies. Microscopical characterization of various materials, with emphasis on forensic laboratory methods and approaches, and interpretations of materials comparisons as evidence. 2 cr hrs.Maybe repeated for credit if topic is different. Consent of instructor and approval of the Director of Graduate Studies required for registration.

BPS 592. Forensic Science Internship. 4 hours
May be repeated for a maximum of 4 hours of credit. Students may register for more than one section per term. Placement in a forensic science or toxicology laboratory or setting, under the supervision of a faculty member, with an accepted research project and paper. Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor; BPS 580; min of 15 earned credits in the M.S. forensic science program

BPS 596. Independent Study in Forensic Science. 1-8 hours.
May be repeated for credit. Students may register for more than one section per term. S/U grade only. Research undertaken for this course may not duplicate that being done for BPS 597 or BPS 598. Supervised projects may consist of extensive reading or laboratory work, or both, on topics not covered in regular course offerings. 1-8 cr hrs. Consent of the instructor and approval of the Director of Graduate Studies required for registration.

BPS 597. Forensic Science Research. 3 hours.
Supervised research in forensic science; a research project to be designed and completed within one semester.
Prerequisites: BPS 580, and at least the core course in the M.S. forensic science program (BPS 581, BPS 582, BPS 583, or BPS 584) covering the subject area in which the research is to be conducted. 3 cr hrs

BPS 598. M.S. Thesis Research. 0-16 hours.
Supervised thesis research. Maybe repeated for a maximum of 10 hrs of credit in the forensic science program. A minimum of 6 hrs credit is required for thesis students in forensic science. S/U grade only. 0 – 16 cr hrs.
Prerequisites: Consent of student’s research advisor. Acceptance of the proposed thesis topic and preliminary proposal by the thesis committee.