St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 3
Natural & Physical Sciences
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Proposal Number:
Prepared by: Lakshmaiah Sreerama
Phone: 308-2080
Email: lsreerama@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: Chemistry
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: CHEM 207, Forensic Science
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
No
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
7.
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
Yes
CHEM 207. Forensic Science (2, 2)
Basic theory and methods for scientific investigation of physical evidence found at the scene of a crime.
Emphasis on laboratory analysis currently in use. Lab. 3 Cr.
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
Students requiring general education science course with laboratory component.
Forensic Science minors and criminal justice majors
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
None; An existing course and offered online every semester.
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
N/A
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
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Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences
Explore scientific knowledge of the natural world. Understand the central concepts and principles of
science; experience the process of scientific inquiry; comprehend science as a human endeavor and
understand the impact of science on individuals and on society.
The course has balanced perspective in which it allows the students pursue knowledge and skills of chemistry on its
own as well as its application to law enforcement and public safety. It further demonstrates the importance of
chemistry in a broader frame work of its application to analyze crime scene evidence. The course further offers
balanced perspective of basic concepts of chemistry in identification of individuals, both victims and suspects. It
also allows hands on experience of the application of chemistry concepts to analyze crime scene evidence via
laboratory exercises.
13.
14. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 3, it must address at least 5 of the 6 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories in the physical or natural sciences.
2. Make observations and collect data, design and carry out experiments or other types of scientific investigations.
3. Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, draw inferences and
conclusions, and identify further questions for investigation.
4. Demonstrate awareness of the interdependent relationships of basic science, applied science, mathematics, and
technology.
5. Recognize the human nature of the scientific enterprise, including the importance of curiosity, creativity, and
imagination; the dual nature of scientific knowledge as changeable and durable; and the impact of a scientist's
personal identity on the scientific process.
6. Evaluate societal issues from a science perspective, question the evidence presented, and make informed
judgments about these issues.
15.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
16.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge in concepts of forensic chemistry, theories and
principles via quizzes, assignments, tests and a comprehensive final exam.
Students will carry out experiments, make observations, collect and analyze data and interpret the data to
support and/or disprove experimental hypothesis as related crime scene evidence analysis.
Students will formulate questions and test hypothesis via open ended laboratory exercises as applied to
reconstruction of how the crime may have been committed/occurred.
The students will utilize computer and other pedagogical technologies, computer driven instrumentation,
etc., in this course. They will explore interdependence of chemistry concepts in criminology and
criminalistics.
Most of the issues covered in this course have a profound impact on humanity in that the students will
explore the basic forensic science concepts involved in examination of crimes, law enforcement and
maintain public safety.
Students will learn scientific methods, collect evidence and analyze crime scene evidence, will analyze
issues related to environmental issues in crime scenes and safety.
Courses satisfying Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences must have either a “traditional lab course or a lab-like
experience”. Check which of these apply and supply a brief explanation of how the course is either a laboratory
12/11/2009
course or incorporates a “lab-like experience”.
Course includes:
Laboratory
Lab-like experience
The following quote from a National Research Council subcommittee report may help to identify a course with a
laboratory. ”Laboratory experiences provide opportunities for students to interact directly with the material world
(or with data drawn from the material world), using the tools, data collection techniques, models, and theories of
science.” America's Lab Report: Investigations in High School Science (Free Executive Summary)
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11311.html
In the laboratory students perform 14-16 experiments. The experiments include investigating the crime scene,
collection and analysis of crime scene evidence using various chemistry techniques. The laboratory work
involves formulation of hypothesis, testing hypothesis through experimentation, data analysis and drawing
conclusions.
17.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
1.
Introduction to forensic Science (5%); SLOs: 1-6.
 Definition, Scope of forensic science, organization and services provided by a crime laboratory, and
forensic scientist and his role in physical evidence analysis.
2. Crime Scene processing (5%); SLOs: 1, 2, 4-6.
 Processing of the crime scene and physical evidence collection
3. Physical Evidence collection (8%); SLOs: 1, 2, 4-6.
 Common types of physical evidence and the significance of physical evidence collection.
4. Glass and Soil evidence analysis (8%); SLOs: 1-6.
 Comparison of glass fragments. Glass fractures, and Collection and preservation of glass evidence.
Forensic characteristics of soil, And Collection and Preservation of Soil Evidence.
5. Organic substances and their analysis (10%); SLOs: 1, 2, 4-6.
 Elements and compounds. Selection of analytical techniques. Chromatography, spectrometry and mass
spectrometry.
6. Inorganic substance and analysis (10%); SLOs: 1, 2, 4-6.
 The Emission spectrum of elements. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The origin of emission and
absorption spectra.
7. Microscopic evidence and analysis (8%); SLOs: 1, 2, 4-6.
 The Compound microscope. The comparison microscope. The stereoscopic microscope. The polarizing
microscope. The micro-spectrophotometer. The scanning electron microscope (SEM).
8. Fingerprint analysis (10%); SLOs: 1-6.
 Fundamental principles of fingerprints. Classification of fingerprints, Automated fingerprint identification
systems, Methods of detecting fingerprints. Preservation of developed prints. Digital Imaging for fingerprint
enhancement.
9. Hairs, Fibers and Paints, and their comparative analysis (10%); SLOs: 1-6.
 Morphology of hair. Identification and comparison of hair. Collection of hair evidence. Identification and
comparison of man-made fibers. Collection of fiber evidence. Types of Fibers. Forensic examination of
paint, and collection and preservation of paint evidence.
10. Drugs and analysis of drug evidence (8%); SLOs: 1-6.
 Drug dependence. Narcotic drugs. Drug identification, and collection and preservation of drug evidence.
11. Forensic Serology (8%); SLOs: 1, 2, 4, 5.
 Body fluids, collection of biological evidence and forensic significance of body fluids
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12. DNA: The indispensable forensic science tool (10%); SLOs: 1-6.
 DNA and its manipulations, DNA typing and its significance in Forensic Science
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St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: Chemistry
Course or Course(s): CHEM 207, Forensic Science
Jack F. McKenna
Department or Unit Chair Signature
1/21/10
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date