CHEM 102 – Forensic Science w/ Lab – Fall 2015
Instructor: Dr. Audra Goach Sostarecz
356 Center for Science and Business
309-457-2252 - office
309-221-9432 – cell
asostarecz@monmouthcollege.edu
Office Hours: 11:00am - 12:00pm M,W
2:00pm – 3:00pm T
1:00pm-2:00pm F
others by appointment
Lecture: TR 12:30pm-1:45pm CSB 378
Laboratory: R 2:00-3:50pm CSB 312
Required Textbook: Richard Saferstein, Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 9th edition, Prentice-Hall, New
Jersey, 2004.
Lab Handouts: Taken with permission from: L. J. Kaplan, "A Laboratory Manual for an Introduction to the Crime Lab,"
Williamstown, Massachusetts, 2006.
Required Readings and Handouts: TBA on webpage http://personal.monm.edu/asostarecz/default.htm
Grading:
Exams (2)
Homework/Quizzes
Papers
Lab component
Final Exam
Exam Dates:
35%
10%
10%
25%
20%
Sep 29
Nov 3
FINAL EXAM Friday, Dec 11 ; 3pm
Letter Grades: A  93  A−  90  B+  87  B  83  B−  80  C+  77
77  C  73  C−  70  D+  67  D  63  D−  60  F  0
Hours per Week Work Expectations: I will expect that you dedicate to this course at least the hours indicated
below. These are predetermined weekly averages. Obviously, the hours per week could fluctuate if, for example, you
have a lab report due and an exam in one week.
Class Lectures
2.5 hrs
Reading
2.0 hrs
Presentation
0.5 hrs
Quizzes/HW/Exams
3.5 hrs
Lab
2.5 hrs
Total Hours per Week*
11 hrs
*This is the average amount of time that a student needs to spend per week to complete the coursework
Course Goals: This course will provide you with an understanding of the science and legality involved in analyzing
crime scenes. Specific aspects of forensic science involving the examination of physical, chemical, and biological items
of evidence will be explored. Concepts of chemistry, mostly analytical, organic, and biochemical, will be mastered in the
classroom while the lab portion will consist of the forensic analysis of substances such as fibers, ink, drugs, and alcohol.
By understanding the limitations of data, students will gain quantitative reasoning skills. Communication skills will be
honed through writing assignments and in-class discussions. Since forensic scientists need to have an understanding of
the legal system to ensure that their actions and results are within the rules of law and are admissible in the courts, we will
discuss the science in relation to famous case studies such as the O.J. Simpson trial and the JFK assassination. The
overall goal of this course is to instill an appreciation for chemistry as a discipline that is related to one's life.
Attendance: Any more than 3 unexcused absences in lecture or more than 1 unexcused absence in lab will result in you
failing this course. It is your responsibility to be in lecture every day and lab every week. If an incident arises that will
require you to miss a class or a lab, please contact your professor by phone or email before the lecture or the lab. You will
be held responsible for all material covered in your absence. For full credit of class assignments missed, you will be
required to complete them in an agreed upon time. There will be no make-up labs – you will receive a zero for all
unexcused labs.
Exams: Two 75 minute exams will be given during the semester. Unexcused absences on any exam will count as a zero.
For an excused absence, you need to contact your instructor (phone or email) WELL BEFORE the exam begins and you
will have to take a make-up exam.
Homework Sets: Homework will be assigned, collected, and graded for correctness. Partial credit will be given.
Homework assignments will consist of problem-solving and written work.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given on a random basis in order to gauge your progress. If you are coming to class and
keeping up with the reading/homework then your quiz grade should help your overall grade.
Papers: One or two thesis-based papers will be assigned throughout the semester. More information will be given in
class.
Lab Worksheets: CHEM 102 contains a lab component. Your lab grade is determined from the completion of the labs
and the correctness and completion of the lab worksheets/quizzes along with your laboratory behavior. There will be no
make-up labs for the semester.
Safety in the Lab: Safety glasses and closed-toe shoes must be worn in the lab. Safety glasses can be purchased
through the local American Chemical Society Club. You will be informed of all of the safety regulations before the first
lab.
Lab Conduct: When working in the lab, please be aware of your surroundings. ALWAYS use the hoods or snorkels
when assigned to do so. Not abiding by the rules may result in serious injury in this lab. Make sure to keep your area
clean and put all equipment away after each lab. In addition, it is of the utmost importance that all digital analytical
balances be kept SPOTLESS. Lab conduct will help to determine borderline grades.
Final Exam: The final exam is scheduled for Dec 11 at 3pm. Please see me early if you have a conflict.
Participation: Class participation will help determine borderline grades
Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: The following is taken from the Monmouth College policy on academic dishonesty:
We view academic dishonesty as a threat to the integrity and intellectual mission of our institution. Any breach of the
academic honesty policy – either intentionally or unintentionally - will be taken seriously and may result not only in
failure in the course, but in suspension or expulsion from the college. It is each student’s responsibility to read, understand
and comply with the general academic honesty policy at Monmouth College, as defined here in the Scots Guide, and to
the specific guidelines for each course, as elaborated on the professor’s syllabus.
The following areas are examples of violations of the academic honesty policy:
1. Cheating on tests, labs, etc;
2. Plagiarism, i.e., using the words, ideas, writing, or work of another without giving appropriate credit;
3. Improper collaboration between students, i.e., not doing one’s own work on outside assignments specified as group
projects by the instructor;
4. Submitting work previously submitted in another course, without previous authorization by the instructor.
Please note that this list is not intended to be exhaustive.
Disability Support Services:
Monmouth College wants to help all students be as academically successful as possible. It is the goal of Monmouth
College to accommodate students with disabilities pursuant to federal law, state law, and the college’s commitment to
equal educational opportunity. Any student with a disability who needs an accommodation should speak with the
Teaching and Learning Center. The Teaching and Learning Center is located on the 2nd floor of Poling Hall, 309-4572257, or http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/disability-services
**Syllabus is subject to change. Any change will be brought to your attention in lecture.