University of Redlands  Department of Biology
CSI: Redlands
CHEM 040 Fall 2006 Syllabus
Instructor:
Ms. Candy Glendening
Office:
Hedco Hall 113
Phone:
793-2121 ext. 4922
Office Hours:
W: 11-noon or by appointment
Required Texts:
Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques, James &
Nordby, 2005, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL.
E–Mail: candace_glendening@redlands.edu
You will also need a 3 ring binder (preferably one that can act as a notepad) into which
you put your laboratory exercises & write-ups.
Course objectives: This course has basically three goals: To gain a basic understanding of the common
forensic methods of analysis, to develop a greater understanding of the scientific
principles these forensic methods are based on and to understand the limitations of
science and its uncertainties
We will explore many facets of forensic science, from the process that begins at a crime
scene, to studying many of the standard biochemical analyses conducted upon evidence
collected. During our laboratory sessions, we will be conducting many of the types of
tests and analyses routinely conducted in modern crime labs today. We will also be
exploring some of the uncertainties and limitations of science through our laboratory
sessions as well as various class assignments and/or projects.
Class Structure:
We meet in a laboratory setting twice a week for almost three hours each time. This is
so we can move freely between hearing about a forensics concept and actually doing
hands on experiments that illustrate those concepts.
Exams:
We will have 3 exams during the semester, see the schedule below for the dates and
coverage of these exams and plan accordingly. Exams will be a combination of short
answer, fill in the blanks, and open response. Note, because we have lab & lecture
intermingled, there will be some “lab practical” type questions on the exam.
Lab Write-ups:
Most laboratory activities will have a procedure to follow during the lab. It will contain
questions you need to answer during the lab, as well as others that ask you to expand
upon what you’ve just learned. To re-emphasize what you’ve just learned, you’ll write up
these labs outside of class. These won’t be full-fledged lab reports; I’ll go over the
format with you in class.
Quizzes/Homework:You will have several small assignments to complete throughout the semester, reinforcing
concepts we cover in class. I will also occasionally throw a “pop” quiz to keep you
reviewing information throughout the semester.
Final project:
Glendening
The final project for this course will evaluate your ability to apply what you have learned
in this course. Each team of students will plan out and simulate a crime scene, as well as
process and attempt to solve a simulated crime scene. Each team then prepares a
presentation of the solved crime and presents it to the rest of the class on finals day.
CSI: Redlands Syllabus
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Class participation: Our class size is small, which should provide each of you with plenty of opportunities to
be actively involved in learning. This includes taking place in group discussions, asking
relevant questions when appropriate, being an equal partner when you’re in a group
setting, and respecting your classmates’ involvement. From time to time I’ll have a small
assignment for you to think about outside of class that should help in-class discussions.
Also, we’ll often have a short quiz/problems to work through to assure that you are all
keeping up with the material. If you’re going over your notes before class, these should
be easy and stress-free. If you’re NOT keeping up with the class, they may be tough
and/or stressful!
Attendance:
Attendance at each class is essential. Make–up exams may be given only with prior
approval because of a personal illness, a university–sponsored event, or death in the
family (all must be accompanied by written verification). Labs are often done in groups,
and with materials that will only be available for you to use during the scheduled time.
Therefore, it is almost impossible to make up a lab activity. We also will have quizzes and
in-class assignments that are only appropriately given during the scheduled class time. If
you find yourself missing a class contact me immediately (a.k.a. that day – sick people can
dial phones too) so we can see if there is any way for you to make up what you missed, if
only partially.
Grading:
Each portion of work in this class will have the following effect on your final grade:
Exams
30%
Final Project
20%
Lab Write-ups
20%
Quizzes & small assignments
20%
Class Participation
10%
I will calculate your final average based on the weights above. That final average will
result in the following grade:
93-100%
90-92%
Late Work:
A  4.0
A– 3.7
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
B+ 3.3
B 3.0
B– 2.7
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
C+ 2.3
C 2.0
C– 1.7
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
D+ 1.3
D 1.0
D– 0.7
0-59%
F0
Assignments will always be due at the beginning of class on the stated day. Late
assignments will have 10% per day assessed for each day the work is late. Late work will
not be accepted after papers have been returned to the class. I may sometimes be
flexible on due dates if you come to me ahead of time and discuss it with me. However,
we all know that with computers we need to save early & often, and you have plenty of
access to computers here, so computer problems are NOT grounds for extensions!
Academic Honesty: Please read the statement on academic honesty in the University of Redlands catalogue
2003-2005 (13-20). Basically, what it means is that you are responsible for your own
work. As you work on your presentations we’ll discuss in more detail what plagiarism is &
how to avoid it, but the simplest way to explain it is to use your own words!
Blackboard:
Glendening
I’ll be using blackboard this semester to disseminate information to you. All my lecture
notes will be available there, usually before class. Feel free to print them and bring them
to class to aid in your note taking. I also will post all our lab activities and post-lab writeups there as well. I’ll post announcements as needed, and will occasionally have small
assignments posted there are well (I’ll email you when to look for them). Speaking of
email, I will communicate with you often via your Redlands email, so please check it
frequently. Webmail has VASTLY improved over the Summer, so there should be no
complaints there. I will not keep track of any other email address you may have!
CSI: Redlands Syllabus
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Blackboard has a “document drop” function – if you are electronically submitting an
assignment or draft to me, please use this rather than email. There a confirmation
function there that eliminates all those pesky email problems. I will post all your grades
on here as well – please check them to make sure I’ve entered your grades correctly. A
nice function of Blackboard is that it calculates statistics for each assignment, so you
can see how well you’re performing in the class. Please note: your final grade calculation
is not a simple % of total points calculation, it’s based on the weighting system
described on page 2.
Topical Schedule: What follows is a tentative schedule of topics we’ll cover in class this semester, subject
to change at my discretion, which includes chapter references.
Date
9/7
9/9
9/14
9/16
9/21
9/23
9/28
9/30
10/5
10/7
10/12
10/14
10/19
10/21
10/26
10/28
11/2
11/4
11/9
11/11
11/16
11/18
11/23-27
11/30
12/2
12/7
12/9
12/16 @
9 AM
Glendening
Topic
Intro to forensic science, manner & cause of death
Forensic Science divisions & the judicial system
Intro to Fingerprint Biometrics
Inked Fingerprint Comparison
Development of Latent Fingerprints
Footprints & bloodstain patterns
The crime scene
First Exam
Use & Care of a microscope
Trace analysis: Hair & Fibers
Fall Break!
Glass analysis & Forensic Toxicology
Questioned Documents
Chromatographic Separation of Molecules
Intro to Gel Electrophoresis
Second Exam
Intro to Human Genetics
Blood types
DNA & RFLPs
DNA Fingerprints
DNA Fingerprints
Third Exam
Thanksgiving Break!
Final Project: Crime Scene Development
Final Project: Crime Scene Development
Final Project: Crime Scene Analysis
Final Project: Crime Scene Analysis
Final Exam: Crime Scene Analysis Presentations
CSI: Redlands Syllabus
Chapter
1
2-9, 32
17
17
17
11, 18
10
16
22
21
15
13
15, 34
15, 34
15, 34
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