Course title

Pre-requisite

Course description

Forensic Science (SC603)

This course will encompass aspects of all realms of the scientific community; to include physics; chemistry; biology; and geology.  Students will survey key topics in forensic science; including the application of the scientific process through forensic analysis; procedures and principles of science via crime scene investigation; physical and trace evidence; and defending science application through law and courtroom procedures from the perspective of the forensic scientist.  With the use of Google classroom; virtual and hands-on labs; and analysis of fictional crime scenarios; students learn about forensic tools; technical resources; forming and testing hypotheses; proper data collection and responsible conclusions.

Contact Information

Tyler Sawyer

Room 225 (480) 545-3100x6782

tyler.sawyer@gilbertschools.net

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Grading Standards

Students will be graded on a typical scale; consisting of the following:

A 100-90%

B 89-80%

C 79-70%

D 69-60%

F 59% and Below

Grades will be weighted; as follows:

Assignments 30%

Tests and Quizzes 40%

Quarter Projects 10%

Note: Semester Exams will be weighted at 20% of the Final grade.

Late/Missing Work

Missing and late assignments may be turned in one day late for 50% credit.

Approximate point values of routine student work

Tests 500 points

Quizzes 100 points

Major assignments (including labs) 100-400 points

Minor assignments (small tasks that require little time) 10-50 points

Quarter Projects 500 points per project

Extra Credit

Extra credit will not be issued to students.

Student Notebooks

Students are required to acquire and keep a notebook only for Science. The notebook will be a composition-type; college ruled is preferred due to space constraints. The collection of work in the notebook will be counted as a grade.

Notebooks will be used for daily vocabulary and warmups; any note taking; various laboratory activities; and selected quizzes.

Assignments will be collected on a regular basis; but notebooks will be graded over a longer time scale; approximately once per month. Students are responsible for maintaining this notebook as each semester progresses.

Behavior Expectations

Students will treat each other with respect.

Classroom behavior will remain modest and under control; in order to foster an appropriate environment for learning.

Student cell phones or other electronic devices will remain in backpacks; pockets; or purses.

Students will participate actively and appropriately in classroom discussions and activities.

Students will respond when requested; and in an appropriate manner.

Students will be dressed appropriately to maintain an effective learning environment. Students that stray from the approved dress code will be directed to the front office.

Students will direct specific issues not related to instruction to times outside of class.

Students will refrain from eating or drinking; due to inherent risks in the laboratory setting.

Behavior Consequences/Plan

Verbal Warning to student; followed by:

Assignment to 30 minute detention; either before school; at lunch; or after school

Call to Parent

Student-Parent-Teacher conference

Referral

In some instances; students may be immediately removed from the class for the remainder of the period in addition to a detention and Student-Parent-Teacher conference.

Safety

Student safety is paramount in the science classroom. During laboratory activities; students may come into contact with certain necessary hazards while working.

Injury in the laboratory can be reduced by:

Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing

Tie long hair back securely

Be aware when moving about the lab- of yourself and others

Wear safety goggles when appropriate

Report broken glass and solution spills to the instructor immediately

Refraining from horseplay in the lab

Refraining from eating or drinking

Note: Students who breach reasonable laboratory safety practices will be removed from the classroom for the remainder of the activity; with no warning. Due to the potential hazardous nature of science; this is an issue that is handled with zero tolerance.

Leaving During Class Time

Every semester; each student will be given two “emergency” passes to the restroom or to the drinking fountain. My classroom is located near to both locations; so all drinks or needs should (and can) be taken care of during passing periods. Time spent outside of class is very hard to make up for- students will miss much more than they realize. As success depends partly upon being in class; these two passes should only be used if there is no possible way the student can wait. Physical passes will not be handed out but rather kept accounted for; for each individual student.

Tardies

Students are expected to promptly arrive in class; on time. Students who are excessively tardy will receive the following consequences:

3 Tardies: Call home

5 Tardies: Administrator Referral

Scope and Sequence of the Course

Semester 1

1. Introduction to Forensic Science and the Law

2. Types of Evidence

3. The Crime Scene

4. Fingerprints

5. Hair

6. Fibers

7. Drugs

8. Serial Killers

Semester 2

9. Toxicology

10. Trace Evidence

11. Blood

12 Forensic Ballistics

13. DNA Analysis 

14. Human Remains

15 Forensic Entomology 

16. Soil Analysis

17. Glass

18. Document and Handwriting Analysis

19. Forensic Photography

20. Cyber Crime

Lab activities will take place at least two days of every week; and will include collecting evidence; hair analysis; fiber analysis; mock crime scenes; interview techniques; serving search warrants; fingerprint identification; fingerprint dusting; latent fingerprints; Ninhydrin; Iodine; Cyanoacrylate; Silver Nitrate; white powder presumptive; narcotics/urine; blood splatter; angle of impact/blood drops; Luminol; Kastel Meyer; bullet trajectory; bullet and cartridge comparisons; gel electrophoresis; DNA extraction; DNA comparison; DNA profiling; entomological identification; decomposition; soil analysis; handwriting analysis; glass analysis.

Extra Help

Students can seek extra help before school; at lunch; or after school by coming to Room 225. Students may wish to make arrangements beforehand of when they plan to come in.

Studying

At times; this course may be difficult. Typically students can expect to have to study outside of class. Reasonable study practices include reading the book; re-writing notes; re-drawing diagrams; making flashcards; and informal quizzing. Student success can be largely influenced by individual effort outside of class.

School country

School state

School city

School / district Address

School zip code

Requested competency code

Date submitted

Approved

Approved competency code

• LADV
• Advanced science

• LINT
• Integrated science

Approved date

Online / Virtual