FORENSIC SCIENCE SYLLABUS
August 2013-June 2014
Instructor: Mr. McCartney Email: [email protected]
Phone: (773) 535-2410 ext 25386 Schedule: Classes meet 1, 4 & 5
Office Hours: By appointment or during 6th or 8th period. I am usually around before and after school. Text: Saferstein, Richard (2011). Forensic Science: An Introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice
Hall.
Reading: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Additional Resources: Multiple articles, activities, and web-links will be posted to weekly to
www.hancockhs.org à Academics à Classes & Curriculum à Science Department à Forensic Science Our class blog is at mccartneyforensics.wordpress.com. Please leave comments and your opinions there while being respectful of others. This will be part of your overall grade, and please remember: *Leave a valid email when posting *Use only your first name, last initial, and period number in the name space (Scott M 7).
FORENSIC SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Forensic science is a multidisciplinary applied science (MAS) encompassing several sub-fields of biology, chemistry, physics, and crime science investigation (CSI). These sub-fields include genetics, toxicology, entomology, ballistics, pathology, computer forensics, and fire, debris and trace evidence. This course focuses on problem solving within an interdisciplinary scientific, relevant context.
GOALS/ OBJECTIVES
1. Students will be able to develop large-scale concepts through application of scientific inquiry.
2. The course will develop a student's ability to perform scientific inquiry through the skills outlined in the College Readiness Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and Common Core State Standards. 3. The content will be student-driven through inquiry and application of forensic science.
4. Students will use technology to enhance their learning and as a means of communication and discussion.
COURSE SCOPE AND SEQUENCE (Subject to Change)
TOPIC WEEK(S)
Introduction to Forensic Science/Crime Scene Weeks 1-7 (Locard’s and Body Farm Lab)
Physical Evidence Weeks 8-9 (Physical Evidence Lab)
Properties of Matter and the Analysis of Glass Weeks 10-11 (PreTest/Post/Density Lab)
Drugs/Toxicology Weeks 13-16 (Analysis/ID Lab/
Intoxication/pH)
Semester 1 Final Week 17 (Review weeks 1-16/how to
collect evidence) Weeks 18-19 (Semester 1 Final – Crime Scene)
Forensic Serology/DNA Weeks 20-26 (Blood typing/Punnett
Squares/Electrophoresis/RFLPs)
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Weeks 27-28 (Blood Drop/Blood Cast off/
Blood Spatter)
Fire Investigation Week 29 (Birdhouse investigation)
Fingerprints Week 30 (Comparison/Lab creation)
4th Quarter will be comprised of a comprehensive
final exam incorporating all of the previously learned material, as well as introductions to one or many of the following subtopics. This exam will be in the form of a court trial.
Weeks 31-35 Comprehensive Final preparation covering all previous material incorporated into expert witness testimony using evidence for a court trial.
Course Final Week 36 (Final Presentation/Completion)
Previous Topic Not Yet Covered/Written Final Weeks 37-38 (JRs only)
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Paper 1 scientific calculator 1 composition notebook
Pens and pencils 1 box latex gloves
1 roll paper towels
1 2” binder
1 box facial tissue
Students should have the above class materials by August 28th. CLASS EXPECTATIONS
Laboratory Safety: The student is responsible for his/her personal safety as well as those around him/her.
This is the most important requirement of any laboratory science. Guidelines will be handed out for the student, as well as the parent/guardian, to look over and acknowledge with a signature. It is expected that all students will know how to respond to an emergency situation with the appropriate action or equipment (fire extinguisher, eye wash, chemical shower, etc.).
Classroom Behavior:
1. Come prepared to class—bring a pen/ pencil and notebook 2. Adhere to all of Hancock’s school rules and policies.
3. Do your own work.
4. Be respectful to each other and the teacher and observe the golden rule.
5. We work a lot in groups of 4-5 students. Teacher will assign groups so have a positive attitude.
Grading Policy & Assessments: The majority of your grade will be based on your understanding (mastery) of essential content material and skills derived from the College Readiness Standards and
Common Core State Standards. Projects/Blog/Notebook will make up a portion of your grade, and your semester final will make up a portion as well.
Assignments will be based on the specific objectives that you must understand before continuing your
education.
Assessments will be ongoing and you will have multiple opportunities to improve your grade for each objective or skill until you have demonstrated mastery.
Rubric for Content/Skills Mastery
Score Level Percent Score Description
5 Exceptional 100
Corrent answer. Goes beyond expected answer in a significant way (for example - provides multiple forms of evidence to support
response) 4
Correct 88 Correct answer but includes little additional thought 3
Partially Correct 77
Includes appropriate terms or concepts but response is not completely correct
2
Incomplete 63 Response is incorrect, but does include some appropriate terms or concepts 1
Incorrect 50 Response is incorrect, but relevant 0
Not Submitted No response, or response is irrelevant
Rubric for Completion of Assigned Work
Score Level Percent Score Description
5 Exceptional 100
Homework is 100% complete and submitted on time. The work is exceptional and goes beyond
assignment requirements. 4
Correct 88
Homework is 100% complete. The student attempted all of the problems and submitted the
assignment on time. 3
Working to
completion 73
Homework is 80% complete. The work illustrates little thought or preparation. 2
Incomplete 63 Homework is less than 80% complete. The ideas expressed are difficult to understand. 1
Unacceptable 50 Homework is less than 50% complete. The ideas expressed are difficult to understand. 0
Not Submitted No homework was turned in.
Passes from class:
Unless there is an emergency, the student has a medical reason, or a prior arrangement has been made with the classroom teacher, no passes will be issued from class for any reason. Permission for excusal from class for an official school activity must be obtained from the teacher at least one day prior to the activity.
Examinations:
In general, exams will be given at the end of chapters or units. Students will be given at least two days notice on exams. Brief laboratory write-ups will normally be due on the day after the laboratory has been completed. Rubrics for projects, papers, and laboratory reports will be supplied prior to assignments. Expect many exams to be hands-on and some to be group work.
Final Examinations:
Final, cumulative semester exams will be at the end of each semester with the exact dates to be
REMEDIATION/ ASSISTANCE POLICY
Office hours during school are held 6th and 8th periods. Tutoring is available upon request before/after school. You can request tutoring by contacting Mr. McCartney either by phone or email and set up a time for tutoring.
ATTENDANCE POLICY & HOMEWORK POLICY:
Late work – late work is not accepted in this class; you have multiple opportunities to prove mastery, so
use them wisely.
Missed Tests, Quizzes, Labs, and Projects – Quizzes, labs, and projects will not be accepted late. You
will receive a copy for your own benefit to prepare for the test. If a student misses a test for a CPS approved excuse, they will have to make it up during tutoring sessions immediately following the test. If a student fails to make up the work within the allotted time, the student will receive a “0” for the standards assessed. This “0” will then be averaged with the previous grades earned for each standard assessed.
Attendance – Good attendance and punctuality are necessary for academic excellence. Students missing
class due to school activities must give notice at least 48 hours in advance. All work that is missed is the responsibility of the student, regardless of the reason. In accordance with the Hancock Grading Policy, students with more than 10 unexcused absences cannot receive an A, and those with more than 15 unexcused absences cannot receive an A or B. Most of the work for this class is completed during the period in which you are here; it is very difficult to catch up after repeated absences.
Student Responsibilities When Absent:
• It is also the student’s responsibility to get any class notes or discussion information missed.
• It is the student’s responsibility to check the missed work box and contact the instructor to determine what work was missed while absent, including: class notes, homework assignments, tests, quizzes, labs, and projects.
Common Assessments: Common unit assessments will be administered to students every ten weeks. Grading Scale
Letter Grade Percent Range (%)
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59
Evaluation Policy (Grade Weighting)
Skills Objectives (CRS & CCSS) 60%
Projects/Blog/Binder/Lab Notebook 20%
Final Semester Exam 20%
CLASS WEBSITE/BLOG
There is a requirement for blog participation. The blog can be found at:
mccartneyforensics.wordpress.com.
On this page you will read and respond to different prompts. There are no right or wrong answers to your responses; however, we are looking for thoughtful, well-informed and supported thoughts. Feel free to comment on your peer’s thoughts, but also be comfortable with leaving your own thoughts. This is a safe place; please do not disrespect anyone or their opinions. Please remember to:
Please complete the following information and sign below, indicating that you and your child have read and understood the syllabus. You may keep the above for your records.
Return the bottom signed portion of this document to your child’s instructor.
Print Student Name: _________________________________________________ Student Signature: __________________________________________________ Student Email:______________________________________________________ Print Parent/Guardian Name: __________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________________ Parent(s) Email:_____________________________________________________ Contact Phone Number: ______________________________________________
