FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA FACULTY SENATE

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FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

FACULTY SENATE

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

PROPOSAL PRESENTATION COVER SHEET

(Proposal from College of Arts and Sciences)

I. Proposal:

Notification of Intent to Plan a New Bachelor of

Science in Forensic Science Degree Program

II. Purpose:

The mission of the Bachelor of Science degree program in Forensic Science is to produce technically skilled and educated graduates who have a basic foundation in the scientific and laboratory problem

solving skills necessary for success in a modern crime laboratory, and who will contribute to the forensic science community. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to function as forensic scientists and specialists, or for advanced study in forensic science, biomedical

research, medicine, and law.

III. Rationale:

The demand for trained forensic scientists nationwide is increasing as a result of the great backlog of criminal cases and the

dependence of criminal cases on forensic analyses. Data obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov)

indicates that in the year 2000, the total employment for the Forensic Science technician occupation in all industries was 6,400. It is anticipated that by the year 2010 the number of jobs held by Forensic

Science technicians will increase by 13% (to 7,230). A recent report (www. fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/current/2003_10_research01.htm) proposed that agencies estimate staffing needs on a ratio of one forensic scientist to

approximately 30,000 people. Given that the current population of the United States is more than 292 million, this ratio would indicate a current need of over 9,700 forensic scientists. To meet this need, we would need to increase the number of forensic scientists by over 3300 or more than 50% of the current number. Nationwide, only about 20 colleges or universities offer bachelor's degree programs in forensic technology (www.aafs.org). Currently there is only one institution in the state of North Carolina (Guilford College) that offers a 4-year degree in the field of forensic science (Forensic Biology). No institution in the state offers a baccalaureate degree in Forensic Science with the two concentration

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Sciences core courses, 19 hours in concentration courses (forensic biology concentration or forensic chemistry concentration), and 28 hours in

forensic science and criminal justice core and forensic laboratory science courses.

IV.

To be presented to: (in succession to each of the following)

Departmental Curriculum Committee, Departmental faculty, CAS Academic Affairs Committee, CAS Dean, (Teacher Education Committee for all teacher education programs), Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee, Faculty Senate, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Chancellor

V. Submitted by:

Bertha H. Miller, Dean; Dr. Murthy Pinapaka, Department of Natural Sciences; and Dr. Juliette B. Bell, Department of Natural

Sciences.

VI. Number of Copies: 47______________________________________

VII. Will this proposal, if implemented, require either additional

faculty or other resources? If yes, explain how these resources will

be provided:

The proposed BS in Forensic Science program will take

advantage of many training resources already available in the Departments of Natural Sciences and Criminal Justice. However, faculty, facilities, equipment, library resources and other materials must be enhanced to meet the training needs of the new program. Specifically, faculty with

expertise in forensic science will be needed to train students in the forensic core and forensic laboratory areas. Additional equipment to facilitate the forensic laboratory courses will also be required. These resources will be provided through new hires in existing faculty slots and by reallocation of departmental resources. Additional funding from the university, outside agencies, and through grants may also be pursued.

Actions taken on proposal, entitled

Notification of Intent to Plan a New Bachelor of

Science in Forensic Science Degree Program

Departmental Curriculum Committee:

Action: (indicate vote) ________________________________________

Signature: _________________________ date:

Chair, Departmental Curriculum Committee

Department:

Action: (indicate vote) ___________________________________________

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CAS Academic Affairs Committee:

Action: (indicate vote) ___________________________________________

Signature: ______________________ date:

Chair, CAS Academic Affairs Committee

College of Arts and Sciences:

Action: (indicate vote)____________________________________________

Signature: _____________________ date:

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Teacher Education Committee: (for teacher education programs):

Action: (indicate vote)____________________________________________

Signature: _____________________ date:

Chair, Teacher Education Committee

Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee:

Action: (indicate vote)____________________________________________

Signature: _____________________ date:

Chair, Academic Affairs Committee

Faculty Senate:

Action: (indicate vote)____________________________________________

Signature: _____________________ date:

Chair, Faculty Senate

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs:

Action: (indicate vote)____________________________________________

Signature: _____________________ date:

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Chancellor:

Action:____________________________________________________________

Signature: _____________________ date:

Appendix A

The University of North Carolina

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THE PURPOSE OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM PLANNING: Planning a new academic degree program provides an opportunity for an institution to make the case for need and demand and for its ability to offer a quality program. This notification, and the planning activity to follow, do not guarantee that authorization to establish will be granted. Date: November 4, 2003

Constituent Institution: Fayetteville State University

CIP Discipline Specialty Title: Protective Services CIP Discipline Specialty Number: 43.0106 Level: B X M C.A.S.

Exact Title of the Proposed Program: ___Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science_______________ Exact Degree Abbreviation (e.g. B.S., B.A., M.A., M.S., C.A.S.): BS Does the proposed program constitute a substantive change as defined by SACS? Yes__ No _X_ a) Is it at a more advanced level than those previously authorized? Yes__ No _X_

b) Is the proposed program in a new discipline division? Yes____ No __X__

Approximate date for submitting the Request to Establish proposal (must be within one year of date of

submission of notification of intent to plan): November 1, 2004

Proposed date to establish degree: month ___August________ year__2005________ (Date can be no sooner than six months after the date of notification of intent to plan and must allow at least three months for review of the request to establish, once submitted.)

1. Describe the proposed new degree program. The description should include:

a.

Brief description of the program and a statement of educational objectives 1.) Program Description

The study of Forensic Science engages students in the application of scientific principles and methods for the evaluation of evidence. The mission of the Bachelor of Science degree program in Forensic Science is to produce technically skilled and educated graduates who have a basic foundation in the scientific and laboratory problem solving skills necessary for success in a modern crime laboratory, and who will contribute to the forensic science community. Students will receive preparation in areas such as DNA analysis, forensic biology, forensic chemistry, and toxicology. The program will also equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to prepare reports documenting their findings and laboratory techniques used, and to provide expert witness testimony on specific laboratory findings. Upon completion of the Forensic Science program, graduates will be prepared to function as forensic scientists and specialists, or for advanced study in forensic science, biomedical research, medicine, and law.

The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science will consist of two concentrations: Forensic Biology and Forensic Chemistry. Each concentration will require 124 semester credit hours of course work. There will be 45 credits in the University College Core which provides a strong liberal arts foundation, 32 hours in Natural Sciences core courses, 19 hours in concentration courses (forensic biology

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2.) Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of the proposed Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science are consistent with the mission of Fayetteville State University and the accreditation standards of the Forensic Science Education

Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (www.aafs.org). Students should be able to:

a.) Synthesize empirical and theoretical knowledge from the natural sciences core, specialty core,

forensic core, criminal justice, and laboratory science courses as well as the University College core courses in social sciences, mathematics, English, and the humanities to effectively provide service to the forensic science community;

b.) Demonstrate competency in performing laboratory analysis of biological samples, crime scene

investigation, and evidence documentation;

c.) Demonstrate the acquisition of skills and experiences in the application of basic forensic science

concepts and of specialty knowledge to problem solving;

d.) Exhibit an orientation in professional values and concepts of ethics appropriate to the area of

forensic science and law;

e.) Demonstrate the integration of knowledge and skills through a capstone experience;

f.) Exhibit excellent written and oral communication skills;

g.) Demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for the issues specific to forensic science.

b.

The relationship of the proposed new program to the institutional mission and how the program fits into the institution’s strategic plan.

The mission of the proposed BS in Forensic Science program flows from the mission and strategic

plan of Fayetteville State University. The mission of FSU is to be a comprehensive regional university offering degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. The primary mission is to provide quality education to its students through a basic liberal arts foundation, specialized professional training, and specific graduate programs. The proposed BS in Forensic Science program is at the bachelor’s level and is designed to provide students with a quality education that will prepare them for employment in the Forensic Science profession or for further study leading to advanced degrees. This program will produce highly trained forensic scientists to help alleviate the backlog of criminal cases requiring forensic

investigations throughout the state and nation. This new and exciting program will also assist FSU in reaching its strategic plan’s goal of increasing the student population to 6,000 by 2008.

c.

The relationship of the proposed new program to other existing programs at the institution.

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expertise in forensic science will be needed to train students in the forensic core and forensic laboratory areas. Additional equipment to facilitate the forensic laboratory courses will also be required.

d.

Special features or conditions that make the institution a desirable, unique, or appropriate place to initiate such a degree program.

The demand for trained forensic scientists nationwide is increasing as a result of the great backlog of criminal cases and the dependence of criminal cases on forensic analyses. Data obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.org) indicated that in the year 2000, the total employment for the Forensic Science technician occupation in all industries was 6,400. It is anticipated that by the year 2010 the number of jobs held by Forensic Science technicians will increase by 13% (to 7,230).* A recent report proposed that agencies estimate staffing needs on a ratio of one forensic scientist to approximately 30,000 people (www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/

current/2003_10_research01.htm). Given that the current population of the United States is more than 292 million, this ratio would indicate a current need of over 9,700 forensic scientists. To meet this need, we would need to increase the number of forensic scientists by over 3300, or more than 50% of the current number. Nationwide, only about 20 colleges or universities offer bachelor's degree programs in forensic technology, often with an emphasis in a specialty area, such as criminalistics, pathology, jurisprudence, odontology, or toxicology (www.aafs.org). In contrast to some other science technician positions that require only a 2-year degree, a 4-year degree in forensic science is usually necessary to work in the field of forensic science. According to a listing by the

American Academy of Forensic Sciences (www.aafs.org), there is currently only one institution in the state of North Carolina (Guilford College) that offers a 4-year degree in the field of forensic science (Forensic Biology). Two others, Appalachian State University and University of North Carolina at Pembroke, offer concentrations in forensics. No other university in the state offers a baccalaureate degree in Forensic Science with the two concentration options of Forensic Biology and Forensic Chemistry as described in this proposal. Thus, our program would serve as a unique and needed source of trained forensic biologists and chemists for the state of North Carolina. Our close proximity to the major criminal investigations laboratory for the State of North Carolina, located just seventy miles from Fayetteville in Raleigh, North Carolina, is another special feature of our proposed program.

2. List all other public and private institutions of higher education in North Carolina currently operating programs similar to the proposed new degree program.

● Guilford College (BA in Forensic Biology)

● Appalachian State University (BS Chemistry with a Forensic Science Concentration)

● University of North Carolina at Pembroke (BS Chemistry with Forensic Chemistry Concentration)

● Forsyth Technical Community College (AAS Criminal Justice Technology/Latent Evidence)

● Fayetteville Technical Community College (AAS Criminal Justice Technology/Latent Evidence)

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4. If there are plans to offer the program away from campus during the first year of operation:

The program will not be offered off campus during the first year of operation.

a) briefly describe these plans, including potential sites and possible method(s) of delivering instruction. b) indicate any similar programs being offered off-campus in North Carolina by other institutions (public or private)

c) estimate the number of students that would be enrolled in the program during the first year of operation:

Full-Time______ Part-Time______

5. List the names, titles, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of the person(s) responsible for planning the proposed program.

Dr. Bertha H. Miller, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences bmiller@uncfsu.edu 910 672-1681

Dr. Murthy Pinapaka, Chair, Department of Natural Sciences mpinapaka@uncfsu.edu 910 672-1691 Dr. Juliette B. Bell, Professor of Chemistry jbell@uncfsu.edu 910 672-1659

This intent to plan a new program has been reviewed and approved by the appropriate campus committees and authorities.

Chancellor

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA FACULTY SENATE