PLEASE NOTE:
- This course is one semester in length.
- Please contact us for the materials list for this course.
Primary Grade: 11
Grade Range: 10, 11, 12
Credit Equivalency:
Semester: 0.5 Credits
COURSE DESCRIPTION
NCAA Eligible Course
Students enrolled in Forensic Science will develop a better understanding of the reality of forensic science, which is often contradicted by the fictional forensic science portrayed in entertainment. Students begin by exploring the history and background of forensic science. They discover several forensic science disciplines, such as pathology, anthropology, toxicology, serology, entomology, and odontology. Students learn and use proper lab practices, which ensure the integrity of any collected organic and inorganic evidence. Students investigate chromatography, spectroscopy, and microscopy techniques. They also explore and survey the impact of DNA analysis and questioned document analysis on forensic science. This course teaches the proper handling of impression evidence, such as shoe print, foot, tire, lip print, firearm, and fingerprint impressions while students examine the analysis of trace evidence, including hair and glass. The course concludes with an exploration into the ways in which forensic science is interconnected with the legal system, as well as what the future holds for forensic science. It includes numerous hands-on labs, including measuring a hypothetical time of death, extracting their own DNA, and analyzing their own fingerprint impressions. Forensic Science is ideal for high school students who are interested in forensic science, biology, law, and/or criminalistics. Students must possess basic spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation software knowledge as a prerequisite. Completion of one full year of high school Biology is required in order to evaluate the numerous biological concepts present in this course. In addition, students must be mature, independent learners and comfortable learning new technology.
Please note: The concepts discussed in any forensic science course are intended for mature and responsible students only. Delicate and sensitive concepts related to forensic science will be discussed in a respectful and straightforward manner.
COURSE TOPICS
- Background of Forensics
- Forensic Specialties
- Evidence
- Lab Practices
- Analytical Instrumentation
- Shoe and Tire Impressions
- Firearm and Ballistics
- DNA Analysis
- Controlled Substance Analysis
- Trace Evidence Analysis: Hair
- Trace Evidence Analysis: Glass
- Fire Debris Analysis
- Questioned Documents Analysis
- Current Uses of Forensic Science
- Court Testimony
- Quality in Forensic Science
- A Career in Forensic Science
TEACHER SERVICES
All course teachers are certified, subject-area content experts. The teacher will grade student assessments and provide detailed feedback. The course teacher is available to answer student questions via email, during scheduled office hours, or by virtual appointment. The teacher will carry out documented modifications and accommodations that are applicable to the online course. Progress monitoring and supplemental material will be provided by the teacher as needed.
AUTO-GRADED COURSE
Auto-graded courses are self-paced, multimodal, and standards-aligned. Students progress independently and are assessed frequently through weekly checkpoints and Mastery Assessments. Upon submission of assessments, students receive immediate answers and feedback and can mark the completion of work via a completion button in the learning management system. These courses allow students to work at their own pace and spend the necessary time on course content to ensure mastery.