Forensic Sciences Diploma Program

1. Forensic Sciences Diploma Program

2. Purpose To provide a firm grounding in the sciences that are the foundation for techniques used in forensic investigations To provide education rather than technical or vocational training an educational enhancement

3. Why do the Diploma?? Interest Admission to graduate programs Work Career in a police force (RCMP, municipal) Forensic labs (with major in BIO, CHE) Forensic investigations (outside Canada) additional training usually required

4. History of the Program Program planning initiated in 1998 Lee Fraser, RCMP Halifax Doug Strongman, Professor of Biology Course requirements and content Brian Yamashita, RCMP, Ottawa Approved by SMU Senate in 1999 First 25 Students admitted August 2000 First graduates in 2001 First online students admitted 2002

5. Administration The Program is administered by an Executive Committee that reports mainly to the Dean of Science The current members of the Executive Committee are: Dr. Colleen Barber, Biology, Coordinator Dr. Timothy Frasier, Biology Dr. Doug Strongman, Biology Dr. Tanya Peckmann, Anthropology Dr. Genlou Sun, Biology Scott Jory, RCMP Student Representative Stefani Woods, Continuing Education

6. Relationship with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) The Program operates with a Memorandum of Understanding between Saint Mary’s University and Forensic Identification Services of the RCMP The Memorandum allows RCMP staff to contribute to the Program

7. Curriculum The Program curriculum consists of 60 credit hours, or 20 half-year courses Nine (9) courses are required; 7 or 8 are selected from a group of science-intensive courses; and 3 or 4 are selected from a group of elective courses Three of the required courses are core courses: FRSC 2200 Basic Sciences for Forensics I FRSC 2201 Basic Sciences for Forensics II FRSC 3300 Applications of Forensic Techniques

8. 1. Required Courses (27 credit hours) FRSC 2200 Basic Sciences for Forensics I FRSC 2201 Basic Sciences for Forensics II FRSC 3300 Application of Forensic Techniques FRSC 4001 Forensic DNA Typing OR BIOL 4419 Molecular Biology (pre-reqs are BIOL 2307 and CHEM2344 or CHEM 2346) BIOL 1201 Molecular and Cell Biology BIOL 1202 Organismal and Ecological Biology BIOL 2307 Genetics CHEM 1210 General Chemistry CHEM 1212 Chemistry for Life Sciences

9. 2. Science-intensive courses(21 to 24 credit hours) FRSC 3350 Recent Advancement in Forensic Science ANTH 3373 Fieldwork in Archeology ANTH 3374 Archaeology Laboratory ANTH 3471 Forensic Skeletal Identification ANTH 3472 Forensic Skeletal Analysis ANTH 4464 Advanced Fieldwork in Archeology ANTH 4465 Advanced Archaeology Laboratory ANTH 4701 Internship in Forensic Anthropology BIOL 2004 Human Cell Physiology & Metabolism BIOL 2308 Biostatistics OR PSYC 2350 Psychological Statistics BIOL 2321 Cell Biology BIOL 3001 Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology BIOL 3002 Entomology BIOL 3005 Human Organ Systems BIOL 3006 Animal Ecophysiology BIOL 3426 Animal Tissues BIOL 3398 Microbiology BIOL 4408 Animal Developmental Biology BIOL 4411 Medical and Veterinary Parasitology CHEM 2332 Introductory Analytical Chemistry: Wet Methods CHEM 2333 Introductory Analytical Chemistry: Instrumental Methods CHEM 2344 Organic Chemistry I OR CHEM 2346 Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences CHEM 2345 Organic Chemistry IIA CHEM 3451 Introductory Biochemistry PHYS 1000 Physics for Life Sciences I PHYS 1001 Physics for Life Sciences II

10. 3. Electives (9 -12 credit hours) ANTH 1271 Introduction to Archaeology ANTH 1280 Introduction to Biological Anthropology ANTH 2282 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology CRIM 2303 Crime and Society (Note: entry to this course may be restricted) CRIM 2304 Canadian Criminal Justice System (Note: entry to this course may be restricted) GEOG 2316 Map and Air Photo Interpretation GEOG 3386 Concepts in Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S.) PSYC 1250 Social Behavior PSYC 1260 Personality: Normal and Abnormal PSYC 3320 Psychology and Law PSYC 3338 Introduction to Forensic Psychology PSYC 3349 Drugs and Behavior PSYC 4438 Advanced Forensic Psychology PSYC 4443 Advanced Psychology and Law

11. Course Scheduling The Program has a long-range commitment to offer courses simultaneously both in-person and on-line In-person versions of the three FRSC courses are usually offered twice weekly in the evening. The first weekly session is a lecture, the second a laboratory All three FRSC courses are team-taught

12. Students The Program now serves three categories of students: One category consists of students who are pursuing a major degree program at Saint Mary’s University These students must pursue the Diploma Program simultaneously The second category consists of mature students with work-related experience—for example, police officers – who are not necessarily pursuing a major degree program at Saint Mary’s University The third category consists of people who already have an undergraduate degree from a recognized University, and wish to return to school specifically for this diploma program These last two groups of people can pursue the Diploma Program on its own

13. Admission Admission to the Program is by permission of the Coordinator The Coordinator consults with the Executive Committee and, where appropriate, the Director of Continuing Education Requirements for admission of current Saint Mary’s students are: 1) Enrolment in a major degree program in the faculty of Arts, Commerce, or Science; 2) Completion of 30-credit hours at Saint Mary’s or any other recognized University with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00; and 3) Submission of a formal letter stating reasons for choosing the Program and work-related experiences or goals 4) Declaration of a major

14. Admission Application Deadline January 15th Admission is for the Fall term only Regrettably, not all minimally qualified students can be admitted. Currently, the Program admits approximately 20 students per year

15. Questions? Many questions about the Program areanswered on our web site:www.smu.ca/academic/science/forensics