Electives

This lecture and lab-based course provides students with an overview of various types of pattern evidence emphasizing the systematic approaches to pattern evidence comparison and analysis. The course covers the history of fingerprint identification, processing and comparison techniques, footwear and tire impression analysis, toolmark analysis, and the importance of photography in pattern evidence documentation. It also incorporates the development of pattern evidence using mechanical, chemical and visual techniques.

Approved Forensic Medicine/Death Investigation Track Elective

This class teaches students about the role of the medical examiner and the basic principles of medicolegal death investigations. Specific lectures cover autopsy procedures in the investigation of gun shot wounds, sharp and blunt trauma, drowning, asphyxia, child deaths, motor vehicle accidents and time since death determination. A general knowledge of anatomy is recommended prior to enrollment.

Approved Forensic Biology/DNA Analysis Track Elective

This course builds on topics presented in the Forensic DNA Analysis course and laboratory. Students learn to interpret STR data from compromised and mixed source samples to aid in understanding the theory behind DNA profile frequency calculations. An in-depth review of techniques and methodology used in a forensic DNA laboratory and the roles that accreditation, validation and quality assurance play are discussed.
Prerequisites: Molecular Biology of Forensic DNA Analysis and Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory

Approved Forensic Biology/DNA Analysis Track Elective

This lab course gives students an opportunity to independently perform evidence assessment and test for various types of biological evidence, as well as conduct a peer review in a mock forensic case setting.  Students learn advanced biological screening and techniques used in the analysis of complex DNA profiles.
Prerequisites: Molecular Biology of Forensic DNA Analysis, Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory, Forensic Biology and Forensic Biology Laboratory and Advanced Topics in DNA Analysis

Approved Forensic Chemistry/Toxicology Track Elective

This lecture-based course covers the most relevant methods of analysis of the most commonly abused substances, including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, hallucinogens and amphetamines. Also covered is the production, distribution and history of these commonly abused drugs as well as laboratory accreditation requirements.
Prerequisite: Forensic Chemistry

Approved Forensic Chemistry/Toxicology Track Elective

In this course students gain an understanding of advanced analytical techniques. Lecture topics include experimental design, measuring analytical uncertainty, chromatographic and spectral interpretations, and method validation.
Prerequisites: Forensic Chemistry and (undergraduate) physical chemistry

Approved Forensic Medicine/Death Investigation Track Elective

This lecture and lab-based course provides students with fundamental knowledge in bloodstain pattern analysis, including its scientific principles and practical applications to forensic casework. The course covers procedures and methods for recognition, documentation and evaluation of bloodstain patterns as well as the principles of physics, blood dynamics and the geometric significance of bloodstain patterns.
Prerequisite (suggested): Crime Scene Investigation

Approved Forensic Medicine/Death Investigation Track Elective

This hands-on and lecture-based course will provide students with methods and underlying theories related to specialized aspects of crime scene processing. Topics include techniques and principles utilized in search and recovery of human remains, major crime scene management and processing of mass disaster investigations.  Students will gain experience collecting fingerprint exemplars from cadavers and processing a realistic mock crime scene.
Prerequisites: Crime Scene Investigation

An internship in a forensic setting is encouraged and can be approved for credit depending on the nature of the internship and the number of hours of work completed. With prior approval from the student’s thesis advisors and the site supervisor, work completed at an internship may be used as a basis for the student’s thesis. A completed evaluation from the internship supervisor describing the nature of the work and the quality of the student’s performance is required. In addition, the student is required to write a summary of his/her internship experiences and responsibilities. Note: The student may count their internship towards completion of a track given the internship is within the proposed speciality.

Approved Forensic Biology/DNA Analysis Track Elective

This lecture and laboratory course is for students with no prior statistics experience who want to utilize computer software (i.e. SAS) in performing statistical analysis. Topics include: the collection, classification, and presentation of descriptive data, the rationale of hypothesis testing, experimental design, t-tests, correlation and regression analysis, and analysis of contingency tables.

Approved Forensic Biology/DNA Analysis Track Elective

This course introduces students to the basic concepts and principles of human genetics and related clinical applications. Topics include the chromosomal, molecular and biochemical basis of disease as well as introduction to prenatal diagnosis, genetic counseling, the use of bioinformatics in medicine, and the etiology of congenital anomalies. Additionally, the course includes discussions about the legal, ethical, and social issues in applied human genetics.

Approved Forensic Biology/DNA Analysis Track Elective

This one-semester course covers the basic principles and concepts of advanced Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Topics include protein structure and function, mechanisms of enzyme action, nutrition and metabolism, membrane structure and receptor signaling, cell cycle regulation, DNA and RNA structure and function, regulation of gene expression and techniques in Molecular Medicine. Clinical correlations are provided throughout the course.

This course studies the basic types of tissues, the cellular organization of organs, and the anatomical basis of organ function. Emphasis is on functional morphology at light and electron microscope levels. Basic concepts in embryology and pathology are introduced where relevant. Laboratory exercises in computer-based virtual microscopy and discussions supplement lectures. This course is an introductory version of MS 123 Medical Histology, designed to complement GMS curricula. All students are required to have a laptop computer that meets BUSM standards.

Approved Forensic Chemistry/Toxicology and Forensic Biology/DNA Analysis Track Elective

This introductory course in statistics provides a foundation for statistical analyses and data interpretation. The course provides a working understanding of experimental design and statistical analyses appropriate for various types of biology and neuroscience based experiments. This course benefits students who have little to no experience with statistics and want learn more about experimental design, probability and hypothesis testing.

Approved Forensic Biology/DNA Analysis Track Elective

This course in interdisciplinary science provides a hands-on experience in the development and use of systems dynamic and computer based models to study biological systems.

Approved Forensic Chemistry/Toxicology and Biology/DNA Analysis Track Elective

This course gives investigators the background necessary to effectively design mass spectrometric (MS) experiments and interpret data. Instrumentation is described at a level appropriate to graduate students in biochemistry, the structure of biological macromolecules is addressed as it applies to MS. Students gain a full understanding of modern MS and its effective use in research. Lectures are devoted to instrumentation, ionization methods and applications to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, glycoconjugates, nucleic acids and uses of the technology in proteomics, biotechnology and medicine.
Prerequisite: Biochemistry and consent from the course director and BMFS program advisor. This is an advanced course intended for BMFS students who have a strong background Biochemistry and/or organic chemistry.

This course consists of lectures and discussions on the basic morphologic and functional changes of major disease processes, including: cell injury and death, inflammation, cell and tissue response to microbial organisms, atherosclerosis and cancer.
Prerequisite: Histology and consent from BMFS program advisor.

Approved Forensic Biology/DNA Analysis Track Elective

Advanced course designed for those considering a clinical or research career in human genetics. Emphasis is on clinical cytogenetics (chromosome testing). The course covers types of chromosome abnormalities, methodology, nomenclature and clinical significance in pregnancy, birth defects, and cancer. Laboratory work includes basic blood culture, chromosome preparation, banding, identification, and karyotyping. Course provides an updated review of latest cytogenetic methodology and applications, such as FISH, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and array CGH.