Forensic Science Syllabus
Coach Aaron Ball
Conference Period: 6th
Forensic science is any science used for the purposes of the law, and therefore provides impartial scientific evidence for use in the courts of law, and in a criminal investigation and trial. Forensic science is a multidisciplinary subject, drawing principally from chemistry and biology, but also from physics, geology, psychology, social science, etc.
DISCIPLINE AND CLASS RULES:
1. Respect All People.
2. Follow all directions the first time.
3. Pay attention and talk only with permission.
4. Be in your seat when the bell rings with materials and assignments.
6. Severe disruptions / unsafe lab horseplay will be an automatic office referrals
MATERIALS: Each student should provide the following supplies:
1) A 3 ring binder.
3) Colored pencils or markers.
4) Pencils and Pens (blue or black ink only)
Grading Policy In accordance with district guidelines, each 9-week grade will be determined as follows:
50% Assessment: Tests, major lab reports and projects
50% Daily assignments, homework Labs, quizzes, etc.
Homework : is given to finish class work and may include problems, outside reading, pre or post-lab questions or reviewing for quizzes and tests will be assigned as necessary. We will review, grade, and collect the homework at the beginning of class. Homework may be done in pencil, blue ink or black ink.
Late Work and Make-up Work: All late work will follow the district guidelines for late and make-up work. I would like to stress that when a student is absent, it is THEIR responsibility to obtain the missing work and to make appointments with their teacher to make-up their Exams and other work within one day for each day of absence.
IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ARRANGE TO MAKE UP ANY WORK MISSED DUE TO ANY ABSENCE.
Retests: Any student who obtains a grade below 70% on a major test may be given the opportunity to raise their grade to a maximum of 70% according to the district grading guidelines. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule a time with Ms. Saunders to take a similar test over the material. Students may retest before or after school at a time agreed upon by the student and teacher.
Topics Coverage: The following is a listing of the units we will cover this year. It may increase as opportunities arise.
Unit 1: Safety and Intro to Forensics Unit 9: Fingerprints
Unit 2: History Unit 10: Serology
Unit 3: Legal Systems Unit 11: Toxicology
Unit 4: Crime Scene Investigation Unit 12: Controlled Substances
Unit 5: Forensic Glass Analysis Unit 13: Questioned Documents
Unit 6: Forensic Hair & Fiber Analysis Unit 14: Firearms & Toolmarks
Unit 7: Paint Unit 15: Forensic Anthropology
Unit 8: Footwear & Tire Impressions Unit 16: Photography
Note to parents: Due to the nature of this course, students will be exposed to mature levels of the details of crimes to include discussion and pictures or videos of crimes including body parts, murder, bloody scenes, firearms and ballistics, drugs, adult behaviors and psychological studies that are associated with crimes in the modern world. Police work and forensic science can have gruesome details that bother some individuals that are not mature enough to deal with it. If you do NOT wish to have your student exposed to these issues and materials; PLEASE contact me to discuss the issues.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT SIGNATURE PAGE
Coach Aaron Ball
Please make sure that you have read the following documents before signing this form:
- Biology Policies and Guidelines, located on the back of this page
- SCUCISD Laboratory Safety Contract: Students will be given a copy, and an additional copy is in the SCUCISD Student – Parent Handbook.
Signing this form indicates that you have read, understand and agree to abide by all of the rules and procedures for science class as stated in the mentioned forms.
Printed Student Name Student Signature & Date
Printed Parent/Guardian Name Parent/Guardian Signature & Date
I am requesting the following information for ease of communication regarding your child’s progress. In addition, you will receive regular emails, informing you about upcoming tests, projects, etc. Please print clearly. Thank you.
Mother/Guardian Phone: __________________________ e-mail address: _____________________________________
Father/Guardian Phone: __________________________ e-mail address: ______________________________________
I can enter two email addresses per student in our teacherweb system. If you did not use one of the lines above and would also like communications via a secondary address, please write it
Please provide any information that you feel I should be aware of regarding your child (ex: allergies or other medical issues, vision or hearing problems, learning disabilities, learning styles, etc.).