Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• GMS FC 720: Stat Biomed Sci
  
• GMS FC 762: Critical Thinking in Biomedical Research
  The primary goal of this course is to use the framework of the scientific literature to develop Critical Thinking Skills to generate novel hypotheses with a focus on establishing novel biological mechanisms and pathways. Critical Thinking skills will be used to examine research findings and theories to uncover inconsistencies, bias, or faulty logic. The student will be expected to build on their careful evaluation and analysis of the papers to create a novel hypothesis each week and design a single experiment to address their question. The weekly course discussion will be student led and this will facilitate the development of teaching skills. Generally the papers to be discussed will be an older, classic paper, which established an important new concept and a newer paper that builds on that theme. Grading is based on weekly participation in class discussions, presentations, and a concise final written assignment. 2cr, spring
• GMS FC 764: Professional Presentation Skills
  The course is designed for first year graduate students. The goal of this course is to teach students how to present their research in written and oral form. Students will give multiple short oral presentations and be critiques. They will also give 1 longer presentation. Students will learn to give presentations with and without slides. Students will also begin to acquire written skills in preparation for the Proposal writing course in the second year. The course will meet weekly and will be 2 credits.
• GMS FC 777: Techniques in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
  Successful basic science research in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology requires proposing, developing and testing a novel hypothesis. The generation of a novel hypothesis in turn requires the ability to apply the scientific method and then implement the appropriate techniques to address the experimental question. This course will complement the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences (FiBS) curriculum by providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the experimental methods used in biomedical research. By the end of this course students will master the concepts behind a wide range of experimental techniques and technologies and then be prepared to apply the most appropriate experimental system to a given biological question. Biochemical knowledge regarding "how things work" will enable students to develop their own experimental research strategies. This course will be offered for 1st year PhD students and will use a traditional lecture approach, problem sets, and discussions. Course materials will include classic papers from the literature, laboratory protocols, and problem sets. A comprehensive final written assignment is designed to test the students' mastery of the subject matter. 2 cr, Fall sem.
• GMS FC 951: Res Cell & Mol
  
• GMS FC 952: Research in Cell & Molecular Biology
  Var cr
• GMS FS 700: Criminal Law and Ethics
  An overview of legal, ethical and practical issues of forensic science, the impact of forensic science on the justice system and a discussion of traditional and emerging admissibility standards involving forensic science evidence is given. The curriculum will include a description of the roles law enforcement, attorneys and forensic scientists, professional standards for the practice of criminalistics and ethical issues in various forensic disciplines. 2 cr
• GMS FS 701: Crime Scene Investigation
  This combination hands-on and lecture-based course will provide students with an in-depth review of crime scene assessment and management. Methods of identifying, documenting, collecting and packaging physical evidence from various types of crime scenes are discussed. A hands-on component will be employed in areas such as crime scene sketching, photography and pattern evidence collection. 3 cr
• GMS FS 702: Forensic Biology
  This lecture-based course will introduce students to the biological aspects of forensic evidence including biochemical and physical attributes of blood and other body fluids. Common methods of body fluid identification utilized in forensic laboratories will be discussed at length. Other topics include guidelines for thorough evidence examination, screening, documentation and report writing. 3 cr
• GMS FS 703: Forensic Chemistry
  This lecture-based course will provide an introduction to forensic chemistry and will expose students to chemical principles and instrumental techniques associated with the field, with particular emphasis on the analysis of controlled substances, fire debris and explosives, and on forensic toxicology. A review of organic and analytical chemistry as they relate to forensic investigations will be discussed. 3 cr
• GMS FS 704: Forensic Biology Laboratory
  This laboratory-based course will give students an opportunity to apply the principles of forensic biology to actual samples. Techniques utilized will include chemical screening assays, detection with ALS, methods used to confirm the presence of specific biological materials, antibody interactions, and microscopic identification of cellular material. 2 cr
• GMS FS 705: Forensci Anthro
  
• GMS FS 706: Pattern Evidence Analysis
  This combination lecture and lab-based course will provide students with overview of various types of pattern evidence with an emphasis on the systematic approaches to pattern evidence comparison and analysis. The history of fingerprint identification, fingerprint processing and comparison techniques, footwear and tire impression analysis, toolmark analysis, and the importance of photography in pattern evidence documentation will be discussed. Development of pattern evidence using mechanical, chemical and visual techniques is incorporated. 2 cr
• GMS FS 707: Trace Evidence Analysis
  This lecture-based course will provide an overview of the principles and concepts on which trace evidence analysis is based. Proper collection, preservation, identification and comparison of items such as glass, paint, hairs and fibers, using standard methods and instruments used in crime scene laboratories will be discussed. 3 cr
• GMS FS 708: Forensic Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
  This laboratory course will provide an introduction to a variety of instrumentation and equipment utilized in the forensic laboratory and detail the methods used by forensic scientists for chemical analysis with a focus on forensic toxicology and drug chemistry. 2 cr
• GMS FS 709: Medicolegal Death Investigation
  This lecture-based course will provide the student with an overview of the basic principles of medicolegal death investigations. Specific lectures will cover the procedures and skills necessary to conduct a thorough medicolegal investigation of death, knowledge of various types of traumatic injuries, the knowledge necessary to understand the characteristics that differentiate the manners of death and the skills to conduct an appropriately directed investigation. The curriculum will prepare the students to take the national certification examinations offered by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. A general knowledge of anatomy is recommended prior to enrollment. 2 cr
• GMS FS 710: Death Invest 2
  
• GMS FS 711: Forensic Medicine: Anatomy & Osteology
  Prereq: consent of instructor. This course will provide an overview of basic human anatomy and osteology with an emphasis on understanding the processes underlying traumatic and unexpected deaths encountered in forensic pathology. 2 cr, 1st sem.
• GMS FS 712: Forensic Pathology and Medicolegal Death Investigation
  This lecture-based course will provide the student with an overview of the role of the medical examiner and the basic principles of medicolegal death investigations. Specific lectures will cover autopsy procedures in the investigation of gunshot 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. 3 cr.
• GMS FS 713: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
  This lecture and lab-based course will provide students with fundamental knowledge in the area of bloodstain pattern analysis including the scientific principles and practical applications of bloodstain pattern analysis for forensic casework. The procedures and methods for recognition, documentation and evaluation of bloodstain patterns will be covered. Additionally, the principles of physics, blood dynamics and the geometric significance of bloodstain patterns will be explored. 2 cr

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