GRD 708: Writing Successfully

Spring 2009
Instructor: There was not one specific individual for this course

This course was more of a workshop, rather than a course. The class required only one weekend of your time. In the end, it was only worth one credit hour. I ended up taking this course as a way to stay on track with my hours, in the Spring of '09 there were not a lot of choices being offered for electives, so I chose to take this class to soften the blow in the following semesters. I actually enjoyed this course, it was VERY easy but I did learn a little more about writing. Don't expect to walk away from this course knowing a tremendous amount about writing successfully, but do know that you will have to work in groups, come up with a little "story," and present in front of others. I would recommend these kind of classes for anyone interested in making sure they meet their credit hour quota and also for anyone interested in developing their collegiate talents in multiple subjects. The main part: no tests, no quizes, no assignments. All you have to do is show up, participate, and stay through lunch (oh and lunch is provided for you!). Enjoy it!

BY 531: Advanced Recombinant DNA Technology

Taken Spring 2009. Instructor. Dr. A. Bej. This class can be taken as an elective or if schedule conflicts prevent you from taking the Forensic DNA course. Overall, this class is very informative especially if you plan on going into DNA. It is also an excellent companion class to take along with Bio Methods in Forensic Science. The key to doing well in this class is to attend. The tests are comprehensive and mostly note based. There is a required text, that is helpful to understanding the material but not necessary if you take good notes. Graduate students are also required to write a 8-10 page paper from a list of related topics as well as an additional homework assignment. The class has a standard grading scale, and Dr. Bej is excellent at returning grades on time. Dr. Bej is also very willing to meet with you outside of class if you have any questions.

JS677:Topics in Forensic Science: Forensic Toxicology

Taken Spring 2009
Instructor:Elizabeth Gardner

This course was taken in the Spring of 2009 under the instruction of Dr. Elizabeth Gardner. The objective of the course was to discuss and analyze drugs and poisons as they relate to forensic science. There were no written exams in this class, however, there were assignments throughout the semester. The main assignment was a final project that consisted of using techniques used in labs to analyze a known drug. There were also smaller assigments which required using various instruments within the lab. There was a required text for the course and was used for a few of the assignments but not for any lecture material that was presented. This course was time consuming because the lab assignments were mostly performed outside of class time. I would recommend taking JS 673:Forensic Drug Analysis before taking this course because a lot of the instruments used in JS 677 were explained in more detail in Drug Chem.

JS677: Special Topics in Forensic Toxicology

Taken Spring 2009
Instructor: Elizabeth Gardner

This course served as an introductory class to the area of Forensic Toxicology. Spring 2009 was the first semester the class had been offered and the instructor's first time teaching a course in Toxicology. Overall, it was an informative course if the student took the personal initiative to do more on your own. First half of the semester consisted of powerpoint lectures and a few individual lab assignments. The most informative portion of the course involved a hands-on two day training session using the Toxi-lab kit. Other lab assignments included using the GC/MS on both known and unknown samples. The most tedious and somewhat unnecessary portion of the course included creating chapter outlines of each major class of drugs.

There were no tests so the majority of your grade comes from individual chapter assignments and the final project. Overall, if you are interested in merely scratching the surface of the area of toxicology and learning the basics this course would be a good idea. If you are interested in working in the area of Forensic Toxicology I would recommend taking a more advanced course in the actual Toxicology department.

JS672: Conventional Criminalistics II

Taken Spring 2009
Instructor: Mitch Rector

Crim II was a continuation of Crim I. It picked up where Crim I left off focusing on toolmarks and firearms. The labs were time consuming, but a lot of fun. They were outside of class and you could work individually or as a gruoup, but had to turn in all your own work if you did work as a group. The test (midterm and final) were structured much like Crim I. There was an additional paper at the end of the course.

I loved this course!