Forensic Science Summer Courses

Course Description:

Forensic science is the application of science to the law.  In this course, students will review and discuss significant current research/case studies in a discipline of forensic science that interests them. Students will use that information to produce a work of scholarly writing to serve as the capstone academic experience as a Forensic Science major.  Additionally, we will explore career opportunities, resume preparation, job interviewing skills, and some general forensic topics such as quality assurance and ethics.

This course will be remote, meeting via Zoom once a week on Mondays from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.

NOTE- This is a culminating experience course that must be taken by accelerated MS students, and honors students, although honors students will register as FSCI 4700 H.

ADDITIONALLY- Accelerated students will be required to attend the Friday research meetings 2:30-3:30pm.

Students receive credit for an external internship via FSCI 4890: This course provides Forensic Science majors with hands-on experience in a professional setting. Prerequisite: FSCI majors only, consent of the instructor. Graded S/U. Note: A background check may be required by the employing organization

FSCI 4890 is an external internship that students find themselves, usually at a crime laboratory although other options may be allowed at the discretion of the faculty advisor. External internships are off-campus experiential learning activities designed to provide students with opportunities to make connections between the theory and practice of forensic science study and the practical application of that study in a professional work environment. External internships offer the opportunity to observe real-life applications while gaining relevant experience and professional connections. External internships are completed under the guidance of an on-site supervisor and a BGSU instructor, who in combination with the student will create a framework for learning and reflection. The specific topics covered will be dependent upon the individual experience. Students must complete and submit the signed “Employer Internship Agreement” (below) for review and approval by the first day of the semester in which the internship is to take place. Generally, for an internship to be approved for course credit and to satisfy the requirements of a culminating experience it must meet the following requirements and a student must agree to the terms found in the BSFS Student Handbook.

If you would like to gain credit for an external internship to count for credit in FSCI 4890 please do the following:

1. Apply for internship and move through process to obtain internship position.

2. Email Christina at cguinsl@bgsu.edu with job description, internship supervisor and contact information.

3. Information will be sent to your faculty mentor and if approved, Christina will enroll you in FSCI 4890.

4. Complete the Employer Internship Agreement prior to the first day of the semester. See BSFS Handbook.

5. Complete internship externally including the required documents that are found in the BSFS Handbook.

Course Description

This course was created to assist students in understanding the principles of microscopy use in forensic science and the probative value and methodologies utilized by crime laboratories to analyze trace materials and pattern evidence.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in the MSFS program of consent of instructor.

Mr. Davison will be instructing.

This course lecture meets Tuesdays from 6:00 pm to 9:08 pm.

This course lab meets Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 8:20 pm.

This is a Required In Person course. LSC 133.

4 credit hours.

Course Description

In this course, students will work in cooperation with the course instructor to produce a work of scholarly writing, culminating in a research proposal with an experimental design that is a) thoroughly researched and b) engages with existing scholarship on their topic. The student and instructor will meet weekly to discuss each section of the research proposal and the scientific writing process.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in the MSFS program and consent of instructor.

Dr. Oechsle will be instructing.

This course will be remote via Zoom meeting from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm on Mondays.

1 credit hour

Course Description:

This seminar will expose students to issues relevant to professional practice in Forensic Science through reading scientific literature, discussion, and/or speakers / presentations. The focus will be on learning to read and critically evaluate scientific literature, foundational knowledge, and the formalization of the application of scientific principles to forensics.  

Prerequisite: Enrollment in the MSFS program.

Dr. Worst will be instructing.

This course will be offered remotely with a Zoom meeting time of 2:00 pm to 3:15 pm every Wednesday.

1 credit hour

Course Description

Credit is for thesis research. Thesis proposal must be submitted to the graduate director for approval prior to submission to the graduate college. May be repeated up to three credits.

Required attendance at weekly research meetings with enrollment on Fridays 2:30-3:30pm in LSC 133.

Course Description:

This course intends to develop students' abilities to properly conduct latent print and trace examinations as applied to the law. Students will use, troubleshoot, and maintain instrumentation; handle, analyze, and compare mock evidence samples; draw conclusions and report results. The course will culminate in a moot court experience where students provide expert testimony.  Time permitting, we will explore career opportunities, resume preparation, job interviewing skills, and some general forensic topics such as quality assurance and ethics.  Prerequisite: FSCI majors only, consent of the instructor. Graded S/U.

Mr. Lynn will be instructing.

Course meeting Tuesday & Wednesday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. A one hour lunch is included in the meeting time.

This is a Required In Person course. LSC 133.

Course Description:

This course intends to develop students' abilities to properly conduct biological and DNA analyses as applied to the law. Students will use, troubleshoot, and maintain instrumentation; handle, analyze, and compare mock evidence samples; draw conclusions, calculate statistics and report results. The course will culminate in a moot court experience where students provide expert testimony.  Time permitting, we will explore career opportunities, resume preparation, job interviewing skills, and some general forensic topics such as quality assurance and ethics. Prerequisite: FSCI majors only, consent of the instructor. Graded S/U.

Dr. Oechsle will be instructing.

Course meeting Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursdays from 9:00 am to 4 pm. There will be a one hour lunch break as well.

This is a Required In Person course. LSC 326.

Course Description:

This course intends to develop students' abilities to properly conduct chemical analyses as applied to the law. Students will use, troubleshoot, and maintain instrumentation; handle, analyze, and compare mock evidence samples; draw conclusions and report results. The course will culminate in a moot court experience where students provide expert testimony.  Time permitting, we will explore career opportunities, resume preparation, job interviewing skills, and some general forensic topics such as quality assurance and ethics. Prerequisite: FSCI majors only, consent of the instructor. Graded S/U.

Dr. Worst will be instructing.

Course meeting Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:45 pm.

This is a Required In Person course. LSC 133.