Biomedical and Health Sciences: Intro to Forensic Diagnostics

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Summer Academy Course; Dates: June 30-July 25, 2025; Professional & Continuing Education Dept Permission only; Please contact 802-656-2085; Program Fee: $2,715.00; Residential High School students only; In-person on-campus from June 30-July 11, MTWR 9:00am3:30pm; Online only from July 12-July 25; Collocated with BHSC 1990 Z2 total enrollment 25; Special Topics courses cannot carry CC designations

Students will learn and apply techniques in biology, genetics, chemistry, and physics while studying how they relate to the forensic investigation of crimes. A wide range of topics will be covered including DNA, entomology, fingerprinting, trace evidence, serology, blood spatter, and chemical analysis of compounds. Students will use case studies, hands on activities and a true crime project to illustrate their learning. Learning Objectives: • Acquire foundational knowledge utilized in forensic diagnostics and crime scene investigation while applying the scientific method to critically analyze and evaluate forensic evidence. • Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific principles of crime scene investigation and reconstruction, including evidence collection, preservation, and proper documentation. • Understand and explain the role of the forensic scientist and physical evidence in crime scene investigation. • Analyze evidence related to crime scene investigation by utilizing principles learning during the course and generate a true crime project based on scientifically sound research.

Students will need to complete laboratory safety requirements during the first week of class and wear appropriate clothing to class each week as it will be held in the laboratory. The course will be part lecture and part hands on activity during which students will apply what was learned each week. There is no textbook or lab manual requirement for this course.

Your grade for this course will be calculated based on the following criteria: • Quizzes – (30%) – There will be quizzes that will assess your understanding of the course material. These may be in the classroom or online, will be timed and taken without outside materials. • Lab Activities (30%) – Labs will be interactive, and you will be expected to complete a variety of lab activities that will include short lab reports, worksheets, etc. • Class Participation and Assignments (20%) – I expect that you will be in class and that you will be an engaged learner during our time together, both in the classroom and online. If you do not come to class prepared, are not engaged during class, and/or do not participate in class, your grade will be negatively affected. There may be assignments that will be completed in or outside of class that will be included in this section of the grade. • True Crime Project (20%) – You will be working in groups to research and present a project based on a true crime. This will be a collaborative project and will be presented during the last two weeks of our course.