Graduate Course Listing

Leadership and clear communication are required in all levels of forensic science. This course will introduce students to a broad spectrum of issues in forensic science leadership with a focus on clear communication. Students will have the opportunity to practice presenting technical scientific information to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

The course addresses a range of fundamental research skills, including: practicing ethical and safe research; research proposal and journal article writing; data handling and statistical analysis; critical evaluation of research; and formal research presentations. Through oral presentations and discussions students will develop effective communication techniques in order to present scientific information to a variety of audiences. Ultimately, this course provides foundational skills to prepare the next generation of forensic scientists for the professional and research responsibilities required in the rapidly developing forensic field.

Advanced Forensic Toxicology course is composed of three modules dedicated to drugs and metabolites, biological matrices and measurements. A lecture and lab-based course will provide advanced understanding of toxicology, pharmacology, and methodology in the forensic science context with hands on experience in sample preparation.

This course provides field-based learning experience in a professional setting. It emphasizes both professional practice and research skills, allowing students to gain valuable work experience in a forensic field of their choice, explore forensically relevant research questions, and develop a professional network.

This course will provide knowledge of theoretical and practical DNA analytical techniques essential for every fo-rensic scientist to understand. This course will provide students with a study in advanced molecular genetic tech-niques, DNA profiling, and emerging technologies as they relate to forensic science.

Forensic scientists must be aware of their roles and responsibilities within Canadian (and international) judicial system. This course will explore the interplay between science and law. Expert witness testimony and the presen-tation of evidence will be a major and practical component of this course. Students will study criminal and civil procedures and rules of evidence specific to the role of forensic experts in providing testimony in court and tri-bunal settings. This course will prepare students for their future as expert witnesses. Oral and written communica-tion skills will be employed throughout the course. This course is not open to students with credit in FRSC-4312H.

Crime scene investigation commences the moment the chain of evidence is established. It involves the meticu-lous and rigorous application of the scientific method in order to achieve successful documentation, collection and processing of biological and physical evidence. This course will untangle the complexities of analyzing crime scenes in an array of situations and the application of advanced forensic investigation techniques. It will discuss new and emerging technologies available to crime scene investigators and cover an array of possible scenarios that may be encountered.

This course will provide a more detailed analysis of specific CSI techniques introduced in the Complex Crime Scene Analysis course. Topics may include bloodstain pattern analysis, firearms and ballistics, fingerprinting, death investigations, use of canines, etc. Prerequisite: FRSC 5040H.

This course examines contemporary and iconic environmental forensic cases with a focus on the strategies and chemical techniques used to identify environmental poisonings and impacts. Through the exploration of case studies such as oil spills and corporate negligence, students will gain skills and knowledge in environmental forensic investigations.

Bioinformatics-the application of computer programming to the management and analysis of biological information-is necessary for storing, manipulating, and analyzing large datasets. This course will consist of a mix of active lesctures (i.e. coding during lecture) and computer-based labs and independent reserach. Students will work independently under guidance from the instructor, on a bioinformatics project of their choosing that falls within the concepts covered, and skills developed during lecture and lab. Students will work collectively on writing a primer focused topic provided by the instructor.

Cross-listed: ENLS-5800H

The special topics course will cover an area of study relevant to the Master of Science Forensic Science Program that the instructor has specific expertise in. The goal of these courses is to provide an opportunity for students to learn from a diverse group of individuals in areas or at a depth beyond those covered in the other existing courses. The course may cover new subject matter, research techniques or methodologies. After one year, these courses will be reviewed for inclusion in the regular program curriculum.