A specialized seminar focusing on current topics of significance for toxicology and/or cancer biology. Registration each fall and spring semester is required of all toxicology majors until residency requirements for the degree have been completed. May be repeated for as many semesters as needed for credit to fulfill degree requirements.
Exposure to and actual research experience in an area of toxicology other than that encountered by students in their graduate thesis and dissertation research, or in their professional degree. May be repeated to a maximum of ten credits.
Research in Toxicology and Cancer Biology. Research will be conducted in specific areas of toxicology and cancer biology. Learning Outcomes: 1.Conduct independent, hypothesis driven research; 2.Demonstrate the ability to read, understand and apply the scientific literature that is relevant to the research activities; 3.Demonstrate the ability to develop original hypotheses, develop strategies and design experiments to test hypotheses; 4. Demonstrate competency in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data that is relevant to the research activities.
This course will broadly survey the disciplines and technology within the field of Forensic Sciences. These disciplines include crime scene investigation techniques, medicolegal death investigation, and patterned evidence examination, and traditional forensic laboratory (criminalistics) disciplines-specifically forensic drug chemistry, forensic toxicology, trace evidence, fire debris, explosives, and forensic molecular biology. A laboratory component provides hands-on exercise with current instrumentation used in Forensic Sciences.
This course will introduce students to the science and art of effective communication with a focus on enhancing communication and presentation skills related to the profession of forensic science. The course will prepare students to communicate (in written and oral format) highly technical and scientific information to lay audiences, which could include government and/or political policymakers, attorneys, juries, judges and the like.
Study of the chemistry, biochemical activity, isolation and identification of drugs of forensic interest in biological materials. Postmortem, human performance and drug testing scenarios commonly encountered in forensic laboratories are appraised. Advanced concepts in sample preparation and analytical methods for presumptive and confirmatory testing are covered. Many factors affecting interpretation of toxicology results are considered. A molecular level approach is taken on many topics.
This course will train students in professional practices as they relate to the forensic scientist or the professional working in a modern crime laboratory or DNA testing laboratory (public or private). The course will focus on scientific integrity, ethical behavior, ethics standards and various examples of ethics violations and misconduct in the forensic scientific and DNA analysis fields. A second focus is on education and training in quality assurance programs and practices and the audit and accreditation processes.
This course will train students to become experts in the collection, identification and evaluation of biological evidence in criminal matters and DNA testing using current DNA technologies. Methods routinely used for the isolation of DNA from cells, DNA quantitation, PCR, electrophoretic separation, and DNA sequence determination will be discussed and studied in detail. Students will implement the information obtained from lectures in complementary laboratory sessions.
Theory and practice of modern instrumental methods used in forensic chemistry laboratories, including mass spectrometry. The class offers an in-depth description of the processes and techniques involved in detection, identification, and quantification of elemental or molecular ionic species by mass spectrometry techniques, and other sensitive analytical techniques.
The internship component of the program provides the student with an opportunity for immersed participation in the professional work environment associated with a laboratory practicing methods in forensic toxicology or analytical genetics. Through hands-on experience in a real work site the student applies the formal classroom knowledge to the real work setting.
