Course Syllabus

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Forensic Science Syllabus

Contact Information

Mrs. Renee’ Shearin

reneeshearin@fcschools.net

919-496-3975 ext. 299

 

Welcome to Forensic Science!!!! 

Description

This Forensic Science course focuses on the skills and concepts behind crime scene investigation and forensic science. It surveys key topics in forensic science, including the application of the scientific process to forensic analysis, procedures and principles of crime scene investigation, physical and trace evidence, and the law and courtroom procedures from the perspective of a forensic scientist.

Students can expect to start each day with a warm-up  assignment followed by learning activities and/or lecture. At times students will work independently from the teacher in order to achieve student autonomy that will be expected of upper school students.  Classes are structured to utilize every minute for learning and assessing understanding.  Real world application is a daily objective.  Students are expected to participate in all activities and actively engage and ask questions during teacher-led lectures.  Students are also expected to review and study the content covered in class outside of school on a daily basis.

Materials

Charged Chromebook

Earbuds (wired)

3-ring binder

Notebook paper 

Pencils/Pens

You are required to maintain your binder and bring it to class each day. You will be given many study materials and must keep them up to date and organized in your binder in order to succeed in this class! 

Textbook

We will be using the  Forensic Science: Fundamentals and Investigations textbook as a resource in this class. The link will also be available on the “Syllabus” page in Canvas. 

Attendance 

Students who miss ten or more days of this period are in violation of the FCS Attendance Policy and may be required to repeat the course.

Tardy Policy

The following is our new SCHOOL WIDE POLICY: Students are expected to be in the classroom (past the door frame) when the bell begins to ring. Consequences for being tardy are outlined in the BHS Student Code of Conduct.

Grading

Numerical grades will be assigned this semester. The breakdown is as follows:

  • Classwork & Homework  - 40% 
  • Tests & Projects - 40% 
  • Quiz - 20%

FCS Grading Policy: A = 90 to 100, B = 80 to 89, C = 70 to 79, D = 60 to 69, F = Less than 60. The final course grade will be calculated by averaging each of the student’s nine weeks grades (at 40% weight each) and Final Exam grade (at 20% weight). Final letter grades will be assigned based upon the resulting average and using the scale above.

Late Work Policy

Work should be completed in a timely manner. Most work can be completed during class. If classwork is not completed, it then turns into homework. You may only submit work up to 2 days after the due date. Anything turned in past this point will get feedback but will receive a zero. 

Make-up Work

If a student is absent, they are allowed two school days to make-up any missed assignment.  After the two-day period has passed, any missing assignments become late work. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete any missing assignments. A score of “1” will indicate that the student was either not present the day the assignment was due or was not present the day the assignment was given. It is the student’s responsibility to visit the course Canvas page and/or their designated folder in the classroom to obtain the assignments they’ve missed.

Classroom Expectations

  • Be on-time, on-task, & prepared to learn everyday.
  • Keep all electronics & ear buds put away. This includes cell phones. If I see the cell phone at all, you will be in violation of this policy and the consequences below will be upheld.
  • Be responsible for your own learning.
  • Respect the teacher, the classroom and other students.
  • Students are expected to wear a mask daily and wear it correctly, covering BOTH mouth and nose. Bandannas and masks with valves should not be worn as a face covering per NCDHHS guidance. 

Consequences

Students who violate the classroom and school expectations are subjected to any of the following consequences:

  1. Verbal Warning
  2. Parent Conference
  3. ISS
  4. Administrative Referral 

Any student caught cheating on an assignment will receive a zero and be referred to the Principal. 

PowerSchool

Students and Parents/Guardians: PowerSchool is Franklin County Public School’s online site for receiving current, up-to-date information about your student’s progress in all four of their classes. Students and parents/guardians are able to view progress reports and track their performance throughout the semester. You never have to wait to receive grade information again!

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due