FORENSIC SCIENCE

Mrs. Van Tassell

Contact Information:

School Phone: 486-4860

Email: pvantassell@acsdny.org

www.teacherweb.com/ny/arlington/mrsvantassell

Course Information:

Textbooks: Forensic Science for High School

The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World’s Most Baffling Crimes

This is a semester long elective course that meets one period each day of the week. Students will learn the basics of Forensic Science including collection of evidence, analysis of physical evidence, and investigative techniques.

Attendance:

Students are expected to be in class and on time every day. Missed work due to a LEGAL absence must be made up within 5 days of returning to school. Students will not be allowed to make up the missed daily participation grades.

Materials Required:

· A 3-ring binder for this course only.

Students will need the binder in class every day. Students may choose to store it in the classroom. All of the notes, labs, handouts, and homework will go into the binder and it will be collected with the final exam at the end of the semester.

· A pen or pencil…I do not provide them.

Grades & Grading:

Participation- a 5 point participation grade is given daily. Absent students cannot participate, so the points cannot be awarded.

Homework- Students will complete weekly homework assignments. Late homework assignments will not be accepted. The monthly homework calendar will be distributed in class at the beginning of every month and is available online through teacherweb.

Tests/Quizzes- All notes, handouts, labs, and homework can be used as resource materials on every test or quiz…including the final exam. It is recommended that students keep up with all of their work for this purpose.

Case Quizzes- These quizzes are based on the cases read in a particular unit of study. Students will complete case reviews on each case. The written case reviews may be used on the case quiz.

Projects- Students will complete several projects over the course of the semester. Students doing well in the course may be invited to serve as jurors for a mock criminal trial at a local courthouse.

Final Exam- There will be a final exam at the conclusion of this course. Students may use all of their own notes, handouts, labs, and old test and quizzes on this exam. Students who have chosen not to keep their work will have nothing to use on the exam.

Grading- Grades are calculated on a total points system. Each assignment is worth a certain number of points. The marking period average is calculated using the following formula:

Student’s Total Points X 100 = average

Total Points Possible

Extra Help- Thursdays 2:20pm in Rm 2320 (Students must let me know they plan to attend)

To be successful in this course:

· Maintain regular attendance

· Keep all materials related to this course organized in a 3-ring binder

· Do the assigned class work and homework

· Hand in work when it is due

· Put effort into every assignment and project