Forensic Studies
This certificate is primarily for students and professionals who wish to focus their criminology undergraduate studies on courses that relate to forensic studies.
Units applied toward a certificate may not be applied toward any other 間眅埶AV certificate or diploma, but may be applied toward major program or minor program requirements, or toward a bachelor’s degree under the normal regulations governing those programs.
間眅埶AV Requirements
Students are eligible to apply for entry to the Forensic Studies Certificate program if:
- they have been admitted to 間眅埶AV (or are in the process of being admitted); and
- they have completed and received grades for the following course, with a final grade of C- or better:
- CRIM 355-3 The Forensic Sciences
間眅埶AV, Program Declaration, and Continuation
Applicants must meet university undergraduate admission deadlines as shown in this Calendar. Application forms and official documents must be submitted to Student Services. In addition to applying for University admission, students apply in writing to the School of Criminology's advisor for certificate program declaration.
To continue in the program, students must maintain a 2.25 cumulative grade point average (CGPA)*. Students whose CGPA falls below 2.25 cannot enrol in any upper division CRIM courses.
*transfer students who meet the Criminology program declaration requirements upon admission to 間眅埶AV may use their admission CGPA for declaration purposes
Program Requirements
Students complete a minimum total of 18 units, including
Examines the use and interpretation of physical forensic evidence in court. It will critically examine and evaluate the major forensic sciences used in criminal investigations today, as well as look at the crime scene. Subjects examined will include forensic pathology, odontology, biology, DNA evidence, firearms evidence, toxicology chemistry and questioned documents. Techniques will be illustrated with case studies. Prerequisite: 45 units. Breadth-Social Sciences.
| Section | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Distance Education |
and 15 units chosen from
A detailed study of the human skeleton with emphasis on lab and field techniques. Prerequisite: ARCH 131.
Current techniques in identification of recent human skeletal remains. Prerequisite: ARCH 373.
Introduces the study of ancient and historic diseases in humans and animals as expressed in bones, teeth, mummified remains, art, and historical documents. Provides an essential foundation for differential diagnosis in skeletal biology and forensic osteology. Prerequisite: ARCH 373. Students who have taken ARCH 332 under this topic may not take this course for further credit.
Introduces the methodological principles of analytical procedures and applications relevant to 21st century criminalistics as applied to skeletonized remains. Prerequisite: CRIM 101.
An introduction to human anatomy and physiology relevant to the biological aspects of human forensics. Examines different body systems including form, function and development in the human adult and child, and discusses post mortem alteration to anatomical structures in the context of forensic anthropology and pathology. Prerequisite: CRIM 101.
Examines possible biological factors that could result in a predisposition towards criminal behavior. These include not only the genetic factors that affect behavior and therefore could potentially predispose towards crime, but also biochemical, neurological, nutritive and accidental effects such as head injuries. This course will look critically at all evidence both for and against any possible biological predispositions for criminogenic behaviors, together with the interaction with the environment. In particular, moral and ethical issues will be considered and debated. Prerequisite: CRIM 101. Students with credit for CRIM 416 in the summer 2000 or 2001 term may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Distance Education |
A critical analysis of certain 'hot' issues in criminology and criminal justice. The topics covered change from term to term. Prerequisite: CRIM 101.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD |
A critical analysis of certain 'hot' issues in criminology and criminal justice. The topics covered change from term to term. Prerequisite: CRIM 101.
A critical analysis of certain 'hot' issues in criminology and criminal justice. The topics covered change from term to term. Prerequisite: CRIM 101.
Looks at the advanced and sometimes more controversial areas of forensic science used in the criminal justice system today. Most areas are those outside the crime lab and require extensive and in-depth training in a very focused field. Seminars may cover areas such as the use of polygraph, blood spatter pattern analysis, entomology, pathology, odontology, anthropology, genocide investigation, facial approximation, crime scene analysis on land, underwater and mass homicide scenarios. Prerequisite: CRIM 101. Recommended: CRIM 355. Students with credit for CRIM 420 in 01-3, 00-3, 99-3, 98-3 or 97-3 may not take this course for further credit.
The examination of disease processes which affect and reveal themselves in the human skeleton at the level of surface morphology, radiology and histology and other relevant analytical methodologies relevant to criminalistics and human identification. Prerequisite: CRIM 101. Recommended: CRIM 357. Students who have taken this course as CRIM 417 may not take this course for further credit.
Advanced exploration of high-tech crime and exploration of the tools and techniques used by cyber-criminals. Examines the techniques used by law enforcement to investigate and prosecute offenders, as well as the probable future development of cybercrime. Prerequisite: CRlM 380. Students who have taken CRIM 416/417/418 under the topic in Spring 2010 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Distance Education |
or any other 300 or 400 division designated forensic studies courses from the school (e.g. special topics courses) or from other 間眅埶AV departments and faculties (see the school's academic advisor for further information)
Students are responsible for satisfying the prerequisites for all required courses.
Courses must be completed at 間眅埶AV unless permission of the undergraduate chair is granted upon admission to this program. See the school's academic advisor for further information.
* when offered as a forensic studies topic
Upper Division Course Access
Students with a minimum 2.25 CGPA are eligible to enrol in upper division Criminology courses upon successful completion of 60 units and Certificate declaration. Students pursuing the Certificate independent of a degree program will be eligible to access these courses without completion of 60 units; in these cases, completion of lower division prerequisite courses may be required.
Graduation Requirements
Students must obtain a minimum grade of C- in all required courses. For graduation, students must obtain a minimum 2.25 CGPA, 2.25 UDGPA, 2.25 Criminology program CGPA, and 2.25 Criminology program UDGPA.