BIOL 1023 - Introduction to Forensic Biology

Credits: 4
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 1
Course Description: This course covers many of the basic concepts of general and human biology and chemistry, including a survey of various areas of forensic biology. Topics for forensic biology include DNA structure and analysis, analysis of skeletal evidence, biological trace evidence, blood and other body fluids, and fingerprinting.
MnTC Goals
Goal 3

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content
 

1. Basic chemistry, including structure and function of organic molecules
2. Properties of water
3. Structure and function of cells
4. Cellular reproduction
5. History of the development of biology and forensic science
6. Microscopy
7. Tissues
8. Structure and functions of human organ systems
9. Analysis of hairs
10. DNA analysis
11. Blood 
12. Fingerprint impressions
13. Forensic anthropology
14. Forensic entomology
15. Recent developments in forensic biology

1. explain the methods of scientific inquiry.
2. explain the importance of the scientific method in the evidentiary processes of the legal system.  
3. describe basic structure and function of atoms, molecules, organic molecules, properties of water
4. explain structure and function of cells
5. explain cellular reproduction, including cell division, the genetic code, DNA replication, and protein synthesis.
6. describe the historical development of biology and forensic science.
7. demonstrate the proper use of a compound light microscope.
8. describe the forensic applications of comparison, phase contrast, and electron microscopy. 
9. describe the structures and functions of the basic tissue types and of each of the body’s organs and organ systems.
10. explain how to properly collect and preserve biological materials for scientific investigation.
11. describe the impact of selected scientific principles in the practice of forensic biology. 
12. explain changes that occur in biological systems as they decompose and factors that affect decomposition.

 
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies Goal 3
Competency Goals (MnTC Goals 1-6)
03. 01. Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories.

03. 02. Formulate and test hypotheses by performing laboratory, simulation, or field experiments in at least two of the natural science disciplines. One of these experimental components should develop, in greater depth, students’ laboratory experience in the collection of data, its statistical and graphical analysis, and an appreciation of its sources of error and uncertainty.

03. 03. Communicate their experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing.

03. 04. Evaluate societal issues from a natural science perspective, ask questions about the evidence presented, and make informed judgments about science-related topics and policies.
Theme Goals (MnTC Goals 7-10)
MnTC Goal 3

Courses and Registration