Oklahoma State University School of Forensic Sciences Non-Thesis Creative Component Spring 2019 FRNS 5980 12-Week Course

I. Course Description:

This course is a 3 unit graduate level course focusing on the Forensic Sciences in relation to Fire Investigation and Explosives/Explosion Investigation. Each student will submit a topic that will further their understanding of one of the above areas of study. This class builds off of the Ethical Writing and Research Course as you use the same topic from that course.

Method of Teaching:

This course will utilize a variety of instructional methods, including assigned readings. In addition to assigned reading, students will research topics in current literature and provide their opinion on the matter, supported by references.

Course Goals and Objectives:

The goal of this course is to further understand the particular discipline each student is responsible in their professional occupation. However, an additional goal of this graduate level course is to prepare you for forensic investigations where you may be confronted by an original problem and be tasked with developing a solution. Therefore, your submitted assignments will be based on researching topics in current literature and applying your discoveries.

Competencies:

Students are required to demonstrate an appropriate level of accomplishment to include: Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze and support information. Writing: The ability to organize and communicate ideas efficiently and effectively through writing skills. Information Literacy: Demonstrate the ability to search, locate, access, and assess appropriate research materials/sources pertinent to course requirements. Students need to be able to use the best and most current information in writing their research papers for this course. This competency will be specifically measured for this course with a focus on: 1. Locating information 2. Using the best sources when possible (primary vs. secondary) 3. Using a variety of sources such as journals, newspapers, magazines online, etc.

II. Special Requirements:

Participation in the Arson and Explosives Investigation option of the MSFS. Prerequisite: None

III. Required Texts:

TBD.

IV. Evaluation and Grade Assignments:

Letter grades will be assigned using the academic grading system described in the college catalog based on the following table: Number of Assignment* Assignments Points/each Total Points Research Paper Proposal 1 50 50 PowerPoint 1 150 150 Final Research Paper 1 200 200 Total points possible 400

The grading scale is as follows: A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 65-69% F = <65%

Assignment Descriptions:

Research Paper Proposal: Before the end of Week 2, a 250 to 300-word (1 to 1.5 page) paper proposal is due. Your paper proposal will account for 50 points of your overall grade.

Research Paper: Each student is required to complete a 17 to 22-page research paper on a topic related to fire or/explosives/explosion investigation.

The paper must follow APA style. The paper should have a title and reference page and pages must be numbered. Charts, diagrams, graphs and photos are allowed and encouraged to be part of your submission. A minimum of seven academic sources must be researched and cited in the paper. Only sources referenced throughout the paper will be counted towards the seven. The paper will be partially evaluated on the quality and appropriateness of your sources. As a general rule, academic sources, e.g., books, journals, government- sponsored studies and reports, are of better quality than newspapers and magazines, (references from Wikipedia are not acceptable). The paper must be typed, double-spaced. Times New Roman font style should be consistent throughout the paper (Italics and boldface are permissible). Twelve-point font size should be used. Exceptions to the font requirements may be made for tables and exhibits, or in cases in which the nature of the paper warrants such deviation. The paper should be written in a style appropriate to graduate-level work, that is, proper grammar, syntax, spelling, and appropriate vocabulary are expected. A running head throughout the paper except on the title page. The paper will be evaluated based on these criteria as well as on content. Papers that are judged to have not been proofread and grammatically sound will not be graded. Late papers will not be accepted. All papers require the use of APA format. Guidance on APA format can be found in a number of places, including: http://www.apastyle.org http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2010. If you don't have EndNote, you should get it. (see http://www.library.okstate.edu/bibmanager/). You may also want to use Zotero (https://www.zotero.org).

PowerPoint Presentation: Each student must give a 20 to 40-minute PowerPoint presentation of their research. We will arrange dates and times toward the end of the semester. Each student will Skype or Facetime in or use another distance media application to present your project.

Extra Credit- Extra credit opportunities may be provided throughout the semester. If provided, they will be available to all class participants. They are not mandatory and will only add to your points received in the course, not the total points possible.

Academic Dishonesty: You are encouraged to discuss ideas on the discussion board, but your papers will need to reflect your own work. The University employs plagiarism detection software and it is effective. In general, I don’t want the scientific or technical explanation offered on the web or in a textbook; instead I want your explanation. If you use a source, cite it, even if using your own words. Please review the Academic Integrity policy of the Center for Health Sciences.

Plagiarism: Simply put, plagiarism is theft and anyone turning in a plagiarized paper, or a paper that was previously used for another course, will be caught. OSU has a zero-tolerance policy on this issue and I ask that you please take the time to read the university’s policy. Every paper will be downloaded through the Universities plagiarism review service: Turnitin http://www.turnitin.com/en_us/home

Late Policy: In keeping with the Forensic Sciences Department’s policy, students are expected to complete assignments and submit them for grading by the deadlines posted in the course, unless arrangements have been made prior to the due date.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Statement: If any member of the class has a documented disability and needs special accommodations of any nature whatsoever, the faculty will work with the student and the Office of Student Services to provide assistance to ensure that all students have a fair opportunity to perform in this class. Please advise the Class Coordinator at some point before, during, or immediately after the first scheduled class period

V. Schedule:

Week 1: Introduction, Research Proposal Day

Week 2: Research Proposal- Sources due

Week 3: Research Methods

Week 4: Research Methods

Week 5: Outline Due

Week 6: Sources review

Week 7: APA Formatting

Week 8: APA Formatting

Week 9: Final Presentation PowerPoint Due

Week 10: Discussion on Presentations

Week 11: Final Presentation Due

Week 12: Review of Final Presentation

VI. Faculty.

John J. Frucci III Ed.D. Executive Director of The Center for Fire & Explosives, Forensic Investigations, Training & Research. CENFEX MSFS AEI, Program Director Oklahoma State University 1111 West 17th Street Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74107-1898 0- 918-561-1418 C- 918-629-6079 F- 918-561-5729

Contacting the faculty: You are welcome to call, but e-mail is preferred because there is a clear record of our communication. Responses will be provided as soon as possible, and they may go to the entire class. The discussion boards will also be monitored and the instructor may post information there. There is nothing wrong with asking questions when you are confused or need assistance.