Mission, Goals, and Objectives

Eastern Kentucky University Forensic Science Program

updated: June, 2007

Mission statement

The mission of the forensic science program at Eastern Kentucky University is to provide a rigorous science-based undergraduate education that will prepare students for careers in forensic science or other careers requiring scientific backgrounds.

The program has three broad goals:

1. Provide students with a knowledge base in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics needed to understand and perform work typically done in forensic science, chemical, or other science laboratories.
2. Provide students with the technical and intellectual skills needed to work successfully as a professional forensic scientist, chemist, or other related professions.
3. Instill in students attitudes and values appropriate for a professional forensic scientist, chemist, or other science professional.

The program has the following objectives:

Objectives for Goal A:

• A1. Provide students with a curriculum that gives them a solid foundation in the concepts and facts of chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and those aspects of the legal system pertinent to a forensic scientist
• A2. Require students to become skilled at obtaining, documenting, manipulating, and interpreting experimental data
• A3. develop in students the problem-solving ability that will enable them to successfully confront and solve non-routine analytical problems by designing and executing original experimental approaches

Objectives for Goal B:

• B1. Mathematical skills necessary for work in the forensic or scientific laboratory
• B2. Laboratory skills that will enable the student to work both safely and effectively
• B3. Skills needed to locate, retrieve, and interpret scientific information
• B4. Oral and written communication skills that will enable the student to communicate scientific concepts and experiments convincingly, and to defend scientific beliefs
• B5. Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet manipulation, graphing, and presentations.

Objectives for Goal C:

• C1. Require students in classroom and lab settings to practice honesty, reliability, punctuality, initiative, strong work ethic, and good interpersonal skills that are the hallmarks of a professional scientist
• C2. Develop in students a strong sense of proper ethical behavior in the sciences and the need for good record-keeping and documentation
• C3. Ensure that students develop the learning skills and motivation needed for life-long learning