Mission, Goals, and Objectives
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:
A. 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.
B. Provide students with the technical and intellectual skills needed to work successfully as a professional forensic scientist, chemist, or other related professions.
C. 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:
The forensic science program will require students to demonstrate proficiency in the following:
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
[top] updated: June, 2007
