Students completing the Master of Science in Forensic Science will demonstrate integration of knowledge, skills and abilities through an independent research project conducted in an environment conducive to research and scholarly inquiry.
Objective
Students Will Demonstrate Competency In Research
Students completing the Master of Science in Forensic Science will demonstrate integration of knowledge, skills and abilities through an independent research project conducted in an environment conducive to research and scholarly inquiry.
Indicator
Capstone Research Report Scoring Methodology
Consistent faculty-developed scoring methodology will be applied to the capstone research report for FORS 6115 – Forensic Science Capstone Course. The scholarly report will demonstrate advanced discipline-specific knowledge, investigation, and problem-solving ability.
Criterion
At Least 70% Of Students Will Score Satisfactory Or Higher
At least 70% of students will be assessed as “satisfactory” or better using the uniform faculty-developed rubric. The capstone report will be scored by a minimum of two faculty members. We are particularly eager to determine if interventions regarding technical writing skills and professional communications, weaknesses that emerged last year, have been effective.
Finding
Capstone Research Performance
All students (100%) performed satisfactorily in their Capstone Research in accordance with the faculty-developed rubric. Of the fifteen graduating students, all received satisfactory final scores. Scores were assigned by a capstone committee consisting of at least three members, one of whom must be external to the program (or department) in accordance with accreditation standards (Forensic Science Programs Accreditation Commission). The limiting factor with respect to performance was technical writing. Laboratory based performance is effectively managed using a formal evaluation system consisting of interim evaluations (3/yr) to review progress in the capstone course during their second year of study. We may want to raise our criterion for next year.
Action
Technical Writing Improvements
Further develop technical writing skills to prepare students for the capstone course. Previous efforts including formal interim evaluations and incorporation of more technical writing into other core courses have met with success again this year. The faculty actively recognize that for some, they are not able to dedicate sufficient time to the review of capstone research projects due to the number of students supervised by each faculty member. New faculty beginning in fall 2012 should alleviate this burden.
Goal
Develop Specific Knowledge Base
Develop speficic knowledge base in forensic science to prepare graduates for future success.
Objective
Detailed Competence Of Core Course Material
Students will command detailed competence of core course material in forensic science. The Forensic Science Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) defines the core forensic science topics that must be incorporated into the graduate curriculum. These include analytical chemistry and instrumental methods of analysis, drug chemistry/toxicology, microscopy and trace evidence, forensic biology, and pattern evidence. This objective specifically addresses student learning, development and outcomes associated with the core forensic disciplines.
Indicator
Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT)
The Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT) was developed as an assessment tool for forensic science academic programs in the United States and is administered by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) and the content and administration of the examination were modeled on ABC certification exams. The FSAT exam covers core forensic disciplines including forensic biology, controlled substances, trace analysis, toxicology and latent prints.
Criterion
FSAT Performance
A minimum of 80% of students taking the test will score above the median score of all participants taking the test nationally. A fixed score was used in previous years but due to restructuring and use of a different scoring system implemented in 2012 by the American Board of Criminalistics, SHSU student performance will be evaluated against student performance nationally during the same year.
Finding
FSAT Results
All but one of the MSFS program graduates in Spring 2012 elected to take the FSAT (14 total) in May 2012. The mean score for all students was 280 and the mean score of 196 participants nationally was 266. This ranked SHSU 7 out of 18 participating institutions. Twelve of the fourteen MSFS graduates (86%) scored above the median score of 266.
Action
FSAT Categories Of Testing
Although the criterion for FSAT performance was met in 2012, the overall FSAT score reflects performance in some disciplines that are not currently required courses or topics in the MSFS program. For example, we do not offer a graduate course in questioned documents and as a consequence we do not expect our students to score well in disciplines that are outside of the curriculum. This influences the student's overall score, and we will attempt to offer additional courses or topics to our students during the upcoming academic year to reflect a broader range of forensic disciplines as resources allow.
Goal
Ability To Conduct Original Research
Students engaged in faculty-sponsored research are encouraged to publish or present results externally.
Objective
Students Will Produce Research Of Publishable Quality
Students actively engaged in research projects sponsored by program faculty will publish their findings in journals or present their data at scientific meetings.
Indicator
Preparation Of Research Materials For Publication/Presentation
Students will contribute to the knowledge base of forensic science and produce research directed at improving the practice of forensic science. This may be demonstrated by publication of research in a peer reviewed scientific journal or national/international conference proceeding (e.g. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting). Publication of student research in journals and at national or international conferences serves to demonstrate the value and quality of the work to the forensic science and/or scientific community.
Criterion
Research Materials Accepted For External Publication/Presentation
At least 50% of capstone course research or other program-sponsored research is accepted for external publication in either a peer-reviewed scientific journal or national/international conference proceeding.
Finding
MSFS Publications
The MSFS program graduated 15 students in 2012. Publication output among MSFS students, measured in terms of scientific journal articles or research papers presented at a national conference totaled 14 (93%). Ten papers were presented at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting and four articles in peer reviewed scientific journals were published.
Action
Publication Type
Faculty should try to focus more on publications in peer reviewed journals rather than national conferences. Students tend to prefer conference papers because of funding, exposure and networking - but the program should consider ways to increase journal output in lieu of conference proceedings.