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 seven graduating students, all received satisfactory final scores. Scores were assigned by a capstone research committee consisting of at least three members, one of whom was external to the department in accordance with accreditation standards (Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission). Slightly more than half of the students received a grade higher than B for the technical writing component, which might suggest some moderate improvement and positive impact associated with our efforts to increase technical writing in other graduate coursework. The limiting factor with respect to overall performance has always been techncical writing. Laboratory based performance is effectively managed using a formal evaluation system consisting of interim evaluations at three strategic points during the project.
Action
Technical Writing Improvement
Faculty have long-realized that the high number of students supervised by each faculty member can compromize their ability to develop technical writing to the fullest extent. New faculty hired in 2012 may have contributed to the slight improvement this year and additional faculty beginning during the fall 2013 semester should allow for further improvements.
We will continue to require faculty teaching first year core courses to include a techncial writing component, and beginning next year this must account for at least 20% of the final grade.
The program could also retrospectively review performance during the capstone research project with verbal and quantitative GRE scores to determine possible correlations and predictive value.
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 Education 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
The mean raw FSAT score for SHSU students will be higher than the mean raw FSAT score for students nationally; and SHSU should be ranked in the top quartile of programs participating in the FSAT annually.
Finding
FSAT Performance
Raw (unadjusted) FSAT scores were used because a full statistical evaluation of adjusted (final) scores were not provided bt the American Board of Criminalistics this year.
The mean FSAT score in forensic science at SHSU was 156 with a range of 145-178. This is well above the national average of 132, with a range of 85-178. SHSU performed in the top quartile, scoring second out of sixteen universities participating in the FSAT examination in 2013.
Participation in the FSAT was not selective; all program graduates participated in the 2013 examination.
The program also offered a new Questioned Documents (QD) course this year, which may have contributed to the overall increase in score. Prior to this year, QD was not offered as part of the curriculum.
Action
FSAT
SHSU scored favorably during the 2013 FSAT examination. However, this may be in large part due to the timing of the examination, rather than due to curriculum changes. The test was moved from finals week in May to March (immediately after spring break), to alleviate the pressure associated with final examination preparation, oral defenses and graduation. SHSU should continue to schedule the examination during March in the future.
We should continue to offer the Questioned Documents course again in the future (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
External Publications
In 2013 there were a total of seven graduating students. During the academic year (2012-2013) there were a total of fourteen publications involving forensic science students. Seven manuscripts were accepted or published in scientific journals and there were seven papers presented at national/international scientific meetings.
Action
Publication Types
Faculty should encourage manuscript publication rather than presentation of papers at scientific meetings.
Recent hires in forensic science, more manageable workloads and fewer students supervised per faculty member should allow for this transition.