FIVS - Forensic & Inv Science (FIVS)

FIVS 101 Introduction to Academic Success in Forensic and Investigative Sciences

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Orientation to academic success within higher education and specifically the Bachelor of Science degree in forensic and investigative sciences; awareness of academic and campus support services available for student success; development of goals for academic and career planning, including creation and utilization of degree planner; awareness of personal self-management strategies, including learning styles, time management, goal setting, stress management and development of personal strategies for implementation of personal self-management into practice.

FIVS 102 Ethics in Forensic and Investigative Sciences

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hours. 0 Other Hours. This course explores the ethical principles, professional standards and legal responsibilities that guide practitioners in the forensic sciences. Students will examine case studies involving ethical dilemmas, professional misconduct and challenges unique to forensics, including consequences of past actions to future careers, issues of bias, evidence handling, expert testimony and the complex intersection of science and law. Prerequisite: FIVL or FIVS majors.

FIVS 123 Forensic Investigations

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Overview of forensics from incident scene to court room verdict; principles, concepts, tools and methodologies used in the science and practice of forensics; examination of various forensic fields; evidence recognition, analysis, interpretation and presentation to diverse audiences.

FIVS 205 Introduction to Forensic and Investigative Sciences

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Overview of principles, procedures, and concepts of forensic and investigative sciences; instruction in the definitions, scope, and use of tools, techniques and protocols in forensic applications used to resolve social, regulatory, and legal disputes. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore classification or approval of instructor.

FIVS 210 Forensic Photography

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. Identification and application of techniques of the practice of photography as applied to forensics. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in FIVS 205; FIVL or FIVS major.

FIVS 215 Forensic Microscopy

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. Identification and application of techniques of the practice of microscopy as applied to forensics. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in FIVS 205; FIVL or FIVS major.

FIVS 282 Occupational and Professional Development

Credits 2. 2 Lecture Hours. Organized instruction in written and oral communication; acquaint students with private and public-sector companies and agencies as well as leading professionals from these firms to reinforce academic instruction and prepare students for the transition to employment, graduate and professional schools. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in FIVS 205; FIVS majors only.

FIVS 285 Directed Studies

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Directed individual study in forensic and investigative sciences. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification; approval of instructor and department head.

FIVS 289 Special Topics in...

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Lecture Hours. 0 to 4 Lab Hours. Selected topics in an identified area of forensic and investigative sciences. May be repeated for credit.

FIVS 291 Research

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 12 Lab Hours. Research conducted under the direction of a faculty member in forensic and investigative sciences. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore classification.

FIVS 308 Forensic Implications of Inheritance

Credits 4. 3 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours. Forensic genetics with an emphasis on basic principles of genetics/inheritance, linkage/recombination, mutation, population genetics, gene expression and genetic application in the forensic sciences; development, use and evaluation of forensically relevant molecular markers along with modern sequencing techniques/databases. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in BIOL 112; FIVS-SCE and FIVS-LWE majors; junior or senior classification.

FIVS 316 Forensic Molecular Biology

Credits 4. 3 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours. This course is designed to illustrate the use of a variety of molecular biology methods for forensic applications. The core elements that will be covered include prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome structure and function; interrelationship of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis; transcription, translation, replication; gene expression and regulation; recombinant DNA techniques; PCR; and DNA sequencing. Students will gain an appreciation and understanding of the underlying molecular biology techniques that are used in a diverse array of settings, including blood analysis, blood typing, DNA fingerprinting and genetic testing. The potential future use of advanced sequencing technologies for forensic and other applications will be discussed. Additionally, the social, ethical and legal implications of these procedures and applications will be fully considered. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in FIVS 308; FIVS-SCE majors.

FIVS 319/FSTC 319 Molecular Microbial Detection and Characterization

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. The overall objective of this course is to provide students from different disciplinary interests with the knowledge and hands-on skills in specific molecular microbial detection and characterization methods employed in the food and fermentation industries, environmental and other natural and man-made environments. The course will expose students to the fundamentals of microbial pathogen detection and associated molecular methods and provide a basis on how detection methods should be used for the different applications. The students will learn how to apply these methods in different scenarios and applications and how to interpret the results from such methods. Prerequisites: BIOL 111; junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: FSTC 319/FIVS 319.

FIVS 320 Impression Evidence

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. Individual and class characteristics of footwear, tire track, impression evidence documentation, collection, test impression techniques, shoe and tire tread designs, sizing, manufacturing, wear characteristics, comparison techniques, courtroom preparation and testimony. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in FIVS 205 and FIVS 210; FIVS majors.

FIVS 401/SCSC 401 Forensic Soil Science

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. Examination of soils physical attributes, mineralogy, chemistry and microbiology to solve crimes; soil and geologic characteristics associated with crime scene examination; physical, chemical and biological characteristics and use of trace evidence. Statistical methods used in evidence comparison. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in FIVS 282. Cross Listing: SCSC 401/FIVS 401.

FIVS 405/CYBR 405 Applied Digital Forensics and Incident Response

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Collection of digital evidence; digital evidence analytics; analysis of log data; malware triage; recover damaged digital evidence; write technical reports on malware and incidents; legal and ethical components of digital forensic science. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: CYBR 405/FIVS 405.

FIVS 406 Advanced Cyberforensics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. The course is designed to equip students with the technical and analytical skills required to investigate complex cyber incidents, recover critical evidence and analyze sophisticated threats in digital environments. The course covers a comprehensive range of topics, including Windows and memory forensics, network forensics, incident response (IR), threat hunting, intrusion analysis, malware analysis, mobile forensics and emerging technologies such as IoT, SCADA and AI. Through hands-on exercises and theoretical instruction, the course prepares students to address advanced adversarial tactics and produce actionable forensic findings in real-world scenarios. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in FIVS 405/CYBR 405; FIVS majors; junior or senior classification, or approval of instructor.

FIVS 415 Practice and Principles of Science and Law

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Introduction to series of practitioners of forensic science and the justice system; receive instruction on principles, procedures, and practices used in solving legal and societal issues; examine scientific method and scientific knowledge as applied through expert testimony; enhance critical thinking and reasoning skills in studying and debating different positions of current issues of science and law. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in FIVS 205 and FIVS 481; grade of C or better in FIVS 316 and FIVS 435, or concurrent enrollment; FIVS-LWE and FIVS-SCE majors.

FIVS 420 Controlled Substances

Credits 2. 2 Lecture Hours. Classification of effects of controlled substances in impaired individuals, sampling procedures and presumptive testing; history of the controlled substances act of 1970, federal drug scheduling, penalty groups in Texas, legislative complexity and challenges with new psychoactive substances, physiological, sociological, legal and societal aspects of controlled substance abuse. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in FIVS 308 or concurrent enrollment; FIVS-LWE and FIVS-SCE majors.

FIVS 422 Crime Scene Investigation

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours. Examination of principles, procedures and methodologies used in crime scene investigation; instruction in scene documentation, evidence recognition and collection protocols; application of forensic techniques, including photography, sketching and trace recovery, within simulated scenarios that emphasize critical thinking, professional standards and defensible decision-making in investigative contexts. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in FIVS 205 or concurrent enrollment; FIVS-LWE and FIVS-SCE majors.

FIVS 431/ENTO 431 The Science of Forensic Entomology

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Explores the science, methodology and technology employed to gather, preserve and present information about insects and other arthropods in such a manner that this information can be used in courts of law as evidence and testimony to help resolve issues of a criminal or civil nature. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: ENTO 431/FIVS 431.

FIVS 432/ENTO 432 Applied Forensic Entomology

Credit 1. 3 Lab Hours. Laboratory-based offering practical experience using scientific information, methodology, technology, and legal procedures inherent to the field of forensic entomology; emphasis on collecting, preserving, and identifying information as evidence and expert witness testimony in courts of law. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: ENTO 432/FIVS 432.

FIVS 434/ECCB 434 Wildlife Forensic Science - Methods and Applications

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Overview of the interdisciplinary field of wildlife forensics; application of scientific techniques to the investigation of wildlife crimes; exploration of the methods used to identify illegal activities such as poaching, wildlife trafficking, and habitat destruction; forensic techniques in species identification, genetics, DNA analysis, and trace evidence collection; exploration of legal framework surrounding wildlife crime; practical applications of forensic science to conservation and biodiversity protection. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; ECCB 406/GEOG 462 or GEOG 462/ECCB 406 recommended. Cross Listing: ECCB 434/FIVS 434.

FIVS 435 Case Studies in Problem Solving

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Development of reasoning strategies by examining a variety of case studies; science and scientific method solving real-world problems as part of an investigative team. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in FIVS 316 and FIVS 481; grade of C or better in FIVS 415 or concurrent enrollment; FIVS-SCE majors or approval of instructor.

FIVS 440 Forensic Communications

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Scientific writing and communication, critical thinking, reading, research, writing and oral skills. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in FIVS 308.

FIVS 450 Forensic Science Study and Research Abroad - United Kingdom

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. Students will prepare and carry out an individual research project and attend short courses in forensic and investigative sciences while learning about the history of and traveling in the United Kingdom. This course will emphasize the importance of chemistry and biology in the forensic sciences, while exposing students to cultural differences and the potential for collaboration. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in CHEM 119; junior or senior classification, or approval of instructor.

FIVS 481 Seminar

Credit 1. 1 Other Hour. Analysis of research topics related to the fields of forensic science and law. May be taken 4 times for credit. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in FIVS 282; FIVS-LWE and FIVS-SCE majors.

FIVS 484 Internship

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Independent study and supervised field experience related to a professional area or interest in forensic science. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification and approval of instructor.

FIVS 485 Directed Studies

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Directed individual study in forensic and investigative sciences. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; upper-division FIVS only; approval of instructor and department head.

FIVS 489 Special Topics in...