|
Criminalistics Program Presently, St. Ambrose University offers
the only undergraduate programs in Criminalistics in Iowa
and western Illinois. The curriculum follows closely the
standards of the Council on Forensic Science Education (COFSE)
and takes a broadly interdisciplinary approach that includes
studies in criminal justice, chemistry, biology, and
physics.
The major integrates classroom
instruction, individual research into various specialized
elements of forensic science, and collaboration with local
law enforcement agencies, helping students achieve an
understanding of the forensic sciences within the context of
the larger criminal justice system. Students have the
opportunity for hand-on application of principles with the
classroom and laboratory, and in a practicum setting. They
gain in-depth knowledge of the various methods of analysis
specifically used within the field of forensic science,
including mastery of chemical methods such as gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and latent
fingerprint development. An important component of the
program is the extensive 6 credit internship students
complete as a capstone experience.
Resources and co-curricular activities
Lewis Hall contains special science lecture halls and
laboratories for hands-on training in modern chemical and
biological analysis. Major resources available for faculty
and student use include:
- gas chromatography-mass
spectrometer
(GC-MS)
- high performance
liquid chromatograph
- atomic absorption spectrometer
- variety of other instrumentation
Also, the Quad Cities is in close
proximity to facilities managed by the Iowa and Illinois
departments of correction, providing students with excellent
practicum and research opportunities.
Career prospects
Criminalists usually work in labs
around the country that are usually associated with:
- police departments
- medical examiners' offices
- regional or state agencies
- federal government
For more
information on criminal justice programs at St. Ambrose,
contact Professor McCulloh who
can be reached at
(563) 333-6078 or by e-mail at McCullohWaylynC@sau.edu
Criminal Justice Home |
