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Young Forensic Scientists Forum Newsletter - May/June 2003 Forensic
Science Program at Pace University |
| Amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Manhattan, an area recently plagued by the tragic events of 9/11, sits Pace University. Located across the street from City Hall and a short walk from the center of the city’s court system, Pace, with its strong roots in the business community, has developed ties in the now very popular field of forensic science. This is the first year for the forensic science graduate and undergraduate programs at Pace, and the presence of the program is obvious! Forensic science students seem to take over the chemistry laboratories on the third floor of the Pace Plaza campus. The numerous pans of dirt, used for the casting of footwear impressions, are everywhere, and “keep reappearing” according to one undergraduate. Just this semester, hallways, acting as mock crime scenes, were barricaded with yellow crime scene tape. Polarizing light microscopes, a cabinet overflowing with bullets, fingerprint powders, and a darkroom full of photographic equipment are just a few items of evidence attesting that the program is well underway. So what does this program have to offer? Both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forensic science are being offered. However, students should not expect a lavish career like that of Gil Grissom of CSI. The directors of the program stress the importance that a forensic scientist is a scientist first. All students are required to have both the basic and advanced courses in chemistry and biology. A typical semester for an undergraduate forensic science major could include such courses as Physical Chemistry, Genetics, and Ciminalistics, a rigorous schedule that makes the forensic science program one of Pace’s toughest. Graduate-level courses such as “Crime Scene Processing” and “Special Topics in Forensic Science” offer a more concentrated area of study. The master’s degree requires both the completion of an internship and thesis; a high standard compared to most forensic science programs. Many of Pace’s forensic faculty come from such prestigious organizations such as the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and they bring their up-to-date knowledge of their specific disciplines into the classroom. They also provide a resource for many internships and act as mentors for the thesis work. The numerous forensic science laboratories in operation in New York City and its suburbs provide a plethora of opportunities for students. Research projects can vary from firearms examination to DNA analysis. In addition to the coursework and requirements of the program, students may participate in functions sponsored by the Forensic Science Student Organization. This active group of forensic science students plans lecture series, tours of forensic science laboratories, trips to professional meetings, hands-on workshops with local schools, and social gatherings. All in all, in its short time since the program’s inauguration, Pace is now on the front lines of forensic science education. Anyone interested in forensic science should consider Pace’s program. The program director, Dr. Melvyn J. Oremland (moremland@pace.edu), may be contacted if more information is desired. |
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© 2003 Young Forensic Scientists Forum / American Academy of Forensic Sciences |