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Young Forensic Scientists Forum Newsletter - September 2003 |
| The University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) is located a few miles from the center of the cultural district of beautiful downtown Ft. Worth, TX. A walk through the campus allows you to see the friendly faces of faculty and students. The school is comprised of approximately 1,000 faculty and students which allows for more interaction between students and professors. UNTHSC, a subsidiary of UNT-Denton, encompasses a College of Osteopathic Medicine, a School of Public Health, a Physician Assistant Studies Program, and last but certainly not least, a Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The University accepts students from all over the world. Once students have completed their programs, they go on to fields such as Clinical Research, Osteopathic Physicians, Physician Assistants, and DNA Analysts. The newly recognized Forensic Genetics Program is a specialized MS program that recently accepted it's 4th incoming class for Fall 2003. The program accepts approximately ten students each fall and is the only program in the country that specifically prepares individuals to become DNA analysts and expert witnesses. After a few years of casework experience, the degree also prepares students to attain a position as a technical leader. The Forensic Genetics program, along with all other Master's and PhD programs at the Health Science Center, requires the fulfillment of a core curriculum. The purpose of this core curriculum is to offer students a broad background in courses such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology. Once the core has been fulfilled, students must take classes such as Forensic Evidence Evaluation, Genetic Data Analysis, Blood Stain Pattern Analysis, and Forensic Lab Quality Assurance. Every semester a seminar based class, titled Current Topics in Forensic and Molecular Genetics, must be taken to prepare students for public speaking. The last semester, an Expert Witness Testimony course must be taken which simulates the court room experience. In order to complete the program, students must do an internship and write a thesis. The internship can either be done in a lab of choice (if space permits), or in a research lab at the University. One of the many advantages of the program is that there is an actual DNA Identity Lab at the University. The lab was established in 1990 and does both paternity and forensic testing, as well as DNA-based cancer testing. This lab includes a large database that is used in both civil and criminal cases. The lab is run by the same professors as those who teach in the Forensic Genetics program and includes top DNA experts who have not only pioneered some of the current forensic techniques used, but who are also involved in developing a missing persons DNA database. I have certainly enjoyed my first year at UNTHSC-FW. The knowledgable faculty and friendly faces have made it an enjoyable experience. It is unlike any other forensic science program that I am aware of, in that it gives students the training needed in order to become DNA analysts. It gives those in the program invaluable skills and knowledge for when they actually go out into the field. For more information about the program, please visit the school's website at www.hsc.unt.edu/education/gsbs/programs.cfm. |
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© 2003 Young Forensic Scientists Forum / American Academy of Forensic Sciences |