Forensic Botany

Bot 4970/5970, Sec. 050

Syllabus - PDF

Course Description:  This course will expose students to the study of forensic botany. Through field trips and in-class laboratory exercises students will learn the proper techniques in identification, collection, analysis of plants and plant material and the role it plays in a crime scene investigation.  This course combines information drawn from the disciplines of taxonomy, ecology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, morphology, paleobotany, geology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The goal is for each participant to possess a body of botanical knowledge so that he or she can be a competent and effective forensic botanist.

Textbooks:  A textbook will not be used in the course. Handouts and photocopies of journal articles will be distributed at periodical intervals.  Introductory botany textbooks will be made available for reference. 

Required Materials:  A 1-inch or 1.5-inch, 3-ring notebook holding 8.5 x 11 inch paper will be needed to organize handouts, which will be referred to on a daily basis.

Exams, Quizzes, and Grading :  Each week will conclude with an exam, each worth 100 points.  Each is comprehensive, covering all material introduced in the course.  There will be several quizzes and short writing assignments encompassing terminology, microscopy, recognition of taxa and structures, and selected lecture topics.  Quizzes may or may not be announced ahead of time.  Collective value of these quizzes and assignments is 100 points. Letter grades will be assigned based on the typical scale of: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = <60.

Reasonable accommodation:  Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from demonstrating his or her abilities should contact Adam Ryburn, Janet Isaac, (405) 325-7431 and the Office of Disability Services, Goddard Health Center, Rm. 166, (405) 325-3852, as soon as possible so that accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities can be discussed.