FORENSIC SCIENCE Teacher: Stephen Kim

Course Syllabus Fall 2018 Room: 252

Grosse Pointe South High School Email: kims@gpschools.org
The best time for students to receive help outside of class time is by appointment before or after school. Feel free to
contact me with any questions or concerns. You can expect a response within 24 hours.

Overview
Forensic Science is a semester course elective. Throughout the semester, you will be learning and investigating different
topics as a forensic scientist would. To be successful, you must be able to work well with others, stay organized, ask
questions, and make detailed observations. There will be many hands-on activities and labs that will supplement the
content for this course. At times, there will be some graphic images shown and touchy subjects of conversation (crime,
murder, death, etc.), so I encourage you to be mindful of your actions and be respectful towards others.

**The following units will be covered throughout the semester; some items, as well as the order of the units, may be
subject to change based on time constraints.**
Intro the Forensic Science, Fingerprints, Arson, Blood, Toxicology, Handwriting Analysis and Forgery, Death,
Anthropology, Entomology, Ballistics, Hair and Fibers

Attendance and Tardy Policy

Students are expected to be in class on time and prepared every day. Consistent attendance is essential to a thorough
understanding of the concepts covered in class. Please refer to the student handbook to see the attendance and tardy
policy for Grosse Pointe South High School. Good attendance is recognized by every teacher and employer as a
necessary requirement for quality work. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule a time to make up a test or
quiz, complete a lab, and/or make up work that was missed due to an absence.
 Tardy policy: Based on school-wide tardy policy
 Excused absence: students have the number of days they were absent plus one additional day to make up any work
(including tests, quizzes, and labs) that is missed. Anything made up after that allotted time will be considered late.
If no new material is covered during class the day before a test (i.e review) and a student is absent, he or she is
expected to take the test the day he or she returns.
o For example: if you miss a review day (which covers no new material for that unit) you are expected to take
the test the next day if you’re in class.
 Unexcused absence: Any work that is collected will be recorded as a zero. Tests/quizzes/labs missed for an
unexcused absence cannot be made up.

Grade Distribution
Grading scale (minimum percentage to earn each grade)
A+: 98% and up B+: 87.0% C+: 77.0% D+: 67.0% E: below a 60%
A: 93.0% B: 83.0% C: 73.0% D: 63.0%
A-: 90.0% B-: 80.0% C-: 70.0% D-: 60.0%
**Grades are rounded**

 Homework/classwork: Homework and classwork are used to supplement learning and for a student to assess their
progress in areas where improvement is needed. Students should complete their homework daily to optimize
success. Homework must be completed and ready to turn in at the BEGINNING OF THE NEXT CLASS DAY and
classwork is to be completed in class and collected before the students leave.
 Late work: Work that is turned in up to ONE DAY LATE will receive half credit (50%). Any work turned in later than
one day is NOT ACCEPTED and will be recorded as a ZERO (0).
 Extra credit: Not offered on a regular basis and no special requests are taken from students.
Quarter Grade Semester Grade
50% Tests and Quizzes 40% first quarter grade
35% Labs, projects, explorations 40% second quarter grade
15% homework/classwork 20% midterm or final exam

Classroom Guidelines
1. Students should be on time, prepared for class, and ready to actively participate in learning.
2. Students must take the pass to leave the room. Only one student at a time may leave the room for any reason.
3. The property of the school (desks, lab equipment, technology, etc.) should be respected and handled properly at
all times.
4. Students cheating or unfairly assisting other students during tests, quizzes, or any written work will lose credit.
5. Students who act irresponsibly by not observing the safety rules during laboratory activities will be removed
from the lab and lose that portion of the grade.
6. All people in the classroom (including teachers, students, and any visitors) will be treated with respect at all
times. Disrespectful comment and behaviors, or behaviors that disrupt the learning of other students will not be
tolerated.
7. Announcements/deadlines are written on the chalkboard in the front of the classroom.
8. Cell phone policy: Cell phones will remain in your backpacks or pockets unless otherwise specified for a
particular activity. PUT THEM AWAY OR THEY ARE MINE FOR THE DAY!!!

Technology
All class resources will be posted on the classroom website (www.kimscience.weebly.com) . This includes
homework, classwork, notes, reviews, answer keys, etc. It is highly recommended that each student subscribes
to remind101 for reminders about quizzes, tests, due dates, etc. Please see my teacher webpage on the Grosse
Pointe South High School website or go directly to the link above.

I have read, fully understand, and agree to comply with all syllabus and guidelines distributed by the teacher. I
will also abide by any other safety rules and regulations set forth in the classroom and laboratory.

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