Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

LCS105

Elements of Organization - 3 Credits

Students need a basic understanding of how organizations work in order to manage their personal and professional lives. This course provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the foundations underlying all organizations (businesses, non-profit and governmental organizations) specifically as they relate to the nature of: management and leadership, economics both domestically and internationally, ethics, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, human resource management, marketing/advertising, e-commerce, information technology, accounting, investments, money and personal finances.

ENG110

College Writing - 3 Credits

This course is designed to develop and refine the analytical/critical reading skills and the substantive writing skills of freshmen.  This intensive writing class will focus on writing essays of varying length and expose students to the various rhetorical modes of writing that will contribute to their success in university courses and their chosen careers.

ENG120

College Writing II - 3 Credits

College Writing II looks to expand upon the writing skills attained in ENG110. As a student-centered course, students explore their own writing in peer, group, and self-review skill sessions. Students enhance self-editing skills and increase awareness of the revision skills needed in both college coursework and in careers. The course will further develop students' understanding of the writing process from pre-writing to final draft. This course encourages students to have their writing evaluated across the curriculum. The course culminates in a research essay and portfolio of original work.

Pre-requisite: ENG110.

COM107

Intro to Communications - 3 credits

This introductory course will focus on the knowledge and skills that students need to become competent communicators.  This information and these skills will include speaking, listening, media literacy, computer-mediated communication, cultural sensitivity, workplace communication, group dynamics, and critical thinking.  Students will prepare and present speeches and group projects that utilize media and technology.  Emphasis will be place on personal, social and workplace interaction both individually and in group settings.

CIS112

Introduction to Computing - 3 Credits

This course strives to meet the high level of computer literacy required of all students earning a degree from the university. Special emphasis is placed on the ethical use of computer technology for information analysis and communications. Computer units introduce the Internet, Windows, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. Students who feel they have attained computer literacy and earn 70 percent on an exemption exam may substitute any other 3-credit course for this core requirement. 

Students may prove competency by passing a waiver examination.  No credit is granted if the requirement is waived.

CRJ311

Effective Communication for Criminal Justice Professionals - 3 Credits

This course is designed to impart communication skills specifically geared toward the criminal justice professional. This course provides both a theoretical and practical study of the role of communication as it relates to law enforcement. Subjects include: thinking before speaking, oral and written communications, use of presentation and visual aids, purposes of speech, public speaking including extemporaneous style speaking, non-verbal communication, grammar, making reports on the job, departmental records and record keeping, proper communication in the courtroom, interviewing and interrogating witnesses and suspects, communication technology, communicating with ethnic groups, and much more.

CRJ101

Introduction to Criminal Justice - 3 Credits

The student will be introduced to the American Criminal Justice System from the perspective of the criminal justice professional. The course examines the historical development and role of the police, prosecution, corrections, probation, parole, and rehabilitation.

CRJ209

Criminal Law - 3 Credits

The course examines substantive and procedural criminal law including the common law and statutory offenses. Law of evidence, burden of proof, the jury system, and pre-trial dispositions are also studied.

Prerequisite: CRJ101 or LAW101.

CRJ302

Criminal Procedure - 3 Credits

This course is a survey and analysis of the due process rights of individuals in the criminal process. Emphasis is on the impact of the Bill of Rights on the practices of police, prosecutors and judges and the remedies available for the violation of those rights.

Prerequisite: CRJ209.

CRJ355

Research Methods in Criminal Justice - 3 Credits

This course will review the basic techniques of research methodology, especially as applied to the field of criminal justice. Major topics will include the purposes of research, types of research design, data collection techniques, and the ethics of research.

Prerequisite: CRJ101.

CRJ356

Statistical Methods in Criminal Justice - 3 Credits

Elementary review of probability theory and its application to data analysis. Covered topics include: descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and focusing on tests of significance, tests of association and casual analysis. This course will be heavily based on use of computer software, such as SPSS.

Prerequisite: CRJ355.

CRJ404

Theoretical Criminology - 3 Credits

This course will review the wide range of theoretical explanations for criminal behavior. Emphasis will be placed on contemporary, biological, psychological, sociological, economic, and integrated theories of behavior.

Prerequisite: CRJ101 or permission of the instructor.

CRJ405

Advanced Seminar in Criminal Justice - 3 Credits

This is a capstone course that draws together the principles learned in previous CRJ courses. The seminar topic is at the discretion of the program director.

Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of the Program Director.

CRJ401

Ethics and Discretion in Criminal Justice - 3 Credits

The student is asked to consider the ethical issues involved in a criminal justice career. The concepts of integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness are examined as they bear upon the criminal justice professional's relationship to his or her colleagues, superiors, and community.

Prerequisite: CRJ101.

MAT105

Quantitative Methods - 3 Credits

This course is a survey of elementary algebra, personal finance, probability, and statistics.  Topics include: solving algebraic equations and graphing, recognizing and solving ratio and inequality problems, applications involving percentage and interest, applying the definition of probability, and elementary data analysis of graphs, including finding mean, median and mode.  Topics will focus on real-life situations, decision making skills and problem solving. This course is intended to prepare the student with the skills necessary for a subsequent course in statistics.

MAT220

Statistics I - 3 Credits

This course acquaints students with the fundamentals of modern statistics. It includes basic concepts of descriptive statistics and inferences about the mean, proportion, and variance of one population. The course also includes an introduction to probability and to linear correlation and regression.

Prerequisite: MAT120 or placement examination.

CSA101

Exploring Self: Inside Out - 3 credits

This course will focus on self-discovery and interaction with others to provide learners with the foundation for examining and further developing their own personal effectiveness. An environment of trust will be built within the class to enable individual and collective openness, discovery and engagement in personal learning. The course will use experiential learning, personal reflection and group interaction as primary approaches. This is a hybrid course, with classroom interaction time blended with online learning and interaction through the Blackboard learning management system.

CSA260

Professional Success Seminar - 3 credits

The course will enable students to develop their own individualized plans for personal, academic and career success. Students will engage in self-evaluation exercises and highly interactive classroom activities to evaluate their own “fit” for certain careers. Students also will participate in resume and cover letter writing activities to prepare for the experiential learning of the next course. This course will allow students to establish short-term career goals and begin a career portfolio to be refined during successive semesters.

CSA400

Career Capstone - 2 credits

This course is a culmination of the career and self-awareness series, a comprehensive program for career and life planning. The course prepares students for a transition from university life to independent work life. Students will learn valuable financial and money management planning and skills. Students will explore life balance issues, life roles, and self-concept as it relates to their future plans. Students will explore employment issues, such as the changing nature of work, diversity, trends, and job outlook. The course will require students to engage in networking and a job search with the goal of employment upon graduation. In addition, students who are seeking graduate school will engage in the application process, interviewing, and essay writing.

BIO143

General Biology I - 3 Credits

General Biology I is designed for both the major and non-major college student and provides a foundation for all other biology courses. Discussions will focus on the nature of science in general, bimolecular, origin of life, cells and their components, energy and metabolism, photosynthesis, cell reproduction and division, inheritance, taxonomy, viruses, bacteria, protists, vascular and non-vascular plants, and a survey of the animal kingdom (excluding vertebrates). Inquiry based study in the concurrent laboratory component will provide hands-on application of appropriate lecture material.

Laboratory fee required.

This class was previously called BIO133.

CRJ332

White-Collar Crime - 3 Credits

This course provides an analysis of crimes committed by persons in a position of trust, including embezzlement, fraud, false advertising, price fixing, black market activities, and governmental corruption. Crimes against one's employer and crimes committed by corporate executives for their corporation are studied.

Prerequisite: CRJ101.

BIO143L

General Biology I Lab - 1 Credit

This course is offered as part of BIO143 General Biology I.

Laboratory fee required.

This class was previously called BIO133 Lab.

CRJ102

Introduction to Law Enforcement - 3 Credits

This course studies the role of police in society with attention to the history of law enforcement, the organization of police forces, centralized police power, community policing, and the recruitment and training of police officers.

BIO180

Forensics - 3 Credits

This course begins with a basic overview of forensic science from the “science” viewpoint. Scientific principles and practices will be applied to specific examples within the following: drug analysis, paternity, DNA fingerprinting, hair/fiber analysis, blood identification, microscopy, spectrophotometry, and chromatography.

Cross listed with ENV180. Prerequisite: BIO143 or ENV121 and permission of the instructor.

CRJ201

Juvenile Justice - 3 Credits

The student is introduced to the juvenile justice process. While the focus is on the criminal court system's handling of the juvenile offender, additional areas of study include the forces that contribute to juvenile delinquency, as well as prevention rehabilitation.

Prerequisite: CRJ101

BIO180L

Forensics Laboratory - 2 Credits

Students will have the opportunity to learn about several forensic techniques and increase their skill at each technique in a hands-on format. Each student will perform experiments and analyze evidence with techniques including, but not limited to, the following: density determination, measurement and accuracy, statistical analysis, microscopy, hair and fiber analysis, fingerprint analysis, impression lifting and analysis, DNA fingerprinting and gel electrophoresis, thin layer chromatography, light spectrophotometry, glass fragment analysis, soils, ballistics, spatter patterns, and gas chromatography.

Prerequisite or Co-requisite: BIO/ENV180 or CHM116 or BIO144 or permission of the instructor.

This class was previously called BIO181.

LAW101

Introduction to Law - 3 Credits

Students are introduced to the system of legal thought and practice. The course examines legal methods and terminology while providing an orientation to state and federal laws and court systems. Internet resources and instructional technology are part of all topics, including a survey of subject specific areas in the law.

BIO280

Forensic Science II - 3 Credits

This course is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of several aspects of forensic science including crime scene processing, evidence collection, chain of evidence (with associated paperwork), motor vehicle accidents, blood spatter, and ballistics. Students will be asked to analyze evidence, participate in case 144 studies, and utilize databases for both ballistics and blood spatter.

Cross listed with ENV280. Prerequisites: BIO180, BIO180L or Permission of instructor.

CRJ309

Police Administration and Management - 3 Credits

The student is introduced to the basics of administering and managing law enforcement professionals. The focus is on particular issues faced in managing police officers–federal, state, or local. The course addresses relations with non-governmental community leaders. Budgeting and planning are also covered.

Prerequisite: CRJ102.

BIO290

Chemistry and Physics in Forensics - 3 Credits

To analyze many crimes, one needs to have a good understanding of both chemistry and physics. Students will learn about the fundamentals of organic and inorganic chemistry (titration, precipitation, color metric tests) and apply them to forensic uses. Students will also apply the basic physical principles (one dimensional and two dimensional analysis, kinematics, motion and gravitation, work and energy, momentum, rotational motion, solids and fluids, and heat and thermodynamics).

Cross listed with ENV290. Prerequisites: MAT130, BIO180, or PHY115 and CHM115, or Permission of instructor.