FIVS 481 Seminar in Forensic and Investigative Sciences
College: Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department: Entomology
Type: W
Status: Approved
REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: FIVS 481
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/21 to 9/1/25
We recommend that FIVS 481 Seminar in Forensic and Investigative Sciences be certified as a writing (W) course. We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 83.5% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2500; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:20; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
FIVS 481 is a one-credit course. There are five writing assignments, each a one-page summary related to readings and a guest speaker presentation on a topic related to the speaker’s forensic discipline. Each summary is reviewed and graded and returned in a timely manner so that the feedback can be used for the next summary. The instructor keeps track of how well students revise based on suggestions and also reviews and explains common errors after each batch is graded, giving the students an opportunity to ask questions. For Honors sections of this course students also complete a 10-page review paper with citations, not counted above.
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/21 to 9/1/25
We recommend that FIVS 481 Seminar in Forensic and Investigative Sciences be certified as a writing (W) course. We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 83.5% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2500; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:20; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
FIVS 481 is a one-credit course. There are five writing assignments, each a one-page summary related to readings and a guest speaker presentation on a topic related to the speaker’s forensic discipline. Each summary is reviewed and graded and returned in a timely manner so that the feedback can be used for the next summary. The instructor keeps track of how well students revise based on suggestions and also reviews and explains common errors after each batch is graded, giving the students an opportunity to ask questions. For Honors sections of this course students also complete a 10-page review paper with citations, not counted above.