HBCU UNDERGRADUATE CENTER FOR FORENSIC SCIENCE
Established through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the HBCU Undergraduate Center for Forensic Science at Lincoln University gives students the opportunity to matriculate alongside experienced faculty and a steering committee of current forensic science practitioners. The Center provides hands-on access to modern laboratory facilities and offers a rigorous academic curriculum with particular emphasis placed upon high impact experiential learning through internships, collaborative research, professional networking and presentations at scientific meetings.
Mission
The mission of the HBCU Undergraduate Center for Forensic Science is to increase the number of well-qualified, minority student graduates having a strong grounding in the natural sciences along with the foundational laboratory skills necessary to excel in graduate programs and/or in forensic crime laboratories.
Program Goals
- Students will develop a strong foundation in the natural sciences including application of the scientific method and common laboratory techniques.
- Students will learn the principles of operation, maintenance procedures, quality control protocols and receive hands-on training in the use of modern analytical instruments commonly used in forensic toxicology and forensic crime laboratories.
- Students will develop an understanding of the principles of crime scene investigation, evidence collection & preservation, and chain of custody.
- Students will gain and understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system and learn their role as a forensic scientist and expert witness.
- Students will develop the written and oral communication skills necessary to effectively present scientific findings both at professional meetings and in the courtroom.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of ethics and their importance in forensic science.
