$5000 Prize
"Forensic Science Program"
http://www.forensicscience.ufl.edu

The University of Florida Forensic Science Program offers master’s degrees or graduate certificates through distance learning in four areas of study:  forensic DNA and serology, forensic drug chemistry, forensic toxicology and forensic death investigation.  Quality educational materials are delivered online globally, providing direct access to professors and other students through discussion boards and e-mail.  Designed for working science professionals, the program is offered entirely online.  Students don’t have to relocate or take time away from work to advance their career, education and training.

Global Partnerships
"Forensic Science Program"
Collaborations and partnerships have been developed with academic institutions in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Great Britain, Australia, Thailand, and China with intent to deliver our online forensic programs to students in those regions.  Based on the needs of each geographical region, course material is translated and taught in the native language by UF-trained faculty, and the degree is conferred by the local partnering institution.  In such cases, students pay tuition rates comparable to the local economy, making access to University of Florida’s materials more attractive and less cost prohibitive for the student.  We currently have programs available in Portuguese and Thai and are working on Spanish translations of all our courses with partners in Latin America.

            •            Florida International University, Miami
            •            The University of Edinburgh, Forensic Medicine, Scotland
            •            University of Silpakorn, Thailand
            •            National Centre for Forensic Sciences, Australia, and            Australian Federal Police
            •            Feevale and Cesumar Universities, and the Ministry of Justice, Brazil
            •            University of San Francisco, Ecuador
            •            Catholic University of Peru, Lima
            •            Capital University, Beijing, China
            •            University of Pretoria, South Africa

Enrollments
UF Forensic Science Programs enrollments 2000 - 2006

Students have come from every U.S. state and from the following foreign countries:  Antarctica, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Greenland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Trinidad, and the United Kingdom.

Who They Are
"Forensic Science" Project Team

Top row (left to right):

Ian Tebbett, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Distance Education
Director of UF Forensic Science Program

Donna Wielbo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, UF College of Pharmacy

Margaret James, Ph.D.
Professor and Department Chair
UF College of Pharmacy
Department of Medicinal Chemistry

Bottom row (left to right):

David Harrison, MBChB, M.D.
Professor of Pathology,
The University of Edinburgh

Steve Roberts, Ph.D.
Professor, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
and Center for Human and Environmental Toxicology

Tom Vickroy, Ph.D.
Professor, UF College of Veterinary Medicine

These are the primary faculty who teach the majority of the program courses.  However, other faculty from UF, Edinburgh, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador and Thailand have also contributed to the effort.  The University of Cesumar in Brazil created a partner Web site that offers the Forensic DNA and Serology masters program online that their students can take in their native language.

What They Say About the Forensic Science Program

“In working with Drs. Tebbett and Wielbo and demonstrating these programs around the world, I have seen eyes opened to the infinite possibilities associated with distance education.  We, at the University of Florida, are offering access to thousands upon thousands of students, mostly working professionals, who would otherwise not be able to have these quality programs available to them.  The interactivity through discussion boards, the high quality animations and simulations available in the coursework is world-class.  I, without reservation, recommend the Forensic Sciences Distance Education Program for an ADEC award.”

William H. Riffe, Ph.D.
Associate Provost and Dean

“While it is sometimes challenging to maintain high quality instruction in web-based courses, there are many indications that the forensic program has been very effective in doing so.  The course offerings are presented in a format that is easy to follow while presenting intellectually challenging technical material.  Faculty members work with computer experts to achieve this result.  Most of the courses are offered by a faculty member at the rank of professor, with the assistance of a teaching assistant who has previously taken the course and has an excellent understanding of the material.  The faculty member and TA interact with students through discussion boards, chat rooms and email on a daily basis.”

Margaret O. James, Ph.D.
Professor, Chair

“Completing my Bachelor’s degree 12 years prior, I made the choice to enhance and improve upon my education in this field as did several of my colleagues following a presentation given by the UF distance education staff at a statewide toxicology meeting.  We began the application process immediately.  The UF distance education staff assisted us in every aspect of the process.  This was the theme during my entire time with the program.  The professors were well versed in the subject matter they taught and were responsive to the needs of the students in their respective courses.  The entire staff was very supportive and always willing to assist with any issues/concerns I may have had during my three years in the program.”

            Katrina P. Reid

“I have been a participant in the University of Florida Forensic Science distance education program since 2001, first as a student, then as a Teaching Assistant.  The program’s commitment to quality and excellence has been the theme since the onset.  Every year the program has evolved and expanded based on these principles.  The quality and excellence of the program of today has been accomplished by the utilization of superb faculty and staff and by expanding their relationship with academic institutions around the world.”

Mattheu I. Miller
UF-Teaching Assistant
FDLE-Forensic Toxicologist

Previous Winners of the ADEC Excellence Award and Programs

2000                        University of Kentucky
                                    College of Agriculture Team

2001                        Cornell University
                                    Global Seminar: Environment and Sustainable Food Systems

2002                        Great Plains IDEA
                                    Interactive Distance Education Alliance

2003                        Michigan State University
                                    International Food Law

2004                        University of Nebraska-Lincoln
                                    The Library of Crop Technology

2005                        The Ohio State University
            Non-Traditional PharmD (NTPD) Program

Excellence in Distance Education
The Award and Selection Process

The year 2006 marks the seventh award by the American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC) for Excellence in College and University Distance Education.  The award supports and strengthens distance education programs to create wider and more diverse access to higher education programs.  Teams may compete for recognition and a $5000 cash prize.  Nominees come from teaching, research and extension faculty at ADEC member institutions.  It is designed to focus international attention on the importance of distance education in the delivery of learning and information.

In addition to the cash prize, the peer review panel making selections designates nominations for honorable mention and other special awards as appropriate.  The reviewers include University Vice-Presidents and Deans, distance education faculty and administrators, ADEC leaders and representatives from professional associations and agencies.  Dr. Thayne Dutson, Past Chair of the ADEC Board of Directors and Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University, chaired the committee making this year’s selections.  A special thanks to Dr. Michael Burke (now retired from Oregon State University) and former Chairs of the ADEC Board of Directors, Dr. E. G. Sander, University of Arizona and Dr. Thomas Fretz, University of Maryland-College Park for their initiative in establishing this award.  The University of Kentucky also played an important role in the design and implementation of the original award process.

Excellence in Distance Education
Evaluation Criteria

Outcomes and Impacts (25%) – Did the team create and sustain viable and worthy distance education programs that reflect excellence and success in teaching?  Evidence of success with a wide array of audiences is considered along with other learner outcomes.

Innovation, Methodology and Creativity (20%) – Did the team demonstrate substantive expertise and use variety and creativity to advance learning and demonstrate quality of instructional design and creative use of technology to ensure student interaction and collaboration?

Collaborations, Partnerships and Crossing Barriers (15%) – Have the team’s programs crossed traditional boundaries demonstrating collaborative work with other institutions and partnerships?

Professional Development and Service to Distance Education (15%) – Did the team show evidence of continuing intellectual pursuits in distance education including professional publications, grants and service to the profession?  Consideration is given to committee contributions, presentations and other activities related to the knowledge base of distance education.

Philosophy of Distance Education (15%) – Did the team demonstrate high standards of distance education, concern for end users, outstanding competence in managing the distance education process and future vision for the role of distance education in higher education?

Endorsement by Administrators, Distance Learners/End Users, Colleagues and Others (10%) – The degree to which the statements by the above-mentioned people substantiate the team’s excellence in and dedication to distance education for higher education.