ANALYTICAL METHODS IN FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

ANALYTICAL METHODS IN FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
Course Code
CM 2515
Credit Points
15
Course Coordinator
Dr L Trembleau

Pre-requisites

CM 1016 or CM 1017 and CM 1511.

Co-requisites

As specified in the University Calendar for certain degree programs, otherwise none.

Overview

The course covers the underlying theory of the identification and determination of, for example, poisons such as pesticides or heavy metals in biological fluids, and of alcohol and drugs of abuse in mixtures of organic compounds including their structure determination by spectroscopic methods. This will involve study of the chemical reactions useful in analytical chemistry such as acid-base, complex formation, precipitation, redox and separation by transfer between phases, and also an introduction to both theory and practical experience of modern instrumental methods of analysis, with particular reference to forensic chemistry, and also to the closely related topic of environmental monitoring.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 1 one-hour tutorial in alternate weeks and 2 three-hour laboratories (Weeks 36-37, 41-44).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (60%), continuous assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment given during tutorial classes and laboratory classes.

Feedback

Marks for lab experiments and tutorial exercises available as soon as possible after the assessments; feedback on wrong answers provided. Informal discussion with students in lab sessions.