Analytical and Forensic Chemistry
Overview
This unit is a second year University Level Chemistry unit, designed for students who have completed first year chemistry. The standard of chemistry is suited for students intending to major in the chemical sciences. The unit is designed to introduce analytical chemistry with an emphasis on statistical analysis of data and chemical separations with particular relevance to forensic investigations.
Requisites
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Apply statistical methods to analytical measurements and interpret their significance
- Describe the fundamental basis for chemical separation processes and the theory of chromatographic separations
- Describe the basic components of a gas chromatograph and a liquid chromatograph along with the application and limitations of the chromatographic systems in the context of the relationships between the operational and measurable parameters
- Recognise the steps required for science to be used within the legal system based on the scientific and legal merits of a new scientific technique
- Discuss the forensic applications of GC and HPLC
- Operate computer controlled chromatographic instruments that enable quantitative analysis of complex mixtures
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Science Laboratory | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Contact (Phasing out) Online Class | 0.08 | 12 weeks | 1 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 8.42 | 12 weeks | 101 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Group | 5 - 10% | 2,3,4 |
| Examination | Individual | 40 - 60% | 2,3,4,5 |
| Online Tests | Individual | 10 - 20% | 1,2 |
| Report | Individual | 15 - 30% | 1,2,3,6 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) An aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) At least 40% in the final exam, and (iii) Completion of a minimum of 80% of laboratory work based on the criteria for successful completion as explained in the lab handout(s).Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirements (ii) and (iii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Statistics for chemists - mean, standard deviation, regression, correlation, comparison of means, analysis of variance, small data sets and outlier detection, detection limit, sampling, spreadsheets.
- Chromatography as a separation process, systematic relationships governing the chromatographic process, typical GC and HPLC instrumentation and processes with adaptations to commonplace applications.
- Forensic Analysis - Introduction to forensic science, chronological landmarks in the history of forensic science, legal aspects of forensic science and the admissibility of forensic evidence in the legal system.
- Practicals that include the use of the gas chromatograph and the high performance liquid chromatograph.
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.