Forensic and Analytical Science
Overview
This unit is a Postgraduate Level Chemistry unit, designed for students who have a background in science with chemistry to at least first year level. The unit is designed to introduce analytical chemistry with an emphasis on statistical analysis of data, spectroscopy and chemical separations with particular relevance to forensic investigations.
Requisites
Assumed Knowledge
Basic understanding of Chemistry at an undergraduate level (at least first year).
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
- Describe the fundamental components of both absorption and emission spectrometers as well as the specific instrumentation required for atomic and UV-visible absorption and infra-red (IR) spectrometers
- Describe the types of chemical substances that can be determined by each type of spectroscopic analysis
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 2.75 | 12 weeks | 33 |
| Online Contact (Phasing out) Online Class | 0.25 | 12 weeks | 3 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2D Assignment | Group | 5 - 10% | 1,2 |
| Examination | Individual | 40 - 60% | 2,3,4,5 |
| Online Tests | Individual | 10 - 20% | 1,2 |
| Test | Individual | 20 - 30% | 6,7 |
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.Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) 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
- Basic spectroscopy principles and instrumentation including atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy
- 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
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.