che2nac forensic and analytical chemistry
FORENSIC AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHE2NAC
2016
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This is an elective second year chemistry subject involving lectures and a laboratory component. The successful prosecution of individuals or companies for crimes involving chemicals would be impossible without comprehensive forensic evidence. In this subject, students will explore concepts of analytical chemistry as a basis of developing the required skills of a chemist working in forensic science. The analytical skills to prepare and analyse different types of real-world samples using a variety of instrumental techniques, and the ability to critically assess results to judge their validity will be discussed in lectures and developed in practical classes. The instrumental techniques include, but are not limited to, molecular fluorescence spectroscopy, high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and ion mobility mass spectrometry.
SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorIan Potter
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must have passed (CHE1GEN or CHE1CHF), and CHE1APL.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects CHE2MEC, CHE2ENC, CHE2NAN
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 8th Edition | Prescribed | Harris, D.C. | FREEMAN, 2010 |
| Readings | Nanochemistry | Recommended | Ozin, G. A. & Arsenault, A. C. | RSC PUBLISHING, CAMBRIDGE, 2005 |
| Readings | Supermolecular Chemistry | Recommended | Beer, P. D., Gale, P. A. & Smith, D. K. | OXFORD, 1999 |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Illustrate the concepts and recognise the place in nature and technology of the different areas of nanochemistry: nanoparticles, one dimensional and two dimensional materials, self-assembled monolayers, supramolecular structures and biomolecules.
- Activities:
- Students will develop their knowledge of the key concepts of Nanochemistry through interactive participation in lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes. Lectures and tutorials will include elements where scientific phenomena are presented at the empirical level, followed by a collective attempt to explain the observations. During this process students will propose models and collectively evaluate their feasibility, with the guidance of the lecturer or tutor, to arrive at the accepted formulation of the concepts of Nanochemistry. Students will complete assessment tasks to identify, and receive detailed feedback to correct, weaknesses in their discipline-specific knowledge.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Select the appropriate tools and experimental methods for the characterization of nanochemical structures; assess and explain experimental results.
- Activities:
- Students will develop their knowledge of the key concepts of Nanochemistry through interactive participation in lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes. Lectures and tutorials will include elements where scientific phenomena are presented at the empirical level, followed by a collective attempt to explain the observations. During this process students will propose models and collectively evaluate their feasibility, with the guidance of the lecturer or tutor, to arrive at the accepted formulation of the concepts of Nanochemistry. Students will complete assessment tasks to identify, and receive detailed feedback to correct, weaknesses in their discipline-specific knowledge.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Apply the learned concepts to propose solutions for practical problems
- Activities:
- Students will be given assignments on solving real life and imaginary problems, or assessing proposed solutions to such problems. They will be required to perform independent literature search, critical evaluation of information and creative thinking. The proposed solutions and their feasibility will be discussed in tutorial classes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
04. Write reasoned arguments and correctly referenced professional reports on the solution of theoretical and practical problems as well as the analysis of experimental results.
- Activities:
- Students will be given assignments on solving real life and imaginary problems, or assessing proposed solutions to such problems. They will be required to perform independent literature search, critical evaluation of information and creative thinking. The proposed solutions and their feasibility will be discussed in tutorial classes. During laboratory classes students will receive instruction on how to prepare a lab report incorporating professional prose and presentation of data. Examples of lab reports will be discussed and an example of a good report will be provided in the lab manual. Students will develop and demonstrate their ability to write lab reports in a professional manner by submitting lab reports and receiving feedback on a regular basis throughout the semester.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour)
05. Employ skills associated with professional laboratory practices that satisfy the accreditation requirements of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).
- Activities:
- Students will participate in laboratory classes specifically designed to demonstrate and explain the concepts of nanochemistry. Students will be able to synthesize and characterize several nanostructures discussed during the lecture topics.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2016, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorIan Potter
Class requirements
Laboratory ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 4.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hrs end of semester exam (1.0 hrs per lecture topic) | 50 | 01 | |
| Assignments and LMS quizzes (eight x 250 words each) | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Laboratory reports pertaining to lab practices | 30 | 02, 03, 04, 05 |