Forensic Chemistry II

Catalog description

This is a classroom and laboratory-based course designed as a practical course to provide the students with advanced skills and understanding to perform forensic chemical analysis. The focus of the course will be on Chemical processes for extraction of target chemicals from different matrices, advanced chromatographic theory, optimization of HPLC, LC/MS and GC/MS methods, and Instrument design, maintenance, and troubleshooting. We will end with a section on NMR analysis. The course will rely heavily on the students' knowledge and skills that have been learned or acquired during their studies in prerequisite course work. The prerequisite knowledge includes, but is not limited to algebra, calculus, general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, basic statistics, spectroscopy theory, chromatography theory, proper evidence handling practice, and good writing skills. The learning objectives and outcomes are primarily focused on preparing the students to be capable and competent scientists with sufficient knowledge to work with HPLC, GC/MS, IR, and LC/MS. The student will also become familiar with extraction theory and techniques used in identification and characterization of chemical substances. The student will gain experience and understanding in effective analysis and interpretation of data and observations and will gain critical thinking skills for determining significance of data as forensic evidence.