School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Forensic and Analytical Chemistry
  • Unit Code

    SCC2301
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Mary Christine BOYCE

Description

This unit introduces students to some key instrumental and non instrumental techniques of relevance to forensic and analytical chemistry. There is a strong emphasis on chromatographic and spectroscopic (atomic and molecular) methods and the procedures used to identify and quantify compounds. In the laboratory emphasis is on the development of relevant laboratory skills, appropriate treatment of data and communication of experimental results.

Prerequisite Rule

(Students must pass 1 unit from SCC1111 AND Students must pass 1 units from SCC1226, SCC2211)

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a variety of relevant laboratory skills including teamwork, time management and negotiation of roles within teams.
  2. Demonstrate appropriate handling of experimental data.
  3. Demonstrate effective communication skills (written and oral).
  4. Describe and explain the principles underlying a range of analytical techniques.
  5. Determine and justify suitable sampling methods that both maintain the integrity of the sample and support the method of analysis.
  6. Identify and justify the appropriate method of analysis for a range of sample types.

Unit Content

  1. Analysis: collection and handling of samples, appropriate treatment of samples prior to analysis, identifying unknown chemicals, detection limits, reporting results.
  2. Atomic spectroscopy: principles, quantitative methods of analysis, matrix effects, applications.
  3. Chromatography: principles, non-instrumental column chromatography, introduction to HPLC and GC, quantitative and qualitative analysis, applications.
  4. Communicating science: appropriate referencing formats for chemists, writing scientific reports.
  5. Laboratory practice: identifying risk, and determining appropriate handling of chemicals for risk mitigation, appropriate disposal of chemicals.
  6. Titrimetry: alkalinity, acid-base, precipitation and complexometric titrations and their applications to water analysis.
  7. UV/VIS spectrophotometry: principles, Beer Lambert Law, qualitative and quantitative analysis, operation of instrumentation.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, skills workshops, laboratory work, pre-laboratory activities and pre-laboratory briefings. Laboratory work will generally be undertaken in pairs or in small groups.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkIndividual laboratory write ups of group work40%
ExaminationEnd of Semester Examination60%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCC2301|1|1

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Forensic and Analytical Chemistry
  • Unit Code

    SCC2301
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Mary Christine BOYCE

Description

This unit introduces students to some key instrumental and non instrumental techniques of relevance to forensic and analytical chemistry. There is a strong emphasis on chromatographic and spectroscopic (atomic and molecular) methods and the procedures used to identify and quantify compounds. In the laboratory emphasis is on the development of relevant laboratory skills, appropriate treatment of data and communication of experimental results.

Prerequisite Rule

(Students must pass 1 unit from SCC1111 AND Students must pass 1 units from SCC1226, SCC2211)

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a variety of relevant laboratory skills including teamwork, time management and negotiation of roles within teams.
  2. Demonstrate appropriate handling of experimental data.
  3. Demonstrate effective communication skills (written and oral).
  4. Describe and explain the principles underlying a range of analytical techniques.
  5. Determine and justify suitable sampling methods that both maintain the integrity of the sample and support the method of analysis.
  6. Identify and justify the appropriate method of analysis for a range of sample types.

Unit Content

  1. Analysis: collection and handling of samples, appropriate treatment of samples prior to analysis, identifying unknown chemicals, detection limits, reporting results.
  2. Atomic spectroscopy: principles, quantitative methods of analysis, matrix effects, applications.
  3. Chromatography: principles, non-instrumental column chromatography, introduction to HPLC and GC, quantitative and qualitative analysis, applications.
  4. Communicating science: appropriate referencing formats for chemists, writing scientific reports.
  5. Laboratory practice: identifying risk, and determining appropriate handling of chemicals for risk mitigation, appropriate disposal of chemicals.
  6. Titrimetry: alkalinity, acid-base, precipitation and complexometric titrations and their applications to water analysis.
  7. UV/VIS spectrophotometry: principles, Beer Lambert Law, qualitative and quantitative analysis, operation of instrumentation.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, skills workshops, laboratory work, pre-laboratory activities and pre-laboratory briefings. Laboratory work will generally be undertaken in pairs or in small groups.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkIndividual laboratory write ups of group work40%
ExaminationEnd of Semester Examination60%

Core Reading(s)

  • Harris, D. C. (2010). Quantitative chemical analysis . (8th ed.). NY: Freeman.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCC2301|1|2