PH1S81 - Fundamental Chemistry for the Forensic Sciences 01 Apr 2025 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 4
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | PH1S81 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Fundamental Chemistry for the Forensic Sciences | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science | ||
| Faculty Group: | Chemical and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Chemical and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Module Leader: | Suzanna Kean | ||
| Module Team: | Andrew Graham, Rehana Karim, Mia Lambert, Hannah Minton | ||
| First Intended Intake: | MAR 2018 | Final Year of Intake: | |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 4 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100417 - chemistry | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 4 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Apr 2025 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2027 |
Module Aims
To introduce students to fundamental concepts in organic, biological, and analytical chemistry that support the forensic sciences
Allow students to develop laboratory skills that will support the development of further analytical skills in the forensic sciences.
Content Summary
This module is designed to develop and support the students application of fundamental concepts in the areas of organic, biological and analytical chemistry that underpin topics in the forensic sciences. Students will study the following:
Bonding within organic molecules: valency, hybridization, bonding orbital theory (sigma/pi bonds)
Functional group recognition, concept of homologous series, nomenclature of organic compounds, drawing/representing organic compounds: molecular formula, condensed formula, full displayed structural formula, line diagrams.
Structural isomers: positional, functional group and chain isomers
Stereoisomers: geometric and optical isomers (assigning/naming both E/Z and cis/trans for geometric isomers and R/S for optical isomers up to two chiral centres), their properties, how to draw, concept of diastereomers and meso compounds.
Conformers of alkanes: importance in some reactions, Newman projects of different conformers, concept of steric hinderance.
Intermolecular forces: types and how they govern the physical properties of organic compounds
Fundamental reactions in organic chemistry: bond polarity, bond breakage/formation (homolysis, heterolysis), type of reagents (electrophiles/nucleophiles/radical), types of reactions (addition/elimination/substitution/rearrangement)
Fundamental mechanisms in organic chemistry: non-polar (radical addition/substitution, chain reactions, the stability of radical species), polar (electrophilic addition reactions: importance of stability of carbocations in determining product, Markovnikov’s rule; SN1/SN2: factors affecting, e.g., solvent nucleophile, leaving group,
steric factors; E1/E2: factors that govern choice of).
Carbohydrates: their structure and nomenclature, their stereochemistry, 2D representations of carbohydrates (Fisher Projections), hemiacetal formation, mutarotation and the anomeric effect, reactions of monosaccharides: oxidation and reduction of the carbonyl group etc.
Amino acids: their structure and chirality, properties and synthesis, the peptide bond and proteins (composition and biological role).
Fundamental Organic Analysis: elemental analysis, determination of double bond equivalency, UV-Vis spectroscopy (basic principles and interpretation of spectra), IR analysis (basic principles and interpretation of spectra primarily to identify characteristic functional groups), 1H and 13C NMR (basic principles and interpretation of spectra (number of signals/chemical shift/integration/splitting patterns) to elucidate full structures), mass spectrometry (basic principles and interpretation of spectra primarily for mass determination and fragment identification, introduction to concept of rearrangements of fragments). Multispectral analysis.
Fundamental laboratory skills: soxhlet extraction, liquid/liquid extraction, thin layer chromatography, recrystalisation, melting points, relevant data analysis and calculations. Use of MSDS sheets to assess hazards.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 18 |
| Tutorial | 18 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 10 |
| Independent Study | 78 |
| Directed Study | 56 |
| Formative Assessment - Scheduled | 2 |
| Formative Assessment - Independent | 18 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Acquire and apply the basic concepts that underpin organic and biological chemistry including structures, shapes, physical interactions, and reaction mechanisms |
| LO2 | Evaluate spectroscopic/analytical data to elucidate the structure of unknown compounds and solve problems in organic chemistry. |
| LO3 | Work safely and efficiently in the laboratory and exhibit and apply knowledge of laboratory procedures. |
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment | Practical Coursework (Onsite) 1 | Written proforma describing laboratory experiments/workshops | 0 | N/A | 35 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Portfolio 1 | Written assignments (three) taken at key points in the year to allow students to reflect and develop on their progress to date | 0 | 2600 | 65 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | LO3 | |
| Practical Coursework (Onsite) 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Portfolio 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |