Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 301142

Coordinator Chris Lennard Opens in new window

Description This unit has been developed to introduce students to the chemical principles and procedures surrounding the synthesis of commonly encountered licit and illicit chemical substances, and to introduce you to the processes involved in the forensic analysis of clandestine drug laboratories. This unit is taught by the University of Florida as part of a collaborative venture between the University of Florida and Western Sydney University. Note: Further information on this unit is available from the University of Florida.

School Science

Discipline Forensic Science

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 3741 Master of Forensic Science, 3742 Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science or 3743 Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Be able to comfortably navigate the WWW and know how to locate and use web based resources for their interests and further education
2. Be able to recognize chemical functional groups and to know their chemical and physical characteristics
3. To understand the basic chemical reactions involved in illicit drug synthesis
4. To understand the processes involved in the synthesis of amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDMA
5. To understand the processes involved in the synthesis PCP
6. To understand the processes involved in the synthesis of opiates and Fentanyl
7. To understand the processes involved in the synthesis of cocaine and crack
8. To understand the processes involved in the synthesis of LSD
9. To be familiar with the steps taken in the forensic investigation of clandestine drug laboratories

Subject Content

Module 1 Functional Groups
Module 2 Reactions Involved in Illicit Drug Synthesis I
Module 3 Reactions Involved in Illicit Drug Synthesis II
Module 4 Amphetamines, Methamphetamine and MDMA
Module 5 Phencyclidine
Module 6 Opiates
Module 7 Cocaine
Module 8 LSD
Module 9 Clandestine Laboratories