Course details
This laboratory course introduces the chemistry and analytical requirements for the testing of illicit and controlled drugs. The student will conduct experiments in the characterization of drugs in typical street form including cannabis, cocaine and crack, heroin, designer drugs and hallucinogens and others. The student will learn how to use various chemical tests, isolation and purification techniques, chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and will also conduct experiments in drug synthesis. Other experiments will include topics related to clandestine laboratories and toxicological screening in body fluids.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Cost
$833.76
Course offerings
Winter 2023
Below is one offering of FSCT 8250 for the Winter 2023 term.
CRN 90421
Duration
Tue Jan 10 - Tue Apr 04 (13 weeks)
- 13 weeks
- CRN 90421
- $833.76
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10 - Apr 04 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:30 | Burnaby |
Instructor
Adrienne Law
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Cost
$833.76
Important information
- Departmental approval needed
-
This course will be taught face-to-face (F2F) at the Burnaby campus. Attendance is mandatory. Students who have been accepted into a Forensics program where this course is a part of the matrix may register without any further approvals. Students who are not currently accepted in a Forensics program or, if this course is NOT part of your program matrix, please contact the Program Assistants for departmental approval at BCIT_Forensics@bcit.ca. For information on Forensic programs and courses, please visit: www.bcit.ca/cas/forensics .
Status
Learning Outcomes
- Identify classes and chemical properties of street drugs.
- Describe techniques used for identification of street drugs-naturally occurring, semi-synthetic, synthetic-including extraction, isolation and purification.
- Explain roles, responsibilities and safety procedures in the laboratory.
- Perform classic colour tests on various drug types.
- Describe GC & TLC chromatographic techniques and use of visualizing reagents.
- Describe features of infrared and mass spectrometry.
- Describe physical and chemical macro and micro characteristics of Cannabis Marihuana.
- Identify cocaine using colour tests and spectroscopic techniques.
- Isolate cocaine from a powdered street sample.
- Test for the presence of amphetamines and heroin in powdered samples.
- Prepare a complete lab report analyzing a mixed powder sample including various possible combinations of street drugs.
- Examine and explain the relationship of homologues, and the effects and synthesis of MDA, MDMA, MDEA.
- Identify the characteristics of clandestine laboratories including reactions, drug types, locations, hazards and by-products.
- Isolate and identify hallucinogens such as LSD, PCP etc.
- Explain routes of excretion and concentration levels of drugs and metabolites in bodily fluids.
- Extract drugs and metabolites from bodily fluids.
Effective as of Fall 2003
Related Programs
Drug Analysis (FSCT 8250) is offered as a part of the following programs:
School of Computing and Academic Studies
- Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
Bachelor of Technology Part-time
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