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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

Not offered this term
This course is not offered this term. Please check back next term or subscribe to receive notifications of future course offerings and other opportunities to learn more about this course and related programs.

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

  1. Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
    Advanced Certificate Part-time
  2. Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
    Bachelor of Technology Part-time

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  • Privacy Notice: The information you provide will be used to respond your request for BCIT course information and is collected under Section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). For more information about BCIT’s privacy practices contact: Associate Director, Privacy, Information Access & Policy Management, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 3700 Willingdon Ave. Burnaby, BC V5A 3H2, email: privacy@bcit.ca.