BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS FORENSIC SCIENCE WITH SPECILISATION IN BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY (HFOSC)
| Module Code | Module Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HFOSC101 | Introduction to Forensic Science |
Introduction to Forensic Science introduces the student to principles and historical basis of forensic science and its application in legal practice. It consists of lectures, supervised field and laboratory practicals and tutorial sessions. The course is intended for BSc (Honours) Part I students in Forensic Science. It focuses on the securing and management of the incidence scene, collection and handling of forensic evidence and its reporting. It lays the ground work for all latter courses in Forensic Science.The following topics are covered: History and Development of Forensic Science; Basic Deductive Reasoning; Organisation of a Crime Laboratory; Services of a Crime Laboratory; Functions of the Forensic Scientist; Forensics and Policing: Incidence Scenes (proper approach to crime and disaster scenes, their interpretation and preservation), Evidence Types (identity of articles of forensic value), Evidence Collection, (packaging, storage and transportation of articles from crime or disaster scene), Analysis (order of priority for analysis of articles; evidential or intelligence value of articles), Reporting (reports for criminal and investigation information).Upon completion of the course, students should be able to appreciate the role of forensic evidence in legal practice. They should be able to collect, secure and communicate forensic evidence. |
| HFOSCC103 | Medicinal and Natural Product Chemistry | Medicinal and Natural Product Chemistry consists of 2 sections. The first section involves drug properties design and development. The second covers the biosynthesis, total synthesis, sources and uses of natural products. Medicinal and Natural Product Chemistry is a Level 2 course that introduces the BSc Honours degree in Forensic Science student to synthesis, mode of action and general chemistry of some pharmaceutical products, analgesics, anti-allergy agents, antibacterials, antibiotics, antidepressants and antivirals.. It familiarises the chemistry of many products in use such as drugs, pesticides and natural colorants as well as to be able to produce them in the right chemical form is the jurisdiction of the course. |
| HFOSCC202 | Organic Chemistry 2 | The course introduces student to carbon compounds by looking at their reactions, properties, structures, synthesis and compositions. The course covers stereochemistry and alicyclic chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry, further aromatic chemistry and rearrangement reactions. The above aspects are very important for understanding the chemistry of most chemical products at use in homes and industries. The course helps students to fully comprehend the chemistry of many products in use such as drugs, petrochemicals and their derivatives, food and explosives. To achieve the above mentioned goal and be able to produce these chemical products in the right chemical form is the jurisdiction of the course. |
| HFOSCC203 | Electrochemical and Chromatographic Methods 1 | Electrochemical and Chromatographic Methods 1 serves to introduce student to the analytical techniques in chemistry.This course will cover the basic elements of electrochemistry. There will also be an introduction to separation methods of analysis mainly GC and HPLC. |
| HFOSCB201 | Forensic Botany | The course introduces the student to use of botanical evidence in legal investigations. The course aims to raise students' awareness of the growing use and importance of botanical evidence (trichomes, fibres, pollen, plant tissues, seeds fruits, algae, phytoplankton, lichens and fungi) in modern forensic science; To provide students with practical experience of techniques involved in the enhancement, recovery and identification of forensically important plant material; To develop the students’ understanding of the principles and applications of botanical information to legal practice; To encourage students to apply scientific principles in legal investigation |
| HFOSCC204 | Spectroscopic Methods of Analysis | This course will introduce students to chemical instruments used in analytical chemistry, based on atomic spectroscopy and molecular spectroscopy. Spectroscopic Methods of Analysis is a Level 2 course and is required for the BSc Honours Degree in Forensic Science. |
| HFOSCC205 | Forensic Chemistry | This course approaches the challenges, methods and analyses of forensic science from a fundamental, chemical perspective. Topics include drug analysis, arson investigation, questioned document analysis, and the analysis of paint and gunshot residue samples. The course helps the student to develop approaches to understanding, correctly using and further developing current chemical tools that are used in the Forensic Sciences. |
| HFOSCB204 | Forensic Entomology 1 | Forensic entomology is the branch of forensic science concerned with the use of insects in legal matters. Its principal application is in death investigations where an assessment of insect succession on the body can be used to estimate the time of death. Other areas of its application include detection of exposure to drugs and toxins, and determination of the location of a crime. The course meets the needs of undergraduate biology students wishing to pursue postgraduate research, as well as those seeking careers as forensic science consultant entomologists. The primary aim of this course is to equip the student with knowledge of the types of insects which are utilized in forensic investigations, their identification, biology and ecology, laboratory rearing techniques and curation. This knowledge makes it easier for the next stage of the degree programme where the focus is on the practical applications of entomology in forensic investigations. |
| HFOSCC403 | Electrochemical and Chromatographic Methods 2 | This course will advance the student’s knowledge of electrochemistry, which was introduced at Level 2. Mass spectrometry will also be introduced. Electrochemical and Chromatographic Methods 2 is a Level 4 course and is an elective for the BSc (Honours) degree in Forensic Science. |
| HFOSCB404 | Forensic Entomology 2 | Forensic entomology is the branch of forensic science concerned with the use of insects in legal matters. Its principal application is in death investigations where an assessment of insect succession on the body can be used to estimate the time of death. Other areas of its application include detection of exposure to drugs and toxins, and determination of the location of a crime. The course meets the needs of undergraduate biology students wishing to pursue postgraduate research, as well as those seeking careers as forensic science consultant entomologists. The primary aim of this course is to equip the student with knowledge of the types of insects which are utilized in forensic investigations, their identification, biology and ecology, laboratory rearing techniques and curation. This knowledge makes it easier for the next stage of the degree programme where the focus is on the practical applications of entomology in forensic investigations. |
| HFOSCC402 | Forensic Drug Analysis | This course provides an introduction to toxicological assays, including presumptive and confirmation testing in a variety of biological matrices, and a comprehensive pharmacological and analytical review of some major drug classes include alcohol, drugs for the treatment of mood disorders (anti-psychotics and anti-depressants), anxiolytics and hypnotics (barbiturates and benzodiazepines), anesthetics, opioids, psychedelic drugs, amphetamine related compounds, cocaine, and cannabinoids. Other topics covered include the clandestine manufacture and profiling of illicit drugs, drug-facilitated sexual assault, and drugs in sport. |
| HFOSCB402 | Forensic Microscopy and Histopathology | The target students are those interested in pursuing careers in forensics, pathology and microscopy, as well as biomedical sciences. This course aims to impart knowledge on basic and advanced microscopy to assist in diagnostics, post-mortem pathological analysis and crime-scene investigation. |