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FSC-20009 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

FSC-20009 - Drugs of Abuse
Coordinator: Mike Edwards Room: N/A Tel: +44 1782 7 33252
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Successful completion of FHEQ level 4 modules or equivalent in Forensic Science.

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

In this module, you will learn about the role of a forensic analyst in the investigation of drugs and drugs related crime. You will gain an understanding of the systematic abuse of drugs and alcohol and be introduced to the relevant legal issues. Aspects of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, the mode of action, and basic metabolism will be introduced alongside the examination of various classes of drugs in detail. The practical determination of drugs and alcohol in biological specimens will be demonstrated through laboratory sessions using presumptive tests and spectroscopic techniques.

Aims
The role of Forensic Science in the investigation of drugs and drug-related crime will be examined. This module will develop students' understanding of the systematic abuse of drugs and alcohol and introduce the relevant legal issues. Fundamentals of the interaction of drugs with the human body will be introduced in terms of introductory pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, the biological targets of drugs, and the basics of metabolism, alongside methods of analysis and determination to detect these drugs in biological samples and specimens.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/fsc-20009/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of relevant and up-to-date UK legislation relating to drugs and alcohol: 1
Use concepts in pharmacodynamics to explain the interaction of drugs with their target and identify metabolites of the major classes of drugs: 2
1,2
Solve problems in the determination and analysis of suspected unknown substances through the application of a range of experimental tests and spectroscopic methods: 1
Report findings from analytical investigations in an impartial and professional format: 1,2
Identify examples of the major classes of controlled drugs and evaluate their origins, physiological effects, uses, metabolism and detection:

Study hours

Active Learning hours:
Interactive lectures: 24 hours
Problem Classes and Practical Sessions: 18 hours
Independent study and assessment completion: 108 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Practical Assessment weighted 50%
Expert Witness Statement
Submission of an expert witness report detailing findings and analyses based around a drugs-related criminal investigation, equivalent to 2500 words.

2: Coursework weighted 50%
Problems Based Assessment
A series of short answer questions assessing the content delivered in the taught sessions. Equivalent to 2500 words.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024