Skip to main content
International Fees

International fees are typically three times the amount of domestic fees. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.

Course details

This laboratory course introduces the chemistry and analytical requirements for the testing of illicit and controlled drugs. The student will learn the characterization of drugs in typical street form including cannabis, cocaine and crack, heroin, designer drugs and hallucinogens, as well as how they are analyzed, and the requirements for their certification to be used in a court of law. The student will learn how to use various chemical tests, isolation and purification techniques, as well as chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques.

Prerequisite(s)

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.
  • 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.
  • Test for the presence of amphetamines and heroin in powdered samples.
  • Identify the characteristics of clandestine laboratories including reactions, drug types, locations, hazards and by-products.

Effective as of Winter 2024

Related Programs

Drug Analysis (FSCT 8250) is offered as a part of the following programs:

  • Indicates programs accepting international students.
  • Indicates programs with a co-op option.

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

Contact Us

If you have a question or comment about this course, please complete and submit the form below.

  • Privacy Notice: The information you provide will be used to respond to your request for BCIT program 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 V5G 3H2, email: privacy@bcit.ca.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Subscribe

Interested in being notified about future offerings of Drug Analysis (FSCT 8250)? If so, fill out the information below and we'll notify you by email when courses for each new term are displayed here.

  • 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.