THE UNIVERSITY OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND POLICE STUDIES

MASTER ACADEMIC STUDIES

FORENSIC ENGINEERING

Course:

Biochemical Engineering

Course Code: 12.15

ECTS: 6

Course Status:

Compulsory

Number of Effective Classes (Per Week): 2 + 2 + 1

Theoretical Education:

Practical Training:

Research Study Project:

2

2

1

Prerequisite/s: None

Educational Objective: The goal of the course is for students to acquire knowledge about biochemical processes in living cells. This knowledge is a prerequisite for understanding metabolic engineering, is crucial for fast development of fields such as genetic engineering, and constitutes a base for understanding and managing production processes of biotechnology products.

Projected Outcome: Acquiring knowledge regarding selection of simple and reliable methods, appropriate sample preparation, results interpretation and strategic approaches to demands in production, preservation and application of foods, pharmaceuticals and other biotechnology products; familiarization with and/or mastering various instrumental techniques, including the ones used as standard biochemical methods, as well as the ones used in court proceedings. In many instances, simple techniques allow for the acquisition of information regarding the chemical nature of material as court evidence.

Course Contents/Structure

Theoretical education: Biochemical processes in living cells which enable cell growth and maintenance; application of enzymes as biocatalysts, metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids, inorganic salts, water, vitamins, etc.; overview of standard biochemical techniques, tests applicable in forensic sciences, with the focus on sample collection, storage and preparation for analyses; familiarization with techniques used for the identification of small biological molecules, as well as DNA analysis.

Practical training: Practical portion of the course involves familiarization with the processes, equipment and instruments used for biochemical analyses in scientific laboratories of partner institutions, as well as practical research project.

Teaching Methods: Power Point presentations, interactive lectures, laboratory work, practical research project.

Assessment (Maximum Number of Points: 100)

Pre-Exam Obligations

No. of Points

Final Examination

No. of Points

Midterm exam

20

Final examination

30

Laboratory

30

Active participation in class

5

Research project

15

Textbook/s

1. Kitson, F. G.; Larsen, B. S.; McEwen, C.N. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry: a practical guide, San Diego: Academic Press, 1996

2. James, Stuart H.; Nordby, Jon J. (ed.) Forensic science: an introduction to scientific and investigative techniques, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2003

3. Voet, D.; Voet, J. Biochemistry, New York: Wiley & Sons 2011

4. Величковић, Д. П. Основи биохемије: за студенте биотехничких факултета, Београд: Универзитет 1998