- UCAS course code
- N947
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Introduction to Laboratory Science
Unit code | BIOL10401 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 1 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Aims
To introduce students to the basic skills and techniques that underpin laboratory investigation; to build the expertise and knowledge that will be required by students to undertake both the Introduction to Experimental Biology unit offered in the second semester, and the practical modules offered at level 2.
Learning outcomes
By the end of their first year students are expected to: have an understanding of a range of practical techniques and skills appropriate to the biosciences; experience experiments taking into consideration health and safety requirements; make detailed experimental observations, and record, analyse and evaluate experimental and other scientific data; analyse experimental data using appropriate statistical methods; be able to modify or design related experiments; communicate experimental work by means of written, or computer-assisted, reports and assignments; use information technology in the research, analysis and presentation of scientific data; relate knowledge acquired in this unit to theoretical material covered in the lecture units; work both independently and as part of a team; be able to make critical evaluation of both their own work and that of their peers; and reflect upon their skills development during their first year.
Syllabus
Knowledge and understanding
Relate knowledge acquired in this unit to theoretical material covered in the lecture units
Intellectual skills
- Analyse experimental data using appropriate statistical methods
- Be able to modify or design related experiments
Practical skills
- Have an understanding of a range of practical techniques and skills appropriate to the biosciences
- Experience experiments taking into consideration health and safety requirements
- Make detailed experimental observations, and record, analyse and evaluate experimental and other scientific data
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Communicate experimental work by means of written, or computer-assisted, reports and assignments
- Use information technology in the research, analysis and presentation of scientific data
- Work both independently and potentially as part of a team and reflect upon their skills development during their first year
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Data generated in the practical sessions need to be analysed using mathematical/statistical methods and presented in appropriate ways.
- Group/team working
- Practical's could require students to work either in a pair or in larger groups (4-6) to share equipment; coordinate experimental techniques; contribute to, and share, class data to improve the validity of the experiments.
- Problem solving
- The whole point of the practicals is to enable students to tackle research problems in future. The formal written assessment asks the students to design and improve experiments, use mathematical concepts and make sense of data to solve biological problems. They practise these skills in the practical classes. The students are required to answer research questions by performing experimental techniques or by gathering data and reaching justifiable conclusions.
- Research
- The students are required to answer research questions by performing experimental techniques or by gathering data and reaching justifiable conclusions.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Other | 10% |
Written exam | 80% |
Set exercise | 10% |
Feedback methods
Recommended reading
Practical Skills in Biomolecular Sciences; Reed et al., Pearson
Available as an ebook (http://lib.myilibrary.com/Open.aspx?id=463009)
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Assessment written exam | 1.5 |
Practical classes & workshops | 31 |
Seminars | 2 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 65.5 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Ruth Grady | Unit coordinator |