BSc Biology

The unit consists of five online practical sessions and four laboratory sessions introducing the fundamental experimental approaches in bioscience and biomedical research. Students will gain experience of a diverse array of experimental organisms ranging from microbes to humans; and gain experience of DNA, proteins and other biomolecules. In addition, students are required to engage fully with the online data-handling exercises, as the mathematical concepts introduced there are essential for practical science.

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.

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.

All students will be expected to complete the same practicals (online and in the teaching laboratories) Prior to attending the laboratory sessions, students must complete the Health and Safety module (BIOL12000) The sessions currently include: • Practical 1: Is this Blood Real? • Practical 2: Algae for Biofuel • Practical 3: Haematology, Pulses and Pressure • Practical 4: Microbial Detectives • Practical 5: DNA Plasmids and Electrophoresis Each online practical will have a compulsory ‘test your understanding’ quiz delivered via Blackboard, to be completed.

Relate knowledge acquired in this unit to theoretical material covered in the lecture units

 

 

• Analyse experimental data using appropriate statistical methods
• Be able to modify or design related experiments

• 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

• 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

MCQ exam 80% Set exercises – online data handling 10% Laboratory Class attendance and completion of Online Practical quizzes 10%

The questions or exercises in the online resources and in the ‘test Your Understanding’ quizzes are there to test your understanding and you should get feedback on your answers from staff or demonstrators in the lab sessions. You will get feedback on your overall performance for the unit in the form of the final mark released in Semester 2. Practice questions will be made available during the semester and should support your preparation for the examination. Drop-in sessions for help with data-handling will be available each week

Practical Skills in Biomolecular Sciences; Reed et al., Pearson

Available as an ebook (http://lib.myilibrary.com/Open.aspx?id=463009)