Introduction to Laboratory Science

BIOL10401 Introduction to Laboratory Science 10 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 1 Ruth Grady Unit coordinator School of Biological Sciences School of Medical Sciences 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' First part HE study/Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 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. The unit consists 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. Relate knowledge acquired in this unit to theoretical material covered in the lecture units   <ul> <li>Analyse experimental data using appropriate statistical methods</li> <li>Be able to modify or design related experiments</li></ul> <ul> <li>Have an understanding of a range of practical techniques and skills appropriate to the biosciences</li> <li>Experience experiments taking into consideration health and safety requirements</li> <li>Make detailed experimental observations, and record, analyse and evaluate experimental and other scientific data</li></ul> <ul> <li>Communicate experimental work by means of written, or computer-assisted, reports and assignments</li> <li>Use information technology in the research, analysis and presentation of scientific data</li> <li>Work both independently and potentially as part of a team and reflect upon their skills development during their first year</li></ul> 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 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. 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 CANVAS, to be completed. 0 Other 10% 1 Written exam 80% 9 Set exercise 10% 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 N Practical Skills in Biomolecular Sciences; Reed et al., PearsonAvailable as an ebook (http://lib.myilibrary.com/Open.aspx?id=463009) Assessment written exam 1.5 Practical classes & workshops 31 Seminars 2 0 65.5