Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
BB10001: Skills & techniques 1 (basic laboratory & communication skills) |
 Credits:
| 3 |
| Level:
| Certificate |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| CW 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: To provide students with an opportunity to acquire basic laboratory skills (general microbiological practice, microscopy and basic laboratory techniques) and communication skills (delivered by directed tutorial assignments). Tutorial sessions will develop essay writing, group discussion and presentation skills. A workshop will introduce students to library facilities and literature searching. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * present reasoned arguments and analyses in the form of a word-processed document; * clearly present scientific information orally to a small audience; * cite references (in recognised format) which they have obtained form an on-line bibliographical database; * accurately use pipetting instrument, make spectrophotometric determinations of concentration; * handle microorganisms safely and efficiently; * set up and use a compound light microscope effectively. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Oral communication T/F/A, Numeracy & computation T/F/A, Laboratory skills T/F, Information technology T/F, Problem solving T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F. Content: Practical skills: Basic quantitative laboratory skills; micro-organism handling, use of a compound microscope. IT skills: Introduction to the library and on-line database searching. General skills: Presentations. Essay writing. Small group discussion work. These skills will be developed during tutorial sessions, which have the additional aim of identifying and rectifying weaknesses in subject background. |