Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to:

•       Provide a range of both practical laboratory skills and generic study skills essential to students studying biomolecular and biomedical sciences.
•       Provide opportunities for students to apply and strengthen theoretical knowledge gained in complementary and co-requisite modules in the performance of key analytical techniques and interpretation of data generated.
•       Develop safe laboratory practice

Outline Of Syllabus

The module is structured into eight strands, six that align with the co-requisite theoretical modules and two generic skills strands.

The generic skills strands consists of: maths support and skills seminars; lectures on good academic practice and scientific writing (essays and lab reports); information retrieval and interpretation; group oral presentation assignment; basic and intermediate analysis of data including statistics; data-handling workshops; andn bioinformatics; plus an introductory practical on spectrophotometry.

The Biochemistry practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: ion exchange chromatography, enzyme kinetics; and enzyme inhibition (semester 1).

The Cell Biology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: microscopic observation of unicellular eukaryotes; osmosis, pH and buffers; and neuromuscular function (semester 1).

The Genetics practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: genetic transformation of E.coli and use of PCR/electrophoresis for genetic analysis; as well as a computer-based practical covering gene linkage (semester 1).

The Microbiology and Immunology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: introductory bacteriology; elements of the immune system and bacteriophage assays (semester 2).

The Physiology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: the physiology of the cardiovascular system; blood pressure; and respiratory physiology and lung function (semester 2).

The Pharmacology practical skills strand consists of laboratory-based practicals on: drug metabolism in vitro by liver microsomes; determination of paracetamol pharmacokinetics using spectrophotometry; the absorption of paracetamol and the effect of charcoal on drug absorption (semester 2).

Online material will supplement practical skills in advance of and following each session as formative pre-and post-practical quizzes.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1.       Explain the underlying principles of a number of essential practical techniques used to investigate cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, physiology and pharmacology.

2.       Describe health and safety precautions which need to be taken when working in laboratories relating to the above practical skills strands.

3.       Describe mathematical formulae necessary for calculation of concentrations and dilutions relevant to cell biology, genetics and biochemistry, microbiology and immunology, pharmacology and physiology related practical work.

4.       Use Excel spreadsheets to present and analyse scientific data.

5.       Understand and use basic bioinformatics methods applicable to bioscience research and data handling.

6.       Explain the importance of good scientific writing, data presentation and referencing skills and tools.

7.       Explain the need for statistical analysis of scientific data and the basic concepts underpinning this analysis.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1.       Carry out a number of essential practical techniques used to investigate cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, physiology and pharmacology.

2.       Work safely in cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, physiology and pharmacology laboratories (legal awareness).

3.       Record and analyse biological data from experiments in cell biology, genetics, biochemistry , microbiology, immunology, physiology and pharmacology (critical thinking, data synthesis and numeracy).

4.       Carry out scientific calculations relevant to cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, physiology and pharmacology practical work, including calculation of concentrations and dilutions (data synthesis and numeracy, problem solving).

5.       Use computer applications and online learning packages to explore concepts in cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, physiology and pharmacology practical work (use of computer application and online materials).

6.       Independently search literature databases for scientific information (information literacy, independence).

7.       Write structured essays (literacy, synthesise and present materials, written communication skills).

8.       Write structured laboratory reports on practicals associated with the module (literacy, synthesis and present materials, written communication skills).

9.       Create spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel and use the functions of Excel to analyse and present experimental data (data synthesis and numeracy, use of computer applications).

10.       Prepare and deliver a group oral presentation (teamwork, information literacy, oral communication skills).

11. Use a range of informatics software to find, retrieve and extract meaningful information from various on-line systems.

12. Use EndNote referencing management software for managing literature searches and citing literature in appropriate formats.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Lectures will provide an introduction to the module and provide information about referencing, structure of scientific reports and essays, good academic practice, numeracy and study skills.

2. Seminars will provide students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and practical experience of information retrieval and numeracy skills and review practical classes.

3. Practicals will provide experience of laboratory work; information presented in practicals will include knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of essential practical techniques and laboratory health and safety. Students will gain hands-on experience of a range of practical techniques and safe laboratory practice. Practical classes will allow students to develop skills in recording and analysing biological data, carrying out scientific calculations and using computers. Practicals also provide an opportunity for students to ask questions and exchange ideas with peers, demonstrators and academic staff in a relatively informal setting. Skills practiced include critical
thinking, data analysis, numeracy, and use of computer applications and virtual laboratory resources.

4. Private study is used for self-directed learning and includes: reading lecture notes and texts; preparation for seminars and practicals; using learning resources on the Web. Skills practiced include critical thinking, active learning, goal setting and planning, information literacy and independence.

In-course assessments (formative practical quizzes, essays and practical reports) spread throughout the module will teach students time management and organisation and encourage independent working.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

All semester 2 components and the practical skills assessment must be passed, alongside achieving a module mark of 40%, in order to pass this module.

Students are expected to complete all formative pre and post-practical quizzes. Pre-practical quizzes form part of the practical pre-work and are requisite for students to access subsequent practical materials online and for attendance at laboratory classes. It is in students’ best interests to understand and complete all work associated with each practical, as they may be assigned any practical to submit written reports on each semester which cumulatively contribute 50% of the overall module mark.

The range of assessment styles and format of assessments will ensure students passing the module achieved all learning outcomes.


1. The practical reports will assess the students’ writing and information literacy skills, as well as their ability to interpret and analyse experimental data and reference appropriately.

2. The extended essays will assess the students' writing skills, information literacy skills and ability to write a well- structured and correctly referenced essay on a scientific topic.

3. The ongoing practical skills assessment will assess students’ ability to perform basic laboratory techniques throughout the academic year.

4. The formative practical quizzes will ensure students are familiar with the underlying theory of practicals and will allow students to develop their numeracy, data handling and data interpretation skills.

5. The oral presentation will assess the students' oral presentation skills, information literacy skills and ability to work as part of a team.

General Notes

N/A