Module Information

The module aims to introduce students to the basic principles and practice of laboratory based analyses. It is also designed to complement and underpin other modules in level 0 of the Life Sciences degree scheme. Emphasis is given to training in basic laboratory skills, to developing an understanding of factors affecting the quality of analytical data and to building confidence in manipulating these data.

The course consists of integrated workshop and practical sessions covering several basic laboratory procedures that are relevant to other level 0 modules. It commences with a consideration of laboratory safety issues and the principles underlying laboratory analyses. An initial laboratory class then introduces students to issues of accuracy and precision using volumetric analyses to illustrate these points. Practical classes will then continue covering aspects of solution preparation and titration, instrument calibration and the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and light microscopy. After the initial introductory classes, students will be expected to produce experimental reports; they will be tutored in the content and format of these reports.