Professional Skills for Biological Sciences 1
Description
Students are introduced to the principles of scientific investigation and initiate the development of analytical and practical skills necessary for an active career in the diverse fields of modern biology. This equips the student for further studies in both lab-based biotechnology and field based environmental biology subjects. Students will be taught practical laboratory and field skills together with experimental design, data evaluation and technical report writing within the context of a number of exciting hands on biological investigations.
Availability
Callaghan
- Semester 2 - 2016
- Semester 2 - 2017
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. biological terminology and concepts in experimental biology
2. the ability to implement a working knowledge of the scientific method and philosophy
3. basic experimental design
4. fundamental skills in the collection, processing and interpretation of biological information
5. ethical conduct in learning and research
6. hazard recognition and minimisation in safe biological investigation
7. an ability to use basic experimental apparatus
8. the ability to work in a team
9. critical and ethical thinking and the scientific approach
10. writing and data presentation skills
Content
Through undertaking scientific experiments in; biological chemistry, microbiology, fungi, plant & animal systems and ecology, students will be exposed to the theory and practice of:
- The scientific method and philosophy of science
- Experimental design, hypothesis testing & problem solving
- Health & safety - Laboratory and field
- Basic laboratory skills
- Slide preparation & microscope usage
- Use of selected Measurement Instruments
- Fundamentals of aseptic technique
- Basic dissection/surgical techniques
- Use of Lab books to organise and document experimental details and results
- Data analysis, interpretation and presentation
- Report Writing a) Effective use of Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion format b) Referencing c) Computer publishing skills
- Working in teams
- Ethics, Academic and personal/professional integrity.
Requisite
This course has similarities to BIOL1070 and BIOL1050. If you have successfully completed either of these courses you cannot enrol in this course.
Assumed Knowledge
HSC Mathematics and Chemistry advisable.
Assessment Items
In Term Test: Examination: Class
Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises: Laboratory Exercises
Report: Reports - Laboratory reports
Compulsory Requirements
In order to pass this course, each student must complete ALL of the following compulsory requirements:
General Course Requirements:
- Laboratory: Induction Requirement - Students must attend and pass the induction requirements before attending these sessions. - In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory safety induction.
Contact Hours
Callaghan
Laboratory
Face to Face On Campus 3 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Lecture
Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial
Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term