This course will provide a training in generic laboratory skills including making solutions, understanding buffers, using standard curves to identify concentrations of an unknown and an appreciation of the importance of reproducibility and quality assurance.

A variety of teaching methods will be scheduled throughout semester 1.

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Structured laboratory report, approx. 1500 words.

The aim of this course is to provide a training in generic laboratory skills to include making solutions, understanding buffers, using standard curves to identify concentrations of an unknown and an appreciation of the importance of reproducibility and quality assurance.

Self- directed learning will include background reading on methods required for lab reports, data analysis from laboratory sessions, Moodle calculations and problems and lab report writing.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically discuss the concepts of accuracy and precision and to understand the importance of reproducibility and reliability of laboratory results both in the research laboratory and the clinical context.

■ Critically discuss quality control management in research and in clinical measurement.

■ Accurately carry out common laboratory calculations required for reagent preparation and sample dilution.

■ Implement the use a standard curve to measure the concentration of a parameter in an unknown sample.

■ Formulate a scientifically accurate laboratory report.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.