AP0307 - Practical Skills in Science

What will I learn on this module?

You will learn and acquire key practical skills that are needed for subsequent study in your progression degree. You will learn techniques associated with the specialisms of Food Science and Nutrition, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Forensic Science and Biology. You will learn how to use Excel spread-sheets to process experimentally acquired data and produce graphical representations of your results and you will learn how to present laboratory reports using the IMRAD style.

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through a combination of lectures, laboratory practical sessions and associated tutorials.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

All lecture material will be available on the University eLearning Portal, supplemented with guidance on further reading relevant to the subject matter.

Electronic feedback on summative assessments will be provided via the eLP to allow you to understand how you performed and how you can build on this performance in subsequent assessments in this module and across the programme.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will learn key practical skills relevant to all subject specialisms
2. You will learn how to operate safely in a laboratory

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will learn how to use Excel to manipulate and analyse data generated from practical’s to be used for interpretation.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. e) Develop your skills in independent research will increase your scientific curiosity.

How will I be assessed?

Laboratory-based problem solving tutorials will provide the opportunity for formative feedback to be given. MLO IPSA3 and PVA4.

Each of the 5 laboratory themes will be assessed by either a formal laboratory write-up or an on-line MCQ. MLO IPSA3, IPSA4 and PVA4.

Formative assessment and feedback will be provided during laboratory sessions. MLO KU1, KU2 and PVA4.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

AP0306, AP0307, AP0308 and AP0309

Module abstract

The principal focus of this module is the practice and development of a range of skills that underpin study at University. Throughout the module you will have the opportunity to experience wet laboratory practicals from all subject specialisms in a range of laboratories and these will be supported by tutorials to work through the results and their interpretations. You will gain valuable experience in writing a laboratory report in an IMRaD format, something which you will need to be skilled at throughout your subsequent degree.
The skills you will develop on this module will be invaluable to which ever progression degree you follow at level 4.

Course info

UCAS Code Y002

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Applied Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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