Advanced Laboratory Skills
| Module title | Advanced Laboratory Skills |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIOM549 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Sam Stevens (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 22 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will be trained in advanced techniques used in Biosciences research. You will perform advanced experiments and write-up the results in a scientific report. You will carry out an analysis on historical data to get experience in processing a range of data sets. This module will be invaluable to prepare you for the research project.
This module will commence in term 1 with lectures and facility tours of the department. You will conduct your main practical throughout week 6 and undertake both your secondary and microscopy practicals in weekly sessions for the remainder of the term. Data analysis and write-up will take place in term 2. This content will be complementary to your research project. Please note that the timing of the laboratory sessions and the activities will be specific to the combination of practicals that you are allocated .
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to ensure you are trained in the appropriate methodological skills to prepare you for your research project and will provide you with important skills of analysis of experimental data, scientific report writing and different ways of presenting data.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain the principles of the advanced bioscience techniques covered, and have an awareness of the applications of these techniques in biosciences research
- 2. Collect your own experimental data in a subdiscipline of biosciences
- 3. Interpret experimental data obtained using experimental techniques
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Describe comprehensively some techniques applicable to research in a subdiscipline of the biosciences
- 5. With input from expert facility staff, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation and enquiry within the biosciences
- 6. Critically evaluate experimental data
- 7. Develop scientific writing skills for reporting findings in appropriate formats.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Collect and interpret appropriate data and complete research-like tasks with limited guidance
- 9. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues teamwork requires (e.g. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)
- 10. Communicate ideas, principles and theories fluently by written, visual and verbal means.
Syllabus plan
Please note the available primary, secondary, and microscopy experiments will vary each year depending upon the availability of suitable specialist staff, equipment, and interest. The below is an example of a standard year.
Lectures and theoretical aspects
All students will have the opportunity to learn about the various practicals available on the course (see below) and visit various departmental facilities including the Aquatic Resource Centre and The Exeter Centre For Cytomics. You will undertake microscopy within the Bioimaging centre, covering:
- The key principles and concepts of light microscopy
- The key differences between widefield and confocal systems
- How to configure a confocal for different imaging objectives, such as spatial or temporal resolution
- Guidelines of how to prepare images for publication and how to conduct basic post capture data extraction and statistical analysis using R
Main practicals
Students undertake a practical in week six which will conform to one of the following areas. The data generated will contribute to the report and poster assessments.
- Zebrafish: Practicals will cover transgenic zebrafish larvae (ZFL) handling and grading, set up of chemical exposures, and mounting of sample for widefield fluorescence-imaging of ZFL organs.
- Microbial: Practicals will be themed around gathering data for testing the antifungal mode of action of fungicides. During this practical you will cover setting up fungicidal assays, live-imaging of fungal pathogens using widefield systems, and the assessment of mitochondrial potential.
- Plant: Practicals will be themed around applying molecular methods that will allow you to assess plant phenotypic and genetic responses to their environment. You will cover morphometric measurements of seedlings, RNA isolation and quantification, cDNA library preparation, and quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) and gene expression data analysis.
- Cell Biology: Practicals include the use the use and development of antibody staining techniques to explore mammalian cell transfections.
Other practicals
Further data is collected in both microscopy and secondary practicals to support the production of your report and poster, the combination of which will depend on the main practical.
Microscopy practicals involve the preparation of your samples and the use of our research microscopes including scanning electron, transmission electron, atomic force and/or confocal types.
Secondary practicals are computer-based exercises based on datasets relating to our key facilities including mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, and DNA sequencing.
Supporting seminars for the production of coursework
- Methodology support: A review of the methodologies adopted in your experiments and an opportunity to review practical aspects you undertook ahead of writing your report.
- Image data extraction and handling support: These workshops will cover how to handle, prepare and extract data from images using sophisticated software packages, such as Zeiss’s Zen Blue and Black.
- Statistic support: Examples of suitable statistic tests for the data generated in your themes will be covered using R, such as linear regression and analysis of variance ahead of your timed statistics report.
- Writing/Drafting support: The perils and tribulations of scientific writing will be discussed and explored, with an emphasis on dissecting the different parts of a scientific paper.
- Poster composition: We will collectively critique posters before being shown how to create a ‘better poster’ with available software.
Accessibility statement:
As part of this module, you will undertake laboratory sessions in the large teaching laboratory that are up to the whole working day in duration. These sessions will be undertaken in groups and will involve fine laboratory work and chemical handling (with appropriate PPE and safety considerations). Breaks are possible and students are able to leave the laboratory for short periods. Please contact the convenor directly if you require further reasonable adjustments (provision of a computer, for example).
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 70 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 39 | Laboratory practical activities |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 12.5 | Lectures and facility tours |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 28.5 | Seminars on data analysis and coursework production. |
| Guided independent study | 30 | Reading around practical topics |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Preparation of coursework |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecturer/researcher feedback during contact sessions and practical activities | Ad hoc | 1-10 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 0 | 20 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics report | 20 | 2 hours | 7-8 | Written |
| Better poster | 20 | 1x A3 and digital supplement | 3,4,8,10 | Written |
| Laboratory write-up | 60 | 2,500 words | 1-10 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics report | Statistics report (20%) | 7-8 | August Ref/Def |
| Better poster | Better poster (20%) | 3,4,8,10 | August Ref/Def |
| Laboratory write-up | Laboratory write-up (60%) | 1-10 | August Ref/Def |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Some key reading materials specific to your research theme will be supplied.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE: BIOM549 ELE Page
https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=13271
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | BIOM509 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/03/2021 |
| Last revision date | 31/10/2023 |
