Subject

Laboratory Techniques and Methodologies

  • code 13577
  • course 2
  • term Semester 2
  • type OB
  • credits 3

Module: ADVANCED TRAINING

Matter: MATERIALS II

Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

Teaching staff

Head instructor

Dra. Jenifer OLMOS - jolmos@uic.es

Office hours

Please send an email to set up a meeting to jolmos@uic.es

Introduction

In the event that the health authorities announce a new period of confinement due to the evolution of the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the teaching staff will promptly communicate how this may effect the teaching methodologies and activities as well as the assessment.

The course of Basic Laboratory Techniques and Methodologies focuses on a first contact of the student with the most relevant techniques used in a laboratory. Following the guidelines governed by Good Laboratory Practices and having notions about safety and caution within a laboratory, the student must know how to function normally and be able to take this as a routine within any laboratory. This subject will set the foundations for future laboratory practices of other subjects within the degree of Bioengineering.

Pre-course requirements

No prerequisites are established, although it is recommended to have physical and chemical knowledge of the subject.

Objectives

  • Knowledge about what are the most common operations in the laboratory and be able to apply them accordingly knowing their possibilities
  • Acquisition by the student of good work habits in a laboratory so that they can correctly develop the practical subjects of subsequent courses.
  • Knowledge of the different equipment and materials used in a laboratory and their corresponding applications.

Competences / Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • CB1 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study based on general secondary education. This knowledge should be of a level that, although based on advanced textbooks, also includes some of the cutting-edge elements from their field of study.
  • CB2 - Students must know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have the competences that are demonstrated through the creation and defence of arguments and the resolution of problems within their field of study.
  • CB3 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) and to issue judgements that include a reflection on important issues that are social, scientific or ethical in nature.
  • CB4 - Students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • CE6 - To incorporate the foundations of science and materials technology, while taking into account the relationship between microstructure, synthesis or process and the properties of materials.
  • CG3 - To be able to learn new methods and theories and be versatile so as to adapt to new situations.
  • CG5 - To undertake calculations, valuations, appraisals, expert reports, studies, reports, work plans and other similar tasks.
  • CT4 - To be able to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team, whether as a member or by management tasks, with the aim of contributing to undertaking projects based on pragmatism and a feeling of responsibility, taking on commitment while bearing the resources available in mind.

Learning outcomes of the subject

  • Know the existing facilities in a laboratory
  • Differentiate and recognize the different types of materials and equipment that exist in the laboratory
  • Use basic equipment of a chemical laboratory to measure magnitudes volume, mass, density, etc.
  • Acquire the basic knowledge for a correct expression and interpretation of the experimental results
  • Be able to perform calculations and formulations for experiments to be performed during laboratory sessions
  • Being able to graphically and interpret the results using software programs, as well as being able to interpret and reason these results
  • Know and implement the mode and dynamics of teamwork
  • Be able to function in a scientific laboratory

Syllabus

PART I. SECURITY AND GOOD PRACTICES OF LABORATORY (GPL)

Tema 1. Good practices of laboratory.

Tema 2. Risks at the manipulation of substances.

Tema 3. Management of waste

Tema 4. Techniques of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation

Tema 5. Standard operating procedures (SOP) and laboratory notebook

PART II. TECHNIQUES AND BASIC METHODOLOGIES OF LABORATORY

Tema 6. Material and laboratory equipment

Tema 7. Weighing

Tema 8. Measures of liquid volumes

Tema 9. Identification of substances by physical analysis-chemical analysis

Tema 10. Mixing

Tema 11. Mechanical separations of substances

Tema 12. Diffusional separations of substances

Tema 13. Crystallisation and recrystallisation

Tema 14. Spectrophotometry and standard curves

Tema 15. Microscopes and magnifying glasses

 

Teaching and learning activities

In person

The subject will be divided by topics that could include one or several sessions in relation to the different biomaterials of study. Each session will consist of a previous theoretical explanation, an experimental part, analysis of the results and a group discussion. 

During the sessions, students will work on a laboratory notebook where they will write down calculations, data and notes needed during the laboratory session. At the end of each session, the notebook will be supervised and stamped by the teacher. 

Eventually, the teacher could use the Moodle platform that could include various resources, such as forms, exercises, multimedia material ... that the student must perform to complete the subject.

Classes will be taught in Spanish, although students' questions will be answered in the language of their choice (Spanish, Catalan or English). The didactic material will be presented mainly in Spanish, although in some occasions, graphics, tables or schemes could be in English due to the sources from which they could be obtained.

The list of ECTS credits and the workload in learning hours depending on the different methodologies that will be used. Each ECTS theoretical credit has 10 hours in which the teacher has a presence in the classroom. The rest of the hours up to 25 correspond to the load of directed and autonomous learning of the student. This last teaching load can be done through autonomous activities, group work that will be presented and defended in class or individual study necessary to achieve the learning objectives of the different subjects.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person

First call exam:

  1. Laboratory notebook (20%) (*)
  2. Participation (20%)(*)
  3. Final exam (50%)
  4. Attendance (10%)

A minimal mark of 5.0 should be obtained in the final exam in order to be taken for the calculation of the course average. The no realization of assignments will imply the failure of the subject (*). 

The subject will be passed with a minimum mark of 5.0 in the total score grade.

The same evaluation criteria will be applied in the second sitting of the exam, the grades of assignments will be taken into consideration but there will not be possibility of obtaining a distinction with honors.

Being late for more than 15 min at the start of the class or coming late after the break for more 10% of total classes will lead to 0.5 points reduction in the final grade. The same criteria will be applied for unjustified absence.

Attendance is mandatory 90% to pass the subject. Being late for more than 10 min at the start of the class will not be allowed and absences will have to be justified.

Important considerations

  1. Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be zero in that evaluation section. Besides, in exams it will mean the immediate failing of the whole subject.
  2. In the second-sitting exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is "Excellent" (grade with honors distinction will not be possible).
  3. Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted. 
  4. Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.

Bibliography and resources

Técnicas generales de laboratorio, María Soledad Aguilar Segura, Editorial Síntesis, 1ª Edición,  ISBN: 9788491711902

Operaciones básicas de laboratorio, Alejandro Tomás Lorente et al, Editorial Síntesis, 1ª Edición, ISBN: 9788490773314

Técnicas de Laboratorio, V. López Solanas, Editorial Edunsa, 2ª Edición, ISBN: 8477470472

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:

  • E1 18/05/2021 12:00h P2A03
  • E2 16/06/2021 12:00h P2A03
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