Skills for Work - Lab Science

Science is important to the Scottish Economy. There is a future need for recruitment owing to retirement and expansion of the industries using scientific skills both at technician and graduate level. The National 5 Laboratory Science course is designed to introduce pupils to the knowledge and skills which are required for employment/further study in the wide range of industries and services using laboratory science, and to develop an awareness of the opportunities and range of employment within the sector.

The specific aims of the course are to:

• encourage pupils to consider a career in industries and services using laboratory science

• develop an awareness of the opportunities there may be within sectors in terms of the types and range of career options

• develop the basic skills expected in a work-place laboratory

• develop the skills of communicating laboratory information

• develop pupils understanding and use of the requirements of maintaining health and safety in a laboratory environment

• develop problem solving and numeracy skills in the context of a laboratory

• provide opportunities for the personal development of skills and attitudes which will improve the pupils’ employment potential within a sector

• develop the pupils’ awareness of their individual strengths and weaknesses in relation to the requirements of a sector, and to reflect on how this affects their employability potential

The qualification consists of four units.

Unit 1 Careers using Laboratory Science

This unit introduces pupils to the wide range of industries and services which use scientific knowledge and laboratory skills. Pupils will learn about the variety of ways in which science and laboratory skills are used in different industries and services. Pupils will investigate a range of career opportunities within industries and services which use laboratory science.

Unit 2 Working in a Laboratory

This unit provides pupils with the opportunity to gain practical experience in measuring and weighing quantities, basic laboratory skills such as handling chemicals, preparing solutions, and in calculating and presenting results of practical work. Safety and security procedures are addressed to enable pupils to maintain health and safety while working in a laboratory environment and a risk assessment is carried out.

Unit 3 Practical Skills

This unit provides pupils with the opportunity to learn and develop the skills most commonly used in laboratories. Pupils will learn how to work safely with potentially hazardous materials such as microorganisms and will measure radioactivity. Skills in performing titrations, chromatography and distillations are also developed.

Unit 4 Practical Investigation

In this unit pupils will work independently to produce a plan to investigate a scientific topic using practical procedures. Pupils will identify a hypothesis to investigate. Methods for testing the hypothesis using practical procedures are developed. Pupils will produce a scientific report with their individual analysis and evaluation of the information gathered.

WHO IS THE COURSE SUITABLE FOR?

The course contains a significant amount of self-evaluation, with some personalisation and choice. This makes it suitable for most pupils as a stand-alone National 5 Course. There is no external exam so pupils must be committed to work throughout the year since assessment is continuous.

Faculty Principal Teacher

Ms F Keppie