Course Outline

National 5 Skills for Work: Laboratory Science is an introductory qualification. The course provides a broad experiential introduction to laboratory science. Learners will explore a variety of industries and services, and career opportunities, in science laboratories locally, nationally, and globally.

You will develop the basic practical skills and knowledge needed for working in a laboratory: measuring, weighing and preparing compounds and solutions; and health and safety requirements. Practical skills in microbiology, measuring radioactivity, chemical handling and laboratory instrumentation will be developed.

You will work with others to produce a plan to undertake a practical investigation to test scientific hypotheses. This will also involve reporting of the results, conclusions and evaluations of the investigation.

Throughout all units the course emphasises the employability skills and attitudes valued by employers which will help to prepare you for the workplace. You will review your own employability skills, and will seek feedback from others on your strengths and weaknesses.

Who is this course for?

Secondary school pupils in S5 and S6 are the target group for this course. 

The course is suitable for learners seeking to enhance their employability and vocational skills in laboratory science. 

Although open to all pupils who have studied and passed a science and maths at National 4 or National 5 level, this would be particularly useful for pupils to study in addition to Advanced Higher Biology/Chemistry/Physics as it will help with the project aspect of the course.

Unit Content

The National 5 Laboratory Science Skills for Work Course has four units that focus on the scientific skills used in industries and services involving laboratory science. 

Laboratory Science: Careers using Laboratory Science (National 5) 

This unit introduces learners to the wide range of industries and services that use scientific knowledge and laboratory skills. They learn about the variety of ways in which science and laboratory skills are used in different industries and services and about the job roles that use these skills. Learners investigate a range of career opportunities in industries and services that use laboratory science. They investigate the skills, qualifications and experience required for a job role of personal interest in the field of laboratory science. Learners prepare for employment, further education or training through producing their own curriculum vitae (CV) for a specific job role in a laboratory science setting. Learners reflect on and evaluate their own employability skills and attributes throughout the unit.

Laboratory Science: Working in a Laboratory (National 5) 

This unit provides learners with the opportunity to learn basic laboratory skills such as handling chemicals and preparing solutions, and calculate and present results of their practical work. To maintain health and safety while working in a laboratory environment, learners follow safety and security procedures, and carry out a risk assessment. There are opportunities for learners to develop numeracy and communication skills when they record and report on their practical work. 

Laboratory Science: Practical Skills (National 5) 

This unit provides learners with the opportunity to develop the skills most commonly used in laboratories. Health and safety is integral to the unit.  Learners learn how to:  

• work safely with potentially hazardous materials, such as microorganisms  

• measure radioactivity  

• develop competence using laboratory equipment  

• perform a titration, chromatography and distillation

Laboratory Science: Practical Investigation (National 5) 

In this unit, learners work to produce a plan, including practical procedures, to investigate a scientific topic. They devise methods that include a practical procedure to test the aim. Learners are assessed on their ability to carry out the practical procedure competently and safely. Learners produce a scientific report with their individual analysis and evaluation. 

Recommended Entry

Learners should have achieved:  

• National 4 or National 5 Mathematics, and one from:  

• National 4 Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics  

• National 5 Biology, Chemistry or Physics 

or equivalent qualifications and/or experience before starting this course 

Assessment 

This course is assessed continuously across the year so it is vital that pupils maintain a high level of attendance.

Assessment across the units of this course allows learners to demonstrate:  

• laboratory practical skills: measurement, preparation of solutions, equipment  

• scientific data collection and reporting skills  

• health and safety procedures  

• knowledge and understanding of working in a laboratory  generic and specific employability skills and attitudes valued by employers  

• planning and investigating skills  

• review and evaluation skills  

• working with others in teams  

• self-evaluation skills 

Conditions of Award

To achieve the award of the National 5 Laboratory Science Skills for Work Course, learners must pass all four units. 

There is a mixture of practical and open-book written assessments. 

Skills for Work courses are not graded. They will be assessed on a pass/fail basis within centres. 

Skills Development 

The main skills you develop as you work through this qualification are:  

• safely carrying out practical skills, for example measuring, preparing solutions, microbiological techniques, carrying out titrations  

• collecting scientific data  

• recording scientific data  

• knowledge of health and safety procedures  

• generic and specific employability skills  

• planning and investigating skills  

• review and evaluation skills  

• working with others in teams  self-evaluation skills 

Progression Routes 

This course may provide progression to:  

• National Certificates in applied science 

•  suitable training or employment in science laboratories  

• further or higher education.

Career Options - Employability Skills 

To gain and maintain employment, including self-employment, learners need the following skills and attitudes:  

• generic skills and attitudes valued by employers  

• understanding of the workplace and the employee's responsibilities, for example time-keeping, appearance, and customer care  self-evaluation skills 

• positive attitude to learning  

• flexible approaches to solving problems  

• adaptability and positive attitude to change  

• confidence to set goals, reflect, and learn from experience  

• specific vocational skills and knowledge