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LSC-20127 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

LSC-20127 - Practical and Professional Skills in Bioscience
Coordinator: Julianna Piat
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 0
Study Hours: 0
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

The continued development of practical, analytical, observational and interpretative skills from laboratory and/or field-based investigations is essential across all levels of study in the biosciences. This module will further introduce you to a range of practical techniques in the study of biological samples and/or environments. Here you will apply many of the core preparative and analytical skills developed at level 4, as well as developing new skills in a wider range of techniques and methodologies appropriate to your subject. This will also further support the continued development of skills in data recording, preliminary analysis and in the design and conduct of experimental investigations, with additional workshops and tutorials supporting wider academic skills development.

Aims
The modules aims to further develop a range of practical and analytical skills in the biosciences, relevant to the programme of study and building from core practical skills developed at previous levels of study.

Intended Learning Outcomes

record accurately and appropriately the purpose, methodology and results of investigative procedures in a laboratory/field notebook and conduct appropriate analysis and interpretation of outcomes: 1,2
apply practical, analytical and observational skills in the completion of laboratory and/or field-based investigations, including elements of experimental design and optimisation, as appropriate: 1,2

Study hours

60 hours taught laboratory and/or field-based sessions
19 hours of academic skills workshops and tutorials

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Laboratory Practicals weighted 50%
Practical skills attendance
Students will be required to complete a range of core laboratory and/or fieldwork skills, appropriate to the discipline. This will also include other core skills in data recording, preliminary analysis and maintaining a laboratory notebook, checked at the end of each session. Engagement with a minimum attendance to 70% of sessions will be required for successful completion of this component and is a requirement of programme accreditation.

2: Objective Structured Skills & Clinical Examination weighted 50%
OSPE style practical assessment (~1 hour)
Students will complete an OSPE style practical assessment demonstrating competence in a range of core practical and analytical skills. Total duration of the assessment activity will be 45 minutes-1 hour spread over a number of activities, opportunities for formative assessment are also provided. Successful completion will be assessed against a detailed rubric for each activity. The OSPE will take place at the end of semester 2 and only students who have successfully met the attendance requirements for passing the module (as a condition of programme accreditation) will be eligible to complete this component.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025