Academic Year 2022-23

Please read this document carefully. It includes the learning outcomes, assignment task, information about plagiarism and marking criteria. Please speak to your tutor if you have any questions.

Programme	Undergraduate Foundation Programme: Life Sciences pathway
Module	UFPL3: Skills for Science – Life Sciences
Assessment title	Skills for Science – Lab Assessment 1 – Planning (Biology)
Deadline date	To be confirmed by your tutor
Weighting	This assessment counts for 40% of your overall grade for this module
Pass mark	40% *please note your University may require a higher grade for progression.
Assignment summary	Throughout the Skills for Science module, you will learn key skills and techniques that support your studies on the Life Sciences pathway. In this assignment, you will complete sections of a lab report to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of laboratory report writing.
Submission of work	http://www.turnitinuk.com
Feedback	http://www.turnitinuk.com Feedback will also be communicated back to you via your tutor. They will confirm the timescale in which you will receive your feedback.

Important details

Unless instructed otherwise by your tutor, please follow the below instructions:

Word count	2,000 words
File type	Word Processed/PDF – you may also wish to include images or screenshots of hand-drawn diagrams, graphs and calculations, however these can also be produced digitally
Font	12 pitch font – Arial or Times New Roman
Format	Double spaced and justified
Referencing	Harvard system (or any other scientific referencing format)
Notes	Your assignment must include page numbers and word count. You will receive a 10% penalty for this assessment if you go over the word count by more than 10%. If your assignment is significantly under the word count, you may not have answered the question in full. This will be reflected in your overall mark and feedback given by your tutor. The word count does not include contents, diagrams, graphs, calculations or end of text references or appendices.
Module learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this assessment, you will have met criteria towards the following module learning outcomes: Knowledge based outcomes: Demonstrate and describe ethical, safe and skilful practical techniques, selecting appropriate methods for an investigation Interpret and analyse the importance of reliable results in experimental investigations Evaluate the impact of scientific methodologies, making suitable recommendations for future work Skills based outcomes: Analytical and problem solving Carrying out experimental work in a safe, reliable and efficient manner Expanding the range of scientific skills and techniques, both quantitative and qualitative Time management, planning and organisational skills Ability to work competently both collaboratively and independently Being aware of own strengths and weaknesses and to understand when support is needed
Assessment criteria:
In order to successfully complete this assessment and meet criteria towards the above learning outcomes, you must satisfy the following criteria: Recognise the importance of safe working practice within a laboratory environmentExplain how to identify potential risks and hazards to an investigation and the environmentDemonstrate an analysis of safe equipment use and safe methodology procedures of an investigation Demonstrate ability to identify uncertainties in measurements and select appropriate techniques to perform error calculationsInterpret the reliability of results and analyse how potential sources of error, uncertainties, and anomalies impact findings Critique experimental design and processes within a given experiment Offer suitable recommendations and improvements that can be implemented in future experimental work
Assignment instructions:
You are required to produce the Planning sections of a lab report to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of effective laboratory writing skills. In the assignment, you will be provided with an aim and will then need to follow the prompts provided and complete the sections as instructed. The final piece of work should be maximum 2,000 words and submitted on Turnitin. If you need to draw graphs, diagrams or write calculations, these can either be done digitally using Excel/appropriate software, or by hand and included as a screenshot or image as part of your electronic submission. ******** Lab Assessment 1 – Instructions You have been provided with an Aim, Results graph, Discussion and Conclusion sections of a Lab report. In Section 1 (Comprehension Questions), you must answer questions based on the information provided. You must then complete Sections 2 to 5, to create the Results graph, and write the Discussion and Conclusion sections to complete the rest of the Lab report, as you have been taught to do in Skills for Sciences classes. Finally, in Section 6, you are to observe an extension experiment and answer questions related to the introduction, method and safety sections of the investigation. The questions and instructions for each of the tasks are included on a separate document for you to complete. This will be provided to you by your tutor. Please ensure you create your lab assessment in a separate document. Do not write it directly on the instructions sheet. SECTION 1 – Comprehension Questions Read the information provided in the Discussion and Conclusion sections to answer the questions. Use your own words to answer or paraphrase the information. SECTION 2 – Introduction: Using the aim and the results, you must create an Introduction section. The Introduction should include: The main scientific background related to the aim of the investigation. This should include any equations or scientific laws that will need to be used.A brief history of the theory, scientist or law that is related to topic of the investigation. Suitable resources to demonstrate the research you have completed which should be reference them correctly in the Reference section (Section 5).Hypothesis: State the expected result or prediction of the experiment. This may be a theoretical value or a theory. SECTION 3 – Method and Safety: Using the information provided by the aim and the results sections, create a method section. The method section should include: A list of apparatus: Identify the equipment and materials required to perform the investigation. Procedure: Explain how to conduct the experiment, using the correct format for writing a method in impersonal, past tense.A Diagram: Draw a suitable schematic diagram of how the equipment should be set up, including labels. Variables section: Identify all variables in the investigation. The Safety section must include: A risk assessment demonstrating all of the risks & hazards and how to safely deal with each of them.General safety rules in a lab. SECTION 4 – Results Table and calculations: Using the aim and the graph given, construct a suitable results table (without data) for the results to be collected in. This should include: A results table with correct headings and columns. Calculation section: List the examples of the calculations that will need to be used in this lab experiment or in the table. SECTION 5: Reference: Your reference section to show all the resources used to construct the Introduction section. You may use Harvard referencing or any other suitable scientific referencing format. SECTION 6 – Observe and Plan: You have been provided with a link to an investigation to read or to watch a video of an experiment. Using the information provided, answer the questions to plan the first sections of a lab report. This includes, explaining the context of the introduction of the lab, creating a method or safety section. ********

Plagiarism

We expect all submitted work to be your own words (apart from in-text quotations), written in a style that reflects your English language level. If you copy other people’s work and present it as your own, this is called plagiarism and is a serious academic offence. The full details of our policy on academic misconduct can be found at the back of the Programme Handbook. You must complete a coursework submission sheet and attach this to the front of your assignment. Submissions without this sheet may be rejected and may result in a mark of 0 being awarded for this assignment.

Marking criteria – Skills for Science – Life Sciences

Lab assessment 1 – Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

	Incomplete	Developing	Satisfactory	Competent	Exceeding	Marks
	1 mark	2 marks	3 marks	4 marks	5 marks	Max /5
1. Comprehension Questions	Questions 1 mark each.
2. Introduction and hypothesis	The student has stated the a very basic introduction including basic description of the experiment No supporting background research is evident in the explanation of the theory and idea behind the experiment. No attempt has been made to explain how the results collected and analysed enable the aim to be achieved and how the appropriate equations relate to the experiment and graph Hypothesis: No mention of theroy/result exptected to be reached.	The student has stated an introduction including details of the experiment. Limited supporting background research is evident in the explanation of the theory and idea behind the experiment. Insufficient attempt has been made to explain how the results collected and analysed enable the aim to be achieved and how the appropriate equations relate to the experiment and graph Hypthesis: An attempt to explain the result or theory expected	The student has stated an introduction including details of the experiment Limited supporting background research is evident in the explanation of the theory and idea behind the experiment. An attempt has been made to explain how the results will enable the aim to be achieved and how the appropriate equations relate to the experiment and graph Hypothesis is basic though explains the theroy and result expected.	The student has stated an introduction including details of the experiment with some supporting background research to explain the theory and idea behind the experiment. It explains in how the results will enable the aim to be achieved and how the appropriate equations relate to the experiment and graph Hypothesis includes the result and theroy expected	The student has a detailed introduction including details of the experiment with supporting background research to explain the theory and idea behind the experiment. It explains in detail how the results will enable the aim to be achieved and how the appropriate equations Hypothesis is concise and accuate and includes all values and theroy
3. Method 3a) Apparatus 3b) Diagram	The student has included an incomplete list of all apparatus and equipment used during the experiment. They have supported this with a diagram. – that lacks clarity and/or labels	The student has included a complete list of all apparatus and equipment used during the experiment, including quantities. They have supported this with an annotated scientific diagram.	The student has included an incomplete list of all apparatus and equipment used during the experiment (only a couple of omissions allowed), including quantities. They have supported this with a clear and fully annotated scientific diagram.	The student has included a complete list of all apparatus and equipment used during the experiment, including quantities. They have supported this with a clear and fully annotated scientific diagram. The student has explained briefly the choice of suitable materials and measurement strategies that will enable them to produce accurate and precise results.	The student has included a complete list of all apparatus and equipment used during the experiment, including quantities. They have supported this with a clear and fully annotated scientific diagram. The student has explained in detail the choice of suitable materials and measurement strategies that will enable them to produce accurate and precise results.
3c) Procedure	The student has written a limited method that could be followed to replicate the experiment with assistance.	The student has written a basic method which is methodical and could be followed in order to complete the experiment. But not in past tense, passive and impersonal.	The procedure (method) written in past tense, passive and impersonal. is clearly explained with instructions in the correct sequence and may be followed to replicate the findings.	The procedure (method) is written in past tense, passive and impersonal. detailed and they have clearly explained step by step the method of the experiment with methodical and sequential instructions. The student has attempted to discuss the suitability of the procedure in relation to the aim of the experiment	The procedure (method) is written in past tense, passive and impersonal. It is detailed paragraph and they have clearly explained the method of the experiment with methodical and sequential instructions. The student has fully discussed the suitability of the procedure in relation to the aim of the investigation.
3d) Variables	The student has identified the the dependent variable, independent (if appropriate) but no control variables.	The student has correctly identified either the independent (if appropriate) or dependant variables. They have attempted to explain a control variable but not explained in how it could be controlled.	The student has correctly identified the independent (if appropriate) and dependant variables. They have identified one control variable within the experiment and explained in how it could be controlled.	The student has correctly identified the independent (if appropriate) and dependant variables. Control variables: They have identified two control variables but not explained the consequences that would occur if not controlled.	The student has correctly identified the independent (if appropriate) and dependant variables. Control variables: They have identified more than two control variables within the experiment and explained in how it could be controlled and the consequences that would occur if they are not controlled, including units, values and range.
3e) Safety	The student has identified a hazard appropriate to this experiment	The student has identified some of the hazards related to the experiment and assess the risks associated with these hazards.	The student has identified one the hazards related to the experiment and assess the risks associated with these hazards. They have described and justified the appropriate safety precautions that must be carried out to ensure the experiment is conducted safely in a laboratory environment, including the consequences should these safety issues occur	The student has identified some of the hazards related to the experiment and assess the risks associated with these hazards. They have described and justified the appropriate safety precautions that must be carried out to ensure the experiment is conducted safely in a laboratory environment, including the consequences should these safety issues occur	The student has identified all the hazards related to the experiment and assess the risks associated with these hazards. They have described and justified the appropriate safety precautions that must be carried out to ensure the experiment is conducted safely in a laboratory environment, including the consequences should these safety issues occur and how to manage any issues which may occur.
4. Results Table and calculations	The student has recorded a basic table, – but has omitted more than two elements from the following list of criteria – correct headings, units and rounding. The student has made an unsuccessful attempt to calculate a gradient.	The student has recorded their results in a suitable table, – but has omitted two elements from the following list of criteria – correct headings, units and rounding. The results should be presented clearly. The student has calculated the gradient of the line based on one point which are from the results table – not ones on the LOBF. They have included the units.	The student has recorded their results in a suitable table, – but has omitted one element from the following list of criteria – correct headings, units and rounding. The results should be presented clearly and must be fully reliable. The student has accurately calculated the gradient from the line of best fit, including correct units for two points.	The student has recorded their results in a suitable table, with all data and headings correctly listed. The results should be presented clearly and must be fully reliable. The student has accurately calculated the gradient from their line of best fit, including correct units for two points.	The student has recorded their results accurately in a suitable table, with correct headings, units and rounding. The results should be presented clearly and must be fully reliable. The student has accurately calculated the gradient from their line of best fit, including correct units.
5. Academic writing and referencing	Ranging from a very poor to an overly simplistic/inappropriate academic style with significant deficiencies in expression or format that may pose obstacles for the reader. No or limited use of sources to support a point. No or minimal attempt to use Harvard referencing	Simplistic academic style with some deficiencies in expression or format that may pose obstacles for the reader. Limited use of sources to support a point. Minimal attempt to use Harvard referencing with some errors.	Competently written, with only minor lapses from standard grammar/spelling, which do not impede the overall meaning. An appropriate format is used and academic style is emerging. Reasonable use of sources to support points. Uses Harvard referencing throughout, though may be some formatting errors.	Well written, with standard spelling and grammar in a readable style with acceptable format. Consistent use of academic style. Some minor non-impeding language errors. Appropriate range of sources, well organised and uses Harvard referencing with only minor formatting errors.	Excellently written, with minimal errors in spelling and grammar. Academic style is applied skilfully and appropriately. Excellent range of sources, with clear links between all sections and logical to the reader. Uses Harvard referencing with no/isolated errors.
6. Observe and Plan	6a) 1 mark 6b) 5 marks 6c) 4 marks
TOTAL						/50

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