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Subjects & Qualifications
Laboratory Science - Intermediate 2 (SCQF level 5)
Contact the Qualifications Manager for this subject area
Andrew Shield 
Structure of the Course
- Mandatory Units
- Summary of Course content
- Summary of content of each Unit
- Assessment approaches
- Experience of the workplace
- Resource requirements
- Progression
- Launch event
- Publication of NABs
- Publication of Learning and Teaching Support Packs
- Arrangement document
- Internal Assessment Reports
This Course is at Intermediate 2 level and consists of 4 x 40 hour Mandatory Units.
Mandatory Units
| Laboratory Science: Careers using Laboratory Science | 1 Unit credit |
| Laboratory Science: Working in a Laboratory | 1 Unit credit |
| Laboratory Science: Practical Skills | 1 Unit credit |
| Laboratory Science: Practical Investigation | 1 Unit credit |
Summary of content of each Unit
- Laboratory Science: Careers using Laboratory Science
This Unit introduces candidates to the wide range of industries and services which use scientific knowledge and laboratory skills. Candidates will learn about the variety of ways in which science and laboratory skills are used in different industries and services and about the job roles which use these skills. Candidates will investigate a range of career opportunities within industries and services which use laboratory science and investigate the skills, qualifications and experience required for a job role of personal interest within the field of laboratory science.
Candidates will have the opportunity to reflect on and evaluate their own employability skills and attributes. - Laboratory Science: Working in a Laboratory
This Unit provides candidates 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 candidates to maintain health and safety while working in a laboratory environment and a risk assessment is carried out. Opportunities arise for the development of numeracy and communication skills when recording and reporting practical work. - Laboratory Science: Practical Skills
This Unit provides candidates with the opportunity to learn and develop the skills most commonly used in laboratories. The health and safety issues of working in a laboratory are integral to the Unit. Candidates will learn how to work safely with potentially hazardous materials such as microorganisms and will measure radioactivity, as well as developing competence in the use of various types of instrumentation found in laboratories. Skills in performing a titration are also developed. - Laboratory Science: Practical Investigation
In this Unit candidates will work with others to produce a plan to investigate a scientific topic using practical procedures. Candidates working as part of a team will identify a hypothesis to investigate. Methods for testing the hypothesis using practical procedures are devised and tasks are allocated to each member of the team. Candidates will be assessed on their ability to carry out an allocated task competently and in a safe manner. Candidates will present their findings to members of the team and will produce a scientific report with their individual analysis and evaluation of the information gathered. Candidates will then review and evaluate their own contribution to the investigation.
Assessment Approaches
The assessment of this Course is structured as follows:
Laboratory Science: Careers using Laboratory Science
This Unit will be assessed through an investigation; an open book assessment and candidate reviews of their employability skills.
Laboratory Science: Working in a Laboratory
This Unit will be assessed through an open book assessment, and performance evidence generated by carrying out a risk assessment and practical activities.
Laboratory Science: Practical Skills
This Unit will be assessed through performance evidence generated during practical activities and open book assessment.
Laboratory Science: Practical Investigation
This Unit will be assessed through an open book assessment, performance evidence generated during a practical activity, performance evidence generated by working as a member of a team and a candidate review of their contribution.
Each Unit will be supported by a National Assessment Bank (NAB) item, which will provide an assessment package and will exemplify the national standard.
Experience of the workplace
In this Course it is important that candidates have access to real or simulated laboratory environments and visiting speakers. It is anticipated that the Course will rely upon and build on partnerships between schools, further education colleges, higher education institutions, employers and other training organisations. These partnerships will enable the Course to be delivered in a variety of appropriate learning environments with access to relevant teaching expertise. Centres are encouraged to develop links with employers/industry/service representatives who may be able to offer support in terms of visiting speakers and arranging visits to a laboratory. Such partnerships give added value to the Course and benefit candidates by enabling them to make more informed career choices.
Resource Requirements
Since practical and experiential learning is central to this Course, it is important that candidates have access to a variety of learning environments. This could include access to laboratories through visits, simulated workplace settings or visiting speakers from industries and/or services.
Progression
This Course or its Units may provide progression to:
- National Courses or Units
- Further/higher education
- Training/employment
Launch event
SQA is hosting an information event to support the implementation of this Skills for Work Course on 2 February 2010.
Further details will be issued to centres in due course.
Publication of NABs
National Assessment Bank (NAB) support materials are available on the SQA Secure website. Please contact your centre's SQA coordinator for access.
Publication of Learning and Teaching Support Packs
Learning and Teaching Support Packs are available on the SQA Secure website. Please contact your centre's SQA coordinator for access.
Arrangement document
| Subject: | Laboratory Science |
| Level: | Intermediate 2 |
| Code: | C266 11 |
| Edition: | Version 1, February 2010 |
| Downloads: | SfW Laboratory Science Intemediate 2 Course and Unit Specifications |
Internal Assessment Reports
Related Information
