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BIO191Sciences1 Unitsintermediate

General Practical Biology I

This course introduces students to general practical biology, covering essential laboratory techniques and instruments. Students will learn microscopy, slide preparation, biological drawing, and specimen collection and preservation. The course also explores laboratory organization, equipment handling, microbial cultures, and physiological experiments in plants and animals. Dissection techniques for invertebrates and vertebrates are covered, providing hands-on experience in studying internal structures and systems.

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45h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
MicroscopyDissectionSpecimen PreservationLaboratory TechniquesPhysiological Experiments

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Microscopy

2

Laboratory Organization

3

Specimen Collection

4

Preservation Techniques

5

Biological Drawings

6

Physiological Experiments

7

Dissection Techniques

8

Microbial Cultures

9

Gram Staining

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Laboratory Technician

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Assistant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Biology Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Medical Technologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

HealthcarePharmaceuticalsEnvironmental MonitoringAgricultural ResearchEducation

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1:

2h

Unit 1: What practical work in biology involves.

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction to understand the scope of practical biology.
  • •Identify the importance of practical sessions in biology.
  • •List and understand the six hints for successful practical work.
  • •Practice making biological drawings following the guidelines.
Week
2

Module 1:

2h

Unit 2: Laboratory organization

2 study hours
  • •Study laboratory organization principles.
  • •Itemize available resources.
  • •Plan item placement based on available space.
  • •Draft general instructions for laboratory use.
Week
3

Module 1:

2h

Unit 3: Handling common laboratory equipment

2 study hours
  • •Study the use of pressure cookers and autoclaves for sterilization.
  • •Learn to operate hot air ovens and water baths.
  • •Understand the handling of centrifuges and laminar air flow systems.
  • •Practice using microtome knives.
Week
4

Module 1:

2h

Unit 4: Microscopy, microscope handling and maintenance.

2 study hours
  • •Learn to set up a student microscope.
  • •Practice troubleshooting common microscope issues.
  • •Understand setting up microscopes with and without a condenser.
  • •Explore illumination techniques using external sources and daylight.
Week
5

Module 1:

2h

Unit 5: Making microscopic measurements and microscope care.

2 study hours
  • •Learn to make microscopic measurements.
  • •Understand the oil immersion technique.
  • •Study microscope care and maintenance procedures.
  • •Practice cleaning and maintaining microscope lenses.
Week
6

Module 2:

2h

Unit 1: Procuring animal materials

2 study hours
  • •Learn how to place orders for specimens and live animals.
  • •Understand the methods for collecting live animals from aquatic and land areas.
  • •Study the collection of aquatic invertebrates, earthworms, and insects.
  • •Review the video demonstration on collecting live animals.
Week
7

Module 2:

2h

Unit 2: Procuring plant materials

2 study hours
  • •Learn about growing materials for squash preparation.
  • •Understand the collection of lower plants (algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms).
  • •Study the collection of higher plants for making a herbarium.
  • •Practice collecting, pressing, drying, mounting, and labeling plant specimens.
Week
8

Module 2:

2h

Unit 3: Killing, preserving and mounting animal materials.

2 study hours
  • •Study the methods for killing, preserving, and mounting animal materials.
  • •Learn about relaxing animals in a relaxing box before mounting.
  • •Understand direct and point mounting techniques.
  • •Practice displaying insect specimens and identifying male and female animals.
Week
9

Module 2:

3h

Unit 4: External features of plants observing similarities and differences.

3 study hours
  • •Study the external features of spirogyra and mucor.
  • •Learn about the external features of ferns and seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms).
  • •Observe similarities and differences between various plant groups.
  • •Practice drawing and labeling plant specimens.
Week
10

Module 2:

2h

Unit 5: Preparation of temporary slides

2 study hours
  • •Learn the general method of making temporary slides.
  • •Practice the smear technique for cheek scrapings.
  • •Understand the squash technique for onion root tips.
  • •Study the preparation of whole mounts of unicellular organisms.
Week
11

Module 3:

2h

Unit 1: Preparation of stains and reagents.

2 study hours
  • •Study the general rules for preparing and handling solutions.
  • •Learn about the use of acids and alcohol in the laboratory.
  • •Understand the preparation of normal physiological saline, Benedict's solution, and Millon's solution.
  • •Practice preparing fixatives and stains.
Week
12

Module 3:

2h

Unit 2: Techniques for microbial culture and Grain Staining.

2 study hours
  • •Study techniques for microbial culture and Gram's staining.
  • •Learn about fungal and paramecium cultures.
  • •Understand Gram's staining of bacteria.
  • •Practice preparing and staining bacterial smears.
Week
13

Module 3:

2h

Unit 3: Setting of demonstrations for physiological processes in plants.

2 study hours
  • •Study how to set up a potometer for demonstrating transpiration.
  • •Learn to set up a respirometer for demonstrating respiration.
  • •Understand how to set up demonstration experiments for photosynthesis.
  • •Practice setting up and operating the apparatuses.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all unit objectives and ensure you can meet them.

2

Practice making biological drawings, focusing on accuracy and labeling.

3

Create detailed notes on each dissection procedure, including key anatomical structures.

4

Rehearse setting up the various physiological experiments, paying attention to equipment and measurements.

5

Study the characteristics of different types of organisms and their classification.

6

Review all TMAs and address any feedback from your tutor.

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