Introduction to Scientific Research I

Full course description

The academic world has its own strict set of rules with respect to collecting data, analyzing the data, and writing and reporting about it. ‘Introduction to Scientific Research’ focuses on designing and performing scientific research experiments in the lab. It will teach you some basic laboratory skills commonly used in chemical, biological and physics research. Students will gain experience in how to design and set up an experiment in order to answer a specific scientific question. During the laboratory sessions, students will execute experiments, learn how to record the methods and observations, and perform the necessary measurements to generate valuable data with the final goal to answer the scientific question. You will conduct basic data analysis, interpret the analysis, and report the findings.

Basic practical techniques will be taught, such as the accurate weighing, preparing solutions and dilutions, working with pipettes and volumetric glassware, performing simple analysis, ...

In PRA1101 Introduction to Scientific Research I, students will start with learning how to work in a safe manner in a laboratory environment, with respect for themselves, others, and the environment. You will learn how to design an experiment in order to generate valuable data. You will perform experiments and learn the basics of documenting procedures and observations and how to write specific parts of a lab report.

This skills course continues with PRA1102 Introduction to Scientific Research II in which you will focus more on how to analyze and interpret the data generated in the experiments and how to report the conclusions and findings.