Laboratory skills and safety (5 cr)

Objective

You know the principles of good laboratory practice. You are able to work in the laboratory using the good practice. You understand the safety issues related to laboratory work. You are familiar with safety data sheets and you are able to read and understand safety data. You know how to use the basic laboratory instruments and carry out basic environmental measurements in the laboratory. You understand the concept of error and reliability. You know how to avoid or minimize the error by using good laboratory practice.

Content

How to work in the environmental laboratory?
How to use laboratory instruments?
What are safety data sheets and how are they read? What does good laboratory practice mean and how is it used?
How to minimize error and increase the reliability of the results using good laboratory practice?
What kind of safety risks are there in the laboratory and how to avoid these risks?

Course material

The material is shared on the Learn platform.

Study forms and methods

The course consists of lectures, laboratory work and student's independent work.

Attendance to laboratory work is mandatory. All lectures and laboratory sessions are held on Mikkeli campus. No remote lectures.

RDI and work-related cooperation

The course introduces the application of theoretical knowledge of chemistry into practice.

Timing of exams and assignments

The exam will be held at the end of the course. Return date of the report will be given at the beginning of the course.

International cooperation

-

Student workload

Lectures 12 h
Laboratory work 32 h
Exam 2h
Student's independent work 89 h
Total 135 h

Course part description

During the lectures theory behind the laboratory work is discussed, in addition to applications and legal aspects of working with chemicals. Laboratory works start from basics: the use of different laboratory equipment and how to work safely with different chemicals. After that more applied lab works are performed, from one of which a laboratory report is written. The exam covers both lectures and lab work.

Further information

The course is completed when all the laboratory tasks are finished (worksheets accepted), report is accepted and the exam is passed.

In chemistry laboratory sessions it is mandatory to wear laboratory coat and safety goggles. A notebook and pen, as well as a calculator, are helpful to have with you also.

It is not recommended to work in chemistry laboratory if you are pregnant. In this case, please contact the teacher in advance. In addition, if you have other conditions, such as asthma, epilepsy, inform the teacher in person.

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Evaluation:
1) laboratory report (1-5)
2) exam (1-5)
3) worksheets (passed/ failed)