Sixth Form

T Level Laboratory Sciences

Information

T Level Laboratory Sciences is aimed at students who are interested in pursuing a career in laboratory science. The core element of a T Level in Science will boost your knowledge in a range of topics such as the principles of good scientific and clinical practice, as well as fundamental scientific concepts; not to mention your understanding of standard operating procedures, management of equipment and work areas, stock control and storage, the importance of quality standards, health and safety. And as the science industry is so innovative, you will gain a better understanding of the world around you.

You will then specialise in Laboratory Sciences understanding how to design and perform experiments, keep good records and problem solve when things go wrong.

Finally, you will be able to put everything you learn into practice, with a substantial industry placement of around 45 days. Giving you an amazing opportunity to work with an employer while you study, such as a chemical, pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, and gain invaluable experience as well as key skills that employers are looking for.

Course content

In Years 12 and 13 the students follow the NCFE specification.

There are 3 components to the T Level course: The Core Content, Occupational Specialism; and Industry placement.

Core content covers:

Project management
Being able to engage with and produce scientific literature (both written and oral).
Be able to identify your role within a wider team and understand what your responsibilities are.
Be able to create experiments and look at existing experiments to improve them by innovation and evaluation.
To be able to solve problems in a scientific context.
Be able to perform a range of scientific techniques to collect experimental data in a laboratory setting, complying with regulations and requirements and then analyse and evaluate results.
Core scientific knowledge.

In addition to the knowledge above the students must also learn and be able to perform a wide range of scientific techniques and use a wide range of scientific equipment from all disciplines.

Occupational Specialism :

Will enable you to perform the following techniques, plan experiments with them, analyse data generated and evaluate the results:

paper and thin layer chromatography (TLC)
distillation
acid-base and redox titration
refluxing
filtration
differential staining (microorganisms)
aseptic culture of microorganisms
preparation of serial dilution
prepare a solution of defined molar concentration
colorimetry
pressure using a U-tube manometer
temperature using a probe and data logger
radioactive count rate using Geiger counter
conductivity meter to measure conductivity of a solution
electrical polarity using ammeter and voltmeter
calibrating a pH Meter, balance and a mechanical (variable volume) pipette
Understand safety, health and environmental practices in laboratory science.

You will understand how laboratory equipment should be maintained and calibrated to generate valid results and be able to recognise errors and identify faults.

You will know how laboratory records should be kept.

Be able to apply the principles of the ‘Universal Ethical Code for Scientists 2007’ and know how it affects ethical practices in a laboratory setting.

In addition to the core content you will also have knowledge of the following areas:

Biology

Metabolic pathways and bioenergetics
Genotyping and phenotyping
Ecosystems

Chemistry

Atomic structure
Amounts of substances
Molecular structure and bonding
Equations
Oxidation and reduction
Organic and inorganic chemical techniques
Electrochemistry
Enthalpy and entropy
Properties of materials

Physics

Nanoscience
Electronics
Nuclear physics
Application of maths to science

Industry Placement:

All T Level students will complete a 3 month placement working in the laboratories of one of our partner organisations, such as Addenbrooke's Hospital or the Medical Research Council's Laboratory of Molecular Biology.