National 5 Skills for Work: Laboratory Science is an introductory qualification. The course provides a broad experiential introduction to laboratory science. Learners will explore a variety of industries and services, and career opportunities, in science laboratories locally, nationally, and globally.

They will develop the basic practical skills and knowledge needed for working in a laboratory: measuring, weighing and preparing compounds and solutions; and health and safety requirements. Practical skills in microbiology, measuring radioactivity, chemical handling and laboratory instrumentation will be developed.

Learners will work with others to produce a plan to undertake a practical investigation to test scientific hypotheses. This will also involve reporting of the results, conclusions and evaluations of the investigation.

Throughout all units the course emphasises the employability skills and attitudes valued by employers which will help to prepare learners for the workplace. Learners will review their own employability skills, and will seek feedback from others on their strengths and weaknesses.

At SCQF level 5, learners work alone or with others on straightforward tasks with support.

Entry to this course is at the discretion of the centre.

Learners should have achieved:

National 4 or National 5 Mathematics, or SCQF level 4. or SCQF level 5 units in Mathematics

and one from: National 4 Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics National 5 Biology, Chemistry or Physics

SCQF level 4 or SCQF level 5 units in Biology, Chemistry, Physics