During my Bachelor’s, I did a number of courses that allowed me to develop skills in different areas:
| Course Code & Name | Details of Laboratory Work |
| AGRC1021 – Biological Concepts & Plant Science | Photosynthesis – learning how to use microscope, identify plant cell structures, set up aquatic plant with light to imitate photosynthesis. Mitosis, Meiosis, & Mendelian inheritance – Identified and described the phases of meiosis and mitosis. Drew images of the different stages. Used punnet squares to determine offspring predictions and determined genotypes of parent plants. Invertebrates – Distinguish between different invertebrate phyla, Recognise morphological differences between and within phyla, Develop an understanding of the increasing morphological complexity and diversity that has devolved in the invertebrates, & Consider the relationships between insects and angiosperms. Plant Diversity – Explored and understand the morphology and reproduction of non-vascular plants (bryophytes) & vascular seedless ferns. Plant Structure, resource acquisition & transport – located different types of plant cells in a stem cross section, described the features of collenchyma, parenchyma and sclerenchyma cells, described the features of water conducting and sugar conducting cells, described the internal structure of C3 and C4 leaves, understand how monocot and eudicot leaves differ internally, described the internal structure of stems and roots, understand how monocot and eudicot stems and roots differ, explained the main forces that drive xylem sap flow, & understand that bulk flow of xylem sap occurs within hollow dead cells and not across plasma membranes of living cells. Angiosperm Reproduction & Plant ID – described the internal structure of andospermic and non-endospermic seeds, understand seed germination stages, identified dry and fleshy fruits, described the ways that fruits can be dispersed, understand how asexual reproduction allows for regeneration, described several fragmentation strategies, identify plants to family level using keys, understand the variety of root, stem and floral structures, & created floral formulae for flowers |
| ANIM1020 – Applied Animal Biology | Practical’s included: Anatomic Terms – practiced the use of veterinary terms by walking around the room and identifying terms on figures throughout the room, in addition to learning lab safety and writing the different terms and definitions in the prac booklet. Exploring tissues: Sketching histology slides and understanding the different tissues. Learnt how to use microscopes and look at different tissues and label them. Integumentary Systems: Identifying the different layers of the skin and tissues involved with it. Identification of hairs, feathers, scales and different components of the system. Skeletal system: Labelling bones of different animals, identifying the different components inside the bones. Labelled and identified bones on skeletons in the lab. Muscle system: Looked at a wet specimen of a muscular system. Identified insertion and origins of tendons and ligaments and the differences between. Identified the extension and flexion muscles. Circulation system: Looked at hearts and the different components and muscles on a wet specimen. Digestion: Looked at the digestion tract of a cow specimen. Felt the different rumens of the specimen and identified the main structures and components. Looked at pig digestion system to see the comparisons. Renal: Looked at kidneys and identified the different components and learnt about the functions. Full Piglet Dissection: We were given the opportunity to dissect piglets that were provided from the piggery. We were taught how to dissect a full specimen and learn safety in relation to the dissection. The dissection was not compulsory and was for us to see the whole system. |
| ANIM1026 – Australian Terrestrial Vertebrates | This course was predominantly field based, however, there was a component of the course where we learnt in the laboratory. There were three practicals; Traces, skulls and scats. Traces: This consisted of shedding of scales, hair, claws or anything that can be traced back to a specific species OTHER then skeletal remains or scats. Skulls: There was a variety of skulls that were provided and using knowledge of different animals, we had to identify what each skull was and provide a description for our analysis. Scats: We were provided faeces which we looked at and had to use different parameters of each. We looked at colour, if there were remains inside the faeces (identifying predators), if there were particular smells or size and shape. |
| CHEM1004 – Chemistry | In Chemistry, this is where we were taught the majority of our housekeeping for operating in a lab. We were taught footwear needs, lab coat, safety glasses, working with chemicals, etc. Were were taught: 1. Using calibrations on glassware 2. Burette use 3. Pipette use 4. The different types and use of glassware 5. Filtration 6. Rinsing glassware 7. Liquid dispensing 8. Thermometers 9. Identifying errors in practical chemistry 10. Use of electronic analytical balances. 11. Laboratory layout and facility use 12. Describing techniques of analysis for organic and inorganic fertilisers. 13. Describing chains of chemicals and the difference between soluble and insoluble molecules. 14. Running tests for acidity. 15. Flame Photometry (analytical balance, preparing stock solutions, reading burettes, working standard solutions, explaining operations, calibrating, using) 16. Volumetric Analysis (Safe handling acids and bases, explaining standardized solutions, explaining why sodium hydroxide is not a good primary standard, standardise a sodium hydroxide solution with titration, determine concentration of acetic acid in vinegar through titration, calculate percentages of acid in acidic concentrates) 17. pH and Conductivity Solutions (measure the specific or electrical conductance of a solution, calculate the equivalent conductance of a solution, given its specific conductance and normality, measure the pH of a solution, having regard for correct instrument usage, & observe how a buffer solution works by measuring its pH before and after the addition of a quantity of strong acid or base) 18. Biuret Determination of Soluble Protein Using Spectrophotometry (show familiarity with the laboratory layout and services, choose appropriate protective equipment for the tasks to be undertaken, choose appropriate glassware for common laboratory procedures, state the principles of spectrophotometry and colorimetry, describe how colour of light is related to wavelength, correctly use data in calculations involving Beer’s Law, & use a Spectronic 20). 19. Conduct a practical examination in Titration. |
| AGRC2013 – Agricultural Microbiology & Gene Technology | Due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, this was an optional laboratory session. In this course, we learnt different techniques to create microbe communities for research and had learnt how to identify different microbes based on the visuals and characteristics of samples. We learnt how to use Microbiology equipment to create cultures of bacteria and the different smearing techniques. We also developed skills in the use of microscopes. |
| ANIM3019 – Animal Reproduction | Due to COVID-19 restrictions, these were an optional laboratory sessions. Practical 1: We looked at the different components of different female reproductive tracts. We identified the different components and felt the different tissues, in addition to looking at the different stages of an ovary and if there are corpus luteums. Practical 2: We looked at the different components of different male reproductive tracts. We identified the different components and felt the different tissues, in addition to looking at the different components of the testes. Practical 3: Looked at amphibian reproductive tracts in toads and explained the different components. Practical 4: Analysed semen and sperm samples of different livestock under a microscope and analysed any abnormalities, differences in structures and looked at the viability of the samples. Practicak 5: Looked at the male rams at the facility and learnt how to catch them and turn and take measurements in relation to their reproductive health. |
| ANIM3006 – Animal Health & Epidimiology | Due to COVID-19 restrictions, these were an optional laboratory sessions. Practical 1: We did examination of the universities dairy cows. We took notes and observed the species body and recorded body condition. Practical 2: We did post-mortems on a number of livestock species and tried to identify the potential cause of death and took notes and observations of the specimens. Practical 3: We observed external parasites under microscopes and learnt to sketch them, identify them and make note of attachment and body types. This was important in identifying what the type of parasite was and how it attached to hosts. Practical 4: We observed internal parasites under microscopes and learnt to sketch them, identify them and make note of attachment and body types. This was important in identifying what the type of parasite was and how it attached to hosts. Practical 5: In this practical we observed and tried to identify plants and vegetation that is considered to be toxic when consumed by cattle or live stock or even wildlife species. Practical 6: We conducted post-mortems on wildlife that were donated to the university. In this practical, I decided to dissect a lace monitor. While dissecting the lace monitor, a tumour or cyst was found in the abdomen and this was taken for analysis. |
| AGRC3042 – Animal & Plant Biosecurity | In Biosecurity, we did a practical about fire ant identification. In fire ant identification, we were given information and samples of different collected ants. We then followed an identification key and can identify one of the most invasive group of ants in Australia. |
| ANIM3049 – Marsupials & Monotremes | In this course, we did dissections on different marsupials and monotremes. These specimens were found as road kill and donated to the university. We conducted dissections to look at the different reproductive anatomy and the different types of physiology. |
