Degree Programme in Laboratory Science: O12LABRA-1114

Description

Degree Programme in Laboratory Science
Bachelor of Laboratory Services
210 credits and 3.5 years
Full-time study
Biokatu 4. 33520 Tampere

Education manager Eeva-Leena Tuominen
The title of the students graduating from Degree Programme in Laboratory Sciences is Bachelor of Laboratory Services. The degree is comparable with equivalent degrees in other EU countries.

Eligibility: see TAMK´s websites on application and eligibility for bachelor´s degrees at www.tamk.fi/en
Competences developed
The Degree Programme in Laboratory Sciences provides the students with extensive basic knowledge and skills in natural sciences and the ability to develop into experts in the field after graduation. The education provides the students with the ability to continuously develop their own expertise.

The education emphasises initiative, independent planning and working as well as mastery and development of analytical methods. Those working in the field of laboratory sciences have to manage entities and have good problem solving skills as well as a service-minded approach. In addition, they should be aware of the meaning of quality systems and their environmental responsibilities.
Professional status
The graduated can work in the demanding analysis tasks in the laboratories of industry and research institutes, including pharmaceutical, food processing, wood processing and chemical industries, as well as environmental and bioscience research laboratories. The work tasks include e.g. research, product development and quality control tasks as well as purchase, sales and customer service.

Basic values
The basic values of the degree programme are professionalism and responsibility at work, high quality and reliability of laboratory tests, and promotion of human and environmental well-being.
Implementation of teaching
The studies consist of theory, practical exercises in the laboratory and different project tasks, as well as supervised practical training. The studies develop independent work approach and management of information systems and information search. The aim of study guidance is to develop the investigative work approach in the open learning environments resembling working life laboratories.

Students create contacts to working life by means of diverse projects and practical training as well as by writing a working-life-oriented bachelor´s thesis. As the field of laboratory sciences becomes more and more international, the graduated must have good oral and written language skills and diversified communication skills especially in English. Students are supervised in creating international contacts by improving their language skills by means of professional literature in English in the field and by recommending international student exchange and practical training abroad.



Learning outcomes and aims of programme / academic year
After the first year, students can act in the learning and operating environments of the university of applied sciences and know their degree programme and future profession. Students can use their communication and information search skills as well as mathematical and natural scientific knowledge and skills as basis for the professional studies. Students master the basics of laboratory work.
After the second year, students have familiarised themselves with the scientific bases of laboratory work and after orientation can work independently, complete the most common laboratory analyses and know the most important analysis methods. Students can utilise their working life experiences in deepening their theoretical knowledge.
After the third year, students have an organised view on the field and profession. Students have developed their professional expertise through deepening their competence in the special fields they have chosen. Students can make their bachelor´s thesis under supervision.
After the fourth year (3.5 years), students can work in key expert tasks. Students´ investigative and critical work approach has developed in making the bachelor´s thesis. Students have a critical attitude towards research information.
Structure of degree programme
Core studies 10 cr
Professional studies 140 cr
• Optional professional studies 15 cr
Training 30 cr
Elective studies 15 cr
Bachelor’s thesis 15 cr
In total 210 cr

Degree programme curriculum