Research training

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Teaching based on the tutoring of scientific problem-solving activities, of an experimental nature, including scientific writing training. Valuation of laboratory autonomy and interaction with the team. The evaluation will be based essentially on two components: brief report related with a practical problem; brief oral presentations. Classification will be attributed on a scale qualitative scale with 4 levels of approval. 

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to: develop work in the laboratory environment; have knowledge of safety in the laboratory environment; establish a critical analysis of experimental results; prepare scientific reports; writing scientific articles; and autonomously implement laboratory activities; to develop complementary task in order to accomplish team objectives. 

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Laboratory safety: handling and storage of reagents and acting under emergency conditions; Internship in laboratory environment at DEQ / UC: classification in the laboratory environment and equipment operation (analytical and chemical synthesis/processing); Autonomous laboratory experimentation: laboratory implementation of the work foreseen in a research project or activity, including research planning and experiments execution; Analysis of experimental data: manipulation and interpretation of data obtained as a result of the experimental work carried out; Writing of scientific articles: be familiar with the structure of a scientific article and critical analysis of data and comparison with the state of the art – writing of an overview about a specific topic; Seminars: thematic seminars presented in the context of the research group in which the scientific project is inserted or in interdisciplinary context; Oral communication: presentation of experimental results and discussion.

Head Lecturer(s)

Jorge Fernando Jordão Coelho

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Brief report related with a practical problem; brief oral presentations: 100.0%

Bibliography

JA Martinho Simões, MAR Botas Castanho, IMS Lampreia, FJV Santos, CA Nieto de Castro, MT Pamplona, ME Minas da Piedade, Guia do Laboratório de Química e Bioquímica. 3.ª Edição, Lidel, 2017.
S Sanders (Editor), Your Practical Guide to Basic Laboratory Techniques. Science/AAAS, 2018. At: https://www.sciencemag.org/sites/default/files/Practical_Guide_to_Basic_Lab_Techniques.pdf
G Basten, Introduction to Scientific Research Projects. Ventus Publishing ApS, 2010. At: http://web.ftvs.cuni.cz/hendl/metodologie/introduction-to-scientific-research-projects.pdf
SS Carey, A Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method. 4th Edition, Cengage Learning, 2011.