-SQA-SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY Hanover House 24 Douglas Street GLASGOW G2 7NQ

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE DESCRIPTOR

-Module Number-Superclass-

7310532 RH

-Title-

INTRODUCING MICROSCOPY PREPARATION (x1/2)

-Session-1992-93

AND

SPECIMEN

-DESCRIPTIONPurpose

This module is designed to develop the candidate's ability to use the basic techniques of microscopy and specimen preparation. This module could be offered as part of a Life Science programme, or as an introductory module within a medical programme.

Preferred Entry Level

Introduction to Biological cells.

Outcomes

The candidate should:

Assessment Procedures

1.

use compound microscopes to examine given specimens;

2.

produce temporary stained preparations;

3.

produce a permanent stained preparation.

Acceptable performance in this module will be satisfactory achievement of all the Performance Criteria specified for each Outcome. The following abbreviations are used below: PC IA

Performance Criteria Instrument of Assessment

Note: The Outcomes and PCs are mandatory and cannot be altered. The IA may be altered by arrangement with SQA. (Where a range of performance is indicated, this should be regarded as an extension of the PCs and is therefore mandatory.)

Continuation of Module No 7310532 OUTCOME 1

PCs

Session 1992-93

USE COMPOUND MICROSCOPES TO EXAMINE GIVEN SPECIMENS (a)

The operation of compound microscopes is correct in terms of: (i) (ii) (iii)

(b)

setting up and positioning of slide; diaphragm alignment; focusing.

The operation of a dissecting microscope is correct in terms of: (i) (ii)

setting up and positioning of specimen; focusing.

(c)

The calculation of the total magnification is correct.

IA

Restricted Response and Practical Exercises

3 short answer questions and 3 practical exercises to assess the candidate's ability to operate compound microscopes. For Performance Criteria (a) and (b) the candidate should complete 3 practical exercises involving two different types of microscope. For Performance Criterion (a) the candidate should complete 2 practical exercises, each one for a different type of compound microscope. Checklists should be devised and used to ensure the candidate's completion of the practical exercises involving two different types of microscope. Each checklist should contain the following items: (i) type/name of microscope; (ii) clean microscope and slide; (iii) clean lenses; (iv) correct adjustment and positioning of diaphragm and condenser; (v) correctly focusing using a high power objective; (vi) correctly focusing using an oil immersion objective. For Performance Criterion (b) the candidate should complete 1 practical exercise. A checklist should be devised to ensure the candidate's completion of the practical exercise. The checklist should contain the following items: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

type/name of microscope; clean microscope; clean lenses; the selection of correct objective; - 2-

Continuation of Module No 7310532 (v)

Session 1992-93

correctly focusing.

For Performance Criterion (c) the candidate should complete 3 short answer questions to calculate the total magnification power of a microscope. Satisfactory achievement of the Outcome will be demonstrated by the correct completion of the 3 short answer questions, practical exercises and associated checklists.

OUTCOME 2 PCs

PRODUCE TEMPORARY STAINED PREPARATIONS (a) (b)

(c)

The preparation for the production of the slide is correct with respect to the apparatus selected. The procedures carried out are correct and safe with respect to manipulation of instruments and given specifications. The slide preparation is complete with respect to: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)

IA

mounting position; air bubbles; staining intensity; specimen of recognisable cells/tissues; labelling.

Practical Exercises

4 practical exercises to assess the candidate's ability to produce temporary preparations. Within each practical exercise the candidate should produce a microscope slide with a specimen produced by each of the following techniques: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

smear; squash; section; whole mount.

Each of the above must be covered. A checklist should be devised for each practical exercise to ensure the candidate's completion of Performance Criteria (a) to (c) within the practical exercises. Satisfactory achievement of the Outcome will be demonstrated by the completion of the practical exercises and associated checklists.

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Continuation of Module No 7310532 OUTCOME 3 PCs

Session 1992-93

PRODUCE A PERMANENT STAINED PREPARATION (a) (b)

(c)

The preparation for the production of the slide is correct with respect to the apparatus selected. The procedures carried out are correct and safe with respect to the manipulation of instruments and given specifications. The slide preparation is complete with respect to: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)

IA

mounting position; no air bubbles; staining intensity; specimen of recognisable cells/tissues; labelling.

Practical Exercise

A practical exercise to assess the candidate's ability to produce a permanent mounted specimen. A checklist should be devised to ensure the candidate's completion of the practical exercise. Satisfactory achievement of the Outcome will be demonstrated by the completion of the practical exercise, produced slide and associated checklist.

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Continuation of Module No 7310532

Session 1992-93

The following sections of the descriptor are offered as guidance. They are not mandatory.

CONTENT/CONTEXT Corresponding to Outcomes 1-3: 1.

Microscopes can be monocular or binocular headed. The candidate should be familiar with the following microscope parts: eyepiece(s), dry objective lenses, oil immersion objective, iris diaphragm; condenser; plane and concave mirror; coarse and fine focus; light source and collector lenses; mechanical stage micrometer; rotating nosepiece. Total magnification calculated on a range of objective and eyepiece lenses.

2.

Temporary preparations could be made using appropriate mounting medium for living material and a variety of stains which will depend on the material selected.

3.

A permanent preparation could be made using appropriate mounting medium for the material and a staining method which will depend on the materials selected.

SUGGESTED LEARNING AND TEACHING APPROACHES This a practical module within which the candidate should use microscopes and make slides. A candidate-centred, resource-based approach is likely to be the most suitable for this module. Each candidate should be assessed at appropriate points throughout the module. Where a candidate is unsuccessful in achieving an Outcome, provision should be made for remediation and reassessment. Knowledge of parts of the microscope is useful but not necessary for assessment purposes.  Copyright SQA 1992

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