Science Skills Assessment
Use this document to keep track of the science lab-related skills you have mastered and to communicate
those skills to your research mentor.
Skills for Environmental Research
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Using Probeware:
o Water Quality
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Phosphates
Ammonia
Salinity
Turbidity
TDS
Temperature
Moisture
pH
Particulates
Contaminants
Spore counts
Serial Dilution
Transects
Quadrats
Seining
Sampling Vertical Treeness
Microplate Reader
GIS/Modeling/GPS
Titration
Solutions (molarity, etc.)
Fermentation
Distillation
Separation techniques
Excel Skills:
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pH
Humidity
Population sampling techniques:
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Nitrates/Nitrites
how to determine
composition
Air Quality
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Basic Chemistry Lab Skills:
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Soils
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Equation skills
Graphing
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Aseptic Technique
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Spectrophotometer/Colorimeter
Engineering Process Skills/Problem Solving
vs. Pure Science
Stereo/Microscope skills
Plate preparation
Growing techniques (algae/plants/fish)
Media preparation
Statistics
Taxonomy
Dichotomous Key
Irrigation Techniques
Hydroponic Techniques
Calculation of Biomass
Determination of Productivity
Calculation energy efficiency
Toxicology calculations
SDS reading
Skills for Chemistry Research
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Safety training:
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Using MSDS
Measurements:
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Using significant figures
Measuring length – meterstick,
caliper
Mass – beam balance, scale,
analytical balance
Volume – beakers, flasks, graduated
cylinders
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Significant figures
Calculations:
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Margin of Error
Standard Deviation
Metric Conversions
Statistics
Gas Laws
Balancing chemical equations
Stoichiometry, moles, molarity
pH
Reaction kinetics
Half Life
Excel:
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Graphing
Using Formulas
Lab Equipment and Techniques:
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Solution Preparation
Serial Dilutions
Titrations / Burette
Separation/Filtration
Water Bath
pH measurement: Litmus paper, sensor
Calorimeter / Bomb Calorimeter
Vacuum jar
Spectrometer
Electrophoresis
Dehydration with Büchner Funnel
Desiccator
Bunsen Burner
Hot Plate with stirring bar
Distillation with Condensation tube
Separation funnel
Pipette
Micropipette
Crucible and Clay Triangle
HPLC
Mass Spec
Crystallography
Electrochemistry
Centrifuge
Skills for Geology Research
Basic earth science concepts:
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Geologic time
Rules of stratigraphy
Plate tectonics
Glaciation
Keeping a field notebook:
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What to look for / attention to detail
Sketching / photography
scale
Mapping:
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GIS
Illustrator
Photoshop
Geochemistry – chemistry skills
General lab skills:
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General lab safety
Microscope skills
Skills for Physics Research
Measuring:
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Techniques / Equipment:
Length – Meterstick, caliper
Volume – calculation using
dimensions, water displacement,
using glassware
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Mass: - triple beam balance, scale,
analytical balance
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Temperature – Thermometer,
temperature probe
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Graphing by hand and by Excel
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Creating circuits with switches,
bulbs, resistors, capacitors, motors,
power sources
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Creating a simple motor or
electromagnet
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Using a multimeter
Viscosity
Calculations:
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Margin of Error
Standard Deviation
Convert metric units
Forces / Gravity
Density, Concentration
Velocity, Acceleration
Coefficient of Friction
Heat capacity and specific heat
Current, voltage, resistance
Temperature scale conversions
Wavelength, frequency
Collisions – 2D, 3D
Magnetic Fields
Circular motion calculations
Using a graphing calculator
Working with sensors – motion,
infrared, sonic, temperature
Using a power source
Working with lenses and mirrors
Working with lasers
Using a micropipette
HPLC
Mass Spectrometer
Electron microscope
Crystallography
Calorimeter
Fuel cells
Geiger counter
Van de Graff generator
Air track
Wind tunnel
Wave tank
Skills for Biology Research
Separation:
 Gel electrophoresis
 Chromatography
 Western/Northern/Southern blotting
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PCR
Micropipetting
Solution/media Preparation / pH - measure,
calculate
Cell Culture / sterile technique
Microscope use:
 Bright field
 Fluorescent
 SEM/TEM
 Confocal
Histology:
 Preparing slides
 Sectioning
 Staining
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DNA/RNA/Protein extraction
Spectroscopy
Databases (publicly available) bioinformatics
Field work/Specimen collection
Greenhouse skills - gardening, irrigation
systems, fertilizers, grafting
Working with fossils
Working with animals – Specify:
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Working with insects – Specify:
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Basic anatomy
Phylogeny
General Skills:
 Lab safety / lab management
 Waste disposal
 Following protocols
 Documentation
 Washing glassware
 Literature search/analysis
Computer skills:
 Spreadsheets
 Programming
 Statistical Analysis
Measurement:
 Volume
 Weight
 Temperature
 pH
 Sensors