Title: Optional: Scientific Lab Report
Course: ATEP - Biotechnology Module B > Section: Course Safety and Training

Lab Reports

Scientific Lab reports are often used in science classes to prepare for, design and communicate results from an experiment.

The rubric below list common parts of a quality scientific lab report.

Your teacher may or may not require you to use this format with experimental data.

Lab Report Structure

Each lab report should include three parts:

1. The pre-lab write-up, which is done before you begin the experiment.
2. The lab data, which includes the standard operating procedure (SOP) used, the data and detailed observations you make while performing the lab, any changes that had to be made in the procedure and by whom, and comments you need to include in your lab report to reflect what happened during the experiment.
3. The conclusion, which is involves any calculations, conclusions drawn, and questions answered after the lab is completed. Most lab exercises come with a set of analysis questions to be answered.

Lab Report Structure

Before lab: Complete your Pre-lab

This must be completed before coming to lab and should include the following:

1. Heading – name of lab, date of lab, name of student, lab partner’s names
2. A short description of the purpose of the lab: What is the objective of the lab, the equipment or the procedure you are about to perform?
3. Safety information pertaining to this lab: Record the name of each chemical provided by your instructor, the company that manufactured it, its lot number, its catalog number, the date the bottle was opened (if available) and the expiration date (if available). What is the difference between a catalog number and a lot number?
4. A list of materials and equipment required
5. Detailed list of steps, leaving at least one space between each numbered step. Use your own language, leaving out explanations for each step. Your procedure should be on the left half of the page, and use the right side of the page to record notes and results during lab.

*Slime Recipe

- Perform the following laboratory activity. Pay particular attention to how you document your work.
- Measure 25 mL of 4% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) into a cup.
- Add 5 mL of 5% sodium borate (Borax) to the PVA solution.
- Stir slowly until all the liquid has gelled.
- Experiment with slightly different proportions of the two components to see if you can get a gel that has what you consider to be better properties. Remember to document your work as you go along. Record both the amounts of both components and the resulting effects on the slime.

1.2.6 How can I achieve the grade I want in lab?

During Lab

At the beginning of the lab itself the instructor will check off your pre-lab, much as your supervisor will check off your work in industry.

1. During lab you will take notes in pen as described above.
2. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. Yes, we mean everything. How much did you actually weigh out? What are the supplier and the lot number of the reagent? What balance number did you use? What color was your solution? When did it start boiling? How long did each sample take to come off the column? And so on. Be sure to include any changes you made to the procedure in the lab handout, even if they were at the instructor’s direction;
3. Always show calculations. In some labs, even the room temperature and humidity is recorded since that can affect the experiment. Writing down everything improves your observational skills, helps you understand the importance of each step, and provides a record of how an experiment might have gone wrong. Each individual should record his or her own notes, even when working in teams.

1.2.7 How can I achieve the grade I want in lab?

After Lab

1. Conclusion: The conclusion is written after the lab, but look at the questions ahead of time to know what to expect. Analyze your data as outlined in the manual. Explain your results, good or bad. The conclusion questions will be graded based on whether they are complete, correct and well written.

Your instructor will tell you how soon you must submit your final lab report after you finish the lab exercise. Make sure your report is easy to read and well organized. Include a title page, pre-lab with all lab experimental notes, results, any forms filled out, and post-lab question sheet.

1.2.8 Revising your Report

Using what you have learned in this section, peer discussion and explanations from your teacher, revise your lab report before final submission.

Make sure to view the Biotechnology lab Report Rubric before submitting.