Abstract:

First-year students pursuing scientific and experimental degrees, such as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, often lack laboratory experience, posing challenges in adapting to experimental practices integral to many degree courses. Currently, there is an absence of comprehensive and accessible laboratory practice manuals specifically tailored for the Biology course that address all necessary aspects for effective laboratory work. Additionally, it is noteworthy that teaching and learning resources designed for the Biology subject (BI2201) within the degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Universitat Jaume I (Spain) are predominantly written in Spanish. However, the current context of university education internationalization reveals the need to transition to English, promoting the use of scientific terminology widely recognized as the language of science and facilitating the integration of international students. This work aimed to evaluate the needs of first-year Biology students through an anonymous survey conducted within the scientific degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This program involves a significant practical and experimental component, making it crucial to identify specific concerns and requirements related to Biology laboratory practices among students, including their proficiency in English. The results of this survey underscored specific needs, including the absence of preliminary information about laboratory instruments, methodologies and tools in the Biology laboratory manuals. One key finding from our survey was that the current laboratory manuals are incomplete, as they primarily focused on specific procedures without considering the likelihood that most students lack prior laboratory experience. In addition, our work revealed that more than 60% of students perceived laboratory manuals written in English as potential obstacles to the correct development of practical lessons, highlighting the requirement to enhance English skills among first-year university students. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the essential requirement to incorporate clarifications, definitions, and additional explanations in English within Biology laboratory manuals to enhance students' understanding of procedures and contribute to their comprehensive scientific education.

Therefore, our study shed new light in understanding student needs required to:
(i) improve their overall comprehension of laboratory procedures,
(ii) contribute to their scientific education, and
(iii) help them build a strong technical vocabulary in English, beneficial for their academic and professional future in Biology and related fields, such as Health Sciences.

Keywords:

Biology, laboratory manual, student needs, science.