This is the transcript for the video Science and Maths Lab Tour
Samara: Hey, I’m Samara, and I’m a Student Ambassador here at the Faculty of Science at UTS. I’m also studying forensic biology and taphonomy. I’m about to head into Building 7, it’s home to most of our labs, and facilities across our science and maths degrees, here at our City campus. Students don’t just learn here, we also get involved with world class research being done, getting involved with various internships and other opportunities in the faculty for undergrad students. Do you want to have look around?
Samara: Behind me is the UTS Superlab, it’s on level one of Building 7, and it can house up to 200 students and has twenty five benches for people who are working all the same time. When this lab first opened, it was the first multidisciplinary lab of its kind in Australia.
Samara: It was designed to facilitate collaborative opportunities in a multidisciplinary environment, while also ensuring that students still feel part of an intimate class group.
Samara: Our breakout spaces are equipped with SMART boards for group discussions and student presentations. Most first year science students have their first laboratory experience in the Superlab. Whether you’re solving physics problems or conducting chemistry experiments, you’ll be immersed in your work in this high-tech underground facility.
Samara: I’m here at the brand new Hive Superlab, which is located at the bottom of UTS Central. This Superlab, is a world class collaborative lab, which is PC-2 rated. This lab provides students access to biological material and equipment and prepares them for experiences that they may have in the workplace. In the space, students have access to specialised AV devices like bone conduction headphones. They sit on your temple so that you can hear your demonstrator and also work with nearby collaborators. This lab can hold two hundred and seventy students and run seven classes simultaneously in the different coloured zones. This teaching space opened this semester, so you’re more than likely have a lab in here soon.
Samara: I’m now at the Microstructural Analysis Unit where researchers in both the physical and biological sciences have access to a comprehensive array of state of the art analytical microscopy tools, as well as materials analysis and fabrication equipment.
Samara: Materials analysis is conducted here using scanning electron microscopes. These microscopes can see structures down to 10 nanometres. There’s also a transmission electron microscope which can see down to 0.4 nanometres. This allows us to see the gaps between atoms.
Samara: This is the Crime Scene Simulation Lab. It’s on the bottom of Building 7, and it’s used by forensic science students to get real world experience. Our students are able to learn how to process a crime scene under expected protocols.
Samara: During a practical lesson here, you can expect to process the crime scene under industry guidelines for criminal investigations. They use this space to detect trace items such as hair fibres, glass fragments and even blood spatter. If you’re thinking about studying forensic science, you’ll likely do many of your assessments and prep tasks in this room.
Samara: I’m standing at the entrance to the Surgical and Anatomy Labs, come have a look. Inside, anatomy and physiology students learn at one of Australia’s foremost human anatomical labs alongside researchers and industry partners. Our students who are enrolled in health and medical science degrees may get the opportunity to work with real cadavers that have been donated to advance the cause of science.
Samara: Our students learn from highly skilled technical and academic staff who also train current and future doctors and surgeons. If you managed to score a marine science research internship or decide to pursue research after your degree, you’ll get access to our aquarium and coral tank facilities at our City campus. You’ll also get the chance to get involved with the amazing conservation research with the Sydney Institute of Marine Science.
Samara: Well, I hope you enjoyed the tour. I’m just about to grab a quick coffee, but hopefully I’ll see you on campus soon!