It is reported by some employers (ABPI survey1: Bioscience Federation2 3) that there is a shortage of appropriately skilled graduates in some bioscience areas particularly with regard to graduates with laboratory skills and aptitudes. One of the factors which has led to a general reduction in the practical experience available to students in years 1 and 2 has been the introduction of teaching of generic skills and knowledge which have in part been found a place in the curriculum at the expense of some practical work. In addition there is an increasing trend for students to take final year research projects based outside the traditional research laboratory context. The desire to reduce costs and the increased number of students are further pressures to reduce practical classes and the larger number of students means practicals may need to be simpler and more "cook-book" in nature. These and other factors have contributed to a reduction in the involvement of students in laboratory work and in their development of laboratory skills and aptitudes.
