F173 Biomedical Techniques Virtual Lab

F173 Biomedical Techniques Virtual Lab

You are a trainee biomedical scientist in a hospital lab. Investigate three virtual patients by planning suitable biomedical tests, running simplified simulations, processing the data, and evaluating your methods—mapped to the F173 assessment criteria.

Welcome to HelixPoint Biomedical Diagnostics Laboratory

This virtual lab experience is inspired by the AQA Human Biology F173 Biomedical Techniques NEA assessment. It is a simplified, self‑contained simulation designed for learning and practice only.

You are a trainee biomedical scientist joining the fictitious HelixPoint Biomedical Diagnostics Laboratory. Three virtual patients have been referred with distinct symptom clusters. Your task is to:

  • Research likely differential diagnoses using focused biochemical keywords.
  • Plan safe, efficient test panels (qualitative ion tests, biochemical assays, chromatography, titration, colorimetry, etc.).
  • Perform simplified test simulations and record replicate data where quantitative.
  • Process & Interpret results (means, calibration curves, uncertainty, reference ranges).
  • Evaluate method quality and propose improvements.

Your performance earns points mapped to the F173 criteria clusters (P / M / D). Each patient contributes to an overall score that you will see at the end. High scores reflect strong evidence selection, appropriate test choice, sound data handling, and critical evaluation.

Important: All patient data and outcomes are fictitious. This tool does not represent real clinical decision support and must not be used for real diagnosis or treatment.

Choose a Patient

Investigation Dashboard

Overall Summary

Quick definitions

Assessment checklist

Tick off guidance as students demonstrate evidence against the criteria. This is a quick memory aid only; always refer to the official specification.

Use research to identify diseases

Create a method with suitable tests

Complete a risk assessment

Assess two suspected diseases

Explain rationale for chosen tests

Justify equipment choice

Perform the investigation safely

Record data appropriately

Quality of practical work

Use maths to process data

Compare data with value ranges

Calculate percentage uncertainties

Justify which patient each sample belongs to

Explain sources of error

Justify final disease diagnosis

Assess effectiveness of methods

Evaluate sources and strengths

Justify improvements