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Knowledge base

Laboratory knowledge for students: equipment, practical use and clear answers

Which lab coat suits your practical class? What belongs in a dissection kit? Do you need a stethoscope as soon as your degree begins? This knowledge base explains laboratory products, instruments and common teaching activities. Find out what equipment is intended for, how versions differ and what to check with your university before buying.
Conceptual illustration of student equipment

Starting your degree

  1. What equipment do biology students need, and when?Common personal items include a specified coat, suitable eye protection and, for certain classes, a dissection kit or hand lens. Your university's current list determin … 2 min read
  2. What equipment do medical students need?Buy for upcoming teaching: a coat and eyewear for science practicals, a suitable kit for anatomy, and a suitable stethoscope for examination classes. Not everything is … 1 min read
  3. What happens in an anatomical dissection course?In Germany, “Präpkurs” usually means a gross-anatomy dissection class. Students learn structures and spatial relationships under supervision, often through body donatio … 1 min read
  4. What is a U-Kurs in medical school?At German medical faculties, “U-Kurs” usually abbreviates Untersuchungskurs, a clinical examination course. Students learn history-taking and basic examination. The nam … 1 min read
  5. Autopsy, post-mortem examination and anatomy teachingIn German medical usage, “Sektion”, “Obduktion” and “Autopsie” refer to examination after death. Clinical autopsy particularly investigates disease and cause of death; … 1 min read
  6. Equipment for dentistry, veterinary medicine, chemistry and pharmacyDegrees involving laboratories and dissection overlap, but their shopping lists are not identical. The actual class, institutional rules and product purpose govern. Buy … 1 min read
  7. Animal dissection in Germany: what applies in schools and universities?Teaching may lawfully use appropriately sourced dead animals or organs. This does not authorise capturing, killing or experimenting on living animals. Species, origin, … 3 min read
  8. Which products suit which university course?Match equipment to a class rather than a degree label. This table gives typical applications and shop starting points, not a nationwide mandatory list. Always compare y … 2 min read
  9. Planning a student association equipment orderA well-organised order groups suitable needs and helps new students choose. It requires a checked course list, clear sizing, adequate lead time and an understandable or … 1 min read

Lab coats & protection

  1. Cotton or blended lab coats: which suits your practical class?A 100% cotton lab coat suits many university practical classes where the course rules require or permit it. The task and local requirements decide. Pure cotton is neith … 2 min read
  2. How do I find the right lab coat size?Use the size chart for the actual model. Measure chest, waist and hips, account for clothing underneath and check sleeves, shoulders and freedom of movement. Converting … 1 min read
  3. Cleaning a lab coat: washing, stains and contaminationWhether you may wash a coat yourself depends first on how it was used and any possible contamination. A coat contaminated with hazardous substances or biological agents … 2 min read
  4. Autoclaving a lab coat: when is it appropriate?A coat may be autoclaved only if its complete construction is suitable and an appropriate procedure has been defined. “100% cotton” or “hot-washable” is insufficient ev … 1 min read
  5. Does a lab coat provide enough protection from chemicals?An ordinary coat adds a textile barrier but is not universal chemical protection. Suitability depends on the risk assessment, substances and working method. Additional … 1 min read
  6. Nitrile, latex or vinyl: which disposable gloves suit laboratory work?Disposable gloves differ in material, fit and declared performance. “Nitrile” alone does not establish chemical protection. The actual model, substances and working con … 1 min read
  7. Which safety eyewear do I need in the laboratory?Select eyewear for the actual eye hazard and course rules. Ordinary prescription glasses do not replace required protection. Safety spectacles, over-glasses and goggles … 1 min read
  8. Embroidering lab coats: how direct embroidery worksDirect embroidery stitches a design into the coat using thread. A logo must first become a machine-readable stitch file. Properly planned embroidery can be durable for … 2 min read
  9. Embroidery, flocking, printing or heat transfer on lab coats?Direct embroidery is often useful for small logos on frequently used suitable coats. Printing and transfer can suit other designs or care conditions. “Only embroidery t … 2 min read
  10. Why are lab coats usually white?White makes many stains easier to see and provides a neutral, recognisable work garment. It is also associated with cleanliness and medical or scientific work. White al … 1 min read
  11. Hygiene standards for coats, hands and instrumentsLaboratory hygiene combines organised work, appropriate hand hygiene, suitable clothing and defined procedures for equipment and waste. Standards depend on activities a … 1 min read
  12. Why nitrile rather than latex, and what does powder-free mean?Nitrile lacks natural rubber latex proteins and is frequently an alternative. Powder-free latex gloves are not universally prohibited. Powdered natural-latex gloves mus … 1 min read

Instruments

  1. Choosing a dissection kit for biology or medicineChoose the kit that matches your current course list. Biology practicals often emphasise small specimens and fine work; anatomy courses may require different combinatio … 2 min read
  2. Which scalpel blade fits which handle?Compatibility depends on the blade system. Common fitting systems distinguish smaller and larger mounts, such as handles 3 and 4. BAYHA uses its own mount. The same bla … 2 min read
  3. Should a scalpel be sharpened or its blade replaced?Replace single-use scalpel blades rather than resharpening them. A reusable fixed-edge dissecting scalpel should be sharpened only when the manufacturer permits it and … 1 min read
  4. Anatomical, toothed and fine forceps: which type for which task?Anatomical forceps generally have ridged gripping surfaces without interlocking teeth. Surgical or toothed forceps have such teeth. Fine pointed forceps help handle ver … 1 min read
  5. Which dissecting scissors suit which task?Length, blade form and tips determine use. Small pointed scissors differ from a longer slender Metzenbaum pattern. Fine dissecting scissors are not general-purpose scis … 1 min read
  6. Clamps, needle holders, probes and dissecting needlesA clamp holds material; a needle holder controls a suture needle; a probe helps explore structures gently; a dissecting needle positions small specimen parts. Similar f … 1 min read
  7. Instrument materials: why can stainless steel corrode?Many dissecting instruments use stainless steel. Its corrosion resistance depends on a protective surface layer. Unsuitable chemicals, residue, moisture and poor care c … 1 min read
  8. Cleaning, drying and storing dissecting instrumentsCare depends on the instrument, its use and its instructions. Plan contamination handling, appropriate cleaning, complete drying and a visual and functional check. Do n … 1 min read
  9. Fabric, synthetic leather or wood: storing a dissection kitA suitable case organises clean, dry tools and protects delicate ends during transport. Materials differ in weight, bulk and care. Ordinary cases do not replace contain … 1 min read
  10. Disposing of scalpel blades and needles safelyPlace used blades, needles and comparable sharp items immediately into the appropriate designated sharps container. Biological or chemical contamination also determines … 1 min read
  11. Stethoscope types: which is suitable for medical students?A well-made acoustic instrument with comfortable sealing earpieces and suitable sound performance is a useful basis for many examination courses. A simple flat-head mod … 1 min read
  12. What is a suturing practice kit for?It supports training on a model, including instrument handling, coordination and assigned tasks. It replaces neither professional teaching nor clinical-use equipment. 1 min read

Microscopy & lab practice

  1. How to use a hand lens properlyHold a compact folding lens close to one eye and move the specimen until it appears sharp. Support your hands and use good light. More magnification is not always better. 1 min read
  2. Slides and coverslips: preparing a useful fresh specimenThe slide supports the specimen; in many preparation methods a thin coverslip covers it. Cleanliness, suitable thickness and the right amount of liquid often matter mor … 1 min read
  3. Using pH paper and reading colour scalespH paper estimates how acidic or alkaline a suitable aqueous sample is through colour change. Select the range, use a clean subsample and compare at the specified time … 1 min read
  4. Laboratory glass or plastic: choosing the materialSelect vessels for the sample, temperature, chemical contact and required measurement accuracy. Borosilicate glass is robust for many uses but not indestructible. Light … 1 min read
  5. Laboratory glossary for studentsSimilar-sounding terms can mean different things. These definitions link to the detailed guides. 2 min read
  6. Transfer pipettes: moving drops or measuring accurately?Simple transfer pipettes move small quantities where high accuracy is unnecessary. Printed graduations do not automatically make them precision devices. Defined volumes … 1 min read
  7. Your first laboratory day: preparation and good working habitsRead current instructions, assemble required equipment and take induction seriously. A good result begins with a understood process and prepared workspace, not the larg … 1 min read

General guidance for study and teaching. For your actual work, your safety briefing, hygiene plan, lab instructions and the product instructions apply. Legal information refers to Germany.