Standardizing biology laboratory curriculum in health education: a blueprint for European undergraduate programs

Current trends in education advocate for the development of skills alongside knowledge. Biology laboratories serve as essential platforms for developing practical skills and competencies such as data analysis, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-solving that are crucial for health science students. This article aims to identify a standardized, competency-based biology laboratory curriculum aligned with international educational frameworks. The curriculum may be integrated into undergraduate health curricula across European universities to ensure consistent and high-quality education. A systematic search of university curricula was conducted across 28 European countries and included 138 universities. Eligible programs included medicine, pharmacy, nursing, biology, biomedical sciences, and others. Of the 432 syllabi identified 290 were retrieved, and about half included a laboratory. Course outlines were analyzed for laboratory content and extracted data were summarized. The most frequently integrated laboratories were microscopy, isolation of DNA and PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, cell division, cell structure and function, lab safety, and using basic lab equipment. Learning objectives for foundational and advanced biology laboratories are presented. The proposed two-semester curriculum maps to the European Tuning and Vision and Change to provide a structured progression from foundational to advanced laboratory techniques. It utilizes digital tools, such as virtual labs and AI, to enhance accessibility and modernize laboratory education. In conclusion, the proposed curriculum provides a practical framework for implementing biology labs providing the foundational knowledge and competencies to prepare students to progress to more advanced topics in other disciplines, including physiology. It ensures consistent skill development across geographical locations, enhancing education quality and preparing students to address global health challenges.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study identifies the most frequently used biology laboratory topics in health-related undergraduate programs across 28 European countries. We propose a standardized two-semester curriculum that strengthens foundational biology skills and advanced molecular methods, grounding students in physiology education. This framework reduces disparities in laboratory training, fosters competency, and prepares students for global health challenges.