Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Clinical Biochemistry
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Questions will be answered in person or through videocall with the teacher. Questions will not be answered by email.
Introduction
Clinical Biochemistry set the base to understand the biological foundations that are used to prevent, diagnose and predict various pathological states of human beings.
Pre-course requirements
Knowledge of the structure and function of molecules, metabolism and fundamental bases of human pathophysiology.
Objectives
To know the diagnostic utility of the different metabolic pathways.
- To emphasize the importance of the acid-base balance of the vascular system, a system where the biomarkers of the most important diagnostic utility of the different metabolic pathways are found.
- To review the role of the main macromolecules in metabolism from the point of view of clinical interest and the understanding of their role as biochemical evaluators of metabolic pathways.
To understand the pathophysiology and molecular basis of the most prevalent diseases.
To know and understand the biochemical mechanisms involved in the most common clinical disorders of the function of the main organs and systems (liver and biliary, cardiac and muscular, renal, thyroid, gonadal and gestational function)
To understand the role that biochemical methods and analysis play in the diagnosis and management of organ and system diseases.
To understand the semiological value and the clinical utility of the main tumor biochemical markers.
To know the analytical methods and functioning of the clinical biochemistry laboratory.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
Recognize the aspects that govern the pathological state and its implications at a clinical and diagnostic level.
Recognize basic concepts from different fields related to biomedical sciences.
Recognize the impact of microbiology, genetics and biochemistry on human health, as well as the diagnostic tools used in each of the Health fields.
That students have demonstrated to possess and understand knowledge in an area of study that starts from the base of general secondary education, and is usually found at a level that, although supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that imply knowledge from the forefront of your field of study
That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific or ethical nature.
Develop the capacity for organization and planning appropriate to the moment.
Develop the capacity for analysis and synthesis.
To be able to teamwork.
Reasoning and evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
Be able to carry out autonomous learning.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, the student:
Knows the basic principles and applications of clinical biochemistry used for the diagnosis of diseases.
Through the involvement of the main biomolecules in pathological processes related to metabolism, the student will know how we can use their determination and establishing reference values for their clinical use as diagnostic, prognostic or even risk factor markers.
Uses biochemical, cytogenetic and molecular biology markers applied to clinical diagnosis.
Handles basic material and techniques of a Clinical Biochemistry laboratory.
Works adequately/to the required level/ in a clinical laboratory including basic aspects of biosafety, handling and elimination of clinical and chemical waste, quality control and an annotated log of activities.
Knows how to execute and interpret some diagnostic tests typical of a Clinical Biochemistry laboratory.
Describes the main biochemical disorders in the function of organs and systems that are detected in ordinary clinical practice.
Describes and proposes methods and biochemical tests for the exploration of the function of organs and systems.
Knows how to discern which of them are the most appropriate in the context of clinical practice.
Interprets the biochemical determinations of the function of organs and systems within a specific clinical framework and identifies the different pathologies according to a specific biochemical profile.
Identifies a series of markers and the appropriate biochemical determinations for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of some of the most prevalent tumors.
Syllabus
A- Biochemical evaluation of metabolic pathways.
Unit 1: Proteins.
Unit 2: Enzymes.
Unit 3: Carbohydrates
Unit 4: Lipoproteins.
Unit 5: Calcium.
Unit 6: Acid - base equilibrum.
B- Biochemical evaluation of organs & system's function.
Unit 7: Hepatic function.
Unit 8: Cardiac & muscular function.
Unit 9: Renal function.
Unit 10: Tiroidal function.
Unit 12: Cancer's biochemistry & tumoral markers.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures: 50-minute presentation on a theoretical topic by the teacher.
Clinical cases or case methods (CM): Approach to a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the questions formulated in small groups or in interaction with the teacher and the answers are discussed. The teacher intervenes actively and, if necessary, contributes new knowledge.
Virtual Education (VE): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time which will contribute to self-learning of concepts related to the subject.
Laboratory practices: experimental demonstration in the laboratory of the concepts covered in the theoretical classes. Familiarization with the most common experimental resources in a biomedical laboratory.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Students in first call:
- Follow-up of the subject: 40%
Multiple choice exams will be done in some lectures.
- Laboratory practices: 10%
Multiple choice exams will be done at the end of the practical lessons.
- Case methods: 10%
Students will give a presentation (in small groups) on a topic that will be assigned by the instructor.
- Final exam: 40%
The teaching staff reserves up to 10% of the grade to be awarded for subjective arguments such as: involvement, participation, respect for basic rules, etc.
2) Students in second call: same criteria as in the first call.
3) Students repeating the subject: marks from continuous assessment (class participation, case methods, lab practices) will be kept in their profiles, although, whenever they wish, students will be able to attend the class again and obtain a new mark. The mark for the mid-term test will not be saved.
General points to consider about the assessment system:
1) In the final exam, a minimum mark of 5 must be obtained in order to be able to average the marks of continuous assessment (case, attitude and partial methods).
2) Exams will be multiple choice with 4 options, counting +1 for the correct answers and -0.25 for the errors.
3) 10% of the questions in the test may be related to concepts that have not been explained directly in the sessions but are present in the recommended bibliography as well as in articles, the press or recommended virtual material.
4) Attendance:
- Regular attendance at lectures and case methods is recommended.
- Attendance to lectures and case methods is not mandatory but students will have to meet the standards indicated by the teachers. The expulsion of a student from lectures or case methods will have a negative impact on the assessments.
- Attendance at practical lessons is mandatory and students must attend in the assigned groups. The expulsion of a student from the laboratory classroom will mean the automatic failure in the subject.
5) To decide to give an Honours mark, candidates will be given special consideration for their participation and involvement in the different methodologies of the subject, as well as respect for the subject’s basic standards.
6) The improper use of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops may result in expulsion from the class. The recording and dissemination of either students or teachers during the different lessons is regarded as improper use, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
Bioquímica Clínica. F. González Sastre. Ed. Barcanova
Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, 7th ed. C. Burtis, D. Bruns. Ed. Elsevier.
Bioquímica Clínica y Patología Molecular. X. Fuentes, M.J. Castiñeiras y J.M. Queraltó. Ed. Reverté.
Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. J.B. Henry, W.B. Saun
Harrison Principios de Medicina Interna. A.S. Fauci, E. Braunwald, D. L. Kasper, S. L. Hauser, D. L. Longo, J. L. Jameson, and J, Loscalzo, Eds. Ed Mc Graw Hill.
Harrison´s Nephrology and Acid-Base Disorders. J.L. Jameson. J. Lolcala. Ed Mc Graw Hill.
Clinical Guide to Laboratory Test. Norbert W. Tiezt. Ed. Saunders Company.
Evaluation period
- E1 04/06/2021 I3 09:00h
- E2 28/06/2021 16:00h