Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Biochemistry
Teaching staff
Students may ask lecturers questions at the end of each class. For enquiries outside of class time, students must make an appointment by email:
Samuel Bru: sbru@uic.es
Reyes Carballar: rcarballar@uic.es
Pedro Mateos: pmateosaparicio@uic.es
Núria Masip: nmasip@uic.es
Introduction
Nowadays, illnesses are explained in molecular terms, and knowledge of Biochemistry and Cell Biology is indispensable for correctly analysing aetiology, making diagnoses, administering treatment and assessing therapeutic processes. This is why future medical professionals must know how the human body works on a biochemical and molecular basis.
This subject aims to give medicine students a global view of the basic aspects of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and of scientific methodology in general. It has been designed in a practical way, each topic focusing on those concepts and situations that facilitates the comprehension associated to a professional vocation in the field of medicine.
Pre-course requirements
The subject does not require any specific administrative condition. However, in order to follow the course successfully, you should have the following knowledge:
- Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology at secondary school level.
Objectives
By the end of this course, students must have acquired the basic knowledge indicated in the programme, but above all, must have acquired a new perspective of the human body.
The mission of this subject (and, therefore, its final objective) is for students to gradually enter into the molecular logic of life and to understand the functioning of the human body as the coordination of myriads of molecules acting at the same time.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 07 - Understand and recognise normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ and systemetic levels, at different stages of life and in both sexes.
- 09 - Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
- 31 - Understand, critically evaluate and know how to use sources of clinical and biomedical information to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health care information.
- 34 - Ability for critical thinking, creativity and constructive skeptisim with a focus on research within professional practice.
- 36 - Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically evaluate information for problem solving using the scientific method.
- 37 - Acquire basic training for research.
- CB-1 - To have acquired advanced knowledge and demonstrated, within the context of highly specialised scientific and technological research, detailed comprehension based on theoretical and practical aspects and a working methodology from one or more fields of study.
- CB-5 - To transmit in a clear and unambiguous way to a specialised or non-specialised audience, the results of scientific and technological research projects and innovation from the field of the most advanced innovation, as well as the most important concepts which they are based on.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, students will:
- Understand the structure and function of biomolecules.
- Apply the principles of inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry in the study of biomolecules and fundamental biochemical processes.
- Know the structure and composition of cells.
- Know the main metabolic routes.
- Understand and integrate metabolic regulation systems.
- Be curious about what is considered normal and knows how to formulate questions and hypotheses.
- Have the basic tools to orally present data, results or theoretical concepts in a clear and concise manner.
Syllabus
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The following teaching resources will be performed in the classroom:
Lecture (Master class, CM): Explanation of a theoretical topic by the lecturer. Duration: 1 hour and a half.
Virtual education (EV): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time and that will contribute to self-learning concepts related to the subject
The following teaching methods will be performed in-class:
Problem-based learning (PBL): Discussion of a situation in relation to specific issues related to the subject. Individual discussion in small groups that will finish with a collective group's discussion to draw conclusions. The lecturer only leads the conclusions that are elaborated entirely by the students.
Clinical cases (CC): Approach of a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the problem in small groups and later in class the answers are discussed. The lecturer actively participates and, if necessary, explain new knowledge to the students.
Practical (P): Experimental demonstration in the laboratory of concepts studied in theoretical classes. Familiarisation with the most frequent experimental techniques used in a biochemistry laboratory.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Students in first call:
- 20% Partial exam.
- 45% Final exam.
- 20% Evaluation of clinical cases.
- 10% Practice exam.
- 5% ABPs
2) Students in second call: 100% theoretical examination that includes all the concepts of the asignatura.
3) Students with two or more exhausted calls: they will do the final exam of each call that will have 65% of the final mark and that will make average with the note of practices, participation to class and preparation of the clinical cases obtained in the first call. Whenever they wish, students will be able to repeat attendance at internships, clinical cases and ABP and obtain a new grade.
General points to consider about the evaluation system:
1) In the final exam you will have to obtain a 4 of minimum mark to be able to make average with the marks of continuous evaluation (methods of the case, attitude and partial).
2) The exams will be of test type with 4 answer options, counting +1 the successes and -0.25 the errors.
3) 10% of the exam questions could be of concepts that have not been explained directly in the classroom but that are present in the recommended bibliography as well as in discussed articles, press or recommended virtual material.
4) The methods of the case will be evaluated through an oral presentation of the case. 10% of the grade will refer to the powerpoint document and the other 10% to the oral discussion. The oral participation of the students who are part of the audience will be valued very positively. In the final exam there will be 1 question for each of the methods in the case.
5) The ABPs will be evaluated according to the participation of the student during the session. In the final exam there will be 2 questions for each ABP.
6) The laboratory practices will be evaluated with a test-type exam that will be performed on the last day of practice. Internship concepts will not enter the final exam.
7) By participation in class (it can be an extra 10% in the final grade) is meant the contribution of interesting ideas or the raising of relevant questions that help to improve the quality of the session, either master class , clinical case or ABP.
8) Class attendance:
- Regular attendance at theory classes is recommended. Attendance at master classes is not mandatory, but attendees must be governed by the rules indicated by the teachers.
- Attendance at case methods, practices and ABP is mandatory, therefore punctuality will be required. Students must attend in the assigned groups.
- The expulsion of a master class student, case method or ABP will have a negative impact on ongoing assessments. The expulsion of a student from the laboratory classroom would mean the automatic suspension of the subject.
6) Improper use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops may lead to expulsion from class. Misuse is understood as the recording and dissemination of both students or teachers during the different lessons as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
General biochemistry:
- LEHNINGER. Principles of Biochemistry. Ed. Reverté.
- DEVLIN. Biochemistry. Ed. Reverté.
- STRYER. Biochemistry I i II. Ed. Reverté.
- MCKEE. Bioquímica. Las bases moleculares de la vida. Ed. MC Graw Hill.
Cell biology:
- LODISH. Molecular Cell Biology. Ed. Panamericana.
- ALBERTS. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Ed. Omega.
Metabolism:
- HARVEY, FERRIER. Biochemistry. Ed. Wolters Kluwer.
Review of general biology:
- FREEMAN. Biology. Ed. Addison-Wesley.
Evaluation period
- E1 12/01/2022 09:00h
- E2 05/07/2022 09:00h