Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

Cross-Disciplinary Bioengineering

• code 13571
• course 4
• term Semester 1
• type OB
• credits 6

Module: ADVANCED TRAINING

Matter: MATERIALS III

Main language of instruction: English

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish

Head instructor

Dra. Jenifer OLMOS - jolmos@uic.es

Office hours

Please send an email to set up a meeting

Jenifer Olmos: jolmos@uic.es

Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary science where the knowledge of biological systems and engineering serves to develop new technologies with diverse biomedical applications. However, beyond these applications, Bioengineering can be used as a means of innovation in other fields unrelated to health science. This subject aims to show the student that a bioengineer can provide solutions to problems or situations of daily life in areas with no apparent connection to Bioengineering.

• To apply the knowledge learned in Bioengineering as a tool to respond to the growing needs of society not only in the field of health science, but also in other areas
• To think creatively and innovatively
• To think laterally avoiding linear thinking
• To work in an interdisciplinary manner to achieve greater success in solving problems or situations
• To work individually or in a group
• To present and debate the topics in all areas of study

• CB1 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study based on general secondary education. This knowledge should be of a level that, although based on advanced textbooks, also includes some of the cutting-edge elements from their field of study.
• CB2 - Students must know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have the competences that are demonstrated through the creation and defence of arguments and the resolution of problems within their field of study.
• CB3 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) and to issue judgements that include a reflection on important issues that are social, scientific or ethical in nature.
• CB4 - Students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• CB5 - Students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
• CE13 - To identify, understand and use the principles behind electronics, sensors, air conditioners and systems that acquire biomedical signals
• CE14 - The ability to understand and apply the principles of basic knowledge of general chemistry, organic and inorganic chemistry, and their applications in engineering
• CE15 - The ability to undertake a project through the use of data sources, the application of methodologies, research techniques and tools specific to Bioengineering, give a presentation and publicly defend it to a specialist audience in a way that demonstrates the acquisition of the competences and knowledge that are specific to this degree programme.
• CE19 - To know how to select and apply material based on its properties and electric, magnetic, mechanical and chemical behaviour
• CE21 - The ability to understand and apply biotechnological methodologies and tools to research, as well as to the development and production of products and services.
• CE6 - To incorporate the foundations of science and materials technology, while taking into account the relationship between microstructure, synthesis or process and the properties of materials.
• CG1 - To undertake projects in the field of Bioengineering that aim to achieve a concept and a design, as well as manufacture prosthetics and orthotics that are specific to a certain pathology or need.
• CG10 - To know how to work in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
• CG2 - To promote the values that are specific to a peaceful culture, thus contributing to democratic coexistence, respect for human rights and fundamental principles such as equality and non-discrimination.
• CG3 - To be able to learn new methods and theories and be versatile so as to adapt to new situations.
• CG4 - To resolve problems based on initiative, be good at decision-making, creativity, critical reasoning and communication, as well as the transmission of knowledge, skills and prowess in the field of Bioengineering
• CG5 - To undertake calculations, valuations, appraisals, expert reports, studies, reports, work plans and other similar tasks.
• CG7 - To analyse and evaluate the social and environmental impact of technical solutions
• CG8 - To apply quality principles and methods.
• CT2 - The ability to link welfare with globalisation and sustainability; to acquire the ability to use skills, technology, the economy and sustainability in a balanced and compatible manner.
• CT3 - To know how to communicate learning results to other people both verbally and in writing, and well as thought processes and decision-making; to participate in debates in each particular specialist areas.
• CT4 - To be able to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team, whether as a member or by management tasks, with the aim of contributing to undertaking projects based on pragmatism and a feeling of responsibility, taking on commitment while bearing the resources available in mind.
• CT5 - To use information sources in a reliable manner. To manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualisation of data and information in your specialist area and critically evaluate the results of this management.
• CT6 - To detect gaps in your own knowledge and overcome this through critical reflection and choosing better actions to broaden your knowledge.
• CT7 - To be fluent in a third language, usually English, with a suitable verbal and written level that is in line with graduate requirements.

• Put into practice the knowledge acquired during the previous years, applying it to areas unrelated to Bioengineering
• Be able to identify and provide solutions to problems or situations present in everyday life from a bioengineering point of view.
• Think beyond the role of bioengineer, assisting other fields of work and research.
• Grow transversally and not individually in an interdisciplinary team.
• Know how to present a problem or situation and defend it with arguments in a debate before an audience that is not necessarily scientific.

1. Forensics
2. Cosmetics
3. Textiles
4. Nutrition and food
5. Industrial quality
6. Pharmacy
7. Veterinary
8. Farming
9. Architecture and civil engineering
10. Environment
11. Automotive industry
12. Gaming and virtual reality

The course will be divided into topics that will consist of a theoretical session by the teacher/s, followed by another session to present a topic through a slide presentation for later group discussion.

At the end of the course, each student will have to complete a final project on one of the topics that they will be coveting during the course, which they will have to present through a slide presentation and defend.

Eventually, the teacher could use the Moodle platform that could include various resources, such as forms, exercises, multimedia material... that the student must complete to finish the course.

Classes will be taught in English, although students' questions will be answered in the language they prefer (Spanish, Catalan or English). The teaching material will be presented in English mainly, with some exceptions (graphs, tables...)

The ECTS credit ratio and the workload in learning hours depend on the different methodologies that will be used. Each theoretical ECTS credit has 10 hours in which the teacher is present in the classroom. The rest of the hours up to 25, consist of the student’s directed and individual learning. This final teaching section can be carried out through individual activities, group work that will be presented and defended in class or individual study necessary to achieve the learning objectives of the different subjects

Exam 1st sitting:

1. Weekly assignments (50%):

-      Presentations (25%)

-      Discussions (25%)

1. Final project (50%)

A final mark of 5 is required to pass the course.

Failure to attend the presentations and debates will result in no score for that session.

Arriving more than 15 minutes late for the beginning of the class or after the break in more than 10% of the total classes will lead to a reduction of 0.5 points from the final mark. This will also apply for unexcused absences.

The same criteria will be applied for the second sitting, but without the option of honours.

Important considerations

1. Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will result in a zero in that assessment. Moreover, in exams it will mean the immediate failure in the whole subject.

2. Changes in the calendar, exam dates or the assessment system will not be accepted. Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or those repeating will be subject to the same conditions as the rest of the students.

3. Attendance is mandatory and must be over 90% to pass the subject.