Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
English
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
After class or by appointment through mclua@uic.es
Introduction
Evidence-based practices and professional activity in bioengineering rely on the fruitful navigation and critical reading of the scientific literature, namely scientific articles, and scientific articles are mostly published in English. This course offers students fast-track access to understanding this complex genre by looking at the structure, function and intention of the text. Furthermore, students will be introduced to simple tools to critique the quality of a scientific article also.
The course uses the topic of tissue engineering using scaffolds to explore different types of research designs. The course materials are designed to optimise interaction between students and teachers as the vehicle to learning the language of bioengineering in English.
Pre-course requirements
Recommended minimum level of English at the start of the course is B1 or higher
Objectives
- To prepare and equip students with the language resources necessary to understand, analyse and present bioengineering research in English.
- To give students a basic understanding of research design.
- To develop students’ interpersonal skills and ability to work with others in an additional language.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 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.
- 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.
- CE16 - To apply specific Bioengineering terminology both verbally and in writing in a foreign language.
- CG10 - To know how to work in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
- 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.
- CT7 - To be fluent in a third language, usually English, with a suitable verbal and written level that is in line with graduate requirements.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Students will show the following skills:
- Describe tissue structures at the micro, meso and macro level
- Distinguish between experimental and non-experimental research
- Describe the contribution of non-experimental research to experimental research.
- Identify the relationship between a research question and research methodology
- Identify and describe the structure and function of a full research article
- Analyse a research article using validated criteria
- Discern main points of a study
- Give a clear and well-organised oral presentation of an experimental study
- Demonstrate self-directed learning
Syllabus
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Course activities are based on collaborative problem-based learning designed to promote the development of research related knowledge and discussion using the language of Bioengineering Science in English.
The main project of the course is based on the reading, analysis and presentation of a full research article in small groups.
The Lecture Highlight activity is a presentation given by a small group of 3 people on a bioengineering topic of their choosing, which aims to contribute new knowledge to the class.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
|
Date |
Activity |
% of final grade |
19 de mayo, 12-14 |
Final exam |
20% |
22nd March, 10-12h |
Midterm exam |
15% |
Weekly tasks |
Course work Collaborative and individual tasks based on reading comprehension, listening comprehension, oral communication skills and writing skills. |
20% |
|
Scheduled weekly |
Group project I: Lecture highlight Oral presentation building on the content of a lecture from another subject. |
15% |
Weekly preparation Oral presentation: 10th May
|
Group project II: Presentation of an experimental research study |
30% |
Attendance and participation in class form part of continuous evaluation, which is fundamental to passing the course. It will not be possible to pass the course by only taking the final exam in any sitting.
An overall score of 5/10 is necessary to pass the course.
Should a student miss the midterm exam, they should present a valid justification, and if they have attended at least 80% of the classes, he or she will be able to take a midterm on the day of the final exam.
Second sitting exam: Students should contact their teacher one month before the second sitting exam to arrange any additional tasks required.
Bibliography and resources
Pedagogical materials are based on a wide range of professional and educational resources from current scientific publications and textbooks.
Mayer D. Essential Evidence-Based Medicine. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press. 2009
Evaluation period
- E1 19/05/2023 P2A01 12:00h
- E2 26/06/2023 P2A02 16:00h