Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Biochemistry I
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
The doubts related to the subject will be solved with the assigned instructor. Please ask for an appointment by e-mail.
Instructors:
- Dr. Jorge Pérez-Valle (coordination, CMs and MCs); jperezv@uic.es
Introduction
Biochemistry I is a 6-ECTS basic subject of the first semester from Biomedicine studies. This subject further the students' knowledge on Organic Chemistry and Macromolecules Biochemistry acquired along their high school diploma. The basic topics of the subject are related to general concepts about the structure and function of the biological molecules. Therefore, the subject aims to explain the processes related to the structure of the most abundant organic molecules and their relationship with the function in the organism.
The Biochemistry I course is mainly aligned with SDG 3 (Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Innovation), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption).
Pre-course requirements
Prerequisites are not required
Objectives
The general objective of the subject is to provide the foundations of biochemistry that are considered necessary for the understanding of different subjects of the Degree in Biomedical Sciences.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN04 - Identify the basic principles of human nutrition and its relationship with illness and well-being, and identify erroneous concepts that have been disseminated in society.
- CP02 - Apply scientific methodology to interpret practical or theoretical data by evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
- HB02 - Apply the principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry to the study of the structure and function of biomolecules and their metabolism.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completing the course, students should be able to:
- Define the structure and function of biomolecules and their roles in essential biological and metabolic processes.
- Apply principles of organic and inorganic chemistry to the study of biomolecules and fundamental biochemical processes, understanding basic chemical formulation.
- Describe the biochemical and molecular basis of protein folding, intracellular trafficking, post-translational modifications, and protein turnover.
- Interpret enzymatic kinetics, regulation, and inhibition principles, and their impact on metabolic processes, applying this knowledge to solve practical and biomedical problems.
- Identify the biochemical basis of diseases linked to imbalances in carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nitrogenous compounds, vitamins, and minerals, as well as the role of oxidative stress in pathophysiology.
Syllabus
In the theoretical classes, the following topics are covered:
- Topic 1: The chemistry of Carbon
- Topic 2: Properties of water
- Topic 3: Structure and Function: Carbohydrates
- Topic 4: Structure and Function: Proteins
- Topic 5: Fibrous and globular proteins
- Topic 6: Proteins in motion: Contractile systems and molecular motors
- Topic 7: Receptors and Cell Signaling
- Topic 8: Enzyme kinetics
- Topic 9: Enzyme regulation and inhibition I
- Topic 10: Enzyme regulation and inhibition II
- Topic 11: Structure and function: Lipids
- Topic 12: Nitrogen-containing compounds
- Topic 13: Vitamins and Minerals
- Topic 14: Oxidative stress
In the Case Method sessions, interspersed with the theoretical classes, the following contents will be addressed:
- CM1: Nomenclature of Carbon compounds
- CM2: Nutritional requirements of carbohydrates
- CM3: Nutritional requirements of proteins
- CM4: Protein-related diseases I
- CM5: Protein-related diseases II
- CM6: Receptors and Cell Signaling
- CM7: Enzyme kinetics
- CM8: Enzyme regulation and inhibition
- CM9: Nutritional requirements of lipids
- CM10: Nitrogen-related diseases
- CM11: Introduction to Metabolism
- CM12: Vitamins
- CM13: Minerals
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The contents will be delivered using two different methodologies or training activities:
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Lectures (32 hours): the teaching staff conveys knowledge in the classroom to the whole group of students.
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CMs or Case Method (28 hours): students, working in groups, solve clinical cases that will be provided to them on that day by the teaching staff. In the classroom, students present their conclusions with the active participation of the teaching staff, who may introduce new concepts whenever necessary.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Students in the first and second sitting:
The final grade will be calculated taking into account the different assessable activities carried out during the course:
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Midterm exam 20%
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Final exam 70%
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Case Methods 10%
The course will be passed when the average grade is equal to or higher than 5. Please note:
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A minimum grade of 5 must be obtained in the final exam in order to average it with the continuous assessment grades (case methods and midterm exam).
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Exams will be multiple-choice with 4 options, scoring +1 for correct answers and -0.33 for incorrect answers.
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Up to 10% of the exam questions may cover concepts not explained directly in class but included in the recommended bibliography, as well as in discussed articles, press, or recommended virtual material.
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Class participation refers to contributing interesting ideas or raising pertinent questions that help improve the quality of the session, whether a lecture or a clinical case, as well as using the camera during lectures. Students who engage and participate actively in the course may receive up to an additional 10% excellence bonus.
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Class attendance:
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Regular attendance at lectures is recommended. Attendance at lectures is not mandatory, but those attending must follow the rules set by the professors.
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Attendance at Case Method sessions is mandatory. To pass the course, the student must have attended at least 80% of the sessions. A maximum of 2 unjustified absences is allowed without losing the possibility of passing; however, these absences will negatively affect the grade in this section.
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Expulsion from a lecture or a case method session will negatively affect continuous assessment.
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Improper use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or laptops may result in expulsion from class. Improper use includes recording or distributing images/sound of students or professors during lessons, as well as using these devices for recreational rather than educational purposes.
Repeating students:
The grade obtained in the Case Methods will be retained for the following academic year, although students may choose to repeat these sessions to obtain a new grade.
The student may take the midterm exam or, alternatively, directly sit the final exam (in this case, the final exam will account for 85% of the final grade for the course).
Bibliography and resources
Chang, Raymond. Química. 11ª ed. McGraw-Hill, 2013.
Lehninger. Principios de Bioquímica. 4ª ed. Nelson D. y Cox, M. Editorial Omega, 2005.
Stryer, Berg y Tymoczko. Bioquímica. 5ª ed. Ed. Reverté, 2002.
C.K. Mathews, K.E. Van Holde y K.G. Ahern (2002) Bioquímica. 3ª Edición. Pearson Educación.
Evaluation period
- E1 12/01/2026 A16 14:00h
- E2 15/06/2026 A16 11:00h