Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Sturcture and Function: Musculoskeletal System
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Coordinator:
Dr. Christian Yela Verdú
cpyela@uic.es
Teaching staff:
Dr. Mariano Balaguer Castro
mbalaguer@uic.es
Sr Max Canet
mcanet@uic.es
Dra. Andrea Santuy Muñoz
asantuy@uic.es
Introduction
This subject will provide the necessary knowledge about the musculoskeletal system which contributes to the maintenance of human homeostasis. Students will learn about both their physiological and structural parts.
Pre-course requirements
Knowledge of basic molecular, cellular and chemical terminology
Objectives
To know connective and muscular tissue components
To understand the connective and muscular tissue functions and how function.
To learn the general muscular and skeletal system of human anatomy.
To know the physiological processes that enable these tissues to achieve their functions.
To learn about physiological and structural alterations that can lead to disease in humans.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN06 - Describe the anatomical, physiological and histological aspects of the organs and systems in the human body at different stages in life, in both sexes.
- CN07 - Identify the structure, function and action mechanisms of the components of the immune system, both when healthy or when experiencing a pathology.
- 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.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completing the course, students should be able to:
● Identify musculoskeletal anatomy through macroscopic methods.
● Distinguish the shape, structure, and functions of the musculoskeletal system, considering different muscle types.
● Identify the main bones of the human body, as well as their physiology, formation, and remodeling.
● Understand the importance and functioning of calcium homeostasis.
● Describe the processes that occur after a fracture or bone disease.
● Identify the internal processes that trigger muscle contraction.
● Explain the processes that take place after muscle injury.
Syllabus
Part 1. Physiology and structure of the connective tissue.
Part 2. Cartilage tissue
Part 3. Bone tissue
Part 4. Muscular tissue
Part 5. General anatomy of the human body
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures: 120 minutes (15-minute break) on a theoretical subject by the teacher. Visual support is used in power point format to accompany the explanations. Clinical cases or case methods (CM): Statement of a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the questions asked in small groups or in interaction with the teacher and the answers are discussed. The teacher actively intervenes and if necessary, provides new knowledge. In these classes you can discuss content that examines in greater depth the topics covered in the master classes or new topics. The master classes have the same importance and the same weight as questions in the final exam. Laboratory practice (PL): Practical sessions in the dissection laboratory where dissection and identification of the different tissues seen in the theoretical part will be worked on. Practical sessions in the classroom where research tools will be used to assess muscle variables.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1st, 3rd and 5th call consists of: 20% final practical test, 65% final theoretical test, 15% continuous evaluation.
Practical test.
- Day: To be determined
- Type of test: 10 questions related to the practices carried out in the course.
- The wrong question does not subtract.
- The person who does not pass this exam does not pass the course.
Final exam.
- Day: To be determined
- Type of test: 40-60 multiple choice questions.
- It includes all the material explained in the classes (theoretical, practical and case methods), as well as the contents included in the recommended bibliography.
- It is essential to pass this exam in order to pass the course.
- Each question will consist of four answer options, of which only one will be correct.
Incorrect answers will incur a penalty of 0.33 points.
Unanswered questions will not be penalised.
Continuous evaluation: questions, works and tests carried out during the classes (both oral and written). Included are moodle quizzes that can be announced or can be surprise (without prior notice in the same class) and attitude assessment by the teacher.
REMARKS:
- The final exam and the practical exam must be passed to pass the subject with a grade equal or higher than 5.
- In order to pass the subject an overall grade equal to or higher than 5 must be obtained (in addition to the above point).
- The person who has passed the practical exam and final theoretical exam, but the average does not exceed 5, will have to take the exam with a lower grade (test type or practical) and get a better result in this exam so that the average is equal to or higher than 5.
2nd, 4th and 6th exams consists of: 40% practical test and 60% final test.
- The final test and the practical test will have the same characteristics as the previous exams.
Other points to take into account:
1) Class attendance:
Regular attendance to theory, practical and case methods classes is recommended.
Attendance to the master classes is not compulsory, but attendees will have to abide by the rules indicated by the professors. The expulsion of a student from a master class, practical class or case method will have negative repercussions in the continuous evaluations.
Attendance to case methods is optional, however a percentage of the questions of the final exam will be on the content of these case methods.
Attendance to practicals is mandatory.
If a student attends the class more than 5 minutes late, the professor may deny him/her entrance.
2) Misuse of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops may result in expulsion from class. Misuse is understood as the recording and broadcasting of students or teachers during the different lessons as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes. In the case of accessing the laboratories with the phone, the teacher will have the power to fail the course.
Bibliography and resources
TORTORA. Principios de Anatomía y Fisiología. Ed. Panamericana
THIBODEAU. Anatomía y fisiología. Ed. Elsevier
GUYTON. Fisiología médica. Ed. Elsevier
MEZQUITA. Fisiología médica. Ed. Panamericana
Evaluation period
- E1 21/01/2026 A16 18:00h
- E2 19/06/2026 A16 09:00h