Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Business Organization and Experiences in Business
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
Questions will be answered online, by videoconference, with the subject coordinator.
Introduction
This course reinforces the more practical content taught in other, more theoretical subjects. The course offers a tour of five heterogeneous institutions, allowing students to appreciate the different work dynamics, from large pharmaceutical companies to start-ups. Additionally, the course is supported by lectures in which each institution to be visited presents its dynamics, objectives, and organization in the classroom.
Pre-course requirements
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation module.
Objectives
- Teach the real dynamics of the functioning of a biomedical company (start-up, pharmaceutical company, service company).
- Present the real management dynamics of a hospital.
- Describe the real management dynamics of an investment fund.
- Explain the different types of biomedical companies that exist.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB01 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study that is based on general secondary education, and it tends to be found at a level that, although it is based on advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting-edge of their field of study.
- CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) to issue judgements that include a reflection on significant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CB04 - That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- CB05 - That students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
- CE19 - To be aware of the principles of biomedical science related to health and learn how to work in any field of Biomedical Sciences (biomedical companies, bioinformatics laboratories, research laboratories, clinical analysis companies, etc.).
- CG07 - To incorporate basic concepts related to the field of biomedicine both at a theoretical and an experimental level.
- CG10 - To design, write up and execute projects connected to the field of Biomedical Sciences.
- CG11 - To be aware of basic concepts from different fields connected to biomedical sciences.
- CT01 - To develop the organisational and planning skills that are suitable in each moment.
- CT02 - To develop the ability to resolve problems.
- CT03 - To develop analytical and summarising skills.
- CT04 - To interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- CT05 - To use the internet as a means of communication and a source of information.
- CT06 - To know how to communicate, give presentations and write up scientific reports.
- CT07 - To be capable of working in a team.
- CT08 - To reason and evaluate situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CT09 - To have the ability to develop interpersonal skills.
- CT10 - To be capable of autonomous learning.
- CT11 - To apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
- CT12 - To apply scientific method.
- CT13 - To be aware of the general and specific aspects related to the field of nutrition and ageing.
- CT14 - To respect the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values that are specific to a culture of peace and democratic values.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, students should:
- To distinguish the fundamental elements of the structure of the National Health System and health legislation.
- To demonstrate an adequate understanding of the concept of a company, its institutional and legal framework, as well as its organization and management.
- To identify the different types of biomedical companies that exist.
- To recognize the differences and similarities in the management of a company and other types of entities, such as a hospital or a biomedical research academic center.
- To differentiate the departments in which business entities are structured, their dynamics, and the competencies required in each of them.
- To recognize the business positions that a graduate in biomedicine can hold.
Syllabus
1) Practical visit to a hospital.
2) Practical visit to an academic centre.
3) Practical visit to a pharmaceutical company.
4) Practical visit to a biomedical start-up.
5) Practical visit to a biomedical consulting, services or investment company.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures - 12 hours: Presentation by the person in charge of each visit, explaining theoretically in the classroom the company's operations, general objectives, history, etc. These lectures will help deepen the understanding of the practical visits. In the first of these lectures, the subject and the work to be carried out will be presented in the first 30 minutes.
Practical Visits (PV) - 33 hours: Students will tour the selected entities with a guide from the company. This professional will explain on-site the different departments that make up the company and their work dynamics.
Virtual Education (VE): Online material that students can consult from any computer, at any time, which will contribute to self-learning of concepts related to the course.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Assessment:
• Participation in class and behaviour: 60%
Students are required to attend at least three of the five visits.
• Individual work summarising each company: 40%
Participation in ES-Day: students who participate in all sessions of Entrepreneurship & Social Day (E&S-Day) will receive 0.5 extra points on the final grade.
Each student, individually, will carry out a project that summarises the aspects seen at each visit in each chapter, such as the structure of each organization, its objectives, its work dynamics, etc. It will be accompanied by a diagram that each student will make of each company. Each chapter will be worth a maximum of 2 points out of 10.
If a student does not attend a certain visit, their project may not contain the chapter with that company and, therefore, the work will not be awarded the highest grade.
2) Retakes: the mark for class participation will be maintained.
For retakes, the work presented can only be awarded a maximum grade of 6 out of 10.
General points to keep in mind about the evaluation system:
1) To receive a final grade, the project must obtain a minimum grade of 5.
2) Participation in class is understood as when students contribute interesting ideas or raise pertinent questions that help improve the quality of the session, whether during a lecture or when studying case methods.
3) If students do not arrive on time, they must enter in silence without disturbing or interrupting the class.
Bibliography and resources
- The Enterpreneur’s Guide to a Biotech Startup. Peter Kolchinsky. www.evelexa.com . Free download: https://www.ctsi.ucla.edu/researcher-resources/files/view/docs/EGBS4_Kolchinsky.pdf
Evaluation period
- E1 11/03/2026 A10 16:00h
- E2 29/06/2026 A16 18:00h