Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
External Laboratory Practices
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
Course coordinator:
Eva Quandt Herrera
Office hours:
Questions will be addressed either in person or by videoconference with the corresponding academic supervisor.
If necessary, an appointment may be arranged with the Placement Coordinator: Dr Eva Quandt (equandt@uic.es).
Introduction
External research placements in a laboratory are designed to enable students to acquire and consolidate the practical knowledge gained throughout the programme and to achieve the competency levels required to qualify for the Research track.
During these placements, students will carry out a research project under the supervision of an experienced researcher. They will acquire knowledge not only of the techniques employed but also of the state of the art in the project's field of research, as well as develop the ability to critically analyse the results obtained.
The External Laboratory Placement course contributes to the achievement of several United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Pre-course requirements
To enrol in the external placement course, students must have successfully completed the entirety of the first and second years of the programme, as well as at least 80% of the credits corresponding to the third year. In addition, it is recommended that they have completed and passed:
- Cell Biology I
- Cell Biology II
- Molecular Biology
- Integrated Biomedicine I
- Integrated Biomedicine II
- Integrated Biomedicine III
- Biochemistry I
- Biochemistry II
- Genetics
- Genetic Engineering
- Microbiology
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology
- Biomedical Analysis Techniques I
- Biomedical Analysis Techniques II
Objectives
- Guide students in formulating a hypothesis and planning the experiments required to test it.
- Encourage research practice in accordance with the planned guidelines, from the application of different techniques to learning from both positive and negative results.
- Foster independent work, the ability to defend scientific arguments, and problem-solving skills.
- Ensure compliance with laboratory requirements regarding safety, handling procedures, sterilisation, waste management, and ethics.
- Promote the critical and reflective analysis of results.
- Encourage effective communication within the laboratory environment and the clear presentation of results in both written and oral forms.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN14 - Identify the principles of biomedical sciences related to health, as well as the basic concepts and tools that have an impact on Biomedical Sciences and allow them to work in any of its fields (biomedical companies, bioinformatics labs, research laboratories, clinical analysis companies, etc.).
- 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
At the end of the course, students must be able to:
- Demonstrate independence in the research laboratory by making appropriate use of laboratory terminology, assays, reagents, and other resources specific to the professional environment.
- Demonstrate independence and critical thinking in the interpretation of scientific information.
- Recall the principles required to plan, organise, and manage their assigned workload.
- Demonstrate a professional attitude appropriate to the working environment.
- Work in the field of biomedical research by applying the tools needed to select and interpret the scientific literature appropriately, and to integrate and participate effectively in the activities of a research group.
- Use scientific, technical, and field-specific terminology appropriately, as well as the bibliography relevant to the research group or host institution where the external placement is carried out.
Syllabus
The content of the external placement is determined by the host institution and the type of project proposed in the work plan. Both the placement activities and the placement period must be specified in the work plan and agreed upon jointly with the supervisor. The work plan will be evaluated by the placement coordinator and must be approved before the placement begins.
The placement must be covered by a curricular educational cooperation agreement between the University and the host research institution or company. It is not possible to begin an accredited external placement that forms part of the degree programme without a formal agreement in place.
During the placement period, students may enrol in other courses required to complete their degree programme. However, it is the student's responsibility to balance these commitments, and under no circumstances should they interfere with the external placement activities.
During the first semester, students must choose one of the following external placement modalities:
- Placement in a national or international laboratory integrated with the Final Degree Project carried out in the same laboratory.
- Placement in a national or international laboratory independent of the Final Degree Project to be carried out at UIC Barcelona.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
- Biomedical research laboratory placement: participation in a professional research project at a national or international research centre in the field of biomedical research. The placement is compulsory and must be completed on site. Students are required to undertake at least 480 hours of experimental work. Before the placement begins, the work plan must be approved.
- The distribution of placement hours is flexible and must be agreed upon with the host laboratory. Placements must begin during the second semester and should preferably be undertaken on a full-time basis. Previous external placements cannot be recognised unless a work plan has been established and the corresponding assessment procedures and evaluation criteria have been followed.
- Individual tutorials: 3 compulsory tutorials and a maximum of 10 hours with the academic supervisor to ensure appropriate monitoring of the student's progress and continuous assessment throughout the placement. Tutorials may be held either in person or online, depending on the availability of both the academic supervisor and the student, while respecting the class timetable whenever possible.
- Independent work may vary between students. Students are expected to conduct literature searches to support their research project and prepare a brief placement report.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Assessment is based on a series of evaluation reports completed by the external supervisor and on the assessment of the placement report by the academic supervisor.
- 20%: mid-placement evaluation. The external supervisor will complete an evaluation report once the student has completed approximately 50% of the placement hours. This will make it possible to adjust the strategy, if necessary, and assess the work carried out up to that point.
- 50%: final placement evaluation. The external supervisor will complete an evaluation report at the end of the placement period. This will provide the basis for the final assessment of the student's professional and technical progress.
- 30%: placement report. Students will prepare a report describing the results obtained during the placement, together with a reflective section discussing the relevance of these results to biomedicine and their contribution to the project. This report will be assessed by the academic supervisor.
To pass the course, students must attend at least 3 tutorials with the academic supervisor.
The mid-placement evaluation is intended as formative feedback for both the student and the academic supervisor and will be used as a basis for improvement throughout the remainder of the placement.
The placement report is prepared exclusively by the student and serves as evidence of the knowledge acquired during the placement and of the student's understanding of the laboratory environment. It should also include a critical reflection on the added value that a biomedical scientist brings to the project or to the organisation's overall strategy.
Bibliography and resources
Internal Regulations for Placements in Companies and Institutions at Universitat Internacional de Catalunya: https://web.uic.es/intranet/web/veure.uic?id=95053&anyo=2022&huic=77de787d0e6fdff136fde03da5157100