Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Biochemistry
Teaching staff
Students may ask lecturers questions at the end of each class. For enquiries outside of class time, students must make an appointment by email:
Josep Clotet: jclotet@uic.cat
Blanca Lázaro: blazaro@uic.es
Victor Giménez: vgimenezes@uic.es
Introduction
Nowadays, diseases are understood in molecular terms, and knowledge of biochemistry and cell biology is essential for a proper analysis of the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses. For this reason, future medical professionals must understand the biochemical and molecular foundations of how the human body functions.
This course aims to provide medical students with a general overview of the basic aspects of biochemistry, cell biology, and scientific methodology. It is designed with a practical approach, prioritizing in each topic the concepts and situations that best support the understanding of phenomena relevant to professional practice in the field of medicine.
Pre-course requirements
The subject does not require any specific administrative condition. However, in order to follow the course successfully, you should have the following knowledge:
- Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology at secondary school level.
Objectives
By the end of this course, students must have acquired the basic knowledge indicated in the programme, but above all, must have acquired a new perspective of the human body.
The mission of this subject (and, therefore, its final objective) is for students to gradually enter into the molecular logic of life and to understand the functioning of the human body as the coordination of myriads of molecules acting at the same time.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 07 - Understand and recognise normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ and systemetic levels, at different stages of life and in both sexes.
- 09 - Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
- 31 - Understand, critically evaluate and know how to use sources of clinical and biomedical information to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health care information.
- 34 - Ability for critical thinking, creativity and constructive skeptisim with a focus on research within professional practice.
- 36 - Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically evaluate information for problem solving using the scientific method.
- 37 - Acquire basic training for research.
- CB-1 - To have acquired advanced knowledge and demonstrated, within the context of highly specialised scientific and technological research, detailed comprehension based on theoretical and practical aspects and a working methodology from one or more fields of study.
- CB-5 - To transmit in a clear and unambiguous way to a specialised or non-specialised audience, the results of scientific and technological research projects and innovation from the field of the most advanced innovation, as well as the most important concepts which they are based on.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, students will:
- Understand the structure and function of biomolecules.
- Apply the principles of inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry in the study of biomolecules and fundamental biochemical processes.
- Know the structure and composition of cells.
- Know the main metabolic routes.
- Understand and integrate metabolic regulation systems.
- Be curious about what is considered normal and knows how to formulate questions and hypotheses.
- Have the basic tools to orally present data, results or theoretical concepts in a clear and concise manner.
Syllabus
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures (L): theoretical content presented by the instructor, illustrated with examples, case studies, and questions that students are expected to answer throughout the session. This is a highly effective method for acquiring knowledge in a fast, structured, and participatory manner.
Clinical cases (CC): presentation of a real or fictional situation. Students work on the questions in small groups, prepare an oral presentation, and discuss the answers in class. The instructor actively participates and, when necessary, provides additional knowledge. This approach helps contextualize theoretical concepts in a more clinical setting.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL): presentation of a situation related to specific biochemistry topics. The process includes individual analysis, small-group discussion, and collective debate, leading to the formulation of conclusions. The instructor acts only as a facilitator, while conclusions are developed entirely by the students. This method encourages the development of participatory skills and critical thinking.
Laboratory sessions (Lab): experimental demonstrations of the concepts covered in theoretical classes. The objective is to familiarize students with the most common experimental techniques used in a biochemistry lab.
Virtual learning (VL): online materials that students can access from any computer at any time, supporting self-directed learning of course-related concepts.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
General evaluation points:
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Evaluation percentage in January (1st and 3rd exam sessions):
20% Midterm exam (does NOT remove material).
40% Final exam.
25% Case methods.
12% Laboratory practices.
3% PBLs (Problem-Based Learning). -
Evaluation percentage in July (2nd and 4th exam sessions):
60% Theoretical exam covering all course concepts except practicals, combined with the grades from Case Methods, PBLs, and laboratory practices. -
Students in the 3rd exam session:
Only the grades from Case Methods, laboratory practices, and PBLs can be retained. They may also retake these assessments if they prefer to obtain a new grade. -
The final exam will have about 55 questions, and a minimum grade of 5 is required to average with the continuous assessment grades (midterm, case methods, lab practices, and PBLs).
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Exams will be multiple choice with 4 answer options and only one correct answer, scoring +1 for correct answers and -0.33 for incorrect answers.
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About 10% of exam questions may cover concepts not directly taught in class but present in recommended bibliography, discussed articles, press, or recommended virtual materials.
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The final average grade for continuous assessment (midterm, case methods, practicals, and PBLs) will be available one week before the final exam.
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Improper use of electronic devices such as mobiles, tablets, or laptops may result in expulsion from class. Improper use includes recording and sharing sessions by students or professors, as well as using devices for recreational or non-educational purposes.
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Expulsion from lectures, case method sessions, practicals, or PBLs will negatively impact continuous assessments. Two expulsions will prevent the student from returning.
Specific evaluation points for lectures (CM):
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Attendance to lectures is not mandatory.
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Lectures will be assessed via questions on the midterm exam (25 questions) and the final exam (over 35 questions).
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Class participation will be positively valued and students can earn up to +10% extra on the final grade. The concept of “class participation” will be explained by the professor on the first day and includes contributing interesting ideas or relevant questions that improve the session quality.
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Attendees must follow rules set by the professor (see Moodle, topic 1). A respectful, attentive, and active presence is required. Failure to comply will negatively affect evaluation.
Specific evaluation points for Case Methods (MdC):
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Attendance is not mandatory but students must attend at least 13 of 15 sessions to qualify for 100% of the grade. For each session missed, the grade will be multiplied by 0.7 for one absence, 0.6 for two. After 5 absences, the Case Methods grade will be 0. No excuses accepted.
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Punctuality is required; entry is not allowed once the session has started. Only very justified reasons, at the professor’s discretion, will allow entry within the first 15 minutes; after that, no entry permitted.
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Case Methods are assessed via an oral presentation. The rubric details the evaluation criteria. Oral participation in the form of questions from the audience will be highly valued. The final exam will include 15 questions, one for each case method.
Specific evaluation points for laboratory practices:
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Attendance is mandatory. Justifications for absences will be accepted depending on the severity of the absence and at the discretion of the professor. Only one justified absence is allowed for 1 out of 4 laboratory sessions in order to be eligible to take the final exam. Anyone with one or more unjustified absences will not be allowed to take the final exam.
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Punctuality is required; entry is not allowed once the session has started. Only very justified reasons, at the professor’s discretion, will allow entry within the first 15 minutes; after that, no entry permitted.
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Laboratory practices will be evaluated with a multiple-choice exam on the last day of practicals. No practical content will be included in the final exam.
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One very justified absence deducts 0.5 points from the final practical grade; two absences mean the practices are considered not done.
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Students cannot change practical groups freely.
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Wearing a lab coat is mandatory.
Evaluation of PBLs:
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Attendance is NOT mandatory, but each absence deducts 0.25 points from the grade.
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PBLs are assessed based on class participation.
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The final exam will include 2 questions related to PBL sessions.
Bibliography and resources
Any of the following books is recommended for further reading and is available at the UIC library.
General biochemistry:
- LEHNINGER. Principles of Biochemistry. Ed. Reverté.
- DEVLIN. Biochemistry. Ed. Reverté.
- STRYER. Biochemistry I i II. Ed. Reverté.
- MCKEE. Bioquímica. Las bases moleculares de la vida. Ed. MC Graw Hill.
Cell biology:
- LODISH. Molecular Cell Biology. Ed. Panamericana.
- ALBERTS. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Ed. Omega.
Review of general biology:
- FREEMAN. Biology. Ed. Addison-Wesley.