Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Systems Physiopathology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Questions will be resolved before or after class. Non-face-to-face questions they will be resolved by e-mail:
Professorat titular:
Sr. BLANCO AREVALO, Alejandro - ablanco@uic.es
Sra. RECASENS SUBIAS, Marta - martarecsu@gmail.com
Dra. RUIZ POMBO, Mónica - mruizp@uic.es
Sr. MEDINA GAMITO, Daniel - dmedina@uic.es
Introduction
After learning about the anatomy and physiology of the human body, physiopathology is the science that deals with the function of the different systems in a disease situation. This subject deals intensively with the most generic aspects, emphasizing the mechanisms involved in the genesis and development of the different nosological processes.
Pre-course requirements
It is highly recommended that the student has achieved the basic competencies in general and specific anatomy of the different organs and systems, as well as in general and specific physiology.
Objectives
- Explain the most frequent alterations of the structure and function of the different systems of the human body.
- Provide knowledge about the factors and mechanisms responsible for system/organ failure, as well as general physiological knowledge related to dysfunction.
- Explain the concepts of disease and syndrome as failures in physiological processes, with clinical expression.
- Guide the learning of the specific characteristics of elderly patients, as well as those who are in terminal condition.
The course Pathophysiology contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 3, 9, 10, 12, and 17, by promoting health, people’s well-being, biomedical innovation, social equity, transparency in results, and strategic partnerships for scientific and social progress.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN08 - Explain the foundations of human behaviour and the biological bases that regulate them.
- CN09 - Recognise the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of a disease on the structure and function of the human body at a molecular, cellular and tissue level.
- CN10 - Indicate the mechanisms through which toxins affect the health of human beings at a biochemical, molecular and cellular level.
- 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.
- HB04 - Interpret the mechanisms that govern a pathological state and its implications at a clinical and diagnostic level.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Recognize the bases of disease and the most prevalent human pathologies. Identify the general concepts of health and disease, including the concept of syndrome.
- Explain the cause and general consequences of failures in physiological processes at the cellular, tissue, system, and individual levels.
- Describe the concepts of disease and syndrome as failures in physiological processes, with clinical expression.
- Recognize the concepts of etiology, pathophysiology, pathogenesis, pathochronia, semiology, and propaedeutics.
- Analyze and interpret the pathophysiological mechanisms that produce the most frequent general clinical manifestations in clinical practice, such as fever, pain, or nutritional alterations.
- Identify and interpret the pathophysiological mechanisms that produce the most frequent specific manifestations of each system.
- Distinguish the specific characteristics of elderly and/or terminally ill patients.
- Explain the pathophysiology of general-type processes.
Syllabus
- Concept of health and disease.
- Shcok
- Pathophysiology of infection.
- Respiratory physiopathology
- Pathophysiology of the renal system
- Pathophysiology of aging.
- Pathophysiology of pain.
- Syndromes and pathologies of the digestive system
- Disorders of the hepato-bilio-pancreatic function
- Cardiovascular physiopathology
- Haematopoietic and coagulation physiopathology
Teaching and learning activities
In person
1. Lectures - 36 hours: made up of two parts of a 50-minute presentation of a theoretical topic by the teacher.
2. Clinical cases or case methods (CM) - 24 hours: Approach to a real or imaginary situation. The questions will be worked together with the active participation of the students. Key concepts from the topics covered in the case resolution will be reviewed
3. Virtual Education (VE): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time which will contribute to self-learning of concepts related to the subject.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Students in the first sitting:
- Midterm exam: 35%
- Final exam: 65%
The teaching staff reserves up to an extra 10% of the grade to be awarded for subjective arguments such as: involvement, participation, respect for basic rules, etc.
Students in the second sitting: same criteria as in the first sitting.
Students resitting: the grade for the continuous assessment (participation, case methods) will be saved, although, whenever they wish, students will be able to repeat class attendance and obtain a new grade. The initial grade will not be saved.
General points to bear in mind about the evaluation system:
- In the final exam, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained to be able to make an average with the continuous assessment marks (case methods, attitude and partial). The exams will be multiple choice with 4 answer options, counting +1 for correct answers and -0.33 for errors. .
- 10% of the exam questions could be about concepts that have not been explained directly in class but that are present in the recommended bibliography as well as in discussed articles, press or recommended virtual material.
- Class attendance:
- Regular attendance at theory and case methods classes is recommended.
- Attendance at the lectures is not compulsory but the attendees must be governed by the rules indicated by the teachers. The expulsion of the student will have a negative impact.
- Attendance at case methods is optional. Active participation and positive attitude will be valued.
- In the granting of honors, the candidates will earn special consideration for their participation and involvement in the different methodologies of the subject, as well as respect for the basic rules.
- The improper use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops can lead to expulsion from class. Misuse is understood to be the recording and dissemination of either the students or teachers during the different lessons, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
Main reference books:
- PORTH. Fisiopatologia. Alteraciones de la salud. Conceptos básicos. Sheila Grossman. Ed. Walters-Kluwer
- LANGE. Fisiopatología de la enfermedad. Hammer D. Gary. 8ª Edición.Ed. McGraw-Hill
- Patología General (Pérez Arellano JL), ELSEVIER MASSON.
- Fisiología (Guyton AC, Hall JE), de McGraw-Hill Interamericana.
- Patología General. Semiología Clínica y Fisiopatología (García-Conde J, Merino J, González J), de McGraw-Hill, Interamericana.
- Essentials of Pathophysiology (Kaufman CE, McKee PA). Little, Brown & Company.
- Fisiología Humana (Tresguerres JAF), McGraw-Hill Interamericana.Main reference books:
Evaluation period
- E1 18/05/2026 I3 14:00h
- E2 26/06/2026 I3 16:00h