Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Clinical Biochemistry
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Questions will be answered in person, via e-mail or videoconference with the corresponding professor.
Dra. Maite Quiles - mtquiles@uic.es
Dr. Francisco Rodríguez - frarodri@gmail.com
Dr. Pedro Fuentes - pfuentesv@uic.es
Introduction
The Clinical Biochemistry subject provides the basis for understanding the usefulness of biochemical markers in clinical practice, integrating biochemical fundamentals with the laboratory process (pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases) for their application in the diagnosis, monitoring, treatment control, prevention, and research of diseases.
Clinical Biochemistry contributes to the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda, especially SDGs 3, 4, 9, 12, and 17, by training students in the interpretation of laboratory tests to improve the diagnosis, monitoring, and prevention of diseases (SDG 3), consolidating scientific skills applied to health and critical thinking (SDG 4), reinforcing innovation and quality in laboratory medicine (SDG 9), integrating responsible biosafety and waste management practices (SDG 12), and promoting collaboration between universities and the healthcare environment (SDG 17).
Pre-course requirements
Basic knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology (structure and function of biomolecules and metabolism), general human pathophysiology, applied statistics and interpretation of biomedical data, and fundamentals of analytical techniques used in clinical laboratories.
Objectives
- Identify the main biochemical biomarkers (proteins, enzymes, lipids, carbohydrates, and other commonly used analytes) and relate them to organ and system function.
- Interpret variations in biochemical magnitudes in common pathologies, integrating: clinical context, reference/decision ranges, biological variability, and possible interferences.
- Select and justify appropriate laboratory tests for diagnosis, follow-up, and therapeutic monitoring, recognizing the limitations and clinical value (semiology) of each marker.
- Explain and apply the fundamentals of the most commonly used analytical methods and basic principles of quality assurance (pre-analysis, controls, calibration, traceability, verification, and interferences) in obtaining and interpreting results.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN11 - Identify the impact of microbiology, genetics and biochemistry on human health, as well as the diagnostic tools used in each of the different healthcare fields.
- 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.
- HB05 - Recognise how the essential medicines work and their ability to modify biological activity.
- HB06 - Calculate the frequency and distribution of diseases, their causes and determining factors, as well as the necessary treatments to maintain or restore good health.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Interpret alterations in blood and urine biochemical parameters in relation to health and disease states, integrating pathophysiological fundamentals and sources of variability (biological, preanalytical, and analytical).
- Select and justify biochemical parameters for the diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up (including treatment monitoring) of common metabolic and organ/system diseases.
- Describe the rationale and limitations of the main biochemical methods used in the clinical laboratory to determine commonly used values.
- Apply basic laboratory work standards (biosafety and waste management) and record activities, incorporating basic quality assurance procedures in practices related to biochemical determinations.
- Consult and interpret technical information on biochemical tests in databases or equivalent sources and use that information to contextualize results.
Syllabus
Introduction to clinical biochemistry and its importance in medicine
BLOCK I—Biochemical evaluation of metabolism and homeostasis
Topic 1: Proteins and enzymes for clinical use
Topic 2: Carbohydrates and diabetes.
Topic 3: Lipoproteins and cardiovascular risk.
Topic 4: Acid-base balance.
Topic 5: Bone metabolism.
BLOCK II- Biochemical evaluation of organs and systems.
Topic 6: Liver function and damage
Topic 7: Kidney function and damage
Topic 8: Heart and muscle damage.
Topic 9: Thyroid function.
Topic 10: Gonadal function.
Topic 11: Tumor markers: usefulness and limitations
Case methods: discussion and resolution of clinical cases related to the course topics (interpretation of analytical profiles and reasoning).
Laboratory practices: experimental activities related to biochemical determinations for clinical use (data recording, basic analysis and interpretation; biosafety).
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course is taught entirely in person. The training activity is distributed as follows:
Lectures (22 hours)
Presentations supported by visual material. Participation is encouraged through directed questions and guided resolution of short examples.
Case Methods (CM; 4 hours)
Work with clinical cases designed to integrate and apply the content. Students address questions in small groups and/or through joint discussion with active interaction with the teaching staff. The teaching staff moderates, corrects errors in approach, and/or completes the conceptual framework, if necessary.
Practical classes (4 hours)
Experimental activity in the laboratory to reinforce concepts worked on in the theoretical classes. Includes basic biosafety rules, work in small groups, and data recording. An elementary analysis and interpretation of results is carried out, incorporating basic notions of process control and documentation of the activity. These classes may also include a guided tour of a hospital's clinical laboratory, providing an insight into its organisation, sample circuit and general workflow.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1. STUDENTS IN THE FIRST CALL:
Midterm exam: 25%
MANDATORY in order to take the final exam (except for repeat students; see point 2). Multiple-choice questionnaires with four alternative answers, only one of which is correct. Correct answers will count as +1 point, incorrect answers will count as -0.33 points, and unanswered questions will count as 0 points. Some other types of questions may be included (true/false or short answer), the scoring for which will be indicated in the question itself.
Laboratory practices: 10%
MANDATORY in order to take the final exam (except for repeat students; see point 2). Attendance is mandatory. Assessment through the submission of an activity/answer sheet to evaluate the concepts worked on during the practical session (data recording, basic analysis, and interpretation). Submission will be made according to the instructions of the teaching staff.
Case methods: 5%
MANDATORY in order to take the final exam (except for repeat students; see point 2). The degree of participation, understanding, and reasoning of the cases is evaluated. In the case of a presentation, the ability to communicate concisely, clearly, and in a structured manner will be assessed.
Final exam: 60%
MANDATORY. Multiple-choice questions with four alternative answers, only one of which is correct. Correct answers will be awarded +1 point, incorrect answers will be deducted -0.33 points, and unanswered questions will receive 0 points. Some other types of questions may be included (true/false or short answer), the scoring for which will be indicated in the question. The content of the course (lectures, MC and practicals) will be assessed.
Final grade for the course
The requirement for averaging the final exam grade with the rest of the continuous assessment activities is to have obtained a minimum grade of 5.0 (≥5.0). If the grade is lower, the final grade will be that of the final exam (without averaging). The course is passed with a final grade of ≥ 5.0.
2. STUDENTS IN SUBSEQUENT CALLS:
Students in the second call:
The same criteria as in the first call will be applied. The continuous assessment grades (midterm, practicals, and MC) will be retained to average with the exam grade.
Repeating students (3rd to 6th call)
The same criteria as in the first call will be applied. The continuous assessment grade from the previous year (midterm, lab work, and MC) will be retained. However, those who wish to do so may repeat the course and obtain a new grade.
General points to consider regarding the evaluation system:
- Grading criteria and transparency: The final grade is obtained by applying the percentages established in the section “Evaluation systems and criteria.” Under no circumstances will global modifications of the grade be applied based on non-assessable criteria.
- Voluntary improvement activity: At the beginning of the course, the teaching staff may propose a voluntary activity (e.g., solving a short case study, a reasoned questionnaire, or a structured commentary). This activity may contribute up to an additional 2% to the final grade. The conditions (format, rubric, submission date, and correction criteria) will be published on Moodle. The voluntary activity does not replace the minimum requirements established for the course.
- Late submissions: Submissions requested by the teaching staff after the established deadline may be penalized in the grade for the corresponding activity.
- Honors: Honors will be awarded to the students with the highest final grades, taking into account their overall performance in the course. The criteria will be performance in continuous assessment activities (midterm, MC, and practicals) and, if applicable, academic participation during the course in the questions or activities proposed by the teaching staff.
General points on conduct and class attendance:
- Attendance at lectures is not compulsory, although regular attendance is recommended.
- The midterm exam is compulsory. A midterm exam not taken without a valid reason will be graded with a 0.
- Attendance at practicals and case studies (MC) is compulsory and students must attend in their assigned groups. Failure to attend without a valid reason or due to expulsion will result in suspension from the course.
Bibliography and resources
Basic bibliography
González Hernández, A. (2019). Principios de bioquímica clínica y patología molecular (3.ª ed.). Elsevier España.
McPherson, R. A., Pincus, M. (2022). Henry. Diagnóstico clínico y técnicas de laboratorio (24th ed.). Elsevier España.
Rifai, N. (2018). Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (7th ed.). Elsevier.
Prieto Valtueña, J. M., & Yuste Ara, J. R. (2019). Balcells. La clínica y el laboratorio (23.ª ed.). Elsevier España.
Murphy, M., Srivastava, R., & Deans, K. (2020). Bioquímica clínica. Texto y atlas en color (6.ª ed.). Elsevier España.
Supplementary bibliography
Nelson, D. L., Cox, M., & Hoskins, A. A. (2021). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry (8th ed.). Macmillan Learning.
Loscalzo, J., Fauci, A., Kasper, D., Hauser, S., Longo, D., & Jameson, J. (Eds.). (2022). Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna (21.ª ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Online resources
Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics: https://www.clinical-laboratory-diagnostics.com
Testing.com (resources for professionals): https://www.testing.com/for-health-professionals
Manual MSD (professional): https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional
Evaluation period
- E1 01/06/2026 A08 14:00h
- E2 29/06/2026 A16 16:00h