Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences Laboratory

Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences Laboratory
6
15768
1
First semester
FB
Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

Teaching staff


Dra. REGUERA MORENO, Ana Cristina - acreguera@uic.es

Questions can be addressed before or after each class or in individual tutorials at a mutually agreed time. Contact by email is also possible.

Introduction

This course introduces students to laboratory work and the fundamentals of chemistry, with the aim of developing essential skills in handling materials, reagents, and basic equipment. It covers fundamental concepts of atomic, molecular, and experimental chemistry, as well as the use of analytical tools for data collection and processing.

The course emphasizes safety, accuracy, and critical thinking, preparing students to apply this knowledge in biological and experimental contexts.

This course contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 3, 4, 9, and 12, through training in good laboratory practices, safety, sustainability in the use of chemical resources, and the promotion of collaborative work in biomedical research.

Pre-course requirements

There are no prerequisites.

Objectives

  • Provide basic knowledge of chemistry and its application in biological and experimental contexts.

  • Train students in the safe and efficient handling of laboratory equipment and reagents.

  • Develop practical skills for solution preparation, data analysis, and experimental design.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • CN01 - Define the structure and function of the cell, as well as intra and extracellular communication and its regulation through the main routes of cell signalling, in both developing and adult individuals.
  • CN02 - Recognise the molecular foundations that explain transcriptional and post-transcriptional phenomena in eukaryotes in their adult state and during their development, as well as the basic genetic principles that define the basis of genetic inheritance.
  • CN03 - Have a general overview of the diversity of micro-organisms and their impact on human life.
  • CN15 - Identify analytical and experimental methodologies used in the field of Biomedical Sciences, whether they be established or cutting-edge.
  • CP01 - Interpret basic biological concepts and the specific language of biomedical sciences in health, both in their native language and English, by applying autonomous learning.
  • 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.
  • HB01 - Interpret basic data obtained in the biomedical research laboratory, identifying consistent and inconsistent elements, both individually and in a team.

Learning outcomes of the subject

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Identify safety regulations, risk prevention protocols, and appropriate procedures for handling materials, reagents, and waste in a laboratory.

  • Properly use basic laboratory equipment, ensuring correct operation and calibration.

  • Design basic laboratory experiments and apply tools such as Excel for data processing.

  • Perform basic material handling techniques, ensuring accuracy in the measurement and transfer of liquids and solids.

  • Solve basic chemistry problems applied to biological systems.

  • Prepare chemical solutions with precision, applying stoichiometry concepts.

Syllabus

Laboratory Fundamentals (3 ECTS):

Topic 1 – Laboratory good practice guidelines. Laboratory characteristics. Safety and risk prevention in the laboratory.

 

MC 1 – Scientific method. Experimental design.

MC 2 – Use of Excel I.

MC 3 – Use of Excel II.

MC 4 – Use of Excel III.

MC 5 – Experimental techniques I.

MC 6 – Experimental techniques II.

MC 7 – Experimental techniques III.

 

Practical 1 – Introduction to the laboratory. Handling of laboratory equipment. Pipetting (types of pipettes, how to pipette, how to calibrate a pipette).

Practical 2 – Mass and volume. Basic apparatus (how to weigh liquids and solids).

Practical 3 – Tissue staining.

Practical 4 – Microscopy. Types of microscopes. Observation of stained tissue.

Practical 5 – Culture rooms. Types. Usage guidelines.

Practical 6 – Cell counting.

 

 

Basic Chemistry (3 ECTS):

Topic 1 – Matter. Atomic and molecular structure. Atomic models. Schrödinger equation and atomic orbitals (geometry and size). Electronic configuration. Hund’s rule (valence shell).

Topic 2 – Periodic table (metals, non-metals, noble gases). Chemical elements. Isotopes. Ions. Periodic properties (electronegativity, radius, ionization potential, and electron affinity).

Topic 3 – Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, metallic. Intermolecular interactions. Lewis structures: octet rule and resonance. Molecular geometry. Valence shell electron pair repulsion method (VSEPR). Hybrid atomic orbitals.

Topic 4 – Molecular orbital theory: linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO). Dipole moment (electronegativity). Aromatic compounds.

Topic 5 – Carbon chemistry. Hydrocarbons (functional groups). Isomerism. Stereoisomerism. Types of stereoisomers. Optical activity and chirality.

Topic 6 – Introduction to chemical reactions. Classification: acid–base reactions. Oxidation and reduction reactions (radical reactions). Precipitation reactions. Coordination reactions.

Topic 7 – Thermodynamics. Chemical thermodynamics. Energy, heat, and work. Entropy and the second law of thermodynamics. Process direction. Free energy. Chemical potential. Free energy and chemical reactions. Free energy changes and equilibrium constant. High-energy phosphate compounds: energy sources of biological systems. Phosphate transfer potential.

Topic 8 – Chemical kinetics and equilibrium. Activation energy. Catalysis.

 

MC 1 – Stoichiometry + Lewis structures.

MC 2 – Dilutions and concentrations. Basic concepts. Solution calculations.

MC 3 – Concept of pH and pKa. Acid–base equilibrium. Chemical equilibrium problems.

MC 4 – Thermodynamics and kinetics problems (chemical equilibrium problems).

 

Practical 1 – Preparation of solutions I.

Practical 2 – Preparation of solutions II.

Practical 3 – pH/pKa practical.

Practical 4 – Acid–base titration (salicylic acid).

Practical 5 – Thermodynamics practical: enthalpy calculation with thermometer.

Teaching and learning activities

In person



The contents will be delivered using three different teaching methodologies or learning activities:

  • Lectures (CM) – 14 hours: presentation of a theoretical topic by the teaching staff.

  • Case Methods or Clinical Cases (MC) – 22 hours: presentation of a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the questions in small groups, and the answers are discussed in class. The teacher actively intervenes and, if necessary, provides additional knowledge.

  • Practicals (P) – 22 hours: experimental demonstration in the laboratory of the concepts covered in the theoretical classes. Familiarization with the most common experimental resources in a molecular biology laboratory.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



The final grade will be calculated taking into account the different assessable activities carried out throughout the course:

1. Students in the first examination period:

  • Laboratory practicals: 30%. To pass the course, it is necessary to obtain at least a 5 in this part. The following items will be considered:

    • Laboratory notebook record: 50%
    • Obtaining results: 25%
    • Punctuality, attitude, and adherence to rules: 25%

  • Practical exams: 10%.

  • Case methods: 5%.

  • Partial exam: 15%.

  • Final exam: 40%. To pass the course, it is necessary to obtain at least a 5 in this part.

The teaching staff reserves up to 10% of the grade for subjective reasons such as involvement, participation, respect for basic rules, etc.

2. Students in the second, fourth, and sixth examination periods:

  • If laboratory practicals are passed but the final exam is failed, the practicals grade will be retained, and the student will only be examined on the content of lectures and case methods, with this exam accounting for 60% of the grade.

  • If laboratory practicals are failed but the final exam is passed, the final exam grade will be retained, and the student will only be examined on the practical content, with this exam accounting for 40% of the grade.

  • If both laboratory practicals and the final exam are failed, the student must be examined on both practical content and lectures/case methods, with this exam accounting for 100% of the grade.

3. Students in the third and fifth examination periods:

  • If laboratory practicals were passed in the previous period, the practicals grade will be retained, and the student will only be examined on lectures and case methods. Attendance to case methods is not mandatory, with the partial exam accounting for 20% and the final exam 40%.

  • If laboratory practicals are failed, the student must be examined on both practical content and lectures/case methods, with the evaluation being the same as in the first examination period.

 

Important considerations:

  • Attendance to practical sessions is mandatory. Unjustified absence will result in failure of the course.
  • Attendance to case methods is mandatory. Students must attend a minimum of 3 MCs in the chemistry block and a minimum of 6 MCs in the fundamentals block to pass the course.
  • To pass the course, students must attend all practical sessions and the minimum required case methods, obtain at least a 5 in both the practicals and the final exam, and the weighted average of all components must be higher than 5.
  • Plagiarism, copying, or any other action considered cheating will result in a zero in the corresponding evaluation section.
  • In the second, fourth, and sixth examination periods, the grade of “honor roll” cannot be obtained; the maximum grade will be “excellent.”
  • Exams will consist of a multiple-choice section and a development section. In the multiple-choice section, there will be 4 answer options with only 1 correct answer; correct answers score +1 and incorrect answers score -0.33. In the development section, errors do not subtract points.
  • Misuse of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or laptops may lead to expulsion from class. Misuse includes recording or broadcasting students or teachers during lessons, as well as using devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.

Important considerations regarding practical sessions:

  • Attendance to practical sessions is mandatory.

    • If absence is justified, students will be given the option to make up the session with another group. If no further sessions are available, it will not count toward the evaluation.
    • If absence is NOT justified, it will result in failure of the course.

  • Punctuality in practical sessions:

    • Students are considered late if they arrive after the teacher has taken attendance.
    • Being late will result in a penalty on the practicals grade.
    • Repeated significant lateness may result in course failure.

  • Changes in practical groups:

    • Allowed only if balanced (one-for-one swap), notified in advance to the responsible teacher, and maintained throughout all sessions.

  • Laboratory protection and safety:

    • Wearing a lab coat is mandatory. Not wearing a lab coat will result in not performing the practical and receiving a grade of 0 for that session.
    • Contact lenses are prohibited, closed-toe shoes must be worn, and long hair must be tied back. Violating these rules will result in a penalty on the practicals grade.

  • Required materials for practicals:

    • Students must bring the printed practical guide, a dedicated laboratory notebook, writing materials, and a calculator.
  • Use of electronic devices in the laboratory:
    • Mobile phones: misuse will result in a penalty on the practicals grade.
    • Laptops/Tablets: use of these devices is prohibited during practical sessions.

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 16/01/2026 A16 14:00h
  • E2 16/06/2026 I3 11:00h
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