Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Practicum in Bioinformatics
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 bioinformatics placements 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 Bioinformatics track.
During these placements, students will carry out a project under the supervision of an experienced professional, through which they will acquire knowledge of the methods used in the project's field, as well as the analysis of the results obtained.
The Bioinformatics Placement course contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Pre-course requirements
To enrol in the bioinformatics placement course, it is recommended that students have completed and passed:
- Introduction to Bioinformatics
- Biomolecular Interactions
Objectives
- Train students to work as part of a team.
- Teach bioinformatics methodologies and concepts to solve real problems in the field of biomedicine.
- Explain the nature and development of bioinformatics projects as a complementary or alternative approach to experimental studies.
- Guide students towards independent work.
- Encourage students to defend their results with well-founded arguments and solve any problems that may arise.
- Introduce the bioinformatics tools and specialised software required for project implementation.
- Teach students how to communicate the results obtained, justifying the achievement of the proposed objectives, to an audience of professionals in the life sciences or health sciences.
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:
- Appropriately apply scientific, technical, or field-specific terminology in the area in which they will carry out their activity.
- Demonstrate independence at the host institution and appropriately use terminology, assays, and other resources specific to the professional environment.
- Demonstrate independence and critical thinking in the interpretation of information.
- Understand the principles required to plan, organise, and manage their assigned workload.
- Develop a professional attitude appropriate to the working environment.
Syllabus
Professional placements will be carried out in a centre or organisation that develops bioinformatics activities through a formal agreement. They will consist of 480 hours of on-site training, which will be completed during the academic year within working hours, approximately from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The remaining hours required to complete this course will be dedicated to academic supervision by the academic tutor, study and preparation for the assigned professional position, and the preparation of an evaluation report on the placement, reflecting the contributions made to the host centre/entity and the benefits gained by the student from the placement.
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 the different commitments, and under no circumstances should they interfere with the external placement activities.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
- External bioinformatics placement in a centre/entity: participation in a professional project at national or international centres in the field of biomedicine, where bioinformatics is part of the work carried out by the selected group. The placement will be carried out on site and is compulsory for students, who must complete at least 480 hours of placement activities. Before the external training begins, students must receive approval of the work plan.
- The distribution of placement hours is flexible and must be agreed upon with the host centre. Placements must begin from the second semester and preferably be carried out on a full-time basis. Previous external placements cannot be recognised unless a work plan has been established and the corresponding assessment systems and criteria have been followed.
- Individual tutorials: 3 compulsory tutorials and a maximum of 10 hours with the academic supervisor to ensure appropriate monitoring of students and continuous assessment throughout the placement. These tutorials may be held in person or online, depending on the availability of the 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 project and prepare a brief placement report.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Assessment is based on a series of evaluation reports from the external supervisor and on the assessment of the placement report by the academic supervisor.
- 20%: mid-placement evaluation. The external supervisor will provide a report when the student has completed approximately 50% of the placement hours. This will allow the strategy to be adjusted if necessary and the work carried out up to that point to be assessed.
- 50%: final placement evaluation. The external supervisor will provide a report at the end of the placement hours. This will allow the final assessment of the student and their professional and technical progress.
- 30%: placement report. Students will prepare a report describing the results obtained, together with a reflection section on 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 have attended at least 3 tutorials with the academic supervisor.
The mid-placement evaluation is intended as guidance for the student and the academic supervisor and will be used as a basis for improvement during the remainder of the placement period.
The placement report is prepared exclusively by students and serves as evidence of the knowledge acquired during the placement and their understanding of the laboratory environment. It also provides a critical reflection on the added value of a biomedical scientist within the project or 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