Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Biology Materials and Biomaterials Laboratory
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
Please send an email to set up a meeting
Jenifer Olmos: jolmos@uic.es (coordinator)
Blanca Molins: bmolinsm@uic.es
Introduction
The use of biologic materials and biomaterials in the field of bioengineering has become a useful tool for the regeneration and/or functional repair of tissues. Therefore, the design and synthesis of biomaterials as well as their characterization are of importance when obtaining certain properties needed for their application in order to favor those regenerative processes and so, reestablish tissue functionality.
Pre-course requirements
The student must have successfully passed the Biomaterials and Biocompatibility subject (2nd semester)
Objectives
- Design biomaterials based on target tissue and perform basic operations
- Develop biomaterials through the most significant techniques
- Characterize the properties of these biomaterials
- Graph and analyze the results
- Write laboratory reports
- Presentation of subject and discuss about results with other students
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB1 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study based on general secondary education. This knowledge should be of a level that, although based on advanced textbooks, also includes some of the cutting-edge elements from their field of study.
- CB2 - Students must know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have the competences that are demonstrated through the creation and defence of arguments and the resolution of problems within their field of study.
- CB3 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) and to issue judgements that include a reflection on important issues that are social, scientific or ethical in nature.
- CB4 - Students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- CB5 - Students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
- CE1 - To solve the maths problems that arise in the field of Bioengineering. The ability to apply knowledge of geometry, calculate integrals, use numerical methods and achieve optimisation.
- CE15 - The ability to undertake a project through the use of data sources, the application of methodologies, research techniques and tools specific to Bioengineering, give a presentation and publicly defend it to a specialist audience in a way that demonstrates the acquisition of the competences and knowledge that are specific to this degree programme.
- CE16 - To apply specific Bioengineering terminology both verbally and in writing in a foreign language.
- CE17 - To be able to identify the engineering concepts that can be applied in the fields of biology and health.
- CE21 - The ability to understand and apply biotechnological methodologies and tools to research, as well as to the development and production of products and services.
- CE6 - To incorporate the foundations of science and materials technology, while taking into account the relationship between microstructure, synthesis or process and the properties of materials.
- CG10 - To know how to work in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
- CG3 - To be able to learn new methods and theories and be versatile so as to adapt to new situations.
- CG5 - To undertake calculations, valuations, appraisals, expert reports, studies, reports, work plans and other similar tasks.
- CT3 - To know how to communicate learning results to other people both verbally and in writing, and well as thought processes and decision-making; to participate in debates in each particular specialist areas.
- CT5 - To use information sources in a reliable manner. To manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualisation of data and information in your specialist area and critically evaluate the results of this management.
- CT7 - To be fluent in a third language, usually English, with a suitable verbal and written level that is in line with graduate requirements.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Appropriately apply the learning about the different techniques for biomaterials synthesis
- Appropriately apply the learning about the existing methods for sterilization and disinfection of biomaterials, as well as preventing their contamination using sterile handling techniques
- Ability to perform calculations and formulations for the synthesis of biomaterials
- Know basic techniques for the characterization of biomaterials and analyze their properties
- Ability to plot the data into graphs or tables through basic software programs as well as writing laboratory scientific reports
- Interpret and reason the obtained results, and perform a presentation for an open group discussion
- Know and implement the mode and dynamics of teamwork
- Ability to work in a laboratory and to elaborate scientific reports
Syllabus
- Protein extraction and purification
- Films
- Particles
- Cements
- Hydrogels
- Scaffolds
- Surface modification
- Injectable materials
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The Laboratory of Biologic Materials and Biomaterials subject will be divided by topics that could include one or several sessions in relation to the different biomaterials of study. Each session will consist of a previous theoretical explanation, an experimental part, analysis of the results and a group discussion.
During the sessions, students will work on a laboratory notebook where they will write down calculations, data and notes needed during the laboratory session. At the end of each session, the notebook will be supervised and stamped by the teacher.
Students will also have to present their results and conclusions through slide presentations for an open group discussion.
In addition to the teamwork that will be carried out in each session, students will have to write a laboratory report and hand it to the teacher for the motivation of their autonomous learning. Eventually, the teacher could use the Moodle platform that could include various resources, such as forms, exercises, multimedia material ... that the student must perform to complete the subject.
Classes will be taught in English, although students' questions will be answered in the language of their choice (Spanish, Catalan or English). The teaching material will be presented mainly in English, with some exceptions (graphs, tables ...)
The list of ECTS credits and the workload in learning hours depending on the different methodologies that will be used. Each ECTS theoretical credit has 10 hours in which the teacher has a presence in the classroom. The rest of the hours up to 25 correspond to the load of directed and autonomous learning of the student. This last teaching load can be done through autonomous activities, group work that will be presented and defended in class or individual study necessary to achieve the learning objectives of the different subjects.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
First call exam:
- Assistance (5%)
- Problems /Laboratory reports (15%)
- Laboratory notebook (20%)
- Presentation (10%)
- Final exam (50%)
A minimal mark of 5.0 should be obtained in the final exam in order to be taken for the calculation of the course average. The no realization of assignments will imply the failure of the subject. Assignments that are not given on time will only be evaluated with a maximum grade of 5 points out of 10.
The subject will be passed with a minimum mark of 5.0 in the total score grade.
The same evaluation criteria will be applied in the second sitting of the exam, without the possibility of obtaining a distinction with honors.
Attendance to laboratory practices is mandatory and it will be verified at the beginning of the session. This will have to be more than 95% to pass the course. A maximum of two missing classes are allowed, both excused and unexcused. Arriving 10 minutes late will be penalized. Absences will have to be duly justified to secretary (lalastruey@uic.es). All students are required to do tasks even if they have not come to class.
In case that a student has missed more than 2 sessions, in addition to the final examination, he/she will have to take a practical examination.
Important considerations
- Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be zero in that evaluation section. Besides, in exams it will mean the immediate failure of the whole subject.
- Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted. Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
- Attendance is mandatory and must be greater than 90% to pass the subject.
Bibliography and resources
Johnna S. Temenoff & Antonios G. Mikos. Biomaterials: The intersection of Biology and Materials Science. Pearson, 2009
Evaluation period
- E1 13/01/2025 P2A03 14:00h