Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Work Placement
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Questions will be resolved in person or by videoconference with the corresponding academic tutor. If necessary, please make an appointment with the work experience coordinator: Dr Sara Hernández (shernandez@uic.es)
Introduction
The external research practice in a laboratory is designed so that students can acquire and consolidate their practical knowledge of everything they have studied so far and achieve final levels of competence to qualify for the research option on the module.
During this work experience, students will produce a research project tutored by a consolidated researcher, in which they will acquire knowledge not only about the techniques used but also about the state of the art in the field in which the project is carried out, and critical analysis of the results obtained.
Pre-course requirements
In order to enrol in external internships, students should have passed:
- Cell biology I
- Cell Biology II
- Molecular biology
- Integrated biomedicine I
- Integrated biomedicine II
- Integrated biomedicine III
- Biochemistry I
- Biochemistry II
- Genetics
- Genetic engineering
- Microbiology
- Cellular and molecular pathology
- Biomedical analysis techniques I
- Biomedical analysis techniques II
Objectives
1. To understand how to develop a hypothesis and plan the necessary experiments to demonstrate it.
2. To carry out research following the planned guidelines, applying the different techniques and learn from both positive and negative results.
3. To work independently, know how to defend arguments and solve any problems that may arise.
4. To work in compliance with requirements for safety, handling, sterilisation, waste management and ethics.
5. To analyse the results critically and thoughtfully.
6. To develop good communication skills within the laboratory with others and also to communicate results in writing and orally.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB01 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study that is based on general secondary education, and it tends to be found at a level that, although it is based on advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting-edge of their field of study.
- CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) to issue judgements that include a reflection on significant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CB04 - That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- CB05 - That students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
- CE19 - To be aware of the principles of biomedical science related to health and learn how to work in any field of Biomedical Sciences (biomedical companies, bioinformatics laboratories, research laboratories, clinical analysis companies, etc.).
- CG07 - To incorporate basic concepts related to the field of biomedicine both at a theoretical and an experimental level.
- CG10 - To design, write up and execute projects connected to the field of Biomedical Sciences.
- CG11 - To be aware of basic concepts from different fields connected to biomedical sciences.
- CT01 - To develop the organisational and planning skills that are suitable in each moment.
- CT02 - To develop the ability to resolve problems.
- CT03 - To develop analytical and summarising skills.
- CT04 - To interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- CT05 - To use the internet as a means of communication and a source of information.
- CT06 - To know how to communicate, give presentations and write up scientific reports.
- CT07 - To be capable of working in a team.
- CT08 - To reason and evaluate situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CT09 - To have the ability to develop interpersonal skills.
- CT10 - To be capable of autonomous learning.
- CT11 - To apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
- CT12 - To apply scientific method.
- CT13 - To be aware of the general and specific aspects related to the field of nutrition and ageing.
- CT14 - To respect the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values that are specific to a culture of peace and democratic values.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The student:
- Has the ability to work in the field of biomedical research.
- Applies tools that allow the correct choice and interpretation of the bibliography to an adequate integration and participation in the activities of a research group.
- Knows and properly uses the scientific, technical or specific vocabulary, as well as the specific bibliography of the group or company receiving the external internships.
- Demonstrates autonomy in the research laboratory and can appropriately use vocabulary, tests, reagents and other resources in the work environment.
- Demonstrates autonomy and critical thinking in the interpretation of information.
- Understands the bases for planning, organising and controlling the assigned workload.
- Has a professional attitude that is appropriate to the work environment.
Syllabus
The external internship depends on the destination and type of project proposed in the work plan. The contents and internship period must be specified in the work plan and must be specified in conjunction with the tutor. The work plan will be evaluated by the internship coordinator and must be approved before the work experience begins.
The internship must be part of a curricular agreement between the university and the research centre or company. It is not possible to start accredited work experience within the curriculum without an established agreement.
During the work experience period, it is possible for the student to take other subjects to complete the curriculum. However, it is the student’s responsibility to combine the different obligations, and in no case should they have an impact on work experience activities.
In the first semester, the student will have to choose the type of work experience they wish to do:
1. Work experience at a national or international laboratory combined with the final degree project.
2. Work experience at a national or international laboratory, independently of the final degree project to be carried out at UIC Barcelona.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
• Internship at a biomedical research laboratory: linked to a professional project at national or international centres in the field of biomedical research. The work experience will be face-to-face and mandatory for the student and must cover a minimum of 480 hoursh of experimental practice. Prior to the beginning of the work experience, the student must have their work plan approved.
The distribution of the work experience is planned freely and must be agreed with the receiving laboratory. Work experience must start from the second semester and preferably be full time. It is not possible to validate previous external work experience without having established a work plan and without having followed the evaluation criteria.
• Tutorials: 3 hours mandatory and up to a maximum of 10 hours with the academic tutor that allow proper monitoring of the student and continuous evaluation throughout the work experience. They will be in person or online depending on the availability of the tutor and the student, respecting school hours wherever possible.
• Independent work may vary between students and they are expected to work on a bibliography to defend their project as well as to write a short report on the work experience.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The evaluation methods are based on a series of evaluation reports written the external tutor and the evaluation of the work experience report by the academic tutor.
• 20% partial evaluation of work experience: The external tutor will issue a report when the student has completed approximately 50% of the work experience hours. This will allow you them readjust the strategy where necessary and evaluate the work so far.
• 40% Final evaluation of the work experience: The external tutor will issue a report at the end of the work experience. It will allow for a final evaluation of the student and their professional and technical progress.
• 40% Work experience report: This will consist of the student writing up the results obtained, as well as a section for reflection on the relevance of these results for biomedicine and their contribution to the project. This memory will be evaluated by the academic tutor.
To pass the subject, it is mandatory to attend at least 3 tutorships with the academic mentor.
The mid-term work experience assessment is to provide guidance to the student and academic tutor, and will be used as a basis for improvement for the rest of the work experience period.
The work experience report is the student’s own work and will serve to demonstrate the knowledge acquired during the work experience and understanding of the laboratory, in addition to providing a critical reflection on the added value of a biomedical graduate within the project or general organisational strategy.
Once the work experience is finished, the university will issue an accrediting document that must contain, at least, the following aspects: the collaborating entity where the work experience was carried out, a description of the work experience with the duration and specified completion dates and the activities carried out.
Important considerations:
1. Students must receive at least a 5 on the work experience report to pass.
2. Plagiarism, copying or any other actions that may be considered cheating during coursework will result in being marked 0. Similar actions during the exams will result in failing the course.
3. During retake exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is “Excellent” (honours will not be possible).
3. Changes to the calendar, exam dates or evaluation system will not be admitted.
4. Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or students doing retakes will be subject to the same conditions as the rest of students.
Bibliography and resources
Internal regulations for internships in companies and institutions of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya https://web.uic.es/intranet/web/veure.uic?id=95053&anyo=2022&huic=77de787d0e6fdff136fde03da5157100