Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Biochemistry
Teaching staff
Students may ask lecturers questions at the end of each class. For enquiries outside of class time, students must make an appointment by email:
Samuel Bru: sbru@uic.es
Blanca Lázaro: blazaro@uic.es
Núria Masip: nmasip@uic.es
Introduction
Nowadays, illnesses are explained in molecular terms, and knowledge of Biochemistry and Cell Biology is indispensable for correctly analysing aetiology, making diagnoses, administering treatment and assessing therapeutic processes. This is why future medical professionals must know how the human body works on a biochemical and molecular basis.
This subject aims to give medicine students a global view of the basic aspects of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and of scientific methodology in general. It has been designed in a practical way, each topic focusing on those concepts and situations that facilitates the comprehension associated to a professional vocation in the field of medicine.
Pre-course requirements
The subject does not require any specific administrative condition. However, in order to follow the course successfully, you should have the following knowledge:
- Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology at secondary school level.
Objectives
By the end of this course, students must have acquired the basic knowledge indicated in the programme, but above all, must have acquired a new perspective of the human body.
The mission of this subject (and, therefore, its final objective) is for students to gradually enter into the molecular logic of life and to understand the functioning of the human body as the coordination of myriads of molecules acting at the same time.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 07 - Understand and recognise normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ and systemetic levels, at different stages of life and in both sexes.
- 09 - Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
- 31 - Understand, critically evaluate and know how to use sources of clinical and biomedical information to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health care information.
- 34 - Ability for critical thinking, creativity and constructive skeptisim with a focus on research within professional practice.
- 36 - Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically evaluate information for problem solving using the scientific method.
- 37 - Acquire basic training for research.
- CB-1 - To have acquired advanced knowledge and demonstrated, within the context of highly specialised scientific and technological research, detailed comprehension based on theoretical and practical aspects and a working methodology from one or more fields of study.
- CB-5 - To transmit in a clear and unambiguous way to a specialised or non-specialised audience, the results of scientific and technological research projects and innovation from the field of the most advanced innovation, as well as the most important concepts which they are based on.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, students will:
- Understand the structure and function of biomolecules.
- Apply the principles of inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry in the study of biomolecules and fundamental biochemical processes.
- Know the structure and composition of cells.
- Know the main metabolic routes.
- Understand and integrate metabolic regulation systems.
- Be curious about what is considered normal and knows how to formulate questions and hypotheses.
- Have the basic tools to orally present data, results or theoretical concepts in a clear and concise manner.
Syllabus
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lecture (Master class, CM): Explanation of a theoretical topic by the lecturer.
Problem-based learning (PBL): Discussion of a situation in relation to specific issues related to the subject. Individual discussion in small groups that will finish with a collective group's discussion to draw conclusions. The lecturer only leads the conclusions that are elaborated entirely by the students.
Clinical cases (CC): Approach of a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the problem in small groups and later in class the answers are discussed. The lecturer actively participates and, if necessary, explain new knowledge to the students.
Practical (P): Experimental demonstration in the laboratory of concepts studied in theoretical classes. Familiarisation with the most frequent experimental techniques used in a biochemistry laboratory.
Virtual education (EV): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time and that will contribute to self-learning concepts related to the subject
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
General assessment points:
1) Evaluation percentage in January (1st and 3rd calls):
- 20% Partial exam (does NOT remove subject).
- 40% Final exam.
- 25% Case methods.
- 10% Laboratory practices.
- 5% ABPs
2) Percentage of assessment in July (2nd and 4th calls): 60% theoretical exam that covers all the concepts of the subject, except the practicals. The final mark is the average of all evaluations.
3) Students of the 3rd year: Only the method note of the case, laboratory practices and ABPs can be saved. They can also repeat these assessments if they prefer and get a new grade.
4) In the final exam, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained to be able to make an average with the continuous assessment grades (partial, case methods, laboratory practices and ABPs).
2) The exams will be of the test type with 4 answer options and only one valid, counting +1 for correct answers and -0.33 for errors.
3) 10% of the exam questions could be about concepts that have not been explained directly in the classroom but that are present in the recommended bibliography as well as in discussed articles, press or recommended virtual material.
4) The final grade of the continuous assessment (partial, case methods, practicals and ABPs) will be available before the final exam.
5) Improper use of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops may result in expulsion from class. Improper use is understood as the recording and broadcasting of students or teachers during the different lessons as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
6) Class attendance:
- Regular attendance at theory classes is recommended. Attendance at master classes is not mandatory, but attendees must follow the rules indicated by the professors.
- Access to the classroom will NOT be allowed once the class has started.
- The expulsion of a master class, case method or ABP student will have a negative impact on continued assessments. A double expulsion from class will result in my not being able to attend again.
7) By participation in class (it can be an extra +10% to the final mark) it is understood the contribution of interesting ideas or the raising of relevant questions that help to improve the quality of the session, whether it is a master lesson , clinical case or ABP.
Evaluation of case methods:
1) Attendance is NOT mandatory, but you must attend 13 of 16 to qualify for 100% of the grade. For each additional MC that is missing, the grade will be multiplied by 0.9 if it is one, 0.8 if there are two, 0.7 if there are three and so on. Proof of absences will NOT be accepted.
2) Punctuality will be required, as it will not be possible to access once the session has started. Only very justified reasons at the teacher's discretion allowing access before 15 minutes, after this time it will not be possible to enter.
3) Case methods will be assessed through an oral presentation of the case. In the rubric you can see the points that will be taken into account in this presentation. Oral participation in the form of questions from students who are part of the audience will be highly valued. In the final exam there will be 1 question for each of the case methods.
Evaluation of laboratory practices:
1) Attendance is compulsory, so anyone who does not do the practicals will not be able to take the final exam.
2) Punctuality will be required, as it will not be possible to access once the session has started. Only very justified reasons at the teacher's discretion allowing access before 15 minutes, after this time it will not be possible to enter.
3) Laboratory practices will be evaluated with a test-type exam that will be held on the last day of practice. Practice concepts will not be included in the final exam.
4) A well-justified absence will subtract 0.5 from the final practice grade. Two absences will be considered that the practices have not been completed.
5) No one can freely change practice group.
6) Mandatory to wear a robe.
Evaluation of ABPs:
1) Attendance is NOT mandatory, but for each absence 0.25 will be deducted from the grade.
2) The ABPs will be evaluated according to class participation.
3) In the final exam there will be 2 questions for each ABP.
Bibliography and resources
General biochemistry:
- LEHNINGER. Principles of Biochemistry. Ed. Reverté.
- DEVLIN. Biochemistry. Ed. Reverté.
- STRYER. Biochemistry I i II. Ed. Reverté.
- MCKEE. Bioquímica. Las bases moleculares de la vida. Ed. MC Graw Hill.
Cell biology:
- LODISH. Molecular Cell Biology. Ed. Panamericana.
- ALBERTS. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Ed. Omega.
Metabolism:
- HARVEY, FERRIER. Biochemistry. Ed. Wolters Kluwer.
Review of general biology:
- FREEMAN. Biology. Ed. Addison-Wesley.
Evaluation period
- E1 17/01/2025 A21 08:00h
- E1 17/01/2025 A22 08:00h
- R1 30/01/2025 A21 09:00h