Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
4313794 Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biomedicine | OB | 0 | A |
Graduates in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Genetics, Microbiology, Medicine, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Computing Sciences, Physics, or Veterinary Medicine.
English is the only language used in the course. That includes class explanations by the instructors, tutorials, discussions in the classroom, materials, oral presentations by the students, and evaluated assignments. Therefore, an upper-intermediate level (B2, Cambridge First, TOEFL 87-109) is highly recommended.
The global objective of the course is for the student to acquire fundamental competencies in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biomedical research, to gain a solid grounding as a biomolecular scientist. Specific objectives are detailed in the Content section.
1- At the bench
1.1- Experimental Design
Instructor
David G. Quintana
Objectives
For the student to achieve an in-depth understanding of experimental design and data analysis processes.
Contents
- A brief introduction to the epistemology of Science.
- The problem/question framework: Defining the research objective and the best suited question to address it. What would be an acceptable answer? Defining the experimental project.
- Hypothesis driven research. Inductive vs deductive reasoning. The need for a testable, falsifiable hypothesis. The new paradigm: Question driven research. Data driven research.
- Experimental design. Choosing the optimal experimental system and sample. Instrument calibration and controls. Types of experiments. Variables. Controls. Time courses. Reproducibility.
- Data analysis and interpretation. Analysis of statistical significance. and confidence. Correlation vs causation. Sources of bias. Model formulation; validating the model through predictions that can be tested experimentally.
1.2- Clinical Research
Instructor
Irene Roman
Objectives
For the student to understand the specifics of the different clinical research approaches.
Contents
- Observational studies. Descriptive, ecological, case report/case series. Descriptive and analytic, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort. Mixed.
- Experimental studies, randomized clinical trials.
- Integration of individual studies. Systematic review. Meta-analyses.
- Screening tests. Screening criteria. Reliability. Validity.
- Causality, interaction, confusion.
1.3- Lab Life Basics
Instructors
Oscar Zaragoza, Jaume Farres, Antonio Casamayor, David G. Quintana.
Objective
An overview of general biolab organization and procedures.
Blocks
- Organization of biolabs.
- Handling of typical equipment and instruments.
- Your bench.
- Types of storage.
- The lab notebook.
- Lab safety. Good laboratory practices. Disposal of lab waste. How to react when facing spills and other accidents. Working with radioisotopes. Biosafety.
1.3- Scientific Integrity
Instructor
Oscar Zaragoza
Objective
For the student to become aware of the conflicts, tensions and uncertainties encountered in scientific research.
Contents
Case-based learning. Sources of pressure. Misconduct, fabrication, falsification, suppression, plagiarism. Misinterpretation, a priori convictions, insufficient reproducibility. Criteria for authorship.
2- Communicating Science
2.1-Communication skills
Instructors
Enrique Claro, Antonio Casamayor, Joaquin Arino.
Objectives
- For the student to acquirefundamental skills in written and oral communication of research results, in a concise, clear, honest manner.
- For the student to develop the ability to integrate knowledge and formulate reasonable conclusions from available information.
Blocks
- Oral skills.
- The research article.
- The MSc and PhD thesis.
- Posters.
2.2- Writing Science in English
Instructor
Silvia Sola (UAB Idiomes)
Objective
Will focus on strategies and tools to improve writing skills in English.
3- Journal Clubbing
Instructors
Jose R. Bayascas, Ester Boix, Assumpcio Bosch, Miguel Chillon, Elena Galea, Irantzu Pallares, David Reverter, Carles Saura, Natalia Sanchez de Groot, David G. Quintana.
Objectives
An initiation to journal club as an essential, standard tool
- to develop the ability to analyze, reason and discuss (defend and criticize) scientific results.
- to get acquainted with and understand advanced research work.
- to keep up with constant, fast progress in biomolecular sciences.
- to integrate MSc/PhD students' knowledge in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology andBiomedicine.
- to practice the preparation and delivery of the oral presentation and discussion/defense of experimental results.
- to serve as a way of identifying some of the current frontiers in biomolecular research, including emerging methods and techniques.
Blocks
- How to critically dissect a research article.
- Relevant articles will be proposed by the different tutorsfor the students to work on at home, and then present and discuss them in small groups.
4- Computer lab practices
Instructors
Marc Torrent, Martí Aldea.
Blocks
- Data representation and analysis, hypothesis testing.
- Systems biology, simulation and design of biological systems (COPASI, Complex Pathway Simulator).
This is an eminently practical course, as it is aimed at the acquisition of research competences and self-confidence by the future biomolecular researcher. In consequence, all sessions are based on practical, experiential learning, where the student is the centre of her/his own learning process. For the same reason, the load of (evaluated) work is significant.
In general, TE and SEM sessions will be developed as described below, although the instructor’s specific needs will prevail at all times.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Type: Directed | |||
Full group classes (TE, double helix), split group seminars (SEM, Crick / Franklin), and computer lab practices (PLAB-I) | 51 | 2.04 | 17, 3, 4, 8, 10, 16, 11, 14, 15, 20, 7, 9, 21, 26, 24, 23, 22, 25, 6 |
Type: Supervised | |||
Presentation of assignments and Journal clubs | 10 | 0.4 | 17, 2, 3, 5, 4, 8, 19, 10, 16, 11, 12, 14, 13, 15, 20, 7, 9, 1, 18, 21, 26, 24, 23, 22, 25, 6 |
Supervised work in the classroom | 30 | 1.2 | 17, 3, 5, 4, 8, 10, 16, 11, 12, 14, 15, 20, 7, 9, 21, 26, 24, 23, 25, 6 |
Type: Autonomous | |||
Work on assignments and on Journal Club | 116 | 4.64 | 17, 2, 3, 5, 4, 8, 19, 10, 16, 11, 12, 14, 13, 15, 20, 7, 9, 1, 18, 21, 26, 24, 23, 22, 25, 6 |
The contribution of the different blocks to the final mark is proportional to the work load (face to face classes and autonomous assignments).
Continuous evaluation
1- Assignments. Details will be provided by the different instructors.
- Experimental design (DGQ 17%)
- Clinical research (IR 8%)
- Oral and written scientific communication (EC 17%, JA 8%)
- Scientific English (SS 10%)
- Safety and good laboratory practices, biosafety, scientific integrity (OZ 7%, JF 4%, AC 2%)
- Computer lab practices (MT 6%, MA 6%)
Written reports will be scanned with plagiarism detection software. Detection of a single plagiarism event (including English homework) will lead to failing the module with no option to referral evaluation.
Instructors in module 1 consider that practical, experiential learning is one of the most powerful learning strategies available. For such reason all sessions involve in-class work and missing a session decreases the mark proportionally to the fraction of hours missed / total hours for that evaluated block. Only documented force majeure cases (e.g. medical certificate) will be considered.
2- Journal Club presentation and discussion (15%). Students must participate in 5 Journal Club sessions of their choice, out of 8 in offer. Missed sessions or sessions with no significant contribution will count 0 to the mark.
Referral evaluations
Students who fail to reach a global mark of 5 out of 10 upon continuous evaluation, and who handed in evidences that account for at least 2/3 of the total mark (regardless of having passed or failed them) will qualify for referral evaluation of the failed evidences. Details will be discussed with the corresponding instructor.
Non-assessable
A student who hands-in evidences that account for less than 2/3 of the total mark will be qualified "Non-assessable".
Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assignments | 80 | 10 | 0.4 | 17, 2, 3, 5, 4, 8, 19, 10, 16, 11, 12, 14, 13, 15, 20, 7, 9, 1, 18, 21, 26, 24, 23, 22, 25, 6 |
Journal Clubs | 20 | 8 | 0.32 | 17, 3, 5, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 20, 7, 9, 1, 18, 21, 26, 22, 25, 6 |
The recommended textbooks are available at the UAB libraries.
- At the Bench. A laboratory Navigator. Kathy Barker. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2005.
- Experimental Design for Biologists. David J. Glass. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2007.
- Statistics at the Bench. A Step-by-Step Handbook for Biologists. Martina Bremer. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2009.
- How to Present at Meetings. George M. Hall, Neville Robinson. BMJ Books, London, 2011.
- University of Manchester Academic Phrasebank http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/
Software will be provided by the Computer Lab Practices instructors.