Methodology

The subject consists of theoretical and practical classes in the laboratory. The organization and teaching methodology to be followed in these two types of educational activities are described below.

Theoretical classes

The content of the theory programme will be taught mainly in the form of lectures with audiovisual support. Presentations used in class will be previously made available through Campus virtual. It is recommended that students regularly consult the works listed in the Bibliography section of this guide, as well as the publications detailed at the end of each unit, in order to consolidate and, if necessary, clarify the content explained in class. It is also recommended that students consult the links provided in Campus virtual and in each unit.

In addition to attending classes, students are also required to take an active role during the course, as they will have to develop certain parts of the theoretical programme themselves. This independent-learning work can be done either individually or in small groups and will mainly focus on consolidating basic knowledge (some of which has already been covered in other subjects within the degree) or on complementing the information received in class with further reading or through video content.

Additionally, the lecturer will set out a practical case that students will have to resolve at the end of the subject. The case will be based on a situation that requires the application of assisted reproduction techniques in order to recover, maintain or manage a strain or line of laboratory animals. The objective of this activity is for students to transfer the knowledge acquired throughout the subject to a real situation, and to decide on the actions that are most appropriate for resolving the case. Students are required to carry out this work in groups of 2 and each group will have to submit a written report (following the guidelines provided by the lecturer) bythe deadline indicated at the beginning of the course.

Practical classes (Laboratory)

The subject is highly practical and over half of the face-to-face hours (13 h) will be dedicated to practical work in the laboratory. These sessions are designed for the students to carry out a number of the basic methodologies explained in the lectures, and to thereby complement the theoretical training received through this applied dimension. Attendance of practical classes (termed ‘practicals’) is compulsory and any absence must be duly justified.

The practicals will be carried out in groups of 2 students and, throughout the various sessions, groups will have to answer a questionnaire with the results obtained and submit this on completion of the practicals.

For all practical sessions, it is compulsory for students to bring their own laboratory coat and the protocol manual, which will be available on Campus virtual.

Before the start of the laboratory practicals, students must pass the safety and biosafety test, or provide documentary evidence of having previously passed this test.

Tutorials

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.