5

1st

Clinical microbiology laboratory: types of sample, collection and transport. Major infectious syndromes. Direct and indirect diagnosis techniques. Determining the susceptibility of microbes to antimicrobial agents. Antibiograms and their usefulness. Environmental microbiological analysis.

Biochemistry, Immunology, Clinical Haematology and Genetics; Forensic Genetics and Genetic Counselling, and Assisted Reproduction Techniques (in Spanish)

5

1st

Presymptomatic and predisposition diagnosis. Techniques of biochemistry, immunology and clinical haematology. Clinical and multifactorial genetics. Genetic tracking. Applications of molecular genetics to forensic diagnosis. Genetic counselling and assisted reproduction techniques. Organization and diagnosis techniques in the laboratory.

Research in Clinical Laboratory Sciences 

30

2nd & 3rd

Systematics and organization of the laboratory and integration in a working project in analysis laboratory sciences. Practical laboratory methodology and the ability to perform a working project related with laboratory sciences.

Master's Degree Final Project 

10

3rd

The different areas of the laboratory, familiarization with the principles of analytical methods. The production of a master's degree project in laboratory sciences. The termination of the work will be assessed via the presentation of a written report and the public reading and defence of the project and its results.

Frontiers in Biomedical Technology: Lessons from Gene Expression

5

1st

Basic processes in the functioning of cells and of organisms. Basic mechanisms of gene expression, from chromatin regulation to the synthesis and stability of proteins. Abilities to decide as to the basic type of methods to study cellular processes at the molecular level.

Cell Communication: from Molecules to Diseases

5

1st

Molecular mechanisms in the interaction between cells and their environment. Membranes, ionic channels and membrane receptors that use complex intracellular signalling routes to control gene expression patterns. The disruption of cell communication causes dysfunctions to cells and to the organism. Pharmacological and genetic modulation of signalling pathways and cell functions.

Genomes and Systems

5

1st

Evolution of genes and genomes. The Human Genome project and its implications in biology and medicine. Mutational mechanisms of genes and genomes. Medical genetics and genetic counselling. Diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases. Evolutionary perspective of biology and genetics. Applications in pharmacology, structural biology, cancer and metabolism. Theoretical analysis of genome complexity.

Biomedicine, Society and Culture (in Spanish)

5

1st

The course aims to introduce the historical, social, economic and cultural aspects linked to biomedicine. It also analyzes the bioethical considerations of medical research, as well as public research policies and the repercussions of biomedicine on contemporary culture.

Breakthroughs in Neurosciences (in Spanish)

5

1st

Modern studies into the synaptic plasticity of neurobiological substrates associated with various physiological and physiopathological contexts (memory, learning, drug addiction and pain, among others).

Elements of Biocomputing

5

1st

Introductory course that aims to provide an overview of the possible uses of information technologies and computer processing in biomedical research. Acquisition of basic concepts and skills that enable performing simple operations related with the computational analysis of biosequences or obtaining and viewing 3D structures of biomolecules. The course includes personal practical classes in the use of databases and tools that are publically available.

Scientific Communication (in Spanish)

5

1st

Relations between scientific activity and the society. Public knowledge and attitudes towards science. The need to communicate science to the society. The functioning of the communications media. Relationships between scientists and journalists. Basic techniques to improve communication capacity (oral and written) for both specialized audiences and for the general public.

Science in Action

5

3rd

Principles of responsible conduct in research and elements of good scientific practice. Knowledge of the structure and dynamics of the science-technology-innovation system, and of indicators and assessment methods. Introduction to the methodology for critical thinking. Best practices will be studied based on case analyses. Current issues in political science and bioethics will also be discussed.