Referring to knowledge

Face-to-face learning activities (24 h)

Given the practical nature of the subject, class attendance is compulsory.

— Practical classes on Block 1 (15 h)

Practical sessions in groups of 12 students. In the first week, five three-hour sessions are held in a classroom with computers or with Wi-Fi and students’ laptops. In addition to the whiteboard, audiovisual material in digital format is used (PowerPoint presentations, videos, direct access to URL, etc.), which is available on the Virtual Campus.

In Block I, students work in teams of four. Each team develops its project on a given topic, drawn from a broader area such as rare diseases, autoimmune diseases or cancer.

Each topic will be developed by two teams, so that the two projects can be discussed and compared in face-to-face debate sessions.

 

— Practical classes on Block 2 (9 h)

The second week, three three-hour sessions are held in the same type of classroom.

In this second part of the subject, each student develops their project individually on a topic of their choice. In the sessions, students work in groups formed according to the chosen topics. Within the group, students do exercises on the project and discuss them to improve the various assignments.

 

Distance learning activities

— Directed learning activities (25 h)

These activities are tutored by the lecturer and include specific exercises with a delivery date, posted on the Virtual Campus and announced in class. Students, who are distributed in working groups (Block I) or individually (Block II), will put class explanations into practice by working on practical cases proposed by the lecturer on specific topics.

 

— Independent learning activities (26 h)

At the beginning of the course and before each face-to-face session, students must review the relevant material as indicated by the teacher.

After the theoretical classes, students must work on the contents that have been taught using their class notes and additional teaching material that is proposed by the lecturer or that students find themselves, mainly in databases of science literature. In addition, other information is available online referring to the world of science research: centres, services, sources of funding.

Students must organise the tasks required by the lecturer, considering the deadlines and calendar established for completing and submitting them, especially in the preparation of the individual project and its presentation.

The learning, knowledge, skills and attitudes included in the objectives and the content of the subject will be assessed continuously. The final grade for the subject is based on the mark for the presentation of the individual project (both oral and written; 35% each) and the mark for face-to-face and distance directed learning activities (30% of the final grade). Students who do not hand in the individual project receive a final grade of “Absent”. Students must pass each part separately (individual project and activities) to pass the course.


Repeat assessment

This consists of a second period in which to present the project or the exercises that were failed in the first assessment.

Examination-based assessment

Given the mandatory nature of the face-to-face work and the practical nature of the subject, students are recommended to follow continuous assessment. However, if students wish to apply for single assessment, they must submit a document signed by them and by the lecturer. The request must be submitted by the deadline established by the Faculty. Once this decision has been taken, it is final and irreversible. Single assessment takes place on the date for the oral presentation of the project and students must also hand in all the directed learning activities assigned.

Students under single assessment are entitled to repeat assessment under the same conditions as continuous assessment students.

Both single assessment and continuous assessment are undertaken within the official examination sessions at the Faculty of Biology.