The subject “Transgenic Animals” consists of theory and laboratory classes, and tutored oral presentations of relevant literature. The formative activities of the subject are complementary.

Theoretical classes

The contents of the theoretical classes will be imparted by a Professor in a series of master classes supported by audio-visual material. The slides used by each professor in each class will be available to the students through the subject’sCampus Virtual/Moodle. These master classes will constitute the main form of transfer of theoretical contents. Students are advised to periodically consult the books and links suggested in the Bibliography section of this document and at the Campus Virtual/Moodle to consolidate and clarify, if necessary, the contents explained in class.

Laboratory practice classes

The laboratory practice classes have been designed to help students get familiarized with the methodologies used to produce transgenic animals, establish animal colonies, genotype genetically engineered animals, and design and perform different phenotypic analyses in these animal models. We expect that, during these laboratory practice classes, students will be able to experience a “real world” situation in which they need to design an experiment, obtain a genetically engineered animal model and study in vivo their phenotype. We would like students to experience the excitement associated to the research that uses the technology of animal transgenesis.

The laboratory practice classes are composed of 3 sessions of 4 h each (from 3PM to 7PM), during which students will work in groups of 2-3 people under the supervision of an experienced professor. The date assigned to each laboratory practice group will be published in the subject’sCampus Virtual/Moodle with sufficient anticipation.

Attendance to laboratory practice classes is mandatory.

By the end of the laboratory practice classes, students will need to have answered a questionnaire. Both the laboratory practice guide and the questionnaire will be available through the Campus Virtual/Moodle. Students must bring their own lab coat, a waterproof marker and the Laboratory Practice Guide to each laboratory practice class.

Oral presentations of selected papers

Students will analyse and discuss in an oral presentation in front of the whole class a selected scientific publication on animal transgenesis, published in a recognized international scientific journal. To this end, students will pair with a fellow classmate. During the process of analysis of the paper’s content and preparation of the oral presentation, students will be tutored by researchers with experience in the field of animal transgenesis. Students will have 10 minutes for the oral presentation, equally divided amongst the members of the group, plus 5 minutes for questions (total of 15 minutes). The objective of this evaluating activity is that students get used -under the supervision of a tutor-  to the process of searching, reading and understanding of scientific literature, and if necessary, develop a critical view on the figures, tables and results described in the publication. On the other hand, with this activity students will increase their knowledge of the current applications of the animal transgenesis technologies.

Tutoring

The oral presentations of selected papers will be tutored. In addition, upon request from the students, individualized tutoring will be available throughout the course. The objective of this sessions will be to help the student resolve doubts and reviewbasic concepts and to provide them with advice on sources of information and the best way to discuss scientific results in public.

UAB Surveys

15 minutes of one class will be allocated for the response of the UAB institutional survey.

To pass the course, students must achieve a final score of 5 points (over a total of 10 points) and must attend the laboratory practice classes. The evaluation activities are:

1.- Final examination of theoretical classes

Accounts for 50% of the final score (5 points out of 10). Assessment will consist of a written examination, under the format of a True or False test, on topics explained during the theoretical classes. A score greater than 2.5 in this examination is required to pass the course.

There will be a Second Chance/Recovery Exam, under the same format as the original exam.

2.- Examination of Laboratory classes

Accounts for 15% of the final score (1.5 points out of 10). Assessment will consist of a written examination, under the format of a True or False test, on topics explained during the practical classes. It will be held the same day of the theoretical classes examination.

Attendance to practical sessions (or field trips) is mandatory. Students missing more than 20% of programmed sessions will be graded as \"No Avaluable.

3.- Self-study exercise

It will account for 10% of the final grade (1 point out of 10). It consists of an assignment that the student must complete independently. The materials required to complete the assignment will be available on the Virtual Campus at the end of April. The assessment of this assignment will take place in person.

4.- Oral presentations of selected research papers

Accounts for 15% of the final score (1.5 points out of 10). Students will be evaluated individually, both on their performance during the oral presentation of the selected paperand on the audio-visual material that they prepared to support their group presentation.

5.- Attendance to the oral presentations of research papers

Accounts up to 10% of the final score (1 point out of 10). Both attendance and participation in the scientific discussions of the sessions will be evaluated, following the scale:

Attendance 90-100% = 1 point

Attendance 80-89% = 0,8 points

Attendance 70-79% = 0,7 points

Attendance 60-69% = 0,6 points

Attendance 50-59% = 0,5 points

Attendance 0-49% = 0 points

6.-The review of the theory and practical exams qualifications will be carried out in person on a day and time communicated via the virtual campus, some days after the publication of the grades.

Single evaluation: The theory and practical exam will take place on the same day. Attendance to practical classes is mandatory. For the oral presentation of research papers, in the event that the ENTIRE GROUP that makes the presentation is eligible for the single evaluation, the group may make the oral presentation on the same day of the theoretical and practical exam, once the exam is finished. Students who take single assessment and who cannot attend the oral presentations, can optionally obtain the point of attendance to the oral presentations of selected research papers by performing an analysis of an article or an activity related to the topic of the subject, the same day of the exam once the exam is finished.

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted at any stage. Any assignment that includes content generated by AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalty to the activity's grade, or more severe disciplinary sanctions in serious cases.

Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (academic misconduct, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course syllabus) that may lead to a significant alteration of the grade will result in that activity being graded as 0. If the course syllabus stipulates that obtaining a minimum mark in this assessment is an essential requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who incurs any of these irregularities.