The teaching methodology combines master classes, personal study and individual and team work

The specific and transversal competences of this course will be assessed through written examinations and presentations of the tasks assigned during seminars.

The theoretical component will be assessed through a single final written examination, which will account for 90% of the final course grade. To pass the theoretical component, students must obtain a minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10.

The final examination will consist of a mixed-format assessment designed to evaluate both the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to analyse, integrate and apply the concepts covered throughout the course. The examination may include different types of questions, such as multiple-choice questions, concept-matching exercises, short-answer questions, explanations of physiological processes or concepts, interpretation of experimental results, and problem-solving questions related to the course contents. The proportion of each question type may vary depending on the learning outcomes being assessed.

Classroom Activities: Throughout the course, after the completion of each thematic block, short classroom activities will be proposed to reinforce the contents covered and promote active student participation.

These activities may include short-answer questions, case studies, quizzes, or group-based activities. Participation and performance in these activities may contribute up to 0.4 additional points to the final course grade, provided that the student has obtained a minimum grade of 5.0 in the theoretical component. This bonus is not recoverable and does not replace any compulsory assessment item. The additional score may not increase the final course grade beyond the maximum mark of 10 points.

Seminars: Assessment will be based on the quality and accuracy of students’ reasoning and argumentation regarding the proposed questions and problems. Seminar assessment accounts for 10% of the final course grade. Attendance at seminars is compulsory, and seminar activities are not recoverable. Absences will only be justified under the circumstances established by UAB regulations.

To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum final grade of 5.0 out of 10. The final grade will be calculated as follows: 90% from the theoretical component and 10% from seminar assessment. A minimum grade of 5.0 in the theoretical component is required in order to calculate the weighted average with the seminar grade.

Honours Distinction (Matrícula d’Honor) may be awarded to students obtaining a final grade equal to or higher than 9.0. The number of distinctions awarded will depend on the total number of enrolled students.

Students wishing to improve their final grade may do so by taking the resit examination. In this case, it is understood that the student renounces the previous grade obtained in the theoretical assessment, and the final grade will be recalculated based on the new grade obtained in the resit examination, weighted together with the seminar grade. Final grades cannot be improved through assignments or other activities, except for the classroom activities described in this course guide.

A student will be considered Not Assessable (NA) if the assessment activities completed represent less than 67% of the final course grade.

Academic Integrity and the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Any irregularity committed in an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or improper use of Artificial Intelligence tools, except where explicitly authorized in this course guide) that may lead to a significant alteration of the assessment outcome will result in a grade of 0 for that assessment activity.

When passing the course requires obtaining a minimum grade in the affected assessment activity, or when multiple irregularities are detected across different assessment activities within the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0.

Without prejudice to the academic consequences described above, the University may initiate disciplinary proceedings against any student involved in such irregularities.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

This course adopts a restricted-use model for Artificial Intelligence. The use of AI tools is permitted exclusively as support for specific learning activities, such as literature and information searches, language revision of texts, translations, and other tasks explicitly authorized within the framework of seminars.

Students must clearly disclose any use of AI tools by identifying the sections of their work in which they were used, specifying the tools employed, and including a brief critical reflection on how these tools contributed to the development process and the final outcome.

Failure to disclose the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total reduction of the grade for the activity, without prejudice to any additional disciplinary measures that may apply.

The use of Artificial Intelligence tools is not permitted during examinations, in-person or online assessment activities, graded quizzes, or final course activities intended to obtain or improve the course grade. Any use of such tools in these activities will be considered an academic irregularity and will be subject to the measures described in this section.

Special Cases

In the event of justified circumstances (illness, death of a first-degree relative, accident, etc.), and upon presentation of the corresponding official documentation, students will have the right to take the assessment on an alternative date agreed upon between the affected student and the teaching staff. The Degree Coordination Committee will intervene if no agreement can be reached. Likewise, if, for the same justified reasons, a student is unable to sit the assessment at the scheduled time, alternative arrangements may be agreed upon with the teaching staff.

Single Assessment

Students opting for the single assessment system will not be required to attend seminars. However, they must complete the seminar activities designated by the teaching staff. The corresponding assignments must be submitted on the same day as the synthesis examination.

The single assessment consists of a single synthesis examination covering the entire theoretical syllabus of the course. This examination may include the same types of questions described for the continuous assessment system.

The synthesis examination accounts for 90% of the final course grade, while seminar activities account for the remaining 10%.

The single assessment examination will take place on the same date scheduled for the final examination of the continuous assessment system, and the same resit procedure will apply.

To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10 in the synthesis examination and a final weighted grade equal to or higher than 5.0.