The course has a strongly practical orientation, centered on the use of bioinformatics software.

Lectures

The theoretical classes will be delivered through face-to-face lectures. However, student interaction and participation will be encouraged and promoted as much as possible. Classes will be supported by audiovisual materials.

All teaching materials used by the instructor will be made available through the course's Virtual Campus. Students are encouraged to bring these materials to class to facilitate note-taking and learning.

Students will also be encouraged to deepen their understanding of the topics covered in class through the use of the recommended bibliography and simulation software.

Practical Sessions

Given the nature and orientation of the course, practical sessions will play a key role in both course development and student learning, and they are essential for achieving the learning objectives.

In addition to the wide range of bioinformatics web resources available, the selected software tools will be installed in the computer laboratory.

During these sessions, students will be required to solve previously selected practical case studies. Training will include both data input and manipulation, as well as the use of the main functionalities provided by the selected software packages.

Practical activities will be carried out individually or in pairs.

Research Project

The aim of the research project is for students to develop skills in addressing a biological hypothesis through the application of the bioinformatics tools and resources presented throughout the course.

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of coursework development, provided that the final outcome reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using AI technologies, specify the tools employed, and include a critical reflection on how these technologies have influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Failure to disclose the use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a penalty in the activity grade or, in more serious cases, additional disciplinary sanctions.

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.

The competencies of the course will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Theoretical-Practical

• Two midterm examinations covering theoretical-practical knowledge and conceptual questions [exams T1 (32.5%) i T2 (32.5%)]

Practical

• Attendance at practical sessions and submission of the corresponding reports [AI] (15%)
• Preparation and presentation of a project [PJ] (20%)

Theoretical-Practical Examinations	T	65%
Midterm Exam 1	T1	32.5%
Midterm Exam 2	T2	32.5%
Attendance at Practical Sessions and Submission of Reports	AI	15%
Project Preparation and Presentation	PJ	20%

• A minimum overall grade of 5.0 is required to pass the course.
• Participation in the practical component is mandatory in order to be assessed, although no minimum grade is required for this component.
• A student will be considered “Not Assessable” (NA) if the grades obtained in the completed assessment activities do not allow the student to achieve an overall grade of 5.0, even if the maximum possible marks were obtained in all remaining assessment activities.
• A final examination will be available either: As a resit examination for students who do not pass the course, or for students wishing to improve their final grade (with the possibility that the new grade may be lower than the original one).
• This examination will account for 65% of the final grade, while the practical component will account for the remaining 35%.
• Students repeating the course may choose whether or not to attend the practical sessions. If they decide not to do so, the assessment will be distributed as follows: T1 40%, T2 40% i PJ 20%.
• Any irregularity in an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course guide) that may lead to a significant alteration of the assessment result will result in a grade of 0 for that activity. If the course guide establishes a minimum grade requirement for that assessment activity in order to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in assessment activities within the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against the student.

This course does not offer a single-assessment option.