This is a practical subject in which no master lessons are given. Students perform the experimental work individually and under the supervision of the responsible teacher. However, part of the contents will be taught in seminar format.

The practice Guides, where the protocols of each practice are detailed and the questionnaires of response are presented, will be available in the Virtual Campus of the subject.

Before beginning each practical session the student must have read the protocol and know the objectives of the practice, the fundamentals, and the procedures that must be carried out.

The aim of the practical classes is to complete and reinforce the knowledge acquired in the theoretical classes and seminars of the subjects of Biochemistry and Animal and Cell Biology as well as to acquire and reinforce basic notions of Molecular Genetics. The practical sessions will stimulate the acquisition of skills such as the ability to observe as well as the analysis and interpretation of the results obtained.

At the beginning of each practice session, an introduction will be made explaining the theoretical foundations of the practice to be performed, the operation of the different devices that will be used during the practice, as well as the general safety regulations to be taken into account during its development.

In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution of the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.

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 evaluation system for the acquisition of competencies for this subject is based on continuous assessment, based on written tests of different types, including specific questionnaires and the resolution of problems/cases related to the practices.

Given the practical nature of the subject, attendance at the sessions is mandatory. Unjustified absences may be tolerated by up to 10%. In any case, if the total number of absences (including justified and not justified) exceeds 20% of the total number of sessions, the student will be considered Not Evaluable.

The final score of the subject will be obtained exclusively from the weighted average, obtained by the continuous evaluation throughout the course, of the different contents. In order to pass the subject, it is necessary to obtain a final score of 5 or greater, provided that a minimum score of 3 has been obtained in each of the three parts of the subject. The contents of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will contribute 47%, those of Molecular Genetics 18%, and those of Cell Biology 35% to the final score. It may be encouraged, if the teacher deems it appropriate, previous knowledge of the content of the practical sessions, through the procedures that the teachers determine. This factor can represent up to 10% of the score of that practice session.

Due to the experimental nature of this course, there will be no make-up or second-chance examinations.

Cell Biology

The practices will be evaluated through a multiple-choice test of approximately 15 minutes, which will be done in the laboratory at the end of each practice. The six exams will have the same weight and altogether will contribute 35% of the final grade of the subject.

Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

Students will be assessed by means of short tests, either as a multiple-choice test and/or, in certain sessions, solving problems that require a short answer: two in the first term, practices LI1 (BQ1-BQ3) and LI2 (BQ4- BQ7), and two in the second semester, LI6 (BQ8-BQ10), LI8 (GM1-5). The weighting of the marks of the practices of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics in the final mark will be as follows: the LI1 will contribute 16% of the final mark of the subject, the LI2 17%, the LI6 14% and the LI8 the remaining 18%. The performance of the tests will be mandatory, and the unperformed tests will be qualified with “zero”.

This subject does not offer the single assessment option.