The learning activities are presented in the corresponding table and are divided into autonomous learning activities and guided learning activities.

The theoretical classes for the Histology block will be conducted in a telepresence format, and students will access them from the theory classroom. Under no circumstances can these classes be accessed from outside the classroom or at a later time.

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.

This course does not include a single assessment system.

In this course, each content block or module (Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Histology) is assessed independently through: assessable activities carried out during seminar sessions, classroom practical sessions or laboratory practical sessions; a final exam for each module and, if necessary, a resit examination for each of them. The final exam for each of the three modules is scheduled on different days, once the theoretical part of each content block has been completed. The resit exam, however, is scheduled on the same day for all three modules, although each block is still assessed independently. The dates assigned for all these exams can be found on the Faculty of Medicine website.

The requirements to pass each module can be found in the sections “Cell Biology Module Assessment”, “Biochemistry Module Assessment” and “Histology Module Assessment”, respectively. Students who do not meet the requirements must take the resit examination for the failed modules. Students who have passed the final exam may also take the resit exam in order to improve their grade. Sitting the resit exam implies renouncing the grade obtained in the first exam. Grades for each content block can be improved independently.

If all three content blocks are passed in the final exam with a grade of 5 or higher, the final course grade will be the average of the three module grades. If one or more resit exams are required, the average can only be calculated if at least two modules are passed in the resit with a grade of 5 or higher and the remaining module has a grade of at least 4. In this case, the course will be considered passed if the resulting average is 5 or higher. If any grade is missing for one or more content blocks, the final grade will be recorded as “Not assessable”.

IMPORTANT: From the second enrolment onwards, repeating students will only be assessed on the modules not previously passed. This exemption applies for up to three additional enrolments.

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM:

• THEORY: Written assessment using objective written tests, multiple-choice items, or restricted essay questions, with an overall weight depending on the module (see Module Assessment).
• PRACTICALS AND SEMINARS: Assessment of classroom sessions and seminars through oral presentations, written tests, multiple-choice items or restricted essay questions, with an approximate weight depending on the module (see Module Assessment).

Attendance and active participation in class and seminars: approximately 5% overall weight.

Non-attendance at any or all parts of the final exam will result in a “Not assessable” grade.

MODULE ASSESSMENT

Cell Biology Module Assessment:

THEORY AND SEMINARS (60%):

• The assessment consists of a final multiple-choice exam with a single correct answer and/or short conceptual and reasoning questions. To pass the Cell Biology module in the first sitting, the exam mark must be above 5. If the mark is below 5, students may take the resit exam. This may be a multiple-choice or short-answer conceptual exam. The resit also allows students who wish to improve their grade to do so. In this case, sitting the resit implies renouncing the previous exam grade.

CLASSROOM PRACTICAL SESSIONS (40%):

• The group project will be assessed through a public oral presentation of one of the proposed diseases (40% of the activity). In addition, the level of understanding of the disease developed by the student’s group will be assessed (40%), as well as the understanding of the other diseases presented by other groups (20%). This last part will be assessed through a 10–12 multiple-choice question test held on the same day as the final exam. In case of second or subsequent enrolment, students do not need to repeat the activity provided that the grade is 5 or higher. In such cases, the previously obtained grade is carried forward for final calculation. In other words, the activity grade is retained for repeating students.

Important: The grade obtained in the final or resit exam must be at least 5 in order to average with the classroom practical activity grade.

The final grade for the Cell Biology module represents 33.3% of the overall course grade.

Biochemistry Module Assessment:

THEORY (70–100%):

• Final exam including a multiple-choice test and a conceptual/problems section. The average of both parts constitutes the exam grade.

SEMINARS (0–30%):

• Continuous assessment exercises associated with seminars. The continuous assessment grade is only taken into account when it is higher than the final exam grade, and therefore it can increase the final mark.

The final grade for the Biochemistry module represents 33.3% of the overall course grade.

Histology Module Assessment:

THEORY EXAM (50%):

• Final true/false multiple-choice exam and image interpretation questions. A minimum grade of 5 is required to pass the course.

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES (50%):

• Moodle classroom: continuous assessment exercises linked to seminars via Moodle and/or Teams (20%).
• Practical sessions: continuous assessment tests carried out during practical sessions on theoretical concepts and image interpretation (30%).

To pass the module (exam + continuous assessment activities), minimum requirements for each part must be met and a final grade of at least 5 must be obtained after applying the weighting. If the theory exam is not passed, a final exam with the same characteristics as the midterm exam will be held.

The final grade for the Histology module represents 33.3% of the overall course grade.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed in this course as part of the development of assignments, 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 these technologies, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how they influenced the process and the final outcome. However, the use of AI technologies is not permitted during individual assessment tests (exams, written or oral tests), which must be completed without external support unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment call. Lack of transparency regarding AI use will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in grade penalties or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Any irregularity in an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless expressly authorised in the course syllabus) that may significantly affect the grade will result in a score of 0 for that activity. If the syllabus states that a minimum grade in that activity is required to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur within the same course, the final course grade will be 0. In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against the student involved in such irregularities.