The theoretical classes will be delivered to the whole group and, although they are mainly lecture-based, students will be encouraged to participate through short activities or by solving proposed situations. This teaching format provides theoretical content while reviewing the latest scientific evidence and expert opinions.

Seminars are medium-sized group learning sessions in which students work on proposed clinical situations under the supervision of a lecturer. The activity involves prior reading, group discussion, intervention design, and group oral presentations.

Advanced Clinical Skills Practice (ACSP) sessions are conducted in small groups, usually consisting of 5 to 12 students, allowing close and direct supervision by faculty members. These sessions take place in skills laboratories or clinical simulation classrooms. Anatomical models, mannequins, or peer-to-peer simulations are used to support learning.

These activities enable students to practice complex procedures and develop proficiency in their performance while becoming familiar with the specific instruments and equipment required.

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.

Assessment Criteria

Multiple-choice examination

Individual assessment accounting for 45% of the final course grade. It includes content from all course activities.

Oral defence of group assignments

Group assessment accounting for 40% of the final course grade. In small groups, each group must present the resolution of their assigned exercises and actively participate in the group discussion. If irregular participation by any group member is detected, the lecturer may assess that student individually.

Written assignment

The written assignment accounts for 15% of the final course grade.

Resit assessment: The same resit system as for continuous assessment will apply.

Not assessable: The same criteria for a “Not Assessable” grade as in continuous assessment will apply.

Review of the final grade: The review of the final grade follows the same procedure as for continuous assessment.

VERY IMPORTANT:

Arriving late or leaving before the end of a seminar will result in a penalty of 0.5 points in the final assessment.

Taking photographs or recording classes is not permitted. Doing so without the lecturer’s authorization will result in an automatic fail for the course.

Each assessable activity must be passed with a minimum score of 5.0 in order to calculate the final grade. Otherwise, the course will be recorded as failed, and the student will be required to retake the activity during the established resit period.

Attendance at 100% of seminars is mandatory. Each unjustified absence will result in a deduction of 0.5 points from the final seminar grade.

Missing more than 30% of the seminars will result in a grade of “Not Assessable.”

Seminars cannot be retaken due to their format and the continuous assessment system.

To be eligible for the final resit examination, students must have completed all assessment activities.

There is no option to improve a passing grade through the resit examination. Therefore, any grade of 5.0 or higher obtained during the ordinary assessment period will be considered final.

If it becomes necessary to resit any assessment activity, the highest grade that can be obtained will be a pass (5.0).

Restricted Use of AI Technologies

Permitted use: In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of assignment 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 tools 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 more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Respect and Conduct

Any disrespectful attitude towards students, teaching staff, administrative and service staff (PTGAS), or university facilities will not be tolerated. Where appropriate, the matter will be reported to the Degree Coordination Committee, which may initiate a disciplinary review process that could result in failing the course.

Other Important Aspects

This course does not include a single-assessment option.

Assignments submitted after the established deadline will not be accepted.

Students have the right to review their assessment activities. The review date will be announced through Moodle.

Calculation of the Final Grade

The final grade will be the sum of the scores obtained in each assessment activity. According to Agreement 4.4 of the Governing Council (17/11/2010) on assessment regulations, grades will be awarded as follows:

0.0–4.9 = Fail

5.0–6.9 = Pass

7.0–8.9 = Merit

9.0–10 = Excellent

9.0–10 = Honours Distinction (Matrícula d’Honor) – The criteria for awarding this distinction will be established by the teaching team and will not be exclusively numerical. Particular consideration will be given to active participation in voluntary extracurricular activities related to the course.

Students who do not complete both the theoretical and practical assessment activities will receive a grade of “Not Assessable” and will lose their registration rights for the course.

Justified Absences

The following situations will be considered justified absences:

• Official examination
• Acute illness
• Specialist medical appointment
• Elite athlete competition (training sessions excluded)
• Death of a family member or close person