The course consists of:

• 38 hours of lectures
• 8 hours of problem-solving sessions
• 8 hours of experimental laboratory practicals

Lectures

Lectures will be delivered using a combination of computer-based teaching materials and the blackboard.

Problem-solving sessions

These sessions will consist of seminars focusing on specific aspects of the course syllabus through the analysis of scientific literature. Active student participation will be assessed. Attendance is mandatory.

Laboratory practicals

These sessions will involve the preparation and execution of various experimental laboratory exercises related to the course content. Attendance is mandatory.

Note: In accordance with the schedule established by the School/Degree Programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to complete the course and teaching evaluation surveys.

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.

Continuous Assessment

The continuous assessment system for this course has the following main objectives:

1. To monitor the teaching–learning process, enabling both students and instructors to assess the level of achievement of the course learning outcomes and, where possible, to correct any shortcomings that may arise.
2. To encourage continuous student engagement and effort.
3. To verify that students have acquired the competencies established in the degree curriculum.

Assessment activities are divided into two modules:

1. Theoretical Module (T)

1a. Written Exercises and Assignments

Individual and/or group written exercises and assignments will be assigned with specified submission deadlines. These activities will account for 30% of the final course grade.

1b. Oral Presentations

Students will complete:

1. Oral presentations on scientific literature related to the course syllabus.
2. The preparation of specific course topics by students, followed by their presentation and discussion in class (flipped classroom approach).

These assessment activities will account for 60% of the final course grade.

2. Laboratory Module (L)

Laboratory Practicals

The remaining 10% of the final grade will be based on the assessment of laboratory practicals through pre-lab/post-lab quizzes and/or laboratory reports. Attendance at all laboratory sessions is mandatory for all students.

To pass the course, students must obtain:

• An overall final grade of 5.0/10 or higher, and
• A minimum grade of 5.0/10 in both the Theoretical Module (T) and the Laboratory Module (L).

Students who do not meet these requirements must take a resit examination. To be eligible for the resit, students must have completed at least two-thirds (2/3) of the continuous assessment activities. The 10% corresponding to the Laboratory Module (L) cannot be retaken.

If the final continuous assessment grade is below 5.0, students will have a second opportunity to pass the course by taking a resit assessment consisting of the following two in-person activities (on the date established by the Degree Coordination Committee):

1. A written examination covering any part of the course syllabus (Topics 1–9), including the oral presentations delivered by classmates as part of the flipped classroom activities. The examination will consist primarily of short theoretical questions and will account for 30% of the final grade.
2. An oral presentation (selected by the teaching staff from among those proposed during the continuous assessment period), followed by a discussion of the presented content with the instructors. This activity will account for 60%of the final grade.
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The remaining 10% corresponds to the Laboratory Module (L), which is not recoverable.

Single Assessment

Students who opt for the single assessment pathway must complete a single final assessment consisting of:

1. A written examination covering any part of the course syllabus (Topics 1–9), including the oral presentations delivered by classmates as part of the flipped classroom activities. The examination will consist primarily of short theoretical questions and will account for 30% of the final grade.
2. On the same day, students must deliver an oral presentation (selected by the teaching staff from among those proposed during the continuous assessment period), followed by a discussion of the presented content with the instructors. This activity will account for 60% of the final grade.
3. The remaining 10% corresponds to the Laboratory Module (L), attendance at which is mandatory for all students.

The final course grade will be calculated as follows:

Final Course Grade = Written Examination (30%) + Oral Presentation (60%) + Laboratory Module (10%)

If the final grade is below 5.0, students will have another opportunity to pass the course by taking a resit assessment identical to the one described above, to be held on the date established by the Degree Coordination Committee. The 10%corresponding to the Laboratory Module (L) cannot be retaken.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Course

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted in this course as an integral part of students' work, provided that the final submission reflects a substantial personal contribution in terms of analysis and critical reflection.

Students must clearly identify which parts of their work have been generated using AI technologies, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced both the process and the final outcome of the assignment.

Failure to disclose the use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a reduction of the assignment grade or more severe disciplinary sanctions in cases of serious misconduct.

MIsconduct during the Evaluation

Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (academic misconduct, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, except as explicitly stated in the previous section) that could lead to a significant alteration of the grade will result in the assessment activity being awarded a mark of 0. Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who engages in any of these irregularities.