Lectures

Lectures are a fundamental component of the course and are designed to provide a solid and well-structured foundation of the most relevant content. In addition to explaining key concepts, the instructor will encourage active participation through open questions, brief debates, and contextualized examples that help connect theoretical content to real-world cases and practical applications. These sessions also offer the opportunity to interact directly with the instructor and peers, clarify doubts in real time, and consolidate learning in a more dynamic and participatory way. All materials will be available at the Moodle virtual area.

Problem-solving sessions

These sessions aim to reinforce theoretical knowledge through the analysis and resolution of exercises based on the course content. Two complementary formats will be used:

1. Structured problems. At the end of each thematic unit, students will work on closed or semi-open problems designed to practice and internalize the fundamental concepts—such as the design of genetic circuits. These exercises help identify specific challenges and strengthen understanding of basic tools.

2. Contextualized and open-ended problems. As the course progresses, more complex and realistic scenarios will be introduced. These will require integrating knowledge, making justified decisions, and exploring alternative solutions. These problems will be solved in small groups to promote active participation,collaborative reasoning, and critical discussion. Evaluation will consider both the resolution process and the ability to justify and communicate decisions.

Group tutorials

Tutorial sessions are designed as spaces for academic guidance and support. The main objective is to help students plan and approach the autonomous learning components of the course effectively. The instructor will provide strategies to organize study time, identify key concepts, and make optimal use of the available learning materials. These sessions will also offer an opportunity to address general questions, share common difficulties, and reflect on the learning process itself.

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 assessment of this course is based on four components combining individual and group work, practical application, and theoretical reasoning. The goal is to evaluate both conceptual understanding and the ability to integrate and apply knowledge in a critical and creative way.

1. Research project (40%)

Each student will develop a research project on a topic related to synthetic biology, either proposed by the student or suggested by the instructor. The project must integrate the knowledge acquired during the course, with particular emphasis on Block II (biological design). The objective is not to produce a conventional literature review, but to apply the acquired knowledge to address a relevant scientific question or respond to a current technological need.

Projects will be presented and assessed through a peer review system involving the entire class. This dynamic encourages critical thinking and collective engagement. The course instructor will also evaluate the research project and reserves the right to modify the grades if any bias is detected during the review. At the end of the course, all projects will be compiled into a collaborative digital journal.

Submitted assignments are not eligible for resubmission or recovery.

2. Oral presentation of the research project (10%)

Each group will give an oral presentation, lasting approximately 10 minutes, of the research project carried out during one of the class sessions. Evaluation will consider argumentation skills, clarity of presentation, and teamwork.

3. Laboratory practicals (25%)

Assistance to the laboratory practials is required to pass the course. Lab sessions provide hands-on experience with experimental tools relevant to synthetic biology. Assessment will be based on an individual report analyzing the results obtained, the methodology used, and the interpretation of the observed phenomena. Critical analysis, clarity of writing, and scientific rigor will be valued.

4. Written exam (25%)

The written exam will assess the student’s understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course, as well as reasoning ability and content integration. It will include both conceptual and applied questions. Any material covered in lectures, problem sessions, or independent study may be included. A minimun of 4 points in the written exam is required to pass de course.

The course will be considered passed when the total weighted score is equal to or greater than 5 out of 10, if all conditions are met for all evaluation parts.

To be eligible for evaluation, students must have been assessed in activities representing at least two-thirds (67%) of the course’s total assessment weight. Students will receive a “Not Assessable” mark if their assessed activities account for less than 67% of the final grade.

NOTES:

Students may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools as part of their coursework, provided the final result clearly grounded in the student's own analysis and critical thinking. Students must clearly state which parts were generated using AI, list the tools used, and include a critical assessment on how these tools shaped the process and the final outcome. Failing to disclose AI use is considered academic misconduct and may lower the grade for the activity or, in serious cases, lead to disciplinary action.

Academic misconduct in any assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course syllabus) that significantly affects the score will earn a grade of 0 on that activity. If the syllabus requires a minimum score on that activity as a requirement for passing the course, or if multiple such violations occur within the same course, the student's final grade for the course will be 0. In addition, the student may also face disciplinary action.

This course does not offer a single final assessment option.