Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaClinical Biochemistry
Main language of instruction: Spanish
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Head instructor
The Clinical Biochemistry subject will offer the bases to understand the biological foundations that are used to prevent, diagnose and predict various pathological states of human beings.
Knowledge of the structure and function of molecules, metabolism and fundamental bases of human pathophysiology.
To know the diagnostic utility of the different metabolic pathways.
- To emphasize the importance of the acid-base balance of the vascular system, a system where the biomarkers of the most important diagnostic utility of the different metabolic pathways are found.
- To review the role of the main macromolecules in metabolism from the point of view of clinical interest and the understanding of their role as biochemical evaluators of metabolic pathways.
To understand the pathophysiology and molecular basis of the most prevalent diseases.
To know and understand the biochemical mechanisms involved in the most common clinical disorders of the function of the main organs and systems (liver and biliary, cardiac and muscular, renal, thyroid, gonadal and gestational function)
To understand the role that biochemical methods and analysis play in the diagnosis and management of organ and system diseases.
To understand the semiological value and the clinical utility of the main tumor biochemical markers.
To know the analytical methods and functioning of the clinical biochemistry laboratory.
Recognize the aspects that govern the pathological state and its implications at a clinical and diagnostic level.
Recognize basic concepts from different fields related to biomedical sciences.
Recognize the impact of microbiology, genetics and biochemistry on human health, as well as the diagnostic tools used in each of the Health fields.
That students have demonstrated to possess and understand knowledge in an area of study that starts from the base of general secondary education, and is usually found at a level that, although supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that imply knowledge from the forefront of your field of study
That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific or ethical nature.
Develop the capacity for organization and planning appropriate to the moment.
Develop the capacity for analysis and synthesis.
To be able to teamwork.
Reasoning and evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
Be able to carry out autonomous learning.
At the end of the course, the student:
Knows the basic principles and applications of clinical biochemistry used for the diagnosis of diseases.
Through the involvement of the main biomolecules in pathological processes related to metabolism, the student will know how we can use their determination and establishing reference values for their clinical use as diagnostic, prognostic or even risk factor markers.
Uses biochemical, cytogenetic and molecular biology markers applied to clinical diagnosis.
Handles basic material and techniques of a Clinical Biochemistry laboratory.
Works adequately/to the required level/ in a clinical laboratory including basic aspects of biosafety, handling and elimination of clinical and chemical waste, quality control and an annotated log of activities.
Knows how to execute and interpret some diagnostic tests typical of a Clinical Biochemistry laboratory.
Describes the main biochemical disorders in the function of organs and systems that are detected in ordinary clinical practice.
Describes and proposes methods and biochemical tests for the exploration of the function of organs and systems.
Knows how to discern which of them are the most appropriate in the context of clinical practice.
Interprets the biochemical determinations of the function of organs and systems within a specific clinical framework and identifies the different pathologies according to a specific biochemical profile.
Identifies a series of markers and the appropriate biochemical determinations for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of some of the most prevalent tumors.
Lectures: 50-minute presentation on a theoretical topic by the teacher.
Clinical cases or case methods (CM): Approach to a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the questions formulated in small groups or in interaction with the teacher and the answers are discussed. The teacher intervenes actively and, if necessary, contributes new knowledge.
Virtual Education (VE): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time which will contribute to self-learning of concepts related to the subject.
Laboratory practices: experimental demonstration in the laboratory of the concepts covered in the theoretical classes. Familiarization with the most common experimental resources in a biomedical laboratory.