Degree in Biochemistry
240 credits - Faculty of Science
Biochemistry looks at the composition of living beings, their chemical interactions and transformations, the modulation mechanisms of these processes, and their physiological impact. The discipline is currently experiencing exponential growth due the discovery of more molecular causes behind diseases, the application of biochemical processes in industry (biotechnology), etc. The main aim of the Degree in Biochemistry is to train professionals in all areas related to biochemistry and molecular biology in general, and also provide a more focused education on bioanalysis and biomedicine; these professionals will be equipped with the conceptual, manual, and technical tools to be able to understand and apply all this knowledge. They will also acquire the ability to understand, speak, and write in English.
This degree enables students to go on to study masters' programmes in related areas, offering them the chance for further specialisation. The professional nature of this degree programme will enable students to join the field of bioanalysis with little or no need for additional studies. They will be prepared for jobs in clinical analysis laboratories; the service sector; pharmaceutical, food, and agriculture industries; as well as in scientific and technological research centres; and departments of innovation and development in related industries.
Credit Summary
| Core Training | Mandatory | Elective Subjects | External Practicum | Final Degree Project | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 144 | 30 | - | 6 | 240 |
Subject list by year and semester
Subjects
First Year
First Semester
Mathematics I*
Chemistry I*
Physics*
Biology*
Biochemistry*
Second Semester
Mathematics II*
Chemistry II*
Cytology and Histology*
General Biochemistry Laboratory*
Biochemistry Instrumentation Laboratory*
Second Year
First Semester
Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences
Molecular Biology and Metabolic Control
Microbiology
Genetics
Animal Physiology
Second Semester
Enzymology and Molecular Interactions
Structure and Function of Macromolecules
Plant Physiology
Integrated Laboratory I
Integrated Laboratory II
Third Year
First Semester
Immunology
Biosynthesis of Macromolecules and their Regulation
Biochemistry of Membranes and Bioenergetics
Molecular Genetics
Elective 1
Second Semester
Metabolic and Biochemical Tissue Integration
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Development
Methods and Techniques in Molecular Biology
Molecular Biology of Systems
Elective 2
Fourth Year
First Semester
Human Physiology
Microbiological Analyses
Analytical and Clinical Biochemistry
Food Biochemistry
Elective 3
* Core Training
Second Semester
Molecular Pathology
Bioethics and Quality in Bioscience Laboratories
Final Degree Project
Elective 4
Elective 5
Skills
Core Skills
- CB1 Acquiring knowledge and understanding in a field of study based on the foundations of general secondary education together with the support of advanced textbooks and aspects of the latest advances in the field.
- CB2 Being able to apply knowledge acquired as a student to a job or vocation in a professional manner, and possessing the skills that are generally demonstrated by producing and defending arguments and solving problems in a field of study.
- CB3 Having the ability to collect and interpret relevant data (generally within a field of study) in order to make judgments which include reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific or ethical nature.
- CB4 Being able to convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialised or non-specialised audiences.
- CB5 Developing the necessary skills to undertake further studies to a certain degree of independence.
General Skills
- CG1 Possessing and understanding knowledge in the area of biochemistry and molecular biology, with the support of advanced textbooks, including important avant-garde aspects in the field.
- CG2 Knowing how to apply biochemical and molecular biology knowledge to professional practice, and having the necessary intellectual capacity for this practice, including skills in information management, analysis and synthesis, problem-solving, organisation and planning, and generating new ideas.
- CG3 Having the ability to collect and interpret relevant information to issue critical and reasoned opinions on social, scientific or ethical issues connected to advances in biochemistry and molecular biology.
- CG4 Being able to pass on information, ideas, problems and solutions in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology to a specialised and non-specialised audience.
- CG5 Developing the necessary learning skills to undertake postgraduate studies in the area of biochemistry and molecular biology, and other similar areas, with a high level of independence.
- CG6 Possessing the ability to understand, speak and write in English to an intermediate level.
- CG7 Acquiring the core skills to use common computer programmes, including access to bibliographical and other types of databases that may be useful in biochemistry and molecular biology.
- CG8 Developing the necessary interpersonal skills to be able to work effectively as part of a team in the biochemistry and molecular biology area, and thus join inter-disciplinary teams both domestically and internationally.
- CG9 Developing the initiative, entrepreneurial spirit and motivation for success that are required to take the right decisions to lead project design and management linked to biochemistry and molecular biology, whilst constantly ensuring the quality of the project being run and the results obtained.
Cross-cutting Skills
- CT1 Understanding that any professional activity needs to be done in respect of fundamental rights, promoting gender equality, the principle of universal access and design for all individuals, and in protection of the environment, as well as in accordance with the values inherent to a culture of peace and democracy.
Specific Skills
- CE1 Understanding and knowing how to explain physical and chemical processes in biochemical processes, and the techniques used in their research.
- CE2 Understanding the principles that determine the three-dimensional structure of molecules, macromolecules and supramolecular biological complexes, and being able to explain the links between structure and function.
- CE3 Understanding the principles of biocatalysis and the role of enzymes and other biocatalysts in the functioning of cells and organisms.
- CE4 Being familiar with the different types of cells (prokaryote and eukaryote) with regard to structure, physiology and biochemistry, and being able to critically explain how their properties match their biological function.
- CE5 Knowing the components, functioning and mechanisms that regulate plant and animal organisms, with a special emphasis on humans.
- CE6 Having knowledge of the structure of genes and the mechanisms for replication, recombination and repair of DNA in the context of cell and organism functioning, as well as the bases of inheritance and genetic variation, and epigenetics amongst individuals.
- CE7 Knowing the biochemical and molecular bases that regulate gene expression and the activity, location and exchange of cell proteins.
- CE8 Having a critical understanding of the essential aspects to metabolic processes and their control, and having a comprehensive vision of the regulation and adaptation of metabolism in different physiological situations, with a particular emphasis on humankind.
- CE9 Knowing and understanding biochemical and genetic changes that take place in a wide range of pathologies, and knowing how to explain the molecular mechanisms involved in these changes.
- CE10 Understanding the components of the immune system, its structure, function and its action mechanisms.
- CE11 Having the numerical and calculus tools to enable you to apply mathematical procedures to data analysis.
- CE12 Knowing the legal and ethical bases involved in the development and application of molecular life sciences.
- CE13 Working properly in a biochemistry laboratory with biological material, taking into account safety, handling, eliminating biological and chemical waste, and the annotated activity records.
- CE14 Knowing the principles and applications of methods and tools used in bioanalysis.
- CE15 Having detailed knowledge of how biochemical and genetic markers linked to different pathologies are determined in a clinical laboratory, and being able to critically assess how to use them in diagnosis and prognosis for the evolution and transmission of these diseases.
- CE16 Having the ability to monitor the presence of xenobiotics (pharmaceuticals, contaminants, biocides, dopants, etc.).
- CE17 Knowing the principles in handling nucleic acids, as well as the techniques that enable the analysis of genetic function, and the development of transgenic organisms with applications in biomedicine, industry, the environment, agriculture, livestock breeding, etc.
- CE18 Knowing how to search for, obtain and interpret information in the main biological and bibliographical databases.
- CE19 Knowing the fundaments and applications of omics technologies: genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc. and knowing how to access the databases linked to these technologies.
- CE20 Knowing how to design and perform a study and/or project in the area of biochemistry and molecular biology, and being able to critically analyse the results obtained.