Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry

Study plan Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry

Basic skills

  • Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
  • Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  • Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethic relevant issues.
  • Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.

Specific skills

  • Use the basics of mathematics, physics and chemistry that are required to understand, develop and evaluate the chemical procedures of living matter.
  • Identify molecular structure and explain the reactivity of the different biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.
  • Describe the structural, physiological and biochemical characteristics of the different types of cells and explain how their properties fit in with their biological function.
  • Analyse and explain normal physiological processes and alterations in them on the molecular scale, using the scientific method.
  • Stay abreast of new knowledge of the structure, organisation, expression, regulation and evolution of genes in living beings.
  • Define the structure and function of proteins and describe the biochemical and molecular bases of their folding, intracellular traffic, post-translational modification and replacement.
  • Demonstrate understanding and use of the mechanisms of biological catalysis based on the structure of biological catalysts and chemical reactions.
  • Explain the structure of cell membranes and their role in signal transduction processes, the transport of solubles and the transduction of energy.
  • Describe intercellular and intracellular communication systems that regulate the proliferation, differentiation, development and function of animal and plant tissues and organs.
  • Demonstrate an integrated vision of the function of hormones, neurotransmitters and growth factors in the control of gene expression and metabolism.
  • Describe metabolic routes, their interconnections and their physiological significance, and also understand the mechanisms that regulate their activity to satisfy physiological needs.
  • Apply the principal techniques used in biological systems: methods of separation and characterisation of biomolecules, cell cultures, DNA and recombinant protein techniques, immunological techniques, microscopy techniques, etc.
  • Use analytical methodologies for assaying the biological activity of cellular components, especially enzymes, both in vitro and in vivo.
  • Display knowledge of the biochemical and genetic changes that occur in many pathologies and explain the molecular mechanisms involved in these changes.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the components of the immune system, their structure and function and their mechanisms of action.
  • Design and prepare laboratory protocols, including health and safety aspects.
  • Process cells and tissues to obtain purified sub-cellular organelle preparations, and characterise them biochemically and structurally.
  • Use clinical laboratory techniques to determine biochemical and genetic markers of different pathologies and critically assess the results, speculating on the nature of any possible underlying pathologies.
  • Integrate knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology with that of microbiology and biochemical engineering, especially in their application to biotechnological processes.
  • Apply general laboratory security and operational standards and specific regulations for the manipulation of different biological systems.
  • Manage bibliographies and interpret the information in the main biological databases, and also know how to use basic ICT tools.
  • Clearly perceive current advances and possible future developments by reviewing scientific and technical literature in the area of biochemistry and molecular biology.
  • Apply the legal and ethical principles that govern the development and application of molecular life sciences.
  • Integrate scientific and technological knowledge.
  • Display a thorough knowledge of a specific aspect of biochemistry or applied biochemistry and interpret the relevant scientific literature.

Transversal skills

  • Design experiments and understand the limitations of experimental approaches.
  • Interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
  • Use ICT for communication, information searching, data processing and calculations.
  • Read specialised texts both in English and one’s own language.
  • Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives.
  • Manage information and the organisation and planning of work.
  • Write an article on a scientific or technical topic aimed at the general public.
  • Make an oral, written and visual presentation of one’s work to a professional or non-professional audience in English and understand the language and proposals of other specialists.
  • Collaborate with other work colleagues.
  • Take responsibility for one's own learning after receiving general instructions.
  • Show a capacity for leadership.
  • Show initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Be able to self-evaluate.
  • Understand the language and proposals of other specialists.
  • Combine research and and the generation of knowledge with problem-solving in one's own field, showing sensibility to ethical and social questions.