Biology

- To give an overview of biology that allows all students, regardless of prior knowledge they have, more easily understand those aspects of their studies more closely related to living things.

- To understand that the study of life is complex and diverse and that must be dealt with interrelated concepts, considering that even they break up for the purposes of their study, the biological systems form an integrated whole.

Learning results:
With respect to the Biology subject, the student will demonstrate:
- Understand the importance of the application of knowledge of Physics in Biology.
- Knowledge, reasoning and argumentation of basic theoretical concepts of Biology.
- Recognize the molecular bases and levels of organization presented by living beings.
- Relate the structure and function of the main groups of biomolecules and the main cellular components; as well as identifying the characteristics of the cell as a functional unit of life.
- Know, analyze and assess the processes of transformation of matter and energy that take place in living beings

1. Introduction to biology. The impact of physics in biology.

2. Brief description of the main biomolecules. Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and enzymes, nucleic acids. Structural analysis.

3. The cell and cell organization. General structure of the cell. Structure and function of cellular components.

4. Bioenergetics and metabolism. Concept of metabolism and metabolic networks. Collection and processing of energy in living organisms (photosynthesis and respiration).

5. Genetics. Gene phenotype. Transmission of information. Biotechnology.

6. History of life. Evolution as a unifying element of biology. Processes and evolutionary models.

7. Biology of organisms: multicellularity and coordination in plants and animals. Interaction with the environment and signal transmission. Nervous system.

8. Ecology. Basic concepts. Communities, ecosystems and food chain. Climate change.

Basic Bibliography

- Campbell, N. A. & Reece, J.B. (2007). Biología. 7th ed. Editorial Médica Panamericana.

- Curtis H.; Barnes, N.S.; Schnek, A. & Massarini, A. (2008). Biología. 7th Ed. Editorial Médica Panamericana. [Electronic version through the USC library (BUSC): http://sfx.bugalicia.org/san?sid=III:innopac&pid=id=9500605503].


Complementary bibliography

- Alberts, B; Bray, D.; Hopkin, K.; Johnson, A.; Lewis, J.; Raff, M.; Roberts, K. & Walter, P. (2011). Introducción a la biología celular. 3rd ed. Editorial Médica Panamericana. [Electronic version through the USC library (BUSC):
http://sfx.bugalicia.org/san?sid=III:innopac&pid=id=9786079356934].

- Feduchi, R.; Romero, C.; Yáñez, E. & García-Hoz, C. (2021). Bioquímica. Conceptos esenciales. 3rd ed. Editorial Médica Panamericana. [Electronic version through the USC library (BUSC): http://sfx.bugalicia.org/san?sid=III:innopac&pid=id=9788491106814].

- Freeman, S. (2009). Biología. 3rd ed. Editorial Pearson Addison Wesley.

- Sadava, D.; Heller, G.; Orians, G.; Purves, W. & Hillis, D. (2009). Vida: la ciencia de la biología. 8th ed. Editorial Médica Panamericana.

- Solomon E.P.; Berg, L.R. & Martin D.W. (2008). Biología. 8th ed. Editorial McGraw-Hill.


Online resources
- The virtual classroom will include materials prepared by teachers and links to online resources.

Basic and General

CB1-That students have proven to possess and understand knowledge in a study area that is part of the basis of general secondary education, and is often found at a level that, while supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the forefront of their field of study.

CG3-Apply both the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired as the capacity of analysis and abstraction in the definition and approach of problems and in the search of their solutions in both academic and professional contexts.

Specific

CE8-Be able to manage, search and use bibliography, as well as any source of relevant information and apply it to research and technical development projects.

Cross

CT1-Acquire analysis and synthesis capacity.
CT2-Have organizational capacity and planning.
CT4-Be able to work as a team.
CT5-Develop critical reasoning.

A course will be activated on the Moodle platform of the Virtual Campus, to which information of interest to the student will be uploaded, as well as teaching material.


The lectures will be taught in large groups for a total of 32 one-hour sessions, in the official class time. In them the basics of the subjects that make up the program of the course will be explained.

The interactive seminar classes are taught in small groups for 24 sessions of one hour. Completing the knowledge explained in the lectures, will be proposed and solved applications of theory, problems, exercises, assignments, etc.

Tutorial sessions, previously arranged with the students, will be used to clarify doubts and questions.

The final assesment will be the higher of the grades obtained in one of the following two methods:
- Method 1: continuous assesment (30% of the final qualification) plus final exam (70% of the final qualification).
Continuous assesment: active participation in interactive seminar classes will be evaluated, as well as through different written tests.
For the continuous assessment, student attendance is obligatory to 80% the interactive seminar classes, and it will be necessary to achieve a minimal grade of 45% in the final exam in order to add the continuous evaluation grade.
The students who need to retake the course, the continuous assessment, grades will be kept for two consecutive years.
Final exam: knowledge acquired throughout the course will be evaluated through different types of questions up to a maximum score of 7 points.
- Method 2: final exam (100% of the final grade).
Knowledge acquired throughout the course will be evaluated through different types of questions up to a maximum score of 10 points.

In both cases, to overcome the matter there is needed a note equal or superior to 50 % of the maximum note.

- Lectures: 32 h.

- Interactive seminar classes: 24 h.

- Tutorials: 4 h.

-Individual or group study, resolution of issues, recommended reading and / or similar activities, conducting examinations: 90 h.

Total: 150 h.

- Attendance at the lectures and interactive seminar classes as well as the realization of the proposed tasks, to maintain a continuous learning of the subject throughout the course.

- Study of the subject throughout the course for a better assimilation of the information received.

- Management of recommended bibliography, before each class, for better exposure monitoring teacher, and after it, to complete and correct the notes taken.

– All the above should be complemented by the use of tutorials to see all the questions that arise when studying the matter.