International Health Foundation Programme

The main objective of this subject is for students to become familiar with the volume, concentration and conversion factor measurements frequently used in the laboratory. Understanding, being mentally agile and familiar with using these factors is essential for using reagents in the laboratory successfully.

The second objective is for students to become familiar with the main chemical reactions that take place in clinical and research laboratories, and understand their bases and applications.

Finally, the third objective is to study the main chemical reactions that take place in the human body that maintain homeostasis and internal balance. This also addresses the role of hormones and enzymes within the organism.

This subject will consist of lectures (Master classes), where the theoretical contents will be explained, problem-based learning and laboratory practices for each block within it.

Block 1 - Solutions. This section will describe the basic concepts regarding chemical solutions. Their characteristics and uses, as well as the different types of solutions according to the state of the solvent and the solute, will be explained. Students will study the concepts of mole, molarity and modality, among others, and practice calculating and converting into different units.

Block 2 - Chemistry in the biomedical laboratory. In this section the most common reactions in clinical and research laboratories will be described and performed. Students will learn the theoretical concepts and practice what they have learnt in the laboratory.

The reactions and processes under study will be denaturation, buffers, staining, dehydrations and oxidations. These reactions have different applications within the analysis of organic compounds, tissue handling and biochemical analyses that will be studied in this subject.

Block 3 - Chemistry within biological processes. This section will highlight the most significant reactions that occur in the human body. Blood pH maintenance via phosphate buffer, enzyme function and kinetics, phosphorylation reactions that allow cell signalling, metabolic redox reactions and hormone function from a chemical point of view. Biochemical laboratory practices will also be performed.

The main objective of this subject is to become familiar with the materials usually used in biochemical and clinical laboratories, their characteristics regarding types of materials and their specific uses. Throughout this subject, students will spend plenty of time in the laboratory improving skills such as adequate pipetting, using precision scales, counting cells through Neubauer chambers, among many other procedures. In addition, students will become familiar with the rules that must be followed when working in the laboratory, so as to know the risks and how to minimize them; ultimately, how to work correctly and safely in the laboratory.

Block 1 - Laboratory material. Students will be provided with sheets with the most frequently used laboratory instruments, their characteristics and specific uses. In the theoretical classes, students will learn which materials they must choose for each procedure. Simple procedures which will help the students get to know the material, how to use it correctly and to work precisely will be carried out in the laboratory. They will learn about the proper use of scales, Neubauer chambers, pipettes, cleaning and calibration methods among others.

Block 2 - Safety and waste management in the laboratory. Most of this section will consist of theoretical classes where the types of laboratories, levels of biosafety, reagent labelling, as well as the proper management of the waste generated in the laboratory, will be explained. Some of these concepts will be introduced in block 1, but here we will focus on them more concretely and students will be able to observe the various residues that are usually generated during laboratory hours and the specific containers for each of them. Students will receive a guided tour of UIC Barcelona’s research laboratory.

The aim of this subject is to show the tools available and the virtual databases commonly used in molecular biology, genetics and medicine. We will also see scientific article search websites such as Pubmed. Students will have the search tools at their disposal and will learn what filters can be applied for an efficient literature research. With this subject, students will learn how to find interesting gene sequences, the relationship between metabolic processes, three-dimensional protein structures and the behaviour of different drugs, among others.

The aim of this subject is to reinforce the students’ knowledge of biomolecules, their synthesis and function. We will also cover the animal eukaryote cell and there will be a brief introduction regarding the metabolic regulation processes involved in cancer development and cell signalling. This subject will consist mainly of theoretical classes, as well as one transversal information technology and laboratory practice lesson.

During this course, a specific cell biology topic will be chosen for students to develop in the laboratory, guided by the professors. At the end of the course they will deliver a brief report or poster on this topic.

The course will be divided into three sections, during which students will write a brief report.

Block 1 - Biomolecules, structure and function. We will review the main biomolecules, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. The processes of duplication, transcription and translation will be introduced in this section.

Block 2 - Eukaryote cell. In this section we will describe the structure and function of the cell, as well as its diverse organelles. The characteristics of the various cell membranes will be explained and students will be presented with microtubular dynamics (cell movement).

Block 3 - Metabolic regulation. The concepts of metabolic route, cell signalling and its consequences will be introduced, as well as the main metabolic routes involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, students will learn how these routes can be used to control cancer and study cell function.

Throughout this subject, and by applying the lessons learnt in the bioinformatics and databases class, students will be guided to research a particular pathology at cell level. They will work on previous molecular biology studies. This section will allow them to use bioinformatics tools, the knowledge of metabolic routes and the genes involved in a particular cell process to write a brief report on their lab work.

This subject aims to make students aware of the importance of humanising the healthcare sector. This concept refers to three sections: basic concepts, analysing a situation and integrating the human ‘touch’ into different healthcare areas. Each of these sections will try to give different perspectives on healthcare through theoretical and practical concepts. The aim is to reflect on how we approach this need to humanise the healthcare sector, to receive a better reaction from the patient and to create an optimum atmosphere for professionals, patients and their families.

Block 1 - Humanisation. Concepts. Recognising that a person is more than the sum of its parts has been a feature of the healthcare sector. This section touches on the basic concepts of humanisation, holistic care and health care. The aim is to understand the patient as a whole; with this in mind, we use the patient’s connection to themselves through different social vehicles.

Block 2- Conclusions of the situation analysis. We will identify different studies that have been of great importance for reflecting on humanising the healthcare sector and which are the basis for its justification. Studies on the following subjects will be presented: on needs; on the opinions of the patients, professionals and relatives; from different patient and citizen associations; and satisfaction surveys.

Block 3 - Humanisation of the healthcare sector. This section will explain in detail the humanisation of the healthcare sector in different areas such as health care during the first stages of life, infancy and adolescence; emergencies, hospitalisation, intensive care, mental health, oncology and humanisation at the end of life. ‘Role-playing’ activities will be carried out to take in these concepts and improve social skills in different scenarios and situations. Students will learn how to face clinical interviews through verbal and non-verbal communication.

This subject explores human anatomy from a clinical point of view, introducing students to the proper nomenclature and terminology and the main anatomical structures. The main imaging techniques will be used to view these structures and diagnose certain pathologies. The subject will be divided into three main blocks:

Block 1 - Introduction to Anatomy. This block will provide a brief introduction to human anatomy and the terminology necessary for understanding the other blocks. The students will learn about the main structures of the human body (adapted to the content of the other blocks) and cement their knowledge of the most frequently-used terms in the study of anatomy.

Block 2 - Radiography and Computed Tomography. This block will provide students basic knowledge of how to perform and interpret radiographs (X-rays) and computed tomography scans (X-rays, rotation, translation). Students will spend part of their time in class interpreting images generated using these techniques.

Block 3 - Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This block will provide students basic knowledge of how to perform and interpret ultrasound and nuclear magnetic resonance (magnetic fields) images. Students will spend part of their time in class interpreting images generated using these techniques. They will also gain practical experience observing muscles structures, veins and arteries through ultrasound.

The main objective of this subject is to provide students with the tools and knowledge to understand the scientific method and lay the foundations so that they can carry out documented and experimental research, as well as the basis to interpret, discuss and present results. The second objective is to introduce students to statistics which, together with the scientific method, will provide them with an analytical procedure for decision-making.

This subject will be divided into two sections:

Block 1 - Scientific method. In this section, students will discover the importance of the scientific method and the phases that it is made up of, so that they are able to design an experiment by themselves following a rigorous procedure.

Block 2 - Introduction to statistics. Within the scientific method, a key factor is collecting data that will be duly processed: cleaning, synthesis and analysis. The experiment performed in the first block will be used to extract statistical analyses from the students’ own data.

This subject will work on the concept of group, which consists of a set of individuals that work together to achieve a specific task or objective. Throughout this subject, students will meet objectives such as understanding the various ways in which you can define a group, distinguishing between the different types of groups and learning dynamics to manage groups of people (knowing what techniques can be applied and when to do so).

This is an introductory course that aims to give students a first glimpse into this topic while keeping their interest alive. For this reason, the course focuses on analysing literary texts and audio-visual material to keep the presentations and discussions of each subject dynamic. This course is divided into the following sections:

Block 1: Vulnerability of the human being. This section will focus on human suffering and consciousness, levels of suffering (physical, psycho-emotional and spiritual suffering), understanding suffering from a philosophical perspective, attitudes towards pain, as well as the feeling of pain.

Block 2: Human illness. This section will focus on the following topics: the meaning and interpretation of disease throughout history, sickness as an existential crisis, the autonomy and dependence of illness and social attitudes towards sick people.

Block 3: The human being towards death. This section will work on the human consciousness of death, the cultural and personal adjustments we make towards death: attitudes when faced with death, the suppression of pain in our society and the subject of life after death.