OVERVIEW

Biochemistry, together with molecular biology and human genetics, is necessary to understand the molecular events underlying human physiology and pathology. This Biochemistry Course will teach the basic mechanisms of chemical and metabolic modifications in order to understand the molecular basis of diseases.

Clinical biochemistry studies the clinical significance of laboratory tests. In the Clinical Biochemistry module, we will start to address some of the topics which will be further dealt with in more depth in the course of Medical Semiotics (3rd year). This is your first impact with laboratory medicine, which represents a key part of the diagnostic reasoning process.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The biochemistry module aims to provide students with: the skills necessary to understand the structure and function of biological molecules in biochemical-metabolic processes and in the organization of complex supramolecular systems (respiratory chain, molecular motors); the key principles underlying enzymatic catalysis and the description of anabolic and catabolic pathways, with their respective regulatory mechanisms; the information necessary to understand the biochemical basis of diseases.

The clinical biochemistry module aims to integrate biochemical-metabolic knowledge with information regarding the clinical significance of selected molecules presented in the biochemistry module, which are hematological parameters of medical-diagnostic interest.

PREREQUISITES

To understand the topics covered in the course, a not superficial knowledge of general and organic chemistry is required, with particular attention to carbon chemistry.

TEACHING METHODS

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liase and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

For the program, please refer to the description in the individual module sheets.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The metabolic biochemistry exam is oral and requires the student to describe, also by writing the necessary chemical formulas, the metabolic pathways covered during the lessons and their regulatory mechanisms.

The clinical biochemistry exam is a written test. The questions are 30 + 1 for honors, with pre-filled multiple choice answers, delivered in person or on the Teams platform, if the SARS-CoV2 emergency makes the test in person impracticable, and will focus on the entire program of the clinical biochemistry module. The test is passed with at least 18/30.

The two parts of the exam (metabolic biochemistry and clinical biochemistry) can be taken in different sessions, in the same academic year.

The final grade is the weighted average of the two grades.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will verify the achievement of the educational objectives.

For the metabolic biochemistry module, the student must demonstrate mastery of the key principles of enzymatic catalysis, be able to write the structures of the biomolecules and the reactions of the metabolic pathways covered in class, know the methods of hormonal regulation and interconnection between nitrogen, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The ability to communicate clearly and with appropriate technical language the scientific and applicative contents acquired during the course will also be assessed.

For the clinical biochemistry module, knowledge of the clinical significance of the clinical chemistry parameters presented during the lessons, the unit of measurement in which they are expressed and their dynamic range in the main pathologies for which they represent a diagnostic-prognostic tool will be ascertained. The ability to choose, among some proposed tests, those suitable for solving a given diagnostic question, and the ability to identify deviations from the norm indicative of pathology will be assessed.