Overall objectives:

1 - Make the integration of advanced knowledge in biochemistry, obtained from the other curricular units, with fundamental knowledge from previous study cycles. The goal is to promote a broad vision of the state of the art on this field.
2 - Complement the scientific knowledge with information from other areas, in order to create a vision of potential applications, social, economic and technological benefits, without losing sight of the legal, ethical and political issues.
3 - To develop the capacity for critical reasoning and the ability to argue and communicate science (in both written and oral forms).
4 - To understand the need to act in a responsible and ethic way in the academic and professional life.
5 - To contact with a wide range of scientific works (and with the scientists involved in those works) in the area of ​​Biochemistry (or in related areas) in order to understand the wide scope of Biochemistry as a science.

Syllabus:

1 - Participation in seminars presented by scientists working in Biochemistry or in related areas.
2 - Scientific documentation (type, access, publication process).
3 - Writing of reports or scientific papers (organization, data presentation, reference to other works).
4 - Ethical issues in science (particularly focusing the aspects related to Biochemistry).
5 - Presentation and discussion of scientific work.
6 - Preparation of a master thesis project proposal, including the state-of-the-art analysis, tasks planning, time plan, direct cost analysis (work effort, materials, subcontracting) and indirect costs (overheads).

Literature/Sources:

several authors , General bibliography on Biochemistry ,
several authors , Scientific papers from the biochemistry domain ,
several authors , Documents on legal and political issues related to biochemistry ,
several authors , Documents with information on the European R&D framework programmes ,

Assesssment methods and criteria:

Classification Type: Quantitativa (0-20)

Evaluation Methodology:
The teaching methodology is focused towards the analysis of several documents presented to the students, followed by a debate. Several techniques will be practised, such as, speed reading, effective writing, presentations and brain storming. Students will also attend presentations of scientific content from other scientists and researchers. The assessment will follow a criteria matrix, designed to quantify the students' performance over the tasks. The students' projects will be evaluated by their peers, according to a methodology compatible with standard evaluation of research projects (individual evaluation report, consensus meeting).