Curricular Unit:			Code:
Biochemistry and Physiology			1023BIFI
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
2	Undergraduate	Speech Therapy	4 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese/English	52
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
he curricular unit aims to study the main metabolic processes and, consequently, work on important concepts in the basic training of a speech therapist. OA1 - Know and deepen the particular domains of metabolism of the main biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids); OA2 - Dominate and investigate the particular domains of biochemistry and physiology of the endocrine system, which has an important role in the coordination of all the functions of our body, including speech; OA3 - Identify and understand some clinical situations related to changes in the studied metabolic pathways or in the endocrine system; OA4 - Recognize and describe the digestive processes and pathways of macro- and micronutrients, as well as the metabolic diseases resulting from imbalances in these processes and their implications in, for example, voice equilibrium; OA5 - Be able to collect, record, analyze, interpret and report biochemical data, using appropriate methods.
Syllabus:
CP1. Carbohydrate Metabolism (Glycolysis; Gluconeogenesis; Pentose phosphate pathway; Krebs cycle; Electron transfer chain and Oxidative phosphorylation; Glycogen metabolism; Diseases). CP2. Lipid Metabolism (Oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids; Lipogenesis; Mobilization of the lipidic deposits; Ketone bodies; Cholesterol metabolism; Plasmatic lipoproteins; Diseases). CP3. Amino Acid Metabolism (Reactions of transamination and deamination of amino acids; Urea cycle; Synthesis and degradation of amino acids; Diseases). CP4. Metabolic Interrelationships. CP5. Digestion and Gastrointestinal Absorption. CP6. Endocrine System.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The syllabus comprising the curricular unit (CP1-CP6) meet the requirements that are set out in the objectives (OA1-OA5). The aim of the course is the study of the principal metabolic processes, and of the relation between the organs involved in the maintenance of the metabolic equilibrium. Students should have the capacity of comprehension and acquisition of knowledge in the area of the structural and metabolic Biochemistry and of the endocrine system. Students are also requested to acquire and develop empirical abilities during the contact with new laboratorial methodologies. CP1 to CP4 - for reach OA1, OA3 and OA5 CP5 - for reach OA3, OA4 and OA5 CP6 - for reach OA2, OA3 and OA5
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
The methodologies used are lecture, inductive and deductive methods. Also, the methodology is used for educational simulation, close to laboratory reality. M1. In the theoretical classes the relevant theoretical concepts are exposed, and the student’s study is supervised by consultation of the recommended bibliography. M2. The theoretical classes include equally the detailed discussion, with the resolution of exercises, about the principal subjects, including the analysis of diseases of the metabolism and of the endocrine system, their symptoms and relation with the causes and the possible treatments. M3. The laboratorial practical classes include the execution of practical works of application of the several theoretical concepts. Assessment: Theoretical (80%): 1 theoretical test (60 %), 1 test with consultation (27.5 %) and 1 research work (12.5 %); Laboratorial Practical (20%): 2 tests (60 %) and laboratorial performance (40 %).
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
In a first phase, it is important that the students are capable to assimilate the fundamental aspects of the Biochemistry, and to deepen the domains of the main biomolecules metabolism and of the biochemistry and physiology of the endocrine system (OA1 and OA2). As such, in the theoretical classes the relevant theoretical concepts are exposed, and the student’s study is supervised by consultation of the recommended bibliography (M1). In a second phase, some clinical situations are introduced, related to changes in metabolic pathways studied, in the digestive system or in the endocrine system (OA2 to OA3). For that, the theoretical classes include the detailed discussion, with the resolution of exercises, about the principal subjects, including the analysis of diseases of the metabolism and of the endocrine system, their symptoms and relation with the causes and the possible treatments (M2). Students are also requested to acquire and develop empirical abilities during the contact with new laboratorial methodologies (OA5). As such, the laboratorial practical classes include the execution of practical works of application of the several theoretical concepts (M3).
Reading:
[1] Devlin T.M., 2010, “Textbook of Biochemistry with clinical correlations”, 7ª. Edição, Wiley-Liss. [2] Mckee T., McKee JR, 2015, “Biochemistry: the molecular bases of life”, 6.ª edição, Oxford University Press [3] Widmaier E, Raff H, Strang KT, 2014, “Vander’s Human Physiology”, 13ª edição, McGraw-Hill. [4] Cardoso et al, 2013, “Trabalhos Laboratoriais de Bioquímica”, 3ª Edição, Edições Fernando Pessoa. [5] Gardner D.G., Shoback D, 2017, “Greenspan’s Basic & Clinical Endocrinology”, 10.ª edição, McGraw-Hill.