511928 - CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY PROPAEDEUTICS (GRP 1)

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of the laws governing matter and its transformations, with particular emphasis on chemical and physicochemical phenomena relevant to biological systems at the atomic and molecular level and their biomedical applications.

Knowledge and understanding.
At the end of the course students are expected to be able to describe the structure and transformations of matter and interpret the main molecular phenomena occurring in living organisms. In particular, they should understand acid–base equilibria, the role of physiological buffer systems, gas laws, solubility in heterogeneous equilibria, osmotic phenomena, the properties of solutions and oxidation–reduction reactions. Students should also recognize the main classes of organic compounds and functional groups, describing their physicochemical properties and reactivity in relation to the structure and function of biological macromolecules. They should also be able to identify the main classes of biologically relevant molecules and describe their structure and functions.

Applying knowledge and understanding.
Students should be able to recognize the main types of chemical bonds and perform basic balancing of chemical reactions. They should also be able to perform simple calculations related to solution concentration and osmolarity, apply thermodynamic principles to chemical and physicochemical processes of biomedical interest, and interpret processes involved in respiration, osmotic balance and acid–base equilibria in biological fluids. Students should also be able to recognize and write the formulas of the main organic compounds of biological interest and apply knowledge of organic reaction mechanisms to the understanding of biochemical reactions.

Making judgements.
Students should be able to critically analyze basic scientific information, develop informed opinions and make independent decisions when interpreting simple chemical and biochemical problems.

Communication skills.
Students should be able to clearly explain fundamental concepts of chemistry and biochemistry using appropriate scientific terminology.

Learning skills.
Students should develop independent and continuous learning skills in order to deepen and update their knowledge in biomedical sciences.