Ateneo - UPO

The Integrated Course provides the chemical, biological, biochemical and genetic foundations essential to understanding the physiological and pathophysiological processes relevant to the health professions, integrating preparatory knowledge for all subsequent biomedical courses.
Module — Applied Biology (all Degree Programmes)
Cell chemistry and biological macromolecules; structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and of the extracellular matrix; biological membranes and transport mechanisms; cellular energy metabolism; organisation of genetic material and DNA replication; cell cycle and cell division (mitosis and meiosis); gene expression (transcription and translation); regulation of gene expression, mutations and the molecular basis of major cellular pathologies.
Module — Introductory Biochemistry, Manfredi (Physiotherapy, Dental Hygiene, Medical Radiology Techniques)
General and basic organic chemistry; biochemistry of macromolecules (proteins, enzymes) and the main metabolic pathways.
Module — Chemistry, Bagnati (Biomedical Laboratory Techniques)
IUPAC nomenclature, classes of chemical compounds in organic chemistry, the most important chemical reactions, isomerism.
Module — Medical Genetics, Barizzone (all Degree Programmes)
Molecular basis and modes of transmission of human genetic diseases; tools for providing genetic counselling to patients and families.
Module — Health Education, Masini (Dental Hygiene only)
Concepts and determinants of health; health education and its principles and approaches; organisations and operators involved; needs and priority analysis; planning of interventions; hand hygiene; healthcare devices and their handling; environmental sanitation.

Applied Biology
• C. Donati, M. Stefani, N. Taddei — Biologia & Genetica, Zanichelli
• P. Bonaldo, C. Crisafulli, R. D'Angelo, M. Francolini, S. Grimaudo, C. Rinaldi, P. Riva, M.G. Romanelli — Elementi di Biologia e Genetica, EdiSES
• P. H. Raven, G. B. Johnson, K. A. Mason, J. B. Losos, S. R. Singer — Biologia cellulare, Piccin
Introductory Biochemistry (Manfredi) — choice of:
• Catani, Savini, Guerrieri, Avigliano — Appunti di Biochimica, Piccin
• Samaja, Paroni — Chimica e Biochimica per le lauree triennali dell'area biomedica, Piccin
• Stefani, Taddei — Chimica, biochimica e biologia applicata, Zanichelli
• Sackeim, Lehman — Chimica per le Scienze Biomediche, Edises
Chemistry (Bagnati)
No specific textbook: slides and digital handouts provided during lectures.
Medical Genetics
• Chieffi — Biologia e Genetica, EDISES
• Iolascon, Gasparini, Cocozza — Genetica Medica. Lineamenti, Idelson-Gnocchi, 2005
Health Education
• Vincenzo Romani Spica, Giorgio Brandi — Igiene, educazione alla salute e Sanità Pubblica, Antonio Delfino Editore

The Integrated Course in Biomedical Sciences belongs to the basic biomedical disciplines and provides the essential foundation for understanding the molecular, cellular, chemical and genetic basis of the physiological and pathophysiological processes relevant to the health professions involved.
Applied Biology
To provide the conceptual tools needed to understand the structural and functional organisation of the cell, the mechanisms of DNA replication, gene expression and cell division, relating them to pathophysiology and to the clinical practice of the various health professional profiles.
Introductory Biochemistry (Manfredi)
To provide the basic chemical and biochemical knowledge required for subsequent courses.
Chemistry (Bagnati)
To learn the basic knowledge of organic chemistry in preparation for biochemistry courses.
Medical Genetics
To provide the tools needed to understand the molecular basis and modes of transmission of human genetic diseases and to prepare students to provide genetic counselling to patients and families.
Health Education
To define the concepts of health and health education; to identify the key stages in designing educational interventions; to identify strategies and techniques for individual and community health education; to select effective written communication techniques; to plan and implement an informational intervention on health topics.

Applied Biology
Basic knowledge of chemistry, biology and genetics, at the level provided in upper secondary school.
Introductory Biochemistry (Manfredi)
Basic scientific vocabulary, chemical terminology, elementary notions of biology and mathematics, at the level expected for admission tests to the health professions.
Chemistry (Bagnati)
Knowledge of inorganic chemistry.
Medical Genetics
Basic knowledge of cell biology and the flow of genetic information.
Health Education
General notions of health and preventive medicine.

Applied Biology
Lectures supported by presentations (ppt), graphic illustrations, mind maps, light and electron microscopy images, animated films of cellular processes; classroom activities with active student participation (instant polls, exercises); online material on Moodle including recorded lectures, quizzes, forums and workshops for self-assessment.
Introductory Biochemistry (Manfredi)
MS-PowerPoint presentations; students are provided with copies of the images shown during lectures.
Chemistry (Bagnati)
Classroom lectures supported by a PC with projector, whiteboard and markers.
Medical Genetics
Lectures.
Health Education
Slides and articles.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request dedicated services and tools by contacting the University's Career Development and Coordination Staff and Student Services, and by consulting the relevant page of the University website (uniupo.it). After contacting the University Staff, students may contact the lecturer in charge of the individual module regarding the specific arrangements for the examination and teaching aspects.
Attendance: for the Applied Biology module, attendance at lectures is mandatory for all Degree Programmes (a minimum of 50% of hours, i.e. at least 10 out of 20 hours); students who do not reach this minimum threshold are not admitted to the exam in the current session. Working students and students in particular situations (e.g. caregivers) are invited to contact the lecturer within the first week of lessons to agree on alternative arrangements.
Accessible materials: slide PDFs are provided in text format (not scanned); recorded distance-learning lectures include subtitles or transcripts.

For the Degree Programmes with three modules (Physiotherapy, Medical Radiology Techniques, Biomedical Laboratory Techniques), the Integrated Course examination consists of a single written test with multiple-choice questions, lasting a total of 90 minutes, divided into three sections corresponding to the modules (25 questions each). A pass is achieved by answering at least 60% of the questions in each module correctly. Students from other Degree Programmes who have obtained recognition (validation) of one or more modules are not required to answer the corresponding quiz, and the time available is reduced proportionally.
For the Dental Hygiene programme, in addition to the three modules described above, a specific test is required for the Health Education module.
Detail by module
• Applied Biology: multiple-choice quiz (25 questions), integrated into the overall Integrated Course examination.
• Introductory Biochemistry (Manfredi): written test with single- or multiple-choice questions.
• Chemistry (Bagnati): written examination.
• Medical Genetics: written examination with approximately 25 multiple-choice questions covering all course topics, plus one open question on pedigree charts; the overall grade takes into account the partial scores obtained on individual questions.
• Health Education: written test with 15 multiple-choice and open questions on the course topics.
The examination schedule is published on the University portal; registration for exam sessions closes by the date indicated on the portal and is subject to completion of the teaching evaluation questionnaire.

Applied Biology — Teaching Units
• Unit 1: The cell, the fundamental unit of life — cell theory, prokaryotes vs eukaryotes, light and electron microscopy.
• Unit 2: Cell chemistry — water, salts, ionic equilibria and physiological buffers; carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
• Unit 3: The nucleus and genetic material — chromatin, chromosome structure, DNA, organisation of the human genome, telomeres and telomerase.
• Unit 4: DNA replication — semiconservative mechanism, enzymes involved, replication fidelity, mutations, mutagens and DNA repair.
• Unit 5: Gene expression — transcription, types of RNA, mRNA processing, translation, the genetic code.
• Unit 6: Biological membranes and transport mechanisms — fluid mosaic model, passive and active transport, membrane potential.
• Unit 7: Structure and function of the eukaryotic cell — organelles, cytoskeleton, endocytosis and exocytosis.
• Unit 8: Cellular energy metabolism — glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, ATP.
• Unit 9: Cell cycle and cell division — G1/S/G2/M phases, mitosis and checkpoints.
• Unit 10: From cells to tissues — extracellular matrix, cell junctions, necrosis and apoptosis, molecular basis of cancer.
Introductory Biochemistry (Manfredi)
Chemistry: structure of matter (compounds, mixtures, elements, atomic models, isotopes, ions, radioactivity, atomic and molecular mass, the periodic table); molecules and chemical bonds (covalent, ionic, dative, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions); nomenclature and properties of inorganic compounds; the concept of the mole; solutions (solubility, properties of water, molarity, strong and weak electrolytes); acids and bases, pH, buffer systems, blood buffer systems.
Organic chemistry: carbon chemistry; the main functional groups (alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, acids, esters, thioesters, amides, amines, thiols, phosphoesters and phosphoanhydrides).
Biochemistry: amino acids, peptides, structure and function of proteins (haemoglobin, collagen); enzymes (function, kinetics, coenzymes and vitamins, regulation and inhibitors); metabolism (catabolism, anabolism, bioenergetics); carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogen); Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation; structure, synthesis, degradation and transport of lipids (fatty acids, cholesterol); protein and amino acid metabolism, transaminases, urea cycle; nucleotide metabolism; integration of metabolism and hormonal regulation, with reference to blood glucose control and the molecular basis of diabetes.
Chemistry (Bagnati)
IUPAC nomenclature; reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, aromatic compounds, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, amines, carboxylic acids and derivatives; isomerism.
Medical Genetics
The human genome; chromosome structure and the normal human karyotype; mitosis and meiosis; chromosomal aberrations and pathological karyotypes; prenatal diagnosis; genetics of the Rh and ABO blood group systems; DNA mutations; formal and molecular genetics of monogenic diseases (autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked dominant and X-linked recessive transmission); X-chromosome inactivation; mitochondrial traits; multifactorial traits and complex diseases; genetic testing and genetic counselling.
Health Education
The concept of health and its evolution; health education (principles, guidelines, applications and good practice); hand hygiene (rationale, scientific evidence, practical procedures); handling of healthcare devices; oral hygiene as a tool for health education.

Applied Biology (Dublin Descriptors)
Knowledge and understanding: describe the structural and functional organisation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, with reference to organelles and the extracellular matrix; explain the mechanisms of DNA replication, gene expression and cell division; recognise the main cellular alterations (mutations, cell death, oncogenesis) underlying diseases of health-related interest.
Applying knowledge and understanding: relate basic biological concepts to pathophysiology and to the professional practice of one's own profile; correctly use basic biomedical terminology in Italian and recognise its English equivalent.
Making judgements: critically evaluate biological information from different sources, distinguishing scientifically grounded statements from those not supported by evidence.
Communication skills: present fundamental biological content clearly and in a structured manner.
Learning skills: independently consult the reference textbooks and open-access resources indicated in order to deepen understanding of biological topics of professional interest.
Introductory Biochemistry (Manfredi)
Understanding of the principles of chemistry and biochemistry useful for subsequent courses and for the bio-molecular basis of the profession.
Chemistry (Bagnati)
Acquisition of basic knowledge of organic chemistry in preparation for biochemistry courses.
Medical Genetics
To learn the fundamentals of the structure and organisation of human genetic material and the laws governing its transmission within families; to be able to provide genetic counselling by identifying the appropriate genetic test and the risks of disease transmission; to be able to apply this knowledge to design experimental investigations in the various branches of genetics and critically discuss the results; to acquire appropriate communication skills on the topics studied.
Health Education
Identify the main features of health education and its related concepts; analyse health education interventions and apply them in the work settings of dental hygiene.