Abstract:

The study program to prepare professionals in Chemistry, Pharmacy and Biology (QFB) is constituted by three curricular steps at our University (FES Zaragoza, UNAM). The first step lasts 3 semesters and it is dedicated to provide a strong basic formation in the experimental field. The second step lasts 4 semesters and covers various subjects related to Chemistry, Pharmacy and Biology. The third step takes 2 more semesters, approaching particular areas that have been chosen by the students in order to obtain especial deep insights that will lead them to work as specialists in Clinical Biochemistry, Industrial Pharmacy or Clinical Pharmacy [1, 2]. We have added new options to perform social service at the National Institute of Cardiology (INC), where students that have finished all 3 curricular steps, work in various laboratories, in order to integrate their basic and specialized knowledge as well as to complete it with subjects that are equally important but have not been reviewed with the same depth than the main topics in their curriculum. Three different working programs were proposed as social service. These programs are focused on cell biochemistry, molecular biology and diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In consequence, several students specialized in Industrial Pharmacy were ascribed to Clinical Biochemistry or Molecular Biology and successfully completed 6 months of social service at the INC during the last 4 years. Their supervisors reported that the students have performed well because this new options help them to integrate their knowledge and to increase their understanding of actual problems and modern techniques. We conclude that QFB students by taking these new options, got the chance to prove themselves and to acquire new skills to perform well as analysts in Clinical Biochemistry, Microbiology or Molecular Biology.
Supported by DGAPA PAPIME PE102710

References:
[1] Gliassick Ch, Taylor M y Maeroff G. La valoración del trabajo académico. ANUIES. 2003.
[2] Murgía SB y Villanueva MM. Eligiendo la mejor opción para mi servicio social. Talleres de Servicio Social. UNAM. 2003.

Keywords:

Social service, teaching, biochemistry.