INFLUENCE OF SEMINARS IN TEACHING CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL PRODUCTS. THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO ACQUIRING GENERIC AND SPECIFIC COMPETENCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

摘要

In this paper, the implantation of seminar activities in teaching Chemistry of Natural Products is presented. This is an optional subject, offered in sixth semester of the Food and Agricultural Industry degree at the School of Rural Environments and Oenology. First, the background that led to the application of this methodology, and its main features are described. The seminars are not related to the classic model, but are based on introducing both group and autonomous study techniques, in order to enhance the teaching-learning process. Second, the contribution of the subject to the competences of a food and Agricultural engineer, according to the White Paper from the ANECA for degree studies in Agricultural and Forest engineering, is presented. The aim of the work is to show the modus operandi of the proposed seminars. Mainly, they consist of establishing a session's calendar, including the topics to be dealt with in each working module. Pupils choose the topic to prepare individually, always guided by the teacher. The result of this individual work is given to the rest of the students prior to the exposition session, with plenty of time so that all students can prepare their own intervention as active listeners, asking questions and contributing to discuss the conclusions of the presented work. The proposed topics are basically relevant concepts already dealt with in lectures the classroom, although each student must have a deeper knowledge of the issue, as regards the technological and conceptual aspects. The objective is to help the students acquire more widen their knowledge in this particular study areas. Finally, the evaluation of the activities carried out during three academic courses is presented. This methodology has meant an improvement in academic results, the students being more stimulated which has led to the application of the same idea in Chemical Foundations Course in Engineering a subject in the first semester of same degree.