Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Teaching focus

Learning outcomes (Program)

At the beginning of the training students acquire very specific in-depth knowledge in specialised scientific domains which they can choose from a wide range of available options. From the first year on, students have the privilege of being confronted with the reality of  insertion in a research laboratory, thanks to an initiation to research in the first year followed in the second year by a research project and dissertation. This training towards scientific work and research is followed by an internship / work placement in a research institution or firm, in Belgium or abroad.

1. Main skill : implementing methodological and experimental approaches and procedures
2. Subject-linked skills :
   • Mastering knowledge and techniques
   • Working in a methodic and creative manner in reference to scientific literature, in order to complete research projects which involve not only the designing and carrying out of laboratory experiments, but also the analysis, interpretation and discussion of the experimental results with peers and supervisors.
   • Being able to follow and/ or adapt a specific experimental protocol, while scrupulously respecting the instructions established by the laboratory which is opening its doors to students.
3. Transferable skills : Ability to :
4. integrate and synthesise elements coming from different sources in order to provide a concrete answer to a scientific problem ;
5. pass on scientific information, orally and in written form, in a precise, rigorous and understandable manner ;
6. use information and communication technologies in an appropriate way ;
7. evaluate, comment, and give a critical view of scientific information coming from scientific research and literature, mainly published in English ;
8. carry out laboratory manipulations, including those performed on laboratory animals, in an environment which is in compliance with established quality norms and ethical norms
9. develop awareness of one’s limits, requesting evalution by other researchers, and accurately autoevaluating one’s own work

Objectives (Program)

Aims and objectives are established as follows :

• approaching the living world in its complexity and its diverse levels of organisation, from bacteria to human beings, and from genes to systems ;
• taking an active role in the understanding of biological processes at cellular and molecular levels in both normal and pathological conditions ;
• designing research projects in biochemistry and molecular and cellulaire biology, implementing them, interpreting and publishing them.

Description

The Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular biology is designed in such a way that the vast majority of courses are options that students can choose from a structure covering five pathways

• human biology (cancer, inflammation, vascular pathology, etc.) ;
• genetics and genomics (molecular diagnosis, genetic dynamics, questions of survival, etc.)
• cellular and molecular animal biology (stem cells, normal and pathological ageing, etc.)
• infectious disease (bacteria, viruses, parasites, immune responses, adaptive strategies, genetics and cell biology of microorganisms, infectiology at the cellular level - tissue - organism - population, epidemiology, prophylaxis and treatment).
• cellular and molecular microbiology (host-pathogen interaction, molecular evolution and adapting, etc.)

During the training, students can choose two « thematic weeks » ( a week of lectures, seminars and practical courses) given in Namur or other Universities from the « Communauté française » (French-speaking community) in Belgium.

The training is completed through a long research project and dissertation, (12 months) carried out in a renowned research laboratory (initiation to research in M1 followed by a research project and dissertation in M2)

The orientation with a focus on teaching prepares students specifically to become biology teachers in the second half of secondary school.

Teaching methods

This Master’s degree is organised by the Biology Department within the Science Faculty and the Medecine Faculty, and inserts itself in the strong research networks developed  at UNamur

• The option courses offered in the first year encourage the participation of a number of guest teachers, giving students the possibility of developing a wider range of skills
• The curriculum offers a thorough practical training, mainly as the research project develops throughout a long period of time, including the dissertation which specifically prepares students to the reality of work as researchers
• In the second year of the Master’s degree, students acquire four-month work experience in the professional world within a firm or research laboratory

Assessment methods

In the majority of cases, students hand in written papers and / or oral presentations on specific topics related to the material covered in courses. The research project and dissertation as well as the internship / work placement are evaluated through a report which is to be written either in French or in English, along with an oral presentation and a public defense before a pre-established jury.

Mobility and international openness

The in-depth focus offers students the opportunity of an internship / work placement in Belgium or abroad, with financial support from the « mobilité internationale » office of the Science Faculty. Unamur mostly takes part in exchange programmes financed by Erasmus scholarships.

The orientation with a focus on specialisation offers students the opportunity of an internship / work placement within a firm or an administrative entity in Belgium or abroad.

Jury