UNamur (Université de Namur) and UCL (Université catholique de Louvain at Louvain-la-Neuve) organize a joint programme, at both sites, for the Master (120 credits) in Biology of Organisms and Ecology, described below.
The aim is to train scientists who can analyse, understand and react when faced with questions or problems relating to the environment and biodiversity, both in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and to the functioning of organisms function in these ecosystems. This involves advanced training, field observation, experimental research both inside and outside the laboratory, and requires the modern methods used by biologists. The Master in Biology of Organisms and Environment (BOE) comprises four option courses : biodiversity, management of ecosystems, interactions between organisms and the environment and biology of plant organisms.

The research focus prepares students to become researchers.Specialized courses deal with issues that are at the edge of human knowledge. There is emphasis on experimentation and academic communication, both written and oral. The programme includes a placement or training in a laboratory outside UCL, preferably abroad.

Teaching methods

Inter-university cooperation between UNamur and UCL, where complementary research in ecology is carried out, means that the range of available courses is much wider than at each individual university. We have built a programme with joint training of 16 credits and four option courses of 22 credits each. These option courses are mainly focused on subjects which cut across the boundaries between the plant and animal and the terrestrial and aquatic worlds. The structure of the programme enables students to diversify and individualize their studies with 18 credits for optional activities. The dissertation begins in the second semester of the first year and is defended at the end of the first semester of the second year: this is convenient for doing field research during the spring and summer. The placement (25 credits) in the second semester of the second year widens experience of scientific research for those doing the research focus and introduces students doing the professional focus to a professional environment. All students must return for the last five credits in advanced training; there is also a debriefing and an opportunity to exchange experiences with the other students.

Assessment methods

The evaluation methods comply with the regulations concerning studies and exams. More detailed explanation of the modalities specific to each learning unit are available on their description sheets under the heading “Learning outcomes evaluation method”.

Students will mainly be assessed on the basis of individual work (e.g. reading, consultation of databases and bibliographic references, writing monographs and reports, presentation of seminars, dissertation and work placement). Where necessary, students will also be assessed on how much they have learned from lectures. As far as possible, there will be continuous assessment, including regular ‘open book examinations’. Certain activities will not be given a precise mark but will be officially certified. Assessment of the dissertation is in two stages : a ‘progress report’ at the end of the first year of the Master and the final presentation.

Mobility and international openness

Students doing the research focus are invited to attend a foreign university, under the Socrates or Mercator exchange schemes, during the second semester of the second year of the Master to do their placement and/or do a part of their dissertation during the dissertation period and possibly also take some optional activities.

For students doing the professional focus, it may be more logical to stay in Belgium, but they may take advantage of the opportunity for an exchange visit during their dissertation. Mobility in the first semester of the first year of the Master may also be possible, providing equivalents for the core subjects and some of the option courses can be found. In the same way, students from foreign universities can come to UCL to take selected activities from our Master programme and/or do a part of their final dissertation.

Jury

Frederik De Laender (Secretary)