Duration
10h Th, 12d FW
Number of credits
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS) | 5 crédits | |||
| Master in oceanography (120 ECTS) | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Bruno Frederich, Gilles Lepoint, Aliénor Pirlet, Richard Rasolofonirina
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The purpose of this course is to illustrate the diversity of tropical coastal ecosystems (coral reefs, tidal flats, seagrass meadows, mangroves) as well as the organisms associated with these environements. This course delivered in the form of an internship includes many topics in biology such as taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology, physiology and morphology. It also constitutes an introduction to mariculuture and aquaculture in a tropical environment.
The internship is a teaching on its own.
This course takes place at the Institute for fisheries and Marine Sciences (IH.SM) of Toliara, Madagascar. This institute is part of the University of Toliara and its missions are Training and Research in the field of Marine Science, Fisheries, Aquaculture, and the Marine and Coastal Environment. Research at IH.SM with Belgian university partners led to, among other things, the development of spirulina production, the development of sea cucumber aquaculture, and the development of seaweed farming. The students will rub Malagasy students belonging to the Master orgnaised at IH.SM.
During the internship, students have the opportunity to observe and study the biotopes from coastal zones in the tropics as well as to harvest organisms from these environments. Organisms harvested are maintained and studied in the lab. In addition to the visits of these biotopes "by foot" at low tides, some of them will also be observed during free diving sessions. Visits to sea cucumber and seaweed farms will be organized. Finally, some theoretical classes will be given before and during the internship to clarify some topics and concepts not discussed previously.
Before these field classes taking place in a developing country, a training day will be dedicated to the intercultural approach and the cooperation at the international level. This will be achieved by members of the NGO from the University of Liège, ECLOSIO.
One day is also dedicated to coral recognition training in collaboration with Stéphane Roberty, holder of the "Coral reefs" course.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This marine biology course in a southern country is a unique opportunity offered to our students at ULiège. The objective of this internship is to integrate concepts of ecology and biodiversity by applying them to particular biotopes, those of tropical coastal environments such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangroves with a focus on applied marine biology (aquaculture, sustainable development, conservation, anthropization of tropical ecosystems).
It is also a first experience with the realities of a developing country. In addition to increase the knowledge in biology, this course gives the opportunity to think and discuss about the intercultural approach and the North-South cooperation relationship.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Have obtained a Bachelor's degree (180 credits) allowing the enrollment in the Master Biology of Organisms and Ecology OR the Master in Oceanography at the University of Liège.
Have had a training in taxonomy of invertebrates (e.g. course - BIOL2041-1 - Animal taxonomy and phylogeny) or other equivalent training (to be justified in the cover letter).For students of Master II Oceano and students who did not have this type of course, we demand the optional course - OCEA0092-1 - Biology of benthos and necton animals: invertebrates.
OCEA0230-1
Marine invertebrate zoology (anglais) - Prof. Loïc Michel
Have had a course in ecology (general or marine).
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Classes, e-learning (MOOC), field work, lab works, discussions, experience sharing, educational games and visits of various aquaculture systems.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
The course obviously involves the presence in the field.
The internship will be introduced in Belgium by both professors. In support of this introduction, students will be asked to follow, at their own pace, an online course (MOOC) dedicated to tropical coastal ecosystems (in English). The consultation of this MOOC will be followed by discussions on some points selected by the teachers.
The training day dedicated to the intercultural approach will take place in Belgium.
A training day dedicated to the determination of corals is organized in Liège
In Madagascar, field and laboratory activities are supplemented by several theoretical presentations. Some contents will be provided by Prof. Richard Rasolofonirina from the Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences of the University of Tulear.
Important: Students must be physically present in Madagascar. Failure to participate in the field course automatically entails the adjournment of both sessions.
Recommended or required readings
The needed guides and books for the internship are provided on site.
The "powerpoint" presentations of the classes presented on site are provided during this one.
The e-learning (MOOC) and its use will be detailed during the introductory part of the course.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions ) AND oral exam
Continuous assessment
Out-of-session test(s)
Additional information:
The evaluation has three parts.
(1) A first assessment, in the form of multiple choice questions (MCQ), will be done in Belgium just after viewing the MOOC and discussion sessions.
(2) A "powerpoint type" presentation dedicated to a theme addressed during the field classes will be produced at the end of the stay in Tuléar.
(3) A written evaluation (MCQ and/or open questions) related to all the activities will be carried out upon return from Toliara (i.e. within fifteen days after arrival in Belgium).
The final rating will be calculated as follows: 10% (part 1) + 50% (part 2) + 40% (part 3).
Work placement(s)
The course is provided on site, in the field.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The field class is organized in April/May with a duration of 14 days in total (10 days of field + 4 travel days).
This optional course involves a trip to Toliara in the South-West of Madagascar. However, transports, accommodation and food costs are not sustained by ULiège. The trip requires a minimum of two days of travel for the return trip (i.e. a total of 4 days), and it will be organized in agreement with the course holders, allowing an optimal logistics organization.
The transport of the educational materials is organized by the supervisors.
For information, the return ticket varies between 1000 (international fly + local transport) and 1700 (2 planes) euros. The living costs in Madagascar is low and it is therefore possible to rent a hotel room and eat for 20 euros per day (maximum). A hotel which is in the immediate vicinity of the Institute (room for 1 people) will be booked by the supervisors. An approximation of the maximum real cost of the internship (transport, accommodation and food) is 2000 euros per student.
An info session will be organized prior to the reservation of fly tickets concerning the practical aspects (passport, vaccines, etc.) and the organizers remain at the disposal of the students for any additional information.
The logistics and the good quality of teaching can only be guaranteed for a limited number of students (5 students maximum). The request to participate in this optional course will be made by providing a letter of motivation to the supervisors and a discussion between the student and the tutors. The written agreement of the Master thesis PI is necessary for the registration at this optional course. The letter of motivation and the promoter's agreement must be delivered to both tutors via email by September 15 at the latest. Students will be selected during the third week of September.
Contacts
Dr Gilles LEPOINT
Trophic and Isotopic Ecology
Sart Tilman, B6c
04-3663327 - g.lepoint@uliege.be
Dr Bruno FREDERICH
Evolutionary Ecology
Sart Tilman, B6c
04-3665040 - bruno.frederich@uliege.be
Aliénor PIRLET
ECOLOSIO
Avenue de la Faculté d'agronomie 8, 5030 Gembloux
081-622574 - alienor.pirlet@eclosio.ong