Duration
30h Th, 30h Pr, 1d FW
Number of credits
| Bachelor in geography : general | 6 crédits | |||
| Bachelor in geology | 7 crédits |
Lecturer
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
This course aims to present an overview of the multiple facets of biology to future geographers and geologists. Emphasis will be placed on essential mechanisms and concepts of the biosphere, on the past and present biodiversity of the (paleo-) ecosystems they will have to study, and on links between the biosphere and the other compartments of the Earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
After taking this class, you will be able to use the following concepts:
- Fundamental cell biology notions (structure and functions of prokaryote and eukaryote cells)
- Essential biochemical reactions and cellular energetics (photosynthesis, respiration)
- Introduction to pluricellular organisms biology (anatomy, physiology, biological cycles)
- Basic notions of evolutionary biology and phylogeny
- Origins of life on Earth
- Overview of the diversity of living organisms' forms and functions
- Introductive notions of ecology, paleontology and biogeochemistry
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
For this course to be profitable, it is important that you master the language in which it will be given (French).
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The theoretical part will consist in ex cathedra lectures, complemented as often as possible by other media or material (video, numerical resources, etc.).
The practical parts will be organized in 8 sessions of one afternoon each, following associated theoretical classes. For organisational reasons (disponibility of biological material), attendance to practical work sessions is mandatory. Students not attending those sessions without proper justification will not be admitted to the oral practical exam.
To ensure that both the material put at your disposal and the staff in charge of maintaining it are properly respected, you will be given clear instructions regarding cleaning of maintenance of this material after each session. Not following those instructions will result in sanctions. On the first occurence where the technical staff notices that a student did not follow the instructions, this student will be personally warned. If such behaviour should persist on two or more occurences, one point (out of 20) will be deduced if the grade obtained by the student at the practical oral exam for each time instructions were not followed.
These practical works will be complemented by a one-day field trip illustrating ecology concepts.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
In order to maximize and facilitate interactions between students and teachers, all sections of the course will be organized in person as long as it remains possible. If required by the circumstances (e.g. sanitary situation), some parts will be taught remotely. In this case, recordings will be shared with the students, and specific time slots will be dedicated to discussion.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
All the material used during theoretical classes (presentations and complements) will be made available to students after each session, through the eCampus platform.
Practical work notes will also be available gradually, after the first session.
Students willing to complement those resources are referred to the following books:
- Foret R (2020) : Dico de bio (4e edition). De Boeck.
- Urry L et al (2020) : Biologie de Campbell (11e édition). Pearson France.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam
Additional information:
The final exam has a practical and a theoretical part. The theoretical exam will be written. The practical exam will be oral, and its final grade will take into account the year's work during the practical sessions. Each aspect (theoretical and practical) will represent 50% of the final grade.
Work placement(s)
A one-day field trip will be organized to complement practical work and illustrate ecology concepts. Practical details about this day will be communicated later.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Course schedule and rooms: see Celcat.
Improvements to the course are made yearly according to new developments on relevant topics and to formal and informal feedback from the students.
Contacts
Course responsible & theoretical part
Loïc MICHEL
Animal Systematics and Diversity
Institute of Chemistry, B6c, Sart-Tilman
Email: loic.michel@uliege.be
Practical part
Stéphane ROBERTY
Animal Physiology
Institute of Botany, B22, Sart-Tilman
Email : sroberty@uliege.be
Margaux VANHUSSEL
Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Management
Institute of Botany, B22, Sart-Tilman
Email : Margaux.Vanhussel@uliege.be