Animals, health and society

Animals, health and society

The teaching unit addresses societal debates and current issues of veterinary medicine and animal health, in connection with sustainability and social and ecological transition. The first of each theme aims to deliver a rigorous content, popularized, open to interdisciplinarity and debate. 

Sustainability and transition

This part of the course aims to provide students with a scientific knowledge base from a full range of disciplines pertaining to the environmental and social issues of sustainability and transition.

Animals, health and society

At the end of this teaching unit, students will be able to understand the major societal issues related to veterinary medicine and animal health, based on the related basic knowledge and articulating them within a One Health approach. In particular, the student will be able to identify the role that a veterinarian can play in the different contexts discussed.

Sustainability and transition

At the end of this part of the course, and on the basis of the scientific content presented, students will be able to:

• Describe, differentiate and question the dynamics and interactions of the different spheres of the Earth system;
• Describe and analyse the interactions between the human and the Earth systems;
• Demonstrate the importance of considering the issues of sustainability and transition from a systemic point of view;
• Develop a critical and reflective mindset that enables them to analyse current issues;
• Use the scientific knowledge base to combat feelings of eco-anxiety

Animals, health and society

This teaching unit does not present any particular prerequisite.

Animals, health and society

This part of the teaching unit consists of 13 two-hours seminars (on-site teaching). The teaching methods aim at spurring the student's active participation, during on-site sessions and between sessions.

Sustainability and transition

Contents learned autonomously include:

• Videos.
• Video transcripts.
• Additional resources (optional)

Animals, health and society

face-to-face

Sustainability and transition

Remote course


Further information:

The teaching method is distance learning. The course is made up of several videos and recommends optional reading material.

Animals, health and society

All contents are made available to students on the e-campus platform.

Sustainability and transition

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Videos, optional reading material and guidelines will be provided via the eCampus platform

Animals, health and society

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )


Further information:

The assessment consists of a written exam, with multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions.

Multiple-choice questions based on this teaching unit will be included in the concourse.

Sustainability and transition

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- Remote

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Online testing must be completed by 11 May 2025 and second session by 1 September 2025.

Animals, health and society

Nicolas Antoine-Moussiaux - nantoine@uliege.be

Thomas-Julian Irabor - tjirabor@uliege.be

As teaching involves many teachers, it is requested to avoid using the e-campus interface to write to course teachers. It is best to send an e-mail to the two persons mentioned above.

Sustainability and transition

Prof. Sybille Mertens and Floriane Fassotte/Elise Pirenne (durabilite.transition@uliege.be)