University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2009-2010Last update : 28/06/2010
BIOL0113-6  General preparatory biology for biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology and human anatomy, general embryology and general genetics
- General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology
- General Embryology
- General Genetics
- Introduction to Human Anatomy
Duration :  General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology : 65h Th, 40h Pr, 20h QA Sess.
General Embryology : 10h Th
General Genetics : 10h Th
Introduction to Human Anatomy : 20h Th, 10h Pr
Credits/ECTS :  
Bachelor in dental sciences, 1st yearToute l'année21
Holder(s) :  General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology : Vincenzo Castronovo
General Embryology : Jean‑Pierre Schaaps
General Genetics : Vincent Bours
Introduction to Human Anatomy : Pierre Bonnet
Language :  Langue française
Course contents :  
General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology

The course of Cell, Organism and Population Biology is at a central and capital place in the training of the students engaged in the field of biomedical sciences. It must give the fundamental concepts which govern the life. The lessons are a true trip within the living world. From the smallest elements which constitute it, we will see how they organize themself in increasingly complex structures which acquire new properties and are at the same time the basis of the unity and of the large diversity of the living matter. We will spend time on the basic element of the life: the cell. We will study how it domesticated the essential energy and how it manages to remain from generation to generation by keeping its particular characteristics. We will consider then the multicellular organizations from the simplest to the most complex and will examine how, during evolution, they adapted to the environmental constraints. Ecology conceptswe will allow us to specify the impact of man on the living organisms.

General Embryology

How can a living being develop from a single cell? How do incredibly precise steps follow each other in space and time to form a photoreceptor organ, a lens and muscles able to properly control its sequence as well as structures secreting the fluid for the transmission of light?
Where will the left and the right sides, the belly and the back, the head and the tail appear from an apparently unorganized cell mass?
Whether cells are free or structured into tissues, they get organized, move and evolve in terms of shape and function following a single rule: close interdependence.
Nature needed more than 2 billion years to create what we see today ¿ not by developing endless basic information items (we have only 30,000 genes) but by increasing the number of possible multiple regulations (if there was a coding gene for each iris structure, there would not be enough of them!).
The General Embryology course aims at explaining the different steps and ¿ above all ¿ the mechanisms used for building autonomous organisms.

General Genetics

The course is intended for 1st-year students in medicine and dental sciences. It aims at introducing basic genetic concepts while demonstrating prospects in the medical and biological fields. The course presents theoretical bases and describes the human genome, as well as simple and complex genes transmission. It also deals with the essentials of population genetics and focuses on the issue of genetic defects and medical consequences.

Chapter 1. Genes and genome
Chapter 2. Gene transmission
Chapter 3. Complex gene transmission
Chapter 4. Population genetics
Chapter 5. Genetic defects

Introduction to Human Anatomy

Please look at ANAT0110-A-a

Course objective :  
General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology

The matter of the course is subdivided in chapters which will be seen in the following order:
  • Molecules of life.
  • The cell.
  • Cellular energy metabolism.
  • DNA, genes and chromosomes.
  • from gene to protein.
  • Cellular cycle, mitosis, meiosis and cell death.
  • Introduction to molecular biology.
  • From the origin of life to the diversity of the living world.
  • Procaryotes.
  • Protists.
  • Fungi.
  • Plants.
  • From the unicellular organizations to the pluricellular organizations: advantages and disadvantages of the pluricellularity.
  • Animal anatomy and physiology.
  • The diversity of the animal world.
  • Introduction to evolution of the living organisms.
  • Concepts of ecology and geobiochimic cycles.

General Embryology

Session 1:
- The development of gametes: general principles
- Oogenesis
- Spermatogenesis
Session 2:
- Fertilization
- Segmentation
Session 3:
- Didermic embryos and development of placenta and amniotic membranes
- Gastrulation
- Definition of inducer tissues
Session 4:
- Three-dimensional embryos
- Branchiomery
- Systems for specific exchanges with the external world:
. Birds
. Mammals
. Multiple gestation
Session 5:
- Cell bases for morphogenesis
- Adhesion or environment-analysis molecules
- Development genes

General Genetics

- Defining the organization of genes. Defining intragenic and extragenic DNA. Understanding prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomic structures.

- Understanding the rules for the hereditary transmission of simple genetic characters. Understanding genetic recombination mechanisms.

- Understanding the notion of quantitative trait. Assessing interactions between genes and the environment for the determination of complex traits. Understanding methods for exploring the role of heredity in the determination of complex traits and pathologies.

- Understanding how intra- or interpopulation genetic variations can be observed. Mastering and applying the Hardy-Weinberg law. Mastering and understanding how to modify the Hardy-Weinberg balance.

Prerequisites :  
General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology

The course will take into account the large disparity in biology of the first year students.

General Genetics

None

Workshops :  
General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology

Practical classes were conceived in order to show to the students some animal or plant cells and organisms; to familiarize them with various instruments or techniques (microscopy, drawing, dissection); to initiate them with observation and experimentation. Practical classes must also allow them to confront theory notions with a personal and more experimental approach of the living realities.

The presence to practical classes is mandatory. In case of absence, please send your medical certificate to the office of the logisticians (Bureau Pédagogique des études médicales - Tour de Pathologie 2 - B36 - Tour 4 - Niveau -1 - 4000 Liège) in the 3 working days after your absence.

Practical classes take place at Zoology Institute, 22 quai Van Beneden, 4020 LIEGE.
Organization :  
General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology

The theoretical course of biology is given during the first and the second four-monthly period.

In addition to the theoretical lessons, meetings of repetition are also organized. They allow the students to ask questions about the theory as well as about the practical classes. They must help them to integrate the various chapters.

If you have questions concerning the course, please ask first your questions during practical works or repetitions. Prepare your questions before going to these meetings. If it is not possible, and only in this case, you can contact the teaching team by e-mail to fix an appointment (see the section contacts).

General Embryology

The course is taught in the second term. Schedules and rooms will be published in the vade mecum.

General Genetics

Lecture in French + 1 repetition with exercises
10 hours, 2nd term
+1 hour repetition at the end of the term
On Fridays from 10:15am to 12:15am.

Written notes :  
General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology

Theoretical Cours
The course of biology does not include anymore a syllabus. The matter of the course are the topics taught during the ex cathedra lessons. The slides will be always available on the MyULg.

Professor Castronovo recommends the use of the book entitled "Biology" (Campbell & Reece) as textbook. This book will help everybody to better integrate the matter of the lessons.

Reference : BIOLOGY, Neil Campbell and Jane Reece, PEARSON Education, 7th edition. For those who wish to buy a second hand book, the previous edition is also appropriate.

Beginning of the academic year, it is possible to order this book near the pedagogical team in order to get a discount.

Practical classes
Heading: "Guide de Travaux pratiques de Biologie animale et végétale"), Pr Castronovo, édition 2009-2010

General Genetics

Analyse Génétique Moderne by Griffiths, Gelbart, Miller & Lewontin, De Boeck Université.

Assessment :  
General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology

In-Year Assessments
Tests on practicals and/or repetition sessions, including related theoretical knowledge. Tests will include multiple-choice questionnaires, True/False questions with explanations and open questions so as to allow students to learn about the different question types and find out about the expected knowledge and understanding level.

Assessments during the exam period
For theory and practicals, tests will include multiple-choice questionnaires, True/False questions with explanations and open questions.

For more information, please read the « Modalités d'évaluation et de délibération » for your section and available on the Medical college website (http://www.facmed.ulg.ac.be/).

Warning statement: evaluation or exam papers not or misidentified will not be taken into account.

General Embryology

Written test during the June biomedical sciences module: open questions, true/false questions and multiple-choice questions.

General Genetics

Within the biology module. Written exam (multiple choice + true/false questions with explanations).

Contacts :  
General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology

Head of Department - chargés de cours :
Vincent CASTRONOVO
Tél : 04/366.24.79
e-mail : vcastronovo@ulg.ac.be
Secrétariat: 04/366.24 80
Fax: 04/366.29.75

Encadrement pédagogique :
Olivier PEULEN (Premier assistant):
Tél : 04/366.37.92
e-mail : Olivier.Peulen@ulg.ac.be

Cédric DETRY :
Tél : 04/366.33.03
e-mail : cedric.detry@ulg.ac.be

Françoise PETERS :
Tél : 04/366.33.04
e-mail : Francoise.Peters@ulg.ac.be

Préparateur des travaux pratiques :
Peter JENKE (Institut Zoologique, salle de TP)
Tél : 04/366.50.97
e-mail : pjenke@ulg.ac.be

General Genetics

Lecturer in charge
Bours Vincent, Professor
CHU B35
Phone: 04-3668145
Email: vbours@ulg.ac.be

Secretary
Fertons Marianne
Phone: 04-3668145
Email: genetique.humaine@ulg.ac.be

Remarks :  
General biology preparing to biomedical and dental sciences, including introduction to molecular biology

None.


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