Study Programmes 2015-2016
DOCU0448-2  
Documentation training applied to biology
Duration :
20h Mon. WS
Number of credits :
Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS)2
Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS)2
Lecturer :
Ninfa Greco
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The objective of the lessons is to learn how to look for the bibliography relevant for the realisation of the master's final study.
The course starts with an overview of the methods for computer-based search criteria. The students will be presented with the main biology bibliographic databases, and some software for the management of their bibliographic references. Then the students will perform their own bibliographic research. Attention will be drawn to ethical rules (no plagiarism).
Learning outcomes of the course :
The student will be able to:


  • Determine the main points that need to be supported with the help of bibliography
  • Select the appropriate bibliographic datasets
  • Perform a computer-based bibliographic research and access the full text of the necessary references
  • Combine the bibliographic information with other sources of information
  • Sort the information in terms of their quality and pertinence to their work.
  • Computer-based management of their bibliography
  • Prepare a well-organised written summary of their bibliographic researches and an oral presentation
  • Avoid plagiarism
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
  • Passive knowledge of scientific English
  • The students must have read and understood the course materials from "Formation à l'exploitation des ressources documentaires", given by Ninfa Greco in BAC3 biology
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
After a 3-hour theory lesson, the students perform their own researches with a computer.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face teaching.
Recommended or required readings :
Lesson materials are available in ecampus.
More references :


  • Bertrand Baschwitz, Maria Antonia. 2009. Comment me documenter? Bruxelles: De Boeck. 174p. (Guides pratiques: former et se former).
  • Pochet B., 2015. Lire et écrire la littérature scientifique. Gembloux : Presses agronomiques de Gembloux. http://www.infolit.be/LELiS/
  • University of Liege. 2015. Plagiarism? Not for me! A short guide for University of Liege Students.http://www.ulg.ac.be/upload/docs/application/pdf/2013-06/plagiarism_-_not_for_me.pdf
Assessment methods and criteria :
The students must present a written report, preferably sent by e-mail to N.Greco@ulg.ac.be. This report must be sent 3 working days before the oral exam. The oral exam takes about 30 minutes: 15 minutes of oral presentation and 15 minutes of questions and answers.
Work placement(s) :
None
Organizational remarks :
The course is presented from week 4 to week 10, on Monday from 14:00 to 17:00, at B7a (computer room).
Students' username and password are required to acceed the set of electronic tools.
Contacts :
Ninfa Greco
N.Greco@ulg.ac.be
Items online :
ecampus
Tutorials