Duration
Bibliographic research : 20h Mon. WS
Preparation to the final thesis : 10h Mon. WS
Number of credits
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS) | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Bibliographic research : Ninfa Greco
Preparation to the final thesis : Monique Carnol
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Bibliographic research
The objective is to supervise students in looking for a relevant bibliography for the realisation of the master's final study.
The course starts with an overview of the methods for computer-based bibliographic search. The students will be presented with the main biology bibliographic databases and a software for the management of their bibliographic references. Attention will be drawn to ethical rules (no plagiarism). Then the students will perform their own bibliographic research.
Preparation to the final thesis
The objective of this course is the acquisition of skills related to the completion of the master thesis.
Content
- Preparation and organization of a master thesis
- Scientific and technical discourse
- For a correct use of the French language
- Scientific writing and the sections of the thesis
- Directed exercises
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Bibliographic research
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
Preparation to the final thesis
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
- Take ownership of a research topic
- Construct a research question and integrate it into its context (problem statement)
- Develop a research program and define scientific objectives in a coherent way
- Clearly present the context (introduction) and the research objectives
- Plan your work
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Bibliographic research
- 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 B3 biology
Preparation to the final thesis
co-requis: SMEM0013-1 Mémoire
For the Power Point slides (see assessment), base yourself on the course "Training in the scientific communication" BLOCK 3 of the bachelor. Documents of this course are available on eCampus.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Bibliographic research
After an introduction and theoretical backgrounds largely in response to requests from the students, they perform their own researches with a computer.
Preparation to the final thesis
Lectures
Workshops: presentations, discussions, writing of texts, exercises
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Bibliographic research
Tutorials about bibliographic tools are available on e-Campus. The teacher answers questions from students and helps them to overcome their difficulties. The students should adopt a proactive attitude.
Preparation to the final thesis
Face to face.
Organisational adjustments related to the current health context
Bibliographic research
Due to the Covid crisis, the course is delivered online.
URL: https://call.lifesizecloud.com/3259553
Secret code: 5041
Preparation to the final thesis
Depending on the availability of auditoriums and the evolution of COVID regulations, the courses will be given face-to-face (with live broadcasting during course hours and recording, eCampus-Collaborate, depending on technical possibilities) or at distance (eCampus-Collaborate). Given the interactivity of the course and the exercises carried out, the presence in the face-to-face lessons/direct videoconference is recommended (in compliance with health measures).
Attending an oral presentation and writing a reflective text (see evaluation) are not compulsory, but recommended.
In case of confinement, the exam will take place by videoconference via Lifesize
Recommended or required readings
Bibliographic research
As a reminder, lesson materials of the course "Formation à l'exploitation des ressources documentaires" (B3) are available in ecampus.
More references :
- Dony Christophe, 2019, Guide d'utilisation de Zotero: Fonctionnalités de base de l'outil de gestion bibliographique. Online. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/232436
- Pochet Bernard, 2015. Comprendre et maitriser la littérature scientifique. Gembloux : Presses agronomiques de Gembloux. Online. Version du 2 août 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/186181
- University of Liege. 2017. Plagiarism? Not for me! A short guide for University of Liege Students. https://www.enseignement.uliege.be/upload/docs/application/pdf/2017-07/plagiarism_-_not_for_me.pdf
Preparation to the final thesis
All the necessary resources for this course are centralized in the course space on eCampus (course slides, documents for consultation, information, discussion forum ...).
Note: Downloading documents is faster over a broadband connection. Several computer rooms are accessible within the university and the university has a large WiFi network.
Assessment methods and criteria
Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.
Bibliographic research
Any session :
- In-person
oral exam
- Remote
written work
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
The students must present a written report, sent by e-mail to N.Greco@uliege.be.
Preparation to the final thesis
Any session :
- In-person
oral exam
- Remote
oral exam
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
Students must attend at least one oral scientific presentation (eg lecture, seminar, doctoral thesis) and write a reflexive text 0.5-1 page focusing primarily on the presentation of the topic by the speaker.
During the exam session in January, students present the context (introduction), objectives and work schedule of their master thesis in front of the whole class (oral presentation with Power Point support 10 minutes, answers to questions).
REMINDER (see general rules of the exams): Any fraud or plagiarism are severely sanctioned and lead to a score of 0/20 for the final exam.
Work placement(s)
Bibliographic research
None
Organizational remarks
Bibliographic research
The part "bibliographical research" is taught weeks on Monday from 14:00 to 18:00, at B7a (computer room):
- 28/09/20
- 12/10/20
- 26/10/20
- 16/11/20
- 23/11/20
Students' username and password are required to acceed the set of electronic tools.
Preparation to the final thesis
It is essential to realise the dissertation the same year as this course.
Dates for 2020-21: 5/10, 19/10, 9/11 from 14 to 18h
The presence of all students is required during the day (s) of the exam.
Contacts
Bibliographic research
Ninfa Greco
N.Greco@uliege.be
Preparation to the final thesis
Office: by appointment only (email, discussion forum eCampus, phone, before/after lectures)
Prof. Monique Carnol; Laboratoire d'Ecologie Végétale et Microbienne, Botanique, Bât. B22, Chemin de la Vallée 4, 4000 Liège, Belgique (B22, 3ème étage) : Tel. 04/3663845 (bureau) ; Tel./fax. 04/3663817 (laboratoire), E-mail : m.carnol@uliege.be