Duration
12h Th, 8h Mon. WS
Number of credits
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
All year long, with partial in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Common institutional part :
This course aims to provide students with a foundation of scientific knowledge from various disciplines concerning the environmental and social issues of sustainability and transition. It forms the theoretical basis for the faculty credit.
Part organized by the Faculty of Sciences :
This course takes a multidisciplinary approach to give students a practical understanding of issues related to sustainability and contemporary transitions. It aims to develop essential analytical and collaborative skills needed to grasp the complexity of these issues. Designed outside the strict framework of a single discipline, it also encourages students to go beyond the fundamental sciences to explore new perspectives.
Future graduates of the Faculty of Science will often be called upon to propose technological solutions to current problems, mainly related to limited resources and soil, air, and water pollution. These responses lead to concrete solutions but also to controversies (economic, social, etc.) on topics such as recycling, urban planning, renewable energies, biodegradable plastics, digital technology, electric cars, and more.
This faculty-led section takes the form of practical and/or cultural activities to explore the "Solutions and Actions" component in the field, particularly on our campus and in our city.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Common institutional part :
At the end of this course, and based on the scientific content presented to them, students will be able to...
- Describe, differentiate and question the dynamics and interactions of the different spheres of the Earth system;
- Describe and analyze the interactions between the human system and the Earth system; Demonstrate the importance of considering the issues of sustainability and transition from a systemic point of view;
- Build a critical mind and a reflective perspective allowing them to analyze current issues;
- Use the scientific knowledge base to combat a feeling of eco-anxiety;
Part organized by the Faculty of Sciences :
After establishing the causes and systemic analysis addressed in the common institutional section, the "Sciences" Faculty section aims to apprehend levers and solutions, in order to increase the perception of control and reduce anxiety linked to climatic and societal issues.
At the end of the two days of activities - organised jointly for all students from the Faculty of Science enrolled on the course - the students will have had the opportunity to activate the three gateways to our sensibility: head, heart and body, in other words to stimulate reflection, emotion and action, so that they will be better equipped to find a positive meaning to the transition and to imagine a desirable future for everyone.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Common institutional part :
None
Part organized by the Faculty of Sciences :
SPOC
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Common institutional part :
The contents viewed independently include:
- Video capsules (Compulsary)
- Book chapters
- Scientific articles
- Reports
During the two practical days devoted to this course (April 14 and 17, 2026), students will participate together in interactive lectures, cultural performances, serious games, and practical field activities, in groups mixing our different programs.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Further information:
Blended learning
Further information:
Blended learning
Further information:
Common institutional part :
The teaching method is distance learning. The course is composed of several video capsules and additional readings. Students will be invited to view the content at home independently (following a suggested calendar).
Part organized by the Faculty of Sciences :
Two days (organised in April on the Sart Tilman Campus and in the city center) will be devoted to cross-disciplinary conferences on topical issues, as well as practical and cultural activities around the themes of Sustainability and Transition.
Attendance is compulsory.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- MyULiège
Further information:
Common institutional part :
Students will be able to view all the videos and have access to additional readings via the eCampus platform.
Part organized by the Faculty of Sciences :
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )
Continuous assessment
Further information:
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person, written exam (multiple-choice questionnaire)
+ Continuous assessment
- Remote (multiple-choice questionnaire)
Further information:
All sessions combined
- Remote learning, Written assessment (multiple-choice questions) Continuous assessment
Other: Mandatory participation in faculty activities in April.
Additional information:
Common institutional component:
Online assessment in the form of multiple-choice questions and exercises throughout the course.
This part is passed with 60% correct answers. Students can retake the online tests as many times as they wish before the deadline.
This part of the course must be completed by May 12, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. and September 2, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. in the event of a second session.
Faculty of Science section:
Mandatory participation in faculty activities in April to validate the institutional section (SPOC) grade.
In-person multiple-choice exam during the exam period. Exemption exam possible outside the exam period, covering the same questions as the online multiple-choice exam.
Overall grade
Weighting: 25% for the online SPOC, 75% for the written exam (multiple-choice exam in person) and 0% for faculty credit, with mandatory participation to validate the final grade. Absence from both practical days will result in a grade of 0/20 for the entire course
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Common institutional part :
Prof. Sybille Mertens (smertens@uliege.be) and Florianne Fassotte (ffassotte@uliege.be)
Part organized by the Faculty of Sciences :
Prof. Sylvie GOBERT and Catherine HENRIST
Sylvie.gobert@uliege.be et catherine.henrist@uliege.be
E-mails must be sent to Mrs Gobert AND Mrs Henrist.
If you would like to meet us. Please make an appointment
You can leave written documents in a letterbox in room 2/48.
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Only requests sent with your Mail-Uliege address will be processed.
The information in this commitment is essential, please read it very carefully.
Nevertheless, additional information or modifications may be communicated to you at a later date.