Duration
25h Th, 25h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in biology | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
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
The teaching activities for the Animal Histology course take place during the first semester. They include two types of activities: lectures and practical sessions. Except for the first lecture, which is devoted to histological methods, each practical session is held immediately after the corresponding lecture.
The course is structured as follows:
Part One: General Histology
- Histological methods
- Epithelia
- Connective and supporting tissues
- Muscle tissue
- Nervous tissue
- Circulatory system
- Digestive system
- Urinary system
- Respiratory system
- Lymphoid organs
- Revision session
- Tumours and metastases
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- describe the microscopic organization of the main animal tissues and organs studied;
- identify the main cell types, tissues, and characteristic structures in histological sections or microscopic images;
- recognize a tissue or organ based on specific morphological criteria and justify their identification;
- relate the histological organization of a tissue or organ to its physiological functions;
- compare the structural and functional characteristics of the different tissue types;
- explain the principles of the main techniques used to prepare, stain, and examine histological samples;
- distinguish genuine tissue structures from artefacts resulting from sample preparation;
- use histology-specific scientific terminology accurately;
- analyse an unknown histological section systematically by distinguishing its different levels of organization: cells, tissues, and organs;
- apply the acquired knowledge to interpret histological changes associated with biological or pathological processes, particularly tumour formation and progression.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students should have acquired the fundamental concepts of cell biology taught during the first year, including:
- the general organisation of eukaryotic cells and the functions of their main organelles;
- the structure and functions of the plasma membrane, cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix;
- the basic mechanisms of cell communication, differentiation, proliferation and death;
- the general principles of tissue organisation and the relationship between structure and function.
- use a light microscope correctly;
- examine a histological section systematically;
- apply their knowledge of cell biology to interpret tissue organisation;
- use basic scientific terminology and produce clear, accurately labelled scientific drawings.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course includes face-to-face lectures followed by practical sessions. Attendance at both the theoretical lectures and practical sessions is compulsory.
The concepts introduced during the lectures provide the essential foundation for understanding and completing the practical work. Each practical session therefore takes place immediately after the corresponding lecture.
The lectures present the structure, organisation and functions of the main tissues, organs and organ systems, using diagrams, micrographs and histological sections.
During the practical sessions, students examine histological sections under a light microscope and apply the concepts covered during the lectures. They learn to identify tissues and organs, recognise their characteristic structures, and relate their microscopic organisation to their functions.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
All teaching activities are conducted exclusively in person. Attendance at both lectures and practical sessions is compulsory. Each practical session takes place immediately after the corresponding lecture.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The materials used during the lectures will be made available to students on the eCampus platform.
These materials are intended to support learning but do not replace attendance at lectures and practical sessions, which is compulsory.
Outside the scheduled practical sessions, students may consult the collection of histological slides by appointment. A selection of digitised slides will also be available online through the Cytomine platform, allowing students to practise observing and identifying tissues and organs.
No specific textbook is required. Additional readings or resources may, however, be recommended during the semester and will be communicated to students via eCampus.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Further information:
Assessment will primarily consist of a written examination organised during the examination period. The first examination session will take place in January.
Short assessments may also be organised at the end of certain practical sessions to monitor the progressive acquisition of knowledge and skills. The results of these assessments will contribute to the final grade. Their precise format and weighting will be communicated to students at the beginning of the semester.
The written examination may include different types of questions:
- multiple-choice questions;
- true-or-false statements;
- open-ended questions;
- identification and labelling of structures on histological sections;
- identification or labelling of diagrams;
- production of simple, clearly organised and accurately labelled scientific diagrams.
The assessment will evaluate:
- understanding of theoretical concepts;
- ability to identify tissues, organs and their main structures;
- quality of histological analysis;
- ability to relate microscopic organisation to function;
- accurate use of scientific terminology;
- accuracy and clarity of annotations and diagrams.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course has been substantially reorganised to strengthen the connection between theoretical teaching and practical work. It now comprises 25 hours of lectures and 25 hours of practical sessions.
Each practical session takes place immediately after the corresponding lecture, allowing students to apply the concepts covered in class directly.
The main changes are as follows:
- reorganisation and updating of the theoretical course content;
- direct integration of each lecture with the corresponding practical session;
- continued use of the practical session worksheet and preparatory pre-test;
- removal of the systematic presentation of histological sections before students examine them;
- independent observation and analysis of histological sections by students, under the supervision of the teaching staff;
- possibility of a group review at the end of the session to discuss key structures and correct interpretations;
- progressive availability of a selection of digitised histological sections on Cytomine;
- possibility of short assessments at the end of certain practical sessions.
Contacts
Stéphanie Herkenne, Mitochondria in cell-to-cell communication lab. GIGA, B34, AVenue de l'Hôpital, 1 4000 Sart Tilman. Tel: 04 366 33 79. E-mail.sherkenne@uliege.be
Les personnes encadrant les travaux pratiques et les aides à l'étude :
Ema Roekens-E-mail: Ema-Roekens@uliege.be
Romane Jobe- E-mail: Romane.Jobe@uliege.be
GOOSSE Véronique - E-mail : V.Goosse@uliege.be
LEBRUN Marielle - E-mail : mlebrun@uliege.be
PALMAERS Amélie - E-mail : apalmaers@uliege.be
THELEN Nicolas - E-mail : nthelen@uliege.be
Secrétariat :
BROUWERS Sébastien - Tél. : 04 366.50.98 - E-mail : s.brouwers@uliege.be