Duration
25h Th, 10h Pr, 1d FW
Number of credits
| Bachelor in biology | 3 crédits | |||
| Master of education, Section 4: Biology | 3 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
Table of contents
This course covers three main topics:
- Module 1: How to do ecology? - The scientific method
- Module 2: Soil ecology
- Module 3: Microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycles
Course description
Building on the fundamental concepts of ecology taught in the second year of the Bachelor's program, students are first invited to reflect on the meaning of scientific ecology. This is followed by a discussion on study methods, the scientific approach, and sampling strategies. An understanding of the scientific method is essential today to distinguish facts from opinions, assess the reliability of data, and critically analyze information. These concepts are applied in other courses within the curriculum and are useful for the preparation of the master thesis. Soil ecology addresses the genesis, classification, and abiotic components of soils, as well as their biotic components. Attention is given to the diversity and functions of soil fauna and microorganisms, their distribution, and the effects of the rhizosphere. The importance of soil biodiversity is highlighted in order to understand its central role in ecosystem functioning. The last part of the course focuses on the role of microorganisms in the biogeochemical cycles of sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon. After an introduction to key concepts of microbial ecology, the course covers microbial nutrition, metabolism, and the processes involved in the reduction and oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen, as well as in the decomposition of carbon under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. These transformations are then linked to the decomposition of organic matter and the nutrient cycle. Emphasis is placed both on the ecological and environmental consequences of these processes and on their use in selected practical applications.
All of these topics are covered during the field trip and in the practical sessions.
During the field excursion conducted in the Hertogenwald (Baelen municipality), we will illustrate long-term approaches to studying forest ecosystems. During a forest circuit, we will address forest management in Wallonia and sampling methods, while illustrating concepts covered in the course (experimental design, soil science/pedology). Students will then implement a field study, and the collected samples will be analyzed during the practical sessions.
NOTE:
As part of your university education, you can legally dispose of the materials made available to you (pdf Power Points, videos, podcasts, etc.) protected by copyright. These materials are intended only to be used by students as part of their studies at the University of Liège. No other use or distribution is authorized, under penalty of constituting a violation of the law of June 30, 1994 relating to copyright. If the resources were to be freely accessible on the web, the person responsible would be exposed to legal proceedings. Recording of the course is strictly prohibited.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Each module and the practical sessions include specific objectives (presented in the course notes, PowerPoints, and the 'Assessment' section on eCampus), which specify what the student will be able to achieve by the end of the course. These objectives clearly define expectations and form the basis of the evaluation tests.
General objectives:
Knowledge: Acquiring basic knowledge on:
- The nature of ecology
- Methods in ecology
- The scientific method and experimental design
- The physico-chemical environment of soils
- Soil biota
- Soil formation and classification
- Microbial diversity and metabolism
- The role of microorganisms in carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles ; environmental consequences of their activities ; the influence of human activities
Expertise: Application of theory to real situations:
- Understanding and use of specific terms related to experimental design
- Use of theory to analyse, criticize and improve an experimental protocol
- Comprehension of the influence of soil physico-chemical characteristics on water and nutrient availability, as well as the presence and activity of microorganisms
- Understanding microbial processes in various environments and the reciprocal interaction between environmental factors and microorganisms.
Developing attitudes:
- Realisation of the diversity and complimentarity of study methods, as well as of the importance of a rigorous scientific approach
- Awareness of spatial and temporal variability of ecological processes
- Critical approach to scientific literature
- Practice of group work, analysis and communication
- Recognition of soil complexity and the importance of biotic and abiotic components for plant nutrition and soil functioning
- Consciousness of the variability, complexity and importance of microbial processes in the environment
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basic notions in microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry and ecology are essential to understanding the course. Chemistry concept (mainly nomenclature and the principles of redox reaction) can be (re)visited through this chemistry MOOC (https://www.fun-mooc.fr/fr/cours/chimie-ouvrez-les-portes-de-lenseignement-superieur/), which was specifically designed by the Department of Chemistry. Reading scientific English (scientific paper) is required for one learning activity.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures (power point support) are based on the principles of 'active lectures'. Presentations include questions, minute papers, case studies and class discussions. The link between theory and practice for the methods in ecology is established through analysis of scientific papers (if possible, depending on the number of students). Soil ecology lessons are deepened through practicals (in small groups) in the laboratory. For biogeochemical cycles, examples, case studies or small videos are included into the lectures. Autoevaluations (formative multiple choice questions) are available via eCampus. The field excursions illustrates current studies and soil characteristics in forests, and the students conceive and carry out an experiment whose soil samples will be analyzed during the practical work.
The integration of lectures and various activities aims at a deep understanding of the topic during the quadrimester. Student's personal investment during lectures and activities will lead to a work reduction during the exam session and also leads to better knowledge retention on the longer term.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Face-to-face: Interactive lectures, exercises, field trip, practical work.
In case of access difficulties to the Campus (strikes, etc.) or exceptional circumstances (illness), live streaming may be provided (please contact me by mail). To ensure active student participation during the course, no recordings are made.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
All useful resources for the course are available online via eCampus (partial course notes, power point illustrations, supporting documents, autoevaluations, information, discussions,...). Note: downloading the documents is more efficient with a high speed connexion. Computer rooms are available on campus and the university has an important WiFi network.
The provided information needs to be completed by personal notes from lectures.
An optional reading list is provided to students. Additional information can be obtained from reference books available in the laboratory of Plant and Microbial Ecology (on appointment only).
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Written work / report
Out-of-session test(s)
Further information:
This course is organized in the first quadrimester, Q1. As part of the continuous assessment, a written test on the field trip and practical sessions is organized during the semester. The examination covering the course material takes place in person during the January examination period. The second examination session takes place in August/September.
Evaluation consists of :
- an assessment of their participation and work during the field trip and practical sessions (field trip/practical work form and written test, accounting for 20% of the final grade). The field trip/practical work form must be submitted during the final session (20/09/2026). The field trip, practical sessions, and their assessment are organized only once during the academic year. The grade obtained for this component is carried over to each examination session.
- a written examination during the January examination period covering the theoretical course material (80% of the final grade).
REMINDER (see general examination rules): Any form of cheating or plagiarism is severely penalized and may result, in particular, in a grade of 0/20 for the final examination. Participation in the practical sessions and the field trip, as well as submission of the field trip/practical work form, is compulsory (a student who has not participated in activities that are an integral part of the course may be deemed ineligible to sit the examination). Any late submission of coursework will result in a grade of 0/20.
NOTE for students taking the course a second time : If you have already participated in the field trip and practical sessions, your participation is no longer compulsory. Please inform your instructor whether or not you wish to participate. If you do not participate, the January written examination will account for 100% of the final grade.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course is given in the first quadrimester. Practical work and the implementation of an experiment during the field excursion are done in groups. Practical work is given in 2 series (2 half-days per series). Students should take their lab coats and a calculator (or one computer per group).
Student attendance is compulsory for the practical sessions (introduction to the practical work on the morning of 16 November; afternoon sessions on 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 November 2026) and for the field trip (full day on 6 October 2026). Groups in Series 1 will attend practical sessions on 16 and 18 November, while groups in Series 2 will attend on 17 and 19 November. All students must be present on 20 November. Absence from the practical sessions and/or the field trip will make the student ineligible for assessment in both the first and second examination sessions.
SEE: your course schedule CELCAT
Improvements are made to the course each year based on the evolution of knowledge and formal and informal feedback from students.
Contacts
Office: by appointment only (email, discussion forum eCampus, phone, before/after lectures)
Laboratoire d'Ecologie Végétale et Microbienne, Institut de Botanique B22, Chemin de la Vallée, 4, 4000 Liège, Belgique (3rd floor)
Prof. Monique Carnol : Tel. 04/3663845 (office) ; E-mail : m.carnol@uliege.be
Caroline Ransquin (assistante) : Caroline.Ransquin@uliege.be
Association of one or more MOOCs
The MOOC entitled 'Chimie : ouvrez les portes de l'enseignement supérieur (S1)' is associated with this course.
Further information:
A basic knowledge of chemistry is essential to understand the actions of microorganisms in soils. For students who have not covered this subject in their studies or who have not fully grasped the concepts, I strongly recommend catching up (mainly focusing on nomenclature and the principles of redox reactions) through this chemistry MOOC, specifically designed by the Chemistry Department.
https://www.fun-mooc.fr/fr/cours/chimie-ouvrez-les-portes-de-lenseignement-superieur/
Items online
Link eCampus
Link eCampus