Duration
44h Th, 16h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in bioengineering | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Rudy Caparros Megido, Pierre Delaplace, Eric Haubruge, Ludivine Lassois
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
This course unit provides an integrated approach to the organisation and functioning of living organisms, from the cellular level to that of the whole organism. It combines contributions from cell biology, botany and zoology around a common guiding question: how are living organisms organised, how do they carry out their vital functions, and how do they diversify?
The cell biology component introduces biology as the science of life and addresses the general characteristics of living organisms, cell organisation, the role of macromolecules and biological membranes, and the diversity of cell types. It also covers flows of matter, energy and information in living systems; the main types of metabolism and nutrition; and the mechanisms ensuring continuity and change during cell reproduction and division.
The botany component studies seed plants as integrated, sessile and autotrophic organisms. It addresses the production of organic matter, the growth and differentiation of cells, tissues and organs, and the acquisition, transport and exchange of resources. The functions of roots, stems and leaves are analysed from a structure-function perspective. The course also covers sexual and vegetative reproduction, from the flower to fertilisation, as well as fruit and seed formation, dormancy and dispersal strategies.
The zoology component examines animal organisation, from unicellular organisms to multicellular organisms. It explores the emergence of tissues, organs and organ systems, as well as the relationships between cell specialisation, anatomical organisation and biological functions. Major vital functions are studied in relation to environmental constraints and organismal needs: nutrition and digestion, gas exchange and respiration, circulation, osmoregulation, excretion, thermoregulation, neuroendocrine regulation and reproduction. Embryonic development and the main reproductive strategies are also presented.
Practical sessions enable students to apply this knowledge through observations, experiments and analyses of biological structures. In particular, they aim to link cellular, tissue and anatomical organisation to the functions performed by living organisms.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of the course unit, students will be able to:
- Describe the fundamental characteristics of living organisms and distinguish their main levels of organisation, from molecules to cells, tissues, organs, systems and organisms.
- Explain the relationships between the different levels of biological organisation, particularly the links between structure and function and the emergence of new properties at different organisational levels.
- Compare the organisation and functioning of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including animal and plant cells, and relate the main cellular structures to their functions.
- Relate the properties of the main biological molecules to their roles in the organisation and functioning of cells, and explain the mechanisms governing exchanges across biological membranes.
- Explain the fundamental principles of metabolism and energy transformations in living organisms, including the role of enzymes and the main principles of cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
- Explain the mechanisms ensuring the conservation, transmission and variation of genetic information during cell division and reproduction, particularly by distinguishing mitosis from meiosis.
- Explain how the specialisation of cells and tissues contributes to the organisation and integrated functioning of multicellular organisms.
- Describe and relate the main structures and functions of vegetative and reproductive organs in plants, particularly regarding the production, acquisition, transport and exchange of matter, as well as reproduction.
- Describe and compare the major vital functions in animals, including nutrition, gas exchange, circulation, excretion and osmoregulation, thermoregulation, neuroendocrine regulation and reproduction.
- Interpret observations of cells, tissues, organs or organisms by drawing on structure-function relationships, and integrate these observations into an overall understanding of organismal functioning.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
No specific disciplinary prerequisites are required.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theory / Practical / Other: 45 hours of theory / 16 hours of practical work / none.
- Theory: lecture-based teaching.
- Practical work: laboratory practical sessions.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The course unit is organised primarily through face-to-face teaching.
Lectures are delivered in lecture halls, while practical sessions take place in laboratories.
Practical sessions are an essential component of the teaching approach. They enable students to apply and complement the concepts covered in lectures. Any unjustified absence may result in a penalty, including refusal to allow the student to sit the examination. Supporting documentation for an absence must be submitted to the Student Affairs Office, with a copy sent by email to Rudy Caparros Megido at r.caparros@uliege.be.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The following materials are made available to students on the course platform:
- Slides used during lectures.
- Supporting documents and instructions for selected practical sessions.
- Textbook and teaching materials specific to the botany component. Additional resources selected by the teaching staff to reinforce or further explore particular concepts.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Continuous assessment
Further information:
Assessment is integrated across the cell biology, botany and zoology components.
It includes two continuous assessments organised during the semester. These assessments cover concepts addressed in all three components of the course unit. They are intended to support students' progress, monitor the gradual acquisition of knowledge and identify potential learning difficulties.
The summative assessment during the examination period consists of a written examination covering the full content of cell biology, botany and zoology.
Continuous assessments and the written examination may include:
- Short-answer or extended theoretical questions assessing recall and explanation of fundamental concepts.
- Multiple-choice questions.
- Comparative questions involving structures, cell types, tissues, organs, biological systems, organisms or biological strategies.
- Identification, labelling and interpretation exercises based on projected material, such as histological sections, microscopic preparations, organs or dissections.
No exemption is retained from one academic year to the next. Students retaking the course unit must take part in all learning activities and complete all scheduled assessments under the same conditions as students enrolling in the course for the first time.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
- Rudy Caparros Megido - Course-unit coordinator and zoology component: R.Caparros@uliege.be
- Éric Haubruge - Zoology component: E.Haubruge@uliege.be
- Pierre Delaplace - Botany component: Pierre.Delaplace@uliege.be
- Ludivine Lassois - Cell biology component: Ludivine.Lassois@uliege.be