Teaching method

The programme has been designed to 

• maintain a reasonable amount of student activities, compatible with producing a dissertation and training for research which gives adequate preparation for a doctorate
• promote interdisciplinarity (integrated practical work) and develop scientific communication skills (bibliographic research, presentation of seminars in French and English).

In the Master with the research focus, two schemes for mobility (30 credits) are available :

• Erasmus-Socrates or Mercator research exchange outside Belgium, or placement in another Belgian institution which may include some courses or practical work (in accordance with agreements to be negotiated with the host institution)
• a placement (15 credits) in a UCL laboratory different from where the dissertation will be done and additional practical work designed to familiarize students with the main techniques in the different branches of chemistry (15 credits, 180 hour, or 4.5 weeks).

In the Master with a professional focus, the same principle of mobility for 30 or 15 credits applies, preferably for a placement in a Belgian or foreign company.

Students doing the teaching focus may take advanced teaching in biology, mathematics, physical sciences or geography.

Students will mainly be assessed on the basis of individual work (e.g. reading, consultation of databases and bibliographic references, writing monographs and reports, presentation of seminars, dissertation and work placement). Where necessary, students will also be assessed on how much they have learned from lectures. As far as possible, there will be continuous assessment, including regular ‘open book examinations’. Certain activities will not be given a precise mark but will be officially certified. Assessment of the dissertation is in two stages : a ‘progress report’ at the end of the first year of the Master and the final presentation.

Mobility and/or international links

The programme promotes mobility by simplifying to the maximum the management of the timing of activities. The periods for possible mobility (Erasmus-Socrates and Mercator exchanges, placements in companies, internal placements) are best concentrated in the second semester of the first year. The dissertation and additional training are therefore concentrated in the second year.

However, in the research focus with external mobility and also in the professional focus, there is an alternative : mobility can take place in the fourth semester, by moving the dissertation and the additional training to the second and third semesters. 

Advanced courses are given by many visiting lecturers from different foreign institutions and some Belgian ones. These are mostly in English.