Objectives

Objectives of the foundation studies in the Sciences 
 
The foundation studies in the Sciences aim to equip the students with a certain number of special relative skills, namely: 

• with the basics in Mathematics especially in Algebra, Analysis and Applied Mathematics : on the one hand, this entails ensuring that the student acquires the mastery of an ensemble of mathematical tools necessary for undertaking studies in other subjects linked to Engineering Sciences ; on the other hand, and of equal importance, is the objective of training the student in the reasoning, abstraction and critical analysis of the results from their calculations
• in Physics to learn and be able to understand the diffent facets of the phenomena which govern the real world, with a view to using them, modelling them and manipulating them in connection with technological applications
• in Chemistry and Physical-Chemistry to learn and be able to understand the basic concepts, such as atoms, molecules and chemical reactions, as well as the concepts governing the equilibrium and disequilibrium of Chemical reactions, i.e. the first and second principles of Thermodynamics and the basics of Kinetic Chemistry
• in Computer Studies to critically analyse a given problem, to present one or several alternative solutions to a given problem, to detail the links which exist between concepts and to apply quality criteria to evaluate a given piece of work and its results
• in Numerical Methods to be able to solve problems in physics and mathematics where the analytical solution is not available or is difficult to obtain, and thus develop and acquire a scientific methodology for numerical methods, including the stages that necessitate application of the tools.
• in Probability and Statistics to apply the basic concepts of probability and statistical interference in a variety of situations : to extract the pertinent information from data bases, to adopt a methodological approach in organising experiments and to develop simple probability or empirical models
• in Design to enable the student to draft manual "conception designs" which will subsequently be converted into "communication designs" by means of recourse to computer-assisted designs
• in Human Sciences from a reflective angle and an operational angle, namely initiation in philosophical reasoning and in the comprehension of the place of the sciences and current engineering techniques
• in Economics to enable the student i) to acquire the basic concepts of economics, through a rational and partially formalised presentation on the basic evolutions of this discipline and ii) to be able to use the principal operating tools applied, for example, in companies
• in learning languages, especially with a view to understanding texts with scientific references and techniques, including both written and listening comprehension in English . The objective is that after the 3 years of bachelor studies, the student should have acquired a sufficient level of reading and listening comprehension in English to be able to write a lengthy report in the language and then present it and defend it orally during a technical discussion
• in the work and management of a project in the context of learning through problems, with a view to integrating the knowledge and skills acquired or still to be acquired. The objectives aimed at are threefold : to become initiated in the creation of a product, thus apprehending one of the important aspects of the engineering profession ; to become familiar with working in a team and with the methodological aspects of project work ( report-writing, presentation before a jury, etc.); to contextualise and put into practice the course content covered and the notions worked in the disciplines during the year.

Details of the competence and skills to be attained through these disciplines are accessible by clicking on the corresponding link.
 

Objectives of the specialised studies 
 
The specialised studies in the context of the major aim to help the student to acquire the basic concepts in the subject area concerned and to entitle him to unconditional access, without any need for complementary studies, to the corresponding master's programme. The subject areas offered are listed below. Their specific study objectives and details of the skills to be acquired are accessible by clicking on the corresponding course title : 

• Applied Chemistry and Physics
• Construction,
• Electricity
• Computer Studies
• Applied Mathematics
• Mechanics

 

Objectives of the basic training in methodology 
 
The training in methodology aims to help the student to acquire the ensemble of capacities, skills and generic attitudes (i.e. the transversal skills linking the different subjects) deemed necessary for succeeding in the studies of Engineering Studies and for undertaking a professional career. This training in methodology is defined on the basis of a list of operational objectives to be developed during the bachelor's programme such as : 

• Data-processing
• Communication
• Reasoning
• Creativity
• Self-evaluation
• Personal motivation and commitment
• Cooperative work in groups
• Quality of individual work
• Problem-solving
• Behaviour ...

and is carried out in the context of one or several course subjects and projects 
 
Launching week "S0" 
 
So as to prepare the student adequately for the study objectives in methodology from the outset of the programme, the first week of the first year of the bachelor's programme is a launching week, referred to as "SO," which is organised in a special way. The objectives pursued during this week are :
 
- General Objectives 

• Student Welcome to the Faculty
• Discovery of the Faculty environment and the Louvain-la-Neuve campus
• Methodological initiation into certain aspects of studying at university

 
- Individual course objectives 

• The course activity offered must enable the student to exploit supposedly familiar notions, all the while re-working these in new contexts. It must enable the student to gather methodological knowledge on a parallel with working on the integration, deepening and enrichening of what has been acquired.

 
- Methodological objectives 

• Initiation in cooperative group work
• Initiation in study management
• Initiation in communication