Programme structure

birf2m  2016-2017  Louvain-la-Neuve

 This programme comprises a series of activities totalling 120 credits spread over two years worth 60 credits each. It is structured as follows:

The overall structure of the Bachelor in Engineering (Bioengineering) and the Master in Bioengineering clearly reflect the concepts of specialization, gradual choice and individualization of the courses.

1st cycle (Bachelor):

  • same programme for SC and AGRO in first year (BIR11BA),
  • special programme in second year (BIR12BA) for all the BIR students,
  • distinct programme with 30 credits for elective modules in third year (BIRC13BA, BIRA13BA, BIRE13BA): three minors available: chemistry (BIRC), agronomy (BIRA), environment (BIRE).

2nd cycle (Master):

  • choice of four Masters in Bioengineering with a professional focus, together with sixteen elective modules which partly overlap, optional courses (either free choice or from the lists) and a final individual dissertation.

This overall structure gives students the opportunity to customize their programme whilst at the same time retaining both the comprehensive nature of the training and the foundation elements of university education: independence, competence, open-mindedness and interest in research.

The sixteen elective modules, which partly overlap at the level of the four Masters in Bioengineering, correspond to fields of activity identified on the basis of a wide-ranging survey of graduates of the Faculty working professionally and of contacts with potential employers. 

Year 1:

  • first part of the compulsory common core curriculum (25 credits),
  • compulsory professional focus programme (30 credits),
  • choice of one elective module (15 credits) from a list of five. At least 5 credits of this module should be taken during the first year. Certain optional courses may be organised in collaboration with the three other Masters in Bioengineering.

NB: Enrolment in the additional interdisciplinary training module in “Business Creation” is not automatic. In order to enrol, students must submit their application to the coordinators of the Business Creation programme and participate in the selection process.

Year 2:

  • remainder of the compulsory common core curriculum (50 credits),
  • remainder of the elective module (10 credits)

Additional training "Business Creation"

The interdisciplinary training in “Business Creation” is one of the elective modules proposed within the framework of the Master in Forestry and Natural Areas. However, since this module is worth 20 credits (instead of the 15 credits provided for an elective module), some modifications of the common core curriculum are required.
This module must be taken as of the first year of this Master’s programme.
Enrolment is not automatic. In order to enrol, students must apply for admission and participate in a selection process. Only after having received the permission to participate in this programme may students contact the academic secretary to establish their personal course programme and plan the distribution of their courses over the two years of their Master’s programme.

This additional programme features in the Master programmes of various faculties (Bioengineering, Law, Business Management, Civil Engineering and Psychology). It is designed to provide students, as potential creators, with the tools for analysis and understanding which will help them appreciate how entrepreneurship works when creating or taking on a business and develop projects of this kind within existing organizations.
In addition, this training enables students to gain familiarity with other disciplines and to learn how to work in multidisciplinary teams.

For further information on this training programme, please refer to: http://www.uclouvain.be/cpme.html



For a programme-type, and regardless of the focus, options/or elective courses selected, this master will carry a minimum of 120 credits divided over two annual units, corresponding to 60 credits each.