Medecine is situated at the confluence of the Exact Sciences and Human Sciences.

A Doctor in medecine is a scientist who is interested in man's body and "soul". The bachelor's of Medecine thus revolves around two main axes : the "Basic and Life Sciences" axis and the "Human Sciences" axis. The training in "Basic and Life Sciences" aims at the acquisition of knowledge and the fundamental scientific capacities indispensable for the practice of a profession where intellectual rigour is the order of the day. This necessitates : a keen sense of observation, the capacity for understanding and processing data and a critical approach to the data collected, all of which skills will be acquired thanks to the practical part of the course-work.

The Studies in Human Sciences nourish reflection on the different questions underlined by the recent developments in Biomedical Sciences : science and society, respect of nature, neurosciences and human nature, all of which themes will be tackled during the course seminars and lectures. The Psychology course will help the student to approach the patient from the perspective of his being a unique, individual person.

Please note : Access to the medical profession is limited by federal legislation and the selection of students is determined by French-speaking community law.

The bachelor's programme of Medecine totals 180 credits (a credit refers to " the volume of work that the student needs to produce in order to attain his study objectives") : a basic course of 60 credits (the 1st year) and a specific course (in the 2nd and 3rd year) corresponding to at least 120 credits.

The first year of the bachelor's provides a solid grounding in the scientific disciplines indispensable for later studies in Life Sciences. It is, for the most part, common to the other courses in Health Science. The scientific studies in the second and third years of the bachelor's revolve around the human body in its normal state, and then in pathological conditions. As for the sessions in Human Sciences, these are spread over the three years of the bachelor's programme. Note that there is also an English course designed to familiarise the student with scientific texts.

The second year includes includes work experience in a hospital environment as well as in social medecine.

The 1st year study cycle in Medecine and in Dental Sciences is structured in two parts : the first part is the so-called "orientation," selection year, comprising 60 credits ; the second part comprises 120 credits.

The number of credits corresponding to these subjects is indicated in brackets.

The bachelor's programme is designed to educate the student about the world of the living, from a single atom to the whole of society.

Atoms, molecules and the systems which govern them

General and Organic Chemistry - Biochemistry - Experimental Physics and Biophysics - Genetics - Pharmacology.

From a single cell to a human being

Morphological and functional approach : General, Cellular and Molecular Biology, - Cytology and Histology- Anatomy - Physiology - Embryology - Immunology - Microbiology - Medical Virology - Radiological Anatomy and Normal Imagery - General Pathological Anatomy - General Pathology - Medical Semiology and Physiopatholocal Integration.

Contextual approach to health and illness

Philosophy- Psychology- Epidemiology - Biological Anthropology - Interdisciplinary seminar on Human Sciences - practical work experience.

Other course subjects

English

Options

Special procedures for the first year of studies - selection year.

During the course of the first study year, the course activities are evaluated in accordance with the reglementation of the decree relating to the studies in Medecine and Dentistry.

Principles, particularly relating to the selected classification of students :

• The 1st year study cycle in Medecine and in Dental Sciences is structured in two parts : the first part is the so-called "orientation," selection part, comprising 60 credits ; the second part comprises 120 credits.
• Access to the second part is subject to passing the orientation or selection tests.
• The selection classifications carried out at the end of these tests include 80% (55 credits) of academic tests and 20% (5 credits) of specific "transversal" tests aimed at evaluating the student's capacities to practise the profession of doctor or dentist (capacities to understand, summarise and communicate information, successfully apply his knowledge to solve situations necessitating transdisciplinary knowledge and know-how).
• During the course of the first study year, the results obtained during the various oral exercises organised during the year as well as the January exam session, will only serve as an indication and will not give rise to any results valid for the ensuing sessions of the study year.
• An intial selection classification list will be established at the end of the June session and, in the case of further places available, a second classification list will be established at the end of the September session.
• Successfully classified candidates will receive a special attestation entitling them access to the 2nd part of the 1st cycle.
• Students who obtain the 60 credits during the course of the first year but who do not obtain the attestation may be admitted to the second year of studies of a cycle which is not structured in two parts (Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Biology, etc.). They may likewise recommence their study year once without being able to benefit from any marks already obtained.
• Students who have not managed to attain the 60 credits, may recommence their year once without being able to benefit from any marks already obtained ; they may also reorient their studies, thus benefitting from any marks (even credits) already obtained, towards another cursus whose 1st cycle is not structured in two parts (Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Biology, etc.).

Evaluation procedures as from the second year of studies

The course subjects and activities are evaluated in accordance with the prevailing University rules and regulations (c.f exam reglementation). Exams are organised at the end of the course session periods (January, June) as well as in September. The practical and work experience training is likewise evaluated in the form of ongoing evaluation.

Warning

Access to the studies in Medecine or Dental Sciences is open to holders of a certificate in secondary education.

The Federal State has introduced a limit to the possible number of new doctors or dentists able to practise in the context of the AMI (sickness and invalidity insurance). This limitation has been effective since September 2004 for Medecine and since 2002 for Dental Sciences. In order to respond to these quotas, the Faculties of Medecine are duly obliged to establish a selection procedure for their students.

A decree formalising the selection of students, in each university, as from the 1st year of the first study cycle in Medecine and in Dental Sciences was approved by the Parliament of the French-speaking Community of Belgium on 21st June, 2005 and appeared in the "moniteur belge" (Belgian Monitor) on 30th August, 2005.

Only those students selected will receive an attestation allowing them to pass from the 1st to the 2nd cycle of studies in Medecine or in Dental Sciences.

c.f. point on "Evaluation", below

The bachelor's degree entitles access to the master's of Medecine.

The medical profession will, however, only be accessible after complementary professional training (complementary master's) which comes after the completion of the master's of medecine.

The professional perspectives for a Doctor in medecine are numerous :

• he may either opt for medicinal healing and therefore orientate himself towards general medecine or specialised medecine. The choice of any of these professions will nevertheless involve specialised training, essentially of a practical nature, lasting from 2 to 7 years.
• or he may orientate himself to the practice of non-curative medical activites : this is the field of public health and the medico-legal domain.He may likewise choose to opt for research and join a laboratory at a university or in industry.

Master's programme(s) accessible, without complementary prerequisites : Public Health.

Master's programmes accessible, subject to prerequisites : master's of Pharmaceutical Sciences, master's of Biomedical Sciences, master's of Dental Science.

Others : master's programme accessible, subject to an adapted programme : master's of Biological Science.

President : Roger Detry, Tel. 027645020

Vice-President : Michel Delmée, Tel. 027645490

Administration Manager : Marie-France Zabus, Tel. 027645034

Secretaries : Laurence Bertrand and Nadine Bussy, Tel. 027645020 secretaire@smed.ucl.ac.be

M. Buysschaert, M. Crommelinck, M. Delmée (vice-président), R. Detry (président), J. Donnez, M. Gersdorff, A. Geubel, Fr. Houssiau, L. Hue, M. Lambert, J. Lebacq, M.-Chr. Many, D. Moulin, D. Pestiaux, J.-J. Rombouts, D. Van Pee, C. Vanwelde, V. Godin et M.-Fr. Zabus.

The student members are listed at the beginning of the academic year.

The Study advisor assists the student in the elaboration of his training programme in accordance with his previous studies and personal ambitions.

Study Advisor : Véronique Godin (Tel. 027645078 - 7257, godin@pedm.ucl.ac.be, Centre faculté -1)

1st year of the Bachelor's

President of the jury : M.-C. Many

Secretary of the jury : P. Depovere

2nd year of the Bachelor's

President of the jury : still to be determined

Secretary of the jury : still to be determined