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Baccalauréat en sciences biologiques (Bachelor of Biological Sciences ) [BIOL1BA]
>> Study objectives
>> General presentation of the programme
>> Evaluation
>> Admission to the programme
>> Positioning of the programme
>> Useful contacts
>> List of accessible minors

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Study objectives

The programme aims at the acquisition of :

  • General competence and skills in the principal disciplines of the Exact Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics) and a deepening of the basic competence and skills in the different sectors of Biology
  • The capacity to gain knowledge, such as through self-study, through rigorous application of the first stages of a general scientific approach (observation, analysis, summaries, criticism)
  • Expertise in the written and oral presentation of scientific texts
  • Transversal competence and skills ( Human Sciences, Computing, Management, English, Written and Oral Communication ), with a view to increasing both the general nature of the training and the chance of getting a foothold on the job market upon completion of the studies.

General presentation of the programme

The programme consists of a major of 150 credits, completed :

  • either by blocks of options orientated towards the main domains of Biology (30 credits). These course blocks are taken in the 3rd year of the bachelor's programme
  • or by a minor with studies more directed towards Chemistry (30 credits) ; this minor in Chemistry begins in the 2nd year of the bachelor's programme with a prerequisite course for the same minor in the third year of the bachelor's programme
  • or by another minor selected from the University programme in concertation with the study advisor. This minor will be taken in its entirety (30 credits) in the 3rd year of the bachelor studies.

The progressive orientation of the programme starts right from the first year of polyvalent studies. The first year programme aims at the acquisition of basic knowledge in Sciences, (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Earth Sciences).

At the end of the first year, the students may re-orientate their studies, without the need for any complements, to the second year of the bachelor's of Biochemistry and of Bioengineering Science and also to that of Geographical Science, subject to an extra course in Geography (GEO 1111).

The second year is composed of a common pool of subjects totalling 54 credits, to which are added, in accordance with the student's personal choice, a project of 4 credits and a course in Philosophy of 2 credits, or a minor in Chemistry of 6 credits. The third year again takes the form of a common pool of subjects (30 credits) and options in the form of personally selected blocks of courses (30 credits) or a minor. The programme groups different subjects together with the aim of breaking down the boundaries of the different disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach is also fostered in the context of the individual or group projects. Several courses are based on self-study. A part of the evaluation takes the form of ongoing assessment which also includes the wide number of seminars offered.

Language courses accompany the programme and are aimed at mastering scientific English.

Principal Subjects

The major in Biology, totalling 150 credits, contains the following :

Philosophy (30) (2 credits)

Mathematics and Biostatistics (20 credits)

  • General Mathematics I (75-60) (11 credits)
  • Statistics in Natural Sciences (30-30) (5 credits)
  • Biometrics (25-25) (4 credits)

These courses are followed in the order indicated.

Physics and Biophysics (18 credits)

  • General Physics I (75-75) (12 credits)
  • Biophysics (45-30) (6 credits)

These courses are followed in the order indicated

Earth Sciences (45-30) (6 credits)

Chemistry - Biochemistry (25 credits)

  • General Chemistry (60-60) (10 credits)
  • Organic Chemistry I (30-30) (5 credits)
  • Bio-organic Chemistry (30-10) (3 credits)
  • Elements of Biochemistry (30-24) (4 credits)
  • Metabolic Biochemistry B (22,5-15) (3 credits)

The first four courses are followed in the order indicated ; the next one may be followed independently after the course in Elements of Biochemistry.

General Biology (34 credits)

  • Biology (90-45) (11 credits)
  • Complement of Vegetal Biology (60-25) (7 credits)
  • Complements of Animal Biology (75-70) (12 credits)
  • Microbiology and Virology (40-15) (4 credits)

The Biology course must be followed before the other courses which may then be taken independently.

Physiology and Histology (11 credits)

  • Animal Biochemistry, Physiology and Histology (45-15) (6 credits)
  • Vegetal Physiology (45-15) (5 credits)

These courses may be followed after the course in Biology.

Genetics (6 credits)

  • Elements of Genetics (25-15) (3 credits)
  • Molecular Genetics (25-15) (3 credits)

Courses to be followed in the order indicated.

Ecology (6 credits)

  • Elements of Ecology (60-15) (6 credits)

Integrated tasks and exercices, projects and work experience (16 credits)

  • Project 1 (0-45) (3 credits)
  • Training course in Marine Biology (0-40) (3 credits)
  • Project 2 (0-45) (4 credits)
  • Integrated seminars (25-0) (2 credits)
  • Internship (0-60) (4 credits)

The projects are carried out in the order indicated. The training course in Marine Biology takes place after the courses in Animal and Vegetal Biology and Elements of Ecology. The integrated seminars and internship period take place at the end of the bachelor's programme.

English : 6 credits

  • English 1 (0-30) (2 credits)
  • English 2 (30-0) (2 credits)
  • English 3 (30-0) (2 credits)

These courses must be followed in order (unless exemption is granted).

Minors or other available options

Besides the major in Biology, the students have the choice between three possibilities :

  • either to opt for complementary sessions in Biology (30 credits), with complements in the various sub-disciplines of Biology (Vegetal Biology, Animal Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology)
  • or to opt for a complementary minor in Chemistry (30 credits) which resumes the elements of Molecular Crystallography et Spectroscopy, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry and contains an introduction to the chemistry of polymers
  • or to opt for another minor on the University programme, based on a project to be elaborated together with the study advisor.

Admission to the programme

Conditions of admission

The conditions and regular admission requirements are specified on the web page "Access to Studies" : http://www.ucl.ac.be/etudes/libres/en/acces.html

Special admission conditions

Students from Colleges (Technical Higher Education Schools) who have followed a training in the domain of biological applications will have acces to the programme at a level which will depend on degree of knowledge acquired or will be subject to following a tailored programme of courses.

Re-orientation of studies is possible from the bachelor's programmes in Sciences, Bioengineering, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Biomedical Sciences or Pharmacy.

Admission requests, special regulations

In the case of re-orientation of studies, any admission request should be addressed to the academic secretary of the Faculty of Sciences.

Address : Place des sciences 2 - 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve

Positioning of the programme

Positioning of the programme within the University cursus

Whatever the minor or course blocks selected, the bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences automatically entitles access to one of the following masters :

  • master's of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology (120 credits)
  • master's of Biology of Organisms and Ecology (120 credits)

With the minor in Chemistry and/or a programme of complementary training in Chemistry, the bachelor's degree in Biological Science also entitles access to the master's of Chemical Science.

The master's programme will be orientated toward the domains of application, research or teaching.

Other studies accessible upon completion of the programme

Master's of Biological Science (60 credits)

Useful contacts

Programme management

BIOL Département de biologie

Contact : Nathalie Micha

and the Department of Mathematics

Study Advisor

A. Lejeune

Exam Juries

1st Year

President : Cl. Remacle

Secretary : A. Lejeune

2nd year

President : Still to be determined

Secretary : Still to be determined

3rd year

President : Still to be determined

Secretary : Still to be determined

List of accessible minors

  • Minor in Theology
  • Minor in Philosophy
  • Minor in Law
  • Minor in Criminology
  • Minor in Information and Communication (*)
  • Minor in Political Sciences
  • Minor in Sociology and Anthropology
  • Minor in Human and Social Sciences
  • Minor in Economics
  • Minor in Business Studies
  • Minor in Linguistics
  • Minor in Hispanic Studies (*)
  • Minor in Italian Studies (*)
  • Minor in French Studies (*)
  • Minor in Latin Studies
  • Minor in Greek Studies
  • Minor in Oriental Studies
  • Minor in Literature Studies
  • Minor in History
  • Minor in Medieval Studies
  • Minor in Art History and Archaeology (*)
  • Minor in Musicology
  • Minor in Psychology and Education (*)
  • Minor in Human Nutrition
  • Minor in General Biomedical Sciences
  • Minor in Medication Sciences (*)
  • Minor in Physical Activity, Health and Culture of Movement (*)
  • Minor in Chemistry
  • Minor in Geography
  • Minor in Statistics
  • Minor in Engineering Sciences : Chemistry and Applied Physics (*)
  • Minor in Urban Architecture
  • Minor in Computing Science (*)
  • Minor in Bio-engineering
  • Minor in Biomedical Engineering
  • Minor in Mathematics and Mathematical Applications
  • Minor in Gender Studies
  • Minor in Culture and Creation
  • Minor in European Studies

(*) Minor with access criteria.



This site was created in collaboration with ADCP, ADEF, CIO et SGSI
Person in charge : Jean-Louis Marchand - Information : info@sc.ucl.ac.be
Last update :14/02/2007