3 ECTS credits
75 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1024083ANR for all students in the 1st semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Biology
Educational team
Luc Leyns (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
13 contact hours Lecture
6 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
26 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Our society is increasingly confronted with problems and dilemmas relevant to biology. We will approach these problems and we will study them in a critical and reasoned way.
During the first lesson, students present a list of current topics related to biology, ethics and society. After that, some topics are chosen by the students.
The second lesson is held in the computer room in order to familiarize students with Internet searches (Medline and Web of Science databases).
During the following weeks, the students will participate autonomously in the study of the biological, ethical and social aspects. Information sources are searched.
To encourage good progress, a few coaching sessions are provided during the semester (every two to three weeks).
Finally, each student will make a presentation about the results and analysis during the last lesson.
Topics from previous years included in vitro fertilization and the use of embryos, animal testing, intensive pig farming, windmills and the influence on birds, bio fuel, shrimp farming in mangroves, ...

Additional info

Active student participation is necessary.
Additional study material is found by the student through the use of external sources.

Learning Outcomes

General competences

This course has the following intended learning outcomes:
After completing this course, the student should be able to:
* find and consult data sources,
* make a critical analysis and synthesis of the collected information,
* analyze a biological, ethical and social question and formulate a hypothesis.
* be able to make a presentation
* be able to give his/her informed opinion on the role of biology in society
* have the habit of reading information sources in a critical way to keep abreast of the socially and ethically relevant aspects of biology.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 80% of the final mark.
Other determines 20% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 80% of the final mark.

Within the Other category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Permanent evaluation with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The first part of the evaluation (80% of the final mark) is based on an oral report and presentation (presentation of 10 minutes – max 10 slides) by the student on the chosen theme with regard to biology, ethics and society. This topic will then be further discussed during the evaluation (10 minutes).

The second part concerns the evaluation of the work delivered during the semester based on active participation (20% of the final mark).

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Work and Organisational Psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Clinical psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Biology: Default track (only offered in Dutch)