6 ECTS credits
150 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1010850BNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.
The students will first establish a list of actual topics linking biology with society and ethics. Students will then form groups of two and choose a topic.
After learning how to use the literature databases (Medline and Web of Science), the students will research autonomously the chosen topic using all available information sources (scientific journals, internet, library, ...). The progress will be monitored and guidance will be provided during the semester (every 3-4 weeks).
Finally, each group will write a report. The draft version of the report will be constructively read and criticized by peers. The improved report will be give to the teacher at the end of the course unit.
During this work, each student will hold a personal logbook in which he/she will note all relevant information about the work and collaboration with the partner.
Examples of topics from previous years: in vitro fertilization and the use of embryos, animal testing, intensive pig farming, windmills and birds, bio-fuels, shrimp farms in mangroves, etc. ...
The teacher will be available at specific hours for discussion and technical help.
e-mail: Luc.Leyns@vub.be
Active participation is mandatory.
Complementary study material will be found by the student using external sources.
Regular reading of a newspaper is strongly encouraged.
This course explicitly contributes to the following competences:
After finishing this course unit, the student should be able:
* to work alone and in a team,
* to search for data sources,
* to critically analyse and synthesise the collected information,
* to analyse and formulate hypothesis over a biological , societal and ethical problem,
* to write a report and to evaluate and improve the ones of peers
* to give his/her informed opinion on the role of biology in the society
* to learn the habit of regularly consult sources such as critical reading of newspapers to stay informed about the societal and ethical implications of biology.
More and more our society is confronted with problems and dilemmas that are relevant for biology. We will approach these problems in small working groups and we will study them in a critical and argumented manner. The final goal is that the student can work in a self-study group that will research autonomously a topic in relation with biology, society and ethics and that will produce a written report on a topic.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The evaluation is based on two parts:
The first part is based on a oral presentation (10 min) over another topic linking biology, society and ethics. This topic must be based on a newspaper cut. This will be followed by a discussion (10min).
The second part will be an evaluation of the work produced during the semester based on the report, the discussion about the report (feedback) and about the logbook written during the year.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Biology: Default track (only offered in Dutch)