Program and structure

The Master’s degree Biology of Organisms and Ecology (Teaching Focus) is an advanced course based on a solid scientific foundation, put into practice through placements in companies and laboratories linked to the various courses. 

University course in Laboratory Animal Science is included in the Master’s programme. 

Particular attention is paid to learning scientific communication in French and English through research seminars and in the “Scientific Workshop Training” course. 

This Master’s offers students the opportunity to carry out their dissertation and placement in many areas of life sciences. 

The Biology Department at UMONS develops world-class research in many fields such as marine biology, environmental microbiology, bee decline, etc. 

The programme includes: 

• A common curriculum in the first year of the programme with the Master’s in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology 
• A range of courses specialised in teaching 
• Placements at UMONS and elsewhere, including placements in secondary schools 

• University course in Laboratory Animal Science 
• Learning scientific communication in French and English through research seminars and in the “Scientific Workshop Training” course 
• A dissertation. 

Teaching profile

The programme description defines the expected learning outcomes at the end of the cycle (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.). The programme description defines the expected learning outcomes, i.e. what the student should know, understand and be able to achieve at the end of a learning activity, a teaching unit or a study cycle (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.). Learning outcomes are defined in terms of knowledge, expertise and soft skills. 

At the end of the course, students will be able to: 

• Use their acquired professional skills according to the objectives of the degree programme 
• Adequately interpret situations in and outside the classroom by applying knowledge of humanities 
• Adapt to different school audiences by applying knowledge of humanities 
• Maintain effective partnerships with the institution, colleagues and parents 

• Fully grasp legal documents in order to exercise the profession appropriately 
• Fully grasp the disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge that justifies their teaching activities 
• Apply a broad general culture in order to stimulate pupils' interest in the cultural world 
• Further develop interpersonal skills linked to the demands of the profession 
• Measure the ethical issues linked to their daily practice 

• Work in teams with their teacher colleagues 
• Design, test, evaluate and regulate teaching methods 
• Maintain a critical and autonomous relationship with scientific information 
• Plan, manage and evaluate learning situations 
• Reflect on their own practice 

• Present information in a neutral and unbiased manner 
• Fully grasp the language of instruction, both orally and in writing 
• Understand the disciplinary teaching methods which guide the teaching process.   

Opportunities

Graduates of the Master’s degree in Biology of Organisms and Ecology (Teaching Focus) will be equipped for a career in teaching. Indeed, in order to be permanently employed in secondary education in the French Community, it is necessary to have a Master's degree and the AESS qualification. The AESS can be obtained at the end of a 30-credit course offered in the second year of the Master's programme. It is specifically designed to train future teachers of upper secondary education. Graduates of the Master's will also be eligible to apply for a PhD in Science.