At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
The objective of the course is to give the student a transversal vision of the living world from the molecule to the organism, by integrating the different levels of organization, complexity and diversity of the living world (molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organism, population, ...) and the evolutionary aspects. The course aims to familiarize the student with certain parasites, by linking cycles and symptoms and to approach the complexification and diversification of the animal world from an evolutionary point of view (Protists, Helminths, Insects and Mammals/Primates). More generally, the course will enable medical students to place the human species in the global context of life on earth, by integrating the great evolutionary stages that led to its appearance.
Diversification of the living world and evolutionary aspects Diversity of the living world with a focus on protists (unicellular) and the animal world, reviewing the different levels of organisation and illustrating them with some parasites. Evolution in general (Darwin's updated theory) and hominization. This part of the course will also deal with micro-evolution and speciation.
Diversification of the Living World and Evolutionary Aspects – Humankind Viewed Through the Major Evolutionary Milestones Leading to Its Emergence
(The table of contents may be subject to minor modifications during the academic year. Please refer to the course’s WebCampus page for updates.)
Chapter 1: General Introduction – Origins of life, prokaryotes, overview of the diversity of the living world, domains and kingdoms
Chapter 2: Emergence of eukaryotes (protists), Plasmodium as an example of a unicellular eukaryote (structure, life cycle, impact on human health)
Chapter 3: Transition to multicellularity, major evolutionary milestones (symmetry, tissues, body cavity), emergence of flatworms and roundworms, example of Ascaris (structure, life cycle, impact on human health)
Chapter 4: Insects (segmentation, circulatory system, exoskeleton, nervous system, excretory and digestive systems), impact on human health
Chapter 5: Chordates and vertebrates (major evolutionary milestones), introduction to embryology
Chapter 6: Mammals and Primates
Chapter 7: Human Evolution
Chapter 8: Darwin and evolutionary theories, evidence supporting evolution, species concepts, and general conclusions
No lab sessions.
The lecture is illustrated by a maximum number of diagrams, simple ones on the board or on a tablet, and more complex ones via PowerPoint presentations with figures from the reference books. The figure numbers are specified each time so thahe student can easily find them in the reference book and a table of contents is regularly projected so thathe student can situate himself/herself in relation to the subject, without difficulty. Whenever possible and depending on the subject matter, "mainstream" science news will be mentioned in the course (e.g. the discovery of a new fossil or species or the latest news about the malaria vaccine). Students are invited to ask questions between courses or on a "Frequently Asked Questions" forum on the course's Webcampus page. In case of problems, the teacher can always be reached by e-mail.
Multiple-choice written exam.
Biology by Raven, Johnson, Mason, Losos and Singer (de Boeck, latest editions) + additional documents posted on WebCampus
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Medicine | Standard | 0 | 2 | |
| Bachelor in Medicine | Standard | 1 | 2 |