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Master’s Degree (120 credits) in Organismal Biology and Ecology, Specialization Track

Master en biologie des organismes et écologie

Overview

Solving novel problems in modern environmental biology, contributing to a better understanding of how living organisms function within their environment at various levels of integration using cutting-edge techniques, communicating and sharing knowledge… These are just some of the challenges you will face as professionals in organismal biology and ecology. 

Your goals

  • respond to environmental and biodiversity issues; 
  • understand the functioning, conservation, and evolution of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; 
  • understand the evolution of ecosystems and organisms; 
  • conduct field observations and experimental research; 
  • master modern technologies, from molecular tools to the interpretation of satellite imagery; 
  • gain practical training that is a key asset in the job market. 

The benefits of the training program

  • issues at the forefront of current events; 
  • a personalized academic path and guidance toward a career plan; 
  • a wide selection of modules, in French or English, offered on two campuses; 
  • fieldwork and laboratory work; 
  • modern techniques: molecular biology, GIS, digital ecology…; 
  • a long-term research project: a thesis spanning 10 months; 
  • a 4-month professional internship; 
  • the opportunity to complete your internship or thesis abroad. 

The program

The Master’s program in Organismal Biology and Ecology is jointly offered by the University of Namur and UCLouvain. Enrollment in this program is handled exclusively by UCLouvain. 

What sets this master’s program apart is its approach to modern issues in organismal biology and ecology, bridging terrestrial and aquatic environments, which have long been studied separately. 

The various levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, biochemical, physiological, behavioral, population, community, and ecosystem) are linked together using cutting-edge techniques (genomics, epigenetics, modeling, GIS, etc.). 

The comparative approach allows for the investigation of diverse biological systems across the animal and plant kingdoms as well as among microorganisms, while avoiding a narrow focus on a small number of model species. 

The specialized track allows you to orient your future career toward either the environment, experimental research, or scientific communication.

You will also choose three modules from 

  • Conservation and Restoration of Biodiversity
  • Modeling in Ecology and Evolution
  • Stress ecology and ecotoxicology
  • Spatial and thermal ecology
  • Behavioral ecology
  • Molecular ecology and biodiversity genomics

You may also select the INEO option, an interdisciplinary program in entrepreneurship. This option spans two years and involves the completion of an interfaculty thesis (in a team) focused on a business creation project. Admission is limited to students selected based on their application. For more information, visit uclouvain.be/etudier/ineo

Sciences études

An experience abroad

The BOE master’s program offers you the opportunity to complete an internship outside of a university or research center (at a company, nonprofit, NGO, etc.), in Belgium or abroad.

You can also complete part of your thesis abroad.

Other master's programs in biology

The University of Namur offers the following master’s programs:

And after the master's degree

You want to empower young people to learn and collaborate, guide them, help them become agents of change?

Discover how to become a teacher in upper secondary (secondary 4-6) after your master's degree.

Vous consultez le programme de

Master 120 en biologie des organismes et écologie, à finalité didactique

Biologie études

Point of attention

This training program is suspended. Only current students (enrolled in 2024-2025) will be able to re-enroll and complete their course.

To access teacher training and teach secondary 4 to 6, you must:

  • either undertake a master's degree in teaching section 4 (120 credits), after a disciplinary bachelor's degree (180 credits)
  • or take a master's degree in teaching section 5 (60 credits), after a disciplinary bachelor's degree (180 credits) and a disciplinary master's degree (60 or 120 credits)

More information on initial teacher training

Other master's degrees in biology

The University of Namur offers the following master’s programs:

The University of Namur offers the Master 120 in biology of Organisms and Ecology jointly with the UCLouvain.

Full details of the programme are available on the website of the UCLouvain.

To register for the Master's program, please contact UCLouvain.

The University of Namur provides teaching in the following areas:

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Aims and objectives

UNamur (Université de Namur) and UCL (Université catholique de Louvain at Louvain-la-Neuve) organize a joint programme, at both sites, for the Master (120 credits) in Biology of Organisms and Ecology, described below.

The aim is to train scientists who can analyse, understand and react when faced with questions or problems relating to the environment and biodiversity, both in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and to the functioning of organisms function in these ecosystems. This involves advanced training, field observation, experimental research both inside and outside the laboratory, and requires the modern methods used by biologists. The Master in Biology of Organisms and Environment (BOE) comprises four option courses : biodiversity, management of ecosystems, interactions between organisms and the environment and biology of plant organisms.  


The research focus prepares students to become researchers.Specialized courses deal with issues that are at the edge of human knowledge. There is emphasis on experimentation and academic communication, both written and oral. The programme includes a placement or training in a laboratory outside UCL, preferably abroad.

Teaching methods

Inter-university cooperation between UNamur and UCL, where complementary research in ecology is carried out, means that the range of available courses is much wider than at each individual university. We have built a programme with joint training of 16 credits and four option courses of 22 credits each. These option courses are mainly focused on subjects which cut across the boundaries between the plant and animal and the terrestrial and aquatic worlds. The structure of the programme enables students to diversify and individualize their studies with 18 credits for optional activities. The dissertation begins in the second semester of the first year and is defended at the end of the first semester of the second year: this is convenient for doing field research during the spring and summer. The placement (25 credits) in the second semester of the second year widens experience of scientific research for those doing the research focus and introduces students doing the professional focus to a professional environment. All students must return for the last five credits in advanced training; there is also a debriefing and an opportunity to exchange experiences with the other students.

Assessment

The evaluation methods comply with the regulations concerning studies and exams. More detailed explanation of the modalities specific to each learning unit are available on their description sheets under the heading “Learning outcomes evaluation method”.


Students will mainly be assessed on the basis of individual work (e.g. reading, consultation of databases and bibliographic references, writing monographs and reports, presentation of seminars, dissertation and work placement). Where necessary, students will also be assessed on how much they have learned from lectures. As far as possible, there will be continuous assessment, including regular ‘open book examinations’. Certain activities will not be given a precise mark but will be officially certified. Assessment of the dissertation is in two stages : a ‘progress report’ at the end of the first year of the Master and the final presentation.

International mobility and openness

Students doing the research focus are invited to attend a foreign university, under the Socrates or Mercator exchange schemes, during the second semester of the second year of the Master to do their placement and/or do a part of their dissertation during the dissertation period and possibly also take some optional activities.

 

For students doing the professional focus, it may be more logical to stay in Belgium, but they may take advantage of the opportunity for an exchange visit during their dissertation. Mobility in the first semester of the first year of the Master may also be possible, providing equivalents for the core subjects and some of the option courses can be found. In the same way, students from foreign universities can come to UCL to take selected activities from our Master programme and/or do a part of their final dissertation.

Careers in organismal biology and ecology

 Upon completion of this master’s program, you will be qualified to pursue a scientific career in the national and international job market, particularly in research institutions, nature conservation organizations, government and nongovernmental agencies, as well as private companies. 

Your modeling skills, in-depth understanding of phenomena, passion for research, and scientific rigor will be sought after not only in scientific professions (research, development, teaching, etc.), but also across society as a whole. 

Examples of career opportunities: 

  • researchers at universities or public research centers, 
  • teachers in secondary schools and higher education institutions, 
  • eco-educators, 
  • scientific experts, 
  • environmental consultants, 
  • ecotoxicology experts — REACH, 
  • ... 

I manage a river contract in southern Belgium, within a nature park funded by European grants. Setting up a river contract involves convincing many partners with often divergent interests. I have to promote the project, particularly by publishing brochures. I organize awareness-raising activities, such as workshops for children. Administrative and financial management, as well as fundraising, take up a significant portion of my time. 

Nicolas, graduate

Professions of experts in organismal biology and ecology

On completion of this Master's degree, you will be suitable for scientific employment on the national and international markets, particularly in research institutions, nature conservation organizations, governmental or non-governmental agencies, as well as private companies.

Your ability to model and understand phenomena in depth, your taste for research and your scientific rigor will be in demand not only in the scientific professions (research, development, teaching...), but in society as a whole.

Examples of career opportunities:

  • researchers at universities or public research centers,
  • teachers in secondary schools and colleges,
  • eco-educators,
  • scientific experts,
  • environmental consultants,
  • experts in ecotoxicology - REACH,
  • ....

I manage a river contract in southern Belgium, within a nature park financed by European funds. Setting up a river contract involves convincing many partners with often divergent interests. I have to promote the project, notably by publishing brochures. I organize awareness-raising activities, such as courses for children. Administrative and financial management, as well as fund-raising, take up a good part of my time.

Nicolas, graduate