Introduction
The base of this program is the study of molecular and cellular processes active in micro-organisms, plants, animals, and humans. You acquire a thorough knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, nanobiology, physiology, and immunology.
Objective
The program aims to train students to become experts with advanced scientific and solution-oriented knowledge, skills and attitudes towards biotechnological applications with living organisms that are both scientifically innovative and socially relevant. The intended applications focus on sustainability and include the primary production, the processing of these biological products and the management of the production and the wider environment. In this view, the main objective of the Bioscience Engineering programs is to give students the opportunity to form themselves as experts within the chosen discipline.
The program objectives are translated in a set of well-defined learning outcomes (annex) which are pursued through elaborated learning tracks (part II). Moreover and in line with KU Leuven’s view on the Disciplinary Future Self of the student, CGE coaches its students in further developing their personal skills and attitudes thereby focusing on the following educational objectives: critical self-reflection, thinking and acting sustainably and ethically, intercultural communication and responsible leadership.
Learning outcomes
Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and skills, both quantitative and qualitative, with respect to genetic, cellular, biochemical and molecular-biological processes in microorganisms, plants, animals and humans. Understanding the interactions between organisms and between organisms and their environment.
Advanced systems- and application-oriented understanding in the cell, gene, genome and bioinformatics-based technologies to steer the functioning of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and organisms, and, if needed, to generate novel concepts.
Independently integrate and deepen principles of structure and regulation of biological macromolecules at different scale levels, aimed at industrial, pharmaceutical, food technological, agronomical, environmental-technical and medical applications.
Knowing and understanding high-throughput techniques and apply these results to analyze and interpret biological information.
Formulate and analyze complex problems within the specialization in a solution-driven manner, and, if needed, reduce them to manageable sub-problems, design solutions for the specific case with attention for possible applications and for the broader conceptual implications.
Independently conceive, plan and execute an engineering project at the level of a starting investigating professional. Conduct and critically interpret a literature search according to scientific standards, with attention for the conceptual context and the application potential.
Use intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary insights to select, adapt or eventually develop advanced research, design and solution methods, and adequately apply these and scientifically process the obtained results; motivate the choices made based on the foundations of the discipline and the requirements of the application and business context.
Act from a research attitude: creativity, accuracy, critical reflection, the motivation of choices on scientific grounds.
Groundbreaking, innovative and application-oriented development of systems, products, services, and processes; extrapolation with attention for the business context. Extract new research questions from design problems.
Control system complexity using quantitative methods. Have sufficient knowledge, insight, and experience in scientific research to critically evaluate the results.
Act from an engineering attitude within a generic and discipline-specific context: result-oriented attitude, attention for planning and technical, economical and societal boundary conditions like sustainability, risk and feasibility assessment of the proposed approach or solution, focus on results and achievement of effective solutions, innovative and interdisciplinary thinking.
Work using a project-based approach from a generic and disciplinary context: formulate goals, keep the focus on specific objectives and development route, operate as a member of a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team, develop leadership, operate in an international or multicultural environment, report effectively.
Have the economic and business insight to place the contribution to a process or the solution of a problem in a wider context.
Weigh specifications and boundary conditions and transform them into a high-quality system, product or process. Extract useful information from incomplete, conflicting or redundant data.
Communicate written and verbally about the own field in the language of instruction and in the languages that are relevant for specialism.
Communicate and present about the discipline in fluent language and graphically to colleagues and laypersons.
Being able to situate societal, ethical and philosophical impact of biotechnology, with attention to technical, economical, moral and durability arguments.
Academic calendar
1st semester: end of September -> end of January (exams in January)
2nd semester: half of February -> end of June (exams in June)
