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Faculty of Sciences Brussels School of Engineering MA-IRBA

Master in Agricultural Bioengineering

Master in Agricultural Bioengineering

The 2025-2026 programme is subject to change. It is provided for information purposes only.

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  • Programme title
    Master in Agricultural Bioengineering
  • Programme mnemonic
    MA-IRBA
  • Programme organised by
    • Faculty of Sciences
    • Brussels School of Engineering
  • Degree type
    Master 120 credits
  • Tier
    2nd cycle
  • Field and branch of study
    Sciences and technics/Agronomy and bioengineering
  • Schedule type
    Daytime
  • Languages of instruction
    french
  • Theoretical programme duration
    2 years
  • Campus
    Plaine
  • Category / Topic
    Sciences and technics - Agronomy and bioengineering
  • Jury President
    Marjolein VISSER
  • Jury Secretary
    Frédéric DEBASTE

Presentation

Details

General information

Degree type

Master 120 credits

Theoretical programme duration

2 years

Learning language(s)

french

Schedule type

Daytime

Campus

Plaine

Category(ies) - Topic(s)

Sciences and technics - Agronomy and bioengineering

Organising faculty(s) and university(ies)
Infor-études

Contacts

+32 2 650 29 03

eib@ulb.be

https://bioing.ulb.be/

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Presentation

The training meets the growing requirements of society, which are reflected in the constant expansion of bioengineering applications. The study programs are rooted in the field of environmental management, agro-ecosystems and all the living-based industrial activities.

The highly multidisciplinary training allows students to develop their creativity and versatility to become operational in various jobs related to engineering and to life sciences.

The Master in agricultural Engineering focuses on natural resources management in order to reconcile conservation and production of a variety of biomasses. It refines knowledge about the functioning of living matter at organisation levels in between those of organisms and the entire biosphere. It helps to develop or enhance the following skills:

• Designing innovative scientific and technological solutions.
• Leading scientific research in the field of agricultural sciences.
• Skills concerning measurement, analysis and diagnostics for an operational and sustainable implementation of the proposed solutions to solve a complex engineering problem.

In addition, the Master promotes the development of the students’ personality (their ethical commitment) and their preparation for responsible citizenship, by allowing them to get involved into decision-making processes of the ULB and the EIB.

The program is divided between compulsory courses, optional courses and internships. It encourages the student to switch between different ways of learning: through lectures, exercises and practical laboratory works or personal projects. In the first year of the Master, one half of the teaching is divided into exercises, practical work, visits and personal work, the other half is devoted to theoretical courses.

In the second year of the Master, learning is reinforced by the Master’s Thesis (25 ECTS) which is a thorough research work and by a 12-week internship (15 ECTS). These modules represent almost 60% of the academic year program.

The Master in Agricultural Bioengineering is a EUR-ACE ® labelled programme, like all the EIB Masters. Awarded by the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE), the European label EUR-ACE ® attests the quality of teaching and management of the establishment. It is awarded to engineering schools that meet the quality criteria of the specific EUR-ACE® Framework Standards & Guidelines (EAFSG). It promotes the mobility of students between certified institutions and the professional integration of graduates in Belgium and abroad.

The studies leading to the academic degree of Master in Bioengineering provide students with a unique versatility which rests on the acquisition of general scientific bases in combination with engineering techniques. This versatility facilitates the development of the capacity to integrate multidisciplinary concepts for a comprehensive approach to complex problems and the development of sustainable solutions.

In addition to the general training, the Masters in Bioengineering provide more specific training in three major directions that reflect the main areas of bioengineering activities: agricultural sciences, chemistry and bio-industries, environmental science and technology.

The bioengineer trained at the ULB enjoys a unique interfaculty environment in a multidisciplinary university located in the capital of Europe, near the European institutions. The combination of the Faculty of Sciences and the Brussels School of Engineering is a genuine asset to enhance the versatility of the training.

The Master in Agricultural Engineering at ULB is transverse (not favoring a particular discipline but focused on the links across disciplines). More specifically, it is very open to social sciences in order to take into account a plurality of societal dimensions of natural resource management. An important place is therefore naturally devoted to agroecology, the foundations of which are laid down in the three blocks of the BA.

The Brussels Bioengineering School has academic and industrial partnerships at national and international levels that allow student exchanges (Erasmus and internships), the intervention of industry specialists as part of the courses, the organization of site visits and research collaborations. In the Master in Agricultural Bioengineering, this means many Master’s theses are carried out abroad and / or in collaboration with NGOs and agricultural and ecological research institutes working for the common good. The students are very interested in international development cooperation.

Access conditions

Access conditions
CONDITIONS COMMUNES MASTERS / COMMUNES MASTERS

The conditions of access to the selected Master's degree meet the requirements of Article 111 of the Decree of 07/11/2013.

To facilitate the reading of these access conditions and click on the category that concerns you, to obtain more information, please note that :

The point A concerns the candidates who have obtained a diploma in theFrench-speaking community of Belgium and who benefit from full admission rights .

The point B concerns the candidates who have obtained a diploma outside the French-speaking community of Belgium, recognised as equivalent in the framework of a European directive, an international convention, ...

The point C concerns the candidates who have obtained a diploma outside the French-speaking community of Belgium, whose application is submitted to the opinion of the academic jury

ACCES PLEIN DROIT

A. Full admission rights granted to holders of a degree obtained in the French-speaking Community of Belgium

ACCES PLEIN DROIT / AUTRE FINALITE

Admission granted to the holder of the same Master's degree, but with a different focus.

Finalité spécialisée accessible without supplement to the holder of the following degrees :

  • Master : bioingénieur en sciences agronomiques, à finalité approfondie
  • Master : bioingénieur en sciences agronomiques, à finalité spécialisée
ACCES PLEIN DROIT / DECISION ACADEMIQUE UNIV

Admission granted to the holder of a university Bachelor's or Master's degree, pursuant to a decision by the academic authorities.

Finalité spécialisée accessible without supplement to the holder of the following degree :

  • Bachelier en sciences de l'ingénieur, orientation bioingénieur
ACCES PLEIN DROIT / DECISION ACADEMIQUE UNIV

Rem. concerning admission to a university Bachelor's or Master's degree.

ACCES PLEIN DROIT / MINEURE/OPTION

Access granted to holders of an undergraduate level degree, having passed a subsidiary subject/minor/option or a module under the conditions set out by the board of examiners, taking into account all the credits that the student can also use at the time of admission. These extra courses form part of the student’s graduate course of studies.

ACCES PLEIN DROIT / DECISION ACADEMIQUE HE TYPE LONG

Admission granted to the holder of a Bachelor's or Master's degree from a non-University Higher Education institution -HE or ESA- (long course), pursuant to a decision by the academic authorities (including adult education diplomas, regarded as equivalent).

Finalité spécialisée accessible with supplement to the holder of the following degrees :

  • Bachelier en sciences agronomiques - 60 credits
    • à déterminer
  • Master (60 crédits) en sciences industrielles, finalité biochimie - 15 credits
    • à déterminer
  • Master (60 crédits) en sciences industrielles, finalité chimie - 15 credits
    • à déterminer
  • Master : architecte paysagiste - 15 credits
    • à déterminer
  • Master en Sciences agronomiques - 15 credits
    • à déterminer
  • Master en sciences de l'ingénieur industriel en agronomie - 15 credits
    • à déterminer
  • Master en sciences de l'ingénieur industriel, orientation biochimie - 15 credits
    • à déterminer
  • Master en sciences de l'ingénieur industriel, orientation chimie - 15 credits
    • à déterminer
  • Master en sciences de l'ingénieur industriel, orientation chimie - 15 credits
    • à déterminer
ACCES PLEIN DROIT / DECISION ACADEMIQUE HE TYPE LONG

Rem. concerning admission to Bachelor's or Master's degree from a Non-University Higher Education Institution -HE or ESA- (long course).

ACCES PLEIN DROIT / DECISION ACADEMIQUE HE TYPE COURT

Admission granted to the holder of a Bachelor's degree from a Non-University Higher Education Institution -HE or ESA- (short course), pursuant to a decision by the academic authorities.

Finalité spécialisée accessible with supplement to the holder of the following degrees :

  • Bachelier en agronomie, finalité inconnue - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en agronomie, orientation agro-industries et biotechnologies - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en agronomie, orientation agronomie des régions chaudes - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en agronomie, orientation environnement - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en agronomie, orientation forêt et nature - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en agronomie, orientation systèmes alimentaires durables et locaux - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en agronomie, orientation techniques et gestion agricoles - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en agronomie, orientation techniques et gestion horticoles - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en agronomie, orientation technologie animalière - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en chimie, orientation biochimie - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en chimie, orientation biotechnologie - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en chimie, orientation chimie appliquée - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en chimie, orientation environnement - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
  • Bachelier en chimie, orientation inconnue - from 45 to 60 additional credits
    • à déterminer
ACCES PLEIN DROIT / DECISION ACADEMIQUE HE TYPE COURT

Rem. concerning admission to a Bachelor degree in a Non-University Higher Education Institution -HE or ESA- (short course).

Nodiploma other than those listed above in point A can give access to themaster's degree.

ACCES PLEIN DROIT / BA 15 CREDITS MAX

By way of derogation, students who still need to earn a maximum of 15 credits in order to be awarded the degree entitling them to be admitted to the Master's programme, and who are enrolled simultaneously for these studies in a Higher Education institution in the French-speaking Community, will also be admitted.

DIPLÔME EQUIVALENT

B. Admission granted to the holder of a degree obtained abroad which is recognised as equivalent to degrees mentioned previously in application of the Decree of 7 November 2013 (décret définissant le paysage de l'enseignement supérieur et l'organisation académique des études), of a European directive, of an international agreement or other legislation, under the same conditions.

ACCES DOSSIER JURY

C. Admission granted following submission of a dossier and decision by the jury

ACCES DOSSIER JURY / GRADE ACAD SIMILAIRE

Admission granted to the holder of a degree similar to the degrees awarded in the French-speaking Community (see point A), and awarded by a Higher Education Institution outside the latter (Flemish Community, German-speaking Community, Royal Military Academy, foreign institution), under the additional conditions determined by the jury. These extra courses form part of the student’s Master's programme. A qualification or degree leading to the same career prospects or to a continuation of studies in the original system is considered similar to a degree awarded in the French-speaking community.

ACCES DOSSIER JURY / DIPLÔME VALORISE 180 CREDITS

Admission granted, under the general conditions laid down by the academic authorities, to the holder of a qualification, diploma, degree or certificate awarded outside the French-Speaking Community or awarded abroad if the qualification, diploma, degree or certificate attests to the successful completion of studies and the jury considers them to be worth at least 180 credits. The jury may impose a programme worth a maximum of 60 credits in addition to the Master's programme, bearing in mind all the credits for which the student obtains recognition at the time of admission. These extra courses form part of the student’s Master's programme.

ACCES DOSSIER JURY / CONDITIONS SPECIFIQUES JURY

Criteria laid down by the jury.

Finalité spécialisée

A - Minimumrequirements

Evidence of having acquired the basics of the main engineering disciplines via an explanatory document detailing the different subjects already covered during the previous training

A letter ofmotivation

B - Additionaldesirable criteria taken into account by the jury

Possibleprofessional experience

C - Complementaryprogrammes

Complementaryprogrammes are tailor-made according to the student's previous experience.

D - Minimum average

For all candidates who have completed an academic career outside the European Union, each year of studies followed in a higher education institution outside the EU must have been successfully completed/be passed with a mandatory and minimum average of 13/20 (or equivalent if other rating system). If there is no legend or conversion table on the official transcript, an official document may be required from the candidate

* Note: Holders ofa bachelor's degree in chemical sciences, biological sciences or engineeringsciences awarded in the French-speaking Community of Belgium can acquire the degree of bachelor of engineering sciences, bioengineering orientation, bymeans of a 60-credit programme.

VAE

D. Accreditation of prior experience

VAE / VAE CONDITIONS

In line with the procedure defined by the ULB, juries can recognise knowledge and skills acquired through professional and/or personal experience, and may grant access to the MA to any person who does not fall under the categories listed above. The jury determines the additional courses and any possible exemptions which constitute supplementary entry requirements for the student. The personal or professional experience must be equivalent to at least five years of activity. A maximum of two years of higher education can be taken into account, providing 60 credits were obtained per year.

HORS UNION EUROPÉENNE

Administrative fee for Applicants from outside the European Union

HORS UNION EUROPÉENNE / FRAIS ADMINISTRATIFS

Applicants from outside the European Union who do not meet the assimilation criteria and do not meet a criterium of article 3 of the Decree of the 11 April 2014 adapting the financing of higher education institutions to the new organisation of studies are required to pay an administrative fee of 200 euros. This payment is a prerequisite for the examination of the application. We invite you to check whether you meet the access conditions to the studies envisaged before submitting your application insofar as the administrative fee is not refundable.

Programme

The Master in agricultural Engineering is based on the study and management of temperate and tropical agro-ecosystems. It aims to provide students with the essential tools for the ecological characterization of natural and man-made environments. It also teaches the principles of sustainable management of these environments. In this way, this master combines conservation and production aspects because the responsible management of any agro-ecosystem requires perfect knowledge of its ecology. An important place is logically given to agroecology whose foundations are already set up during the bachelor. In the first part of the MA, the focus is on sciences and technologies dedicated to agronomy and ecology. It also allows students to develop personal skills through a Master’s thesis and a long-term internship in an industrial or academic context. This master provides access to the third cycle (doctorate).

grid
list
2024/M-IRBAS/unit 1
Master in Agricultural Bioengineering with focus Professional - unit 1
Courses programme
Courses distribution
Technical details
Tronc commun
BING-F4002
fr
first term
Acquisition et analyse de données
Marius GILBERT (Coordinator) and Simon DELLICOUR
5 credits [lecture: 24h, tutorial classes: 36h] - first term
BING-F4004
fr
second term
Entomologie
Nicolas VEREECKEN (Coordinator)
5 credits [lecture: 10h, practical work: 50h] - second term
BING-F4005
fr
first term
Pédologie et mécanique des sols
Thomas DROUET DE LA THIBAUDERIE (Coordinator) and Pierre GERARD
5 credits [lecture: 42h, tutorial classes: 12h, practical work: 6h] - first term
BING-F4006
fr
second term
Génétique des populations et amélioration des plantes
Olivier HARDY (Coordinator) , Christian HERMANS and Marjolein VISSER
5 credits [lecture: 48h, tutorial classes: 6h] - second term
BING-F403
fr
second term
Phytotechnie des grandes cultures en régions temperées
Julien Louvieaux (Coordinator)
5 credits [lecture: 24h, tutorial classes: 12h, field trips: 8h] - second term
BING-F404
fr
first term
Agroécologie et microbiologie des sols et des plantes
Cécile Thonar (Coordinator)
5 credits [lecture: 36h, tutorial classes: 12h] - first term
BING-F415
fr
second term
Agroécologie et systèmes d'élevage
François SERNEELS (Coordinator)
5 credits [lecture: 24h, tutorial classes: 12h, field trips: 12h] - second term
BING-F416
fr
first and second terms
Stage d'immersion rurale et agroécologie
Marjolein VISSER (Coordinator) , François SERNEELS and Cécile Thonar
5 credits [lecture: 24h, field trips: 36h] - first and second terms
BING-F430
fr
first term
Agroécologie et écologie de la conservation
Nicolas VEREECKEN (Coordinator) and Grégory Mahy
5 credits [lecture: 36h, tutorial classes: 12h, project: 12h] - first term
BING-F431
fr
first term
Innovations agroécologiques et production alimentaire
Nicolas VEREECKEN (Coordinator)
5 credits [lecture: 36h, practical work: 12h, project: 12h] - first term
BIOL-F412
fr
second term
Biotechnologies animales et végétales
Nathalie VERBRUGGEN (Coordinator) and Benoît VANHOLLEBEKE
5 credits [lecture: 36h, project: 24h] - second term
SOCA-D471
en
first and second terms
Agricultures, Ruralities and Globalization
Fadia Panosetti (Coordinator) , Werner BOSMANS and Laurence ROUDART
5 credits [lecture: 24h, tutorial classes: 12h] - first and second terms

What's next ?

Prospects

The training leads to many application areas. Biotechnology industries, environmental management, agriculture and land use planning are sectors in which bioengineer are in high demand and where the profession is experienced as very fulfilling. S(h)e will work for instance in companies, government (national and international) agencies, design offices and consultancies but also in teaching and research.

The studies leading to the academic degree of Master in Bioengineering comply with the legislation on access to the profession and give the holder the professional title of Bioengineer.

The agricultural bioengineers (agronomists) are trained to evolve in a variety of work environments related to natural resources management and sustainable production of a diversity of biomasses (human food but also fodder, timber, fiber, fuel, etc.). They are employed both in private companies and in a variety of government departments, both local and international (relevant examples are the Belgian Technical Cooperation and the European Commission), in design offices, NGOs and international agencies such as FAO.