Regular University Courses
The Bachelor’s Thesis is a core course in the Bachelor of Science in Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University, coordinated by Prof. Jana Asselman. Students work in interdisciplinary teams on a research project that integrates scientific literature with a practical application, such as experimental research, data analysis or modelling. Particular attention is given to scientific methodology, critical thinking, teamwork, project management and sustainability. Students develop their scientific communication skills through written reporting, oral presentations and the defence of their research findings.
Aquaculture Environmental Impact is a core course of the MSc Aquaculture. The course focuses on the positive and negative effects of both onshore and offshore marine aquaculture on their respective environments. The course covers recent insights and innovations in aquaculture applications, such as recirculated automated systems and multi-species/multi-trophic aquaculture. It includes traditional lectures, environmental assessments of case studies, and a group-developed case study to provide practical learning experiences.
Oceans & Human Health is an elective course offered in several MSc programs at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (UGent). Delivered in a blended learning format, the course combines traditional lectures, thematic discussion sessions, and individual project assignments. It focuses on providing insights, fundamental science, and practical applications to elucidate and understand the interactions between marine ecosystems and human health. By incorporating multi-stakeholder perspectives on key marine topics, the course aims to build interdisciplinary competences among students.
Environmental Risk Assessment is a core course of the MSc Bioscience Engineering: Environmental Technology. The course addresses fundamental and applied concepts of environmental risk assessment. The lab takes up the molecular (eco-) toxicology chapters within the course. This includes the application of novel approach methodologies (NAM), including computational toxicology and adverse outcome pathways (AOP).
Research Training
We regularly host internship and visiting research students at different academic levels, including professional Bachelor’s students, Master’s students and PhD researchers. International research placements are often supported through Erasmus+ and other mobility programmes. As research training positions are limited and tend to fill up quickly, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact us well in advance. Applications should clearly indicate the proposed research interests, preferred period and potential funding arrangements.
Specialised Research Training and Transnational AccessBeyond individual research placements, we contribute to specialised scientific training and capacity building through the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) and European research infrastructure initiatives. These include training and access opportunities through transnational access programmes such as SIRENE, which connects environmental exposure research with human health through access to advanced research infrastructures and expertise. Through these initiatives, we support international knowledge exchange, methodological training and access to specialised research facilities.
Lifelong Learning
The Blue Growth Research Lab actively contributes to lifelong learning and professional development through specialised courses, workshops and international summer schools. Our educational activities translate scientific advances in marine science, environmental toxicology, biotechnology and sustainability into training opportunities for students, researchers and professionals:
- The Marine@UGent summer school introduces key concepts of marine research. It is organized bi-annually by Marine@UGent at its home base Ostend Science Park. The lab regular features as speakers and co-organiers.
- SETAC short courses on epigenomics in environmental risk assessment during the yearly SETAC Europe conferences (as a training course within the EU project EPIBOOST).
- The lab regular features as invited speakers for different international summerschools including International Summer School of Blue Biotechnology (ISSBB) organized by SZN (Italy).