Science

L1 - Life Sciences, Health, and Environment (SVSE)

  • ECTS

    60 credits

  • Duration

    1 year

  • Training Structure

    College of Sciences

  • Language(s) of Instruction

    French

Overview

The L1 in Life Sciences—Health and Environment (SVSE) is the first year of the Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences. It allows students to explore the fundamentals of the disciplines involved in the study of living organisms at various levels: animal and plant biology, cellular and molecular biology, developmental biology, genetics, plant and animal physiology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and more. The first year also provides students with the opportunity to strengthen and/or refresh their knowledge in the complementary disciplines essential to the training of any scientist: mathematics, physics, chemistry, Earth sciences, and English. These subjects are taught as tools for biologists. Students may also choose electives to customize their academic path.

The SVSE Bachelor's program also includes a significant methodological component: scientific methods and reasoning, data analysis, scientific report writing, observational drawings, and the acquisition of technical skills and tools (such as the microscope).

Specialization tracks are then offered starting in the second year of the bachelor’s program or in the third year.

The program consists of lectures, tutorials (TD), and laboratory sessions (TP). Each course unit (UE) is assessed through continuous assessment and/or a final exam at the end of the semester. Successful completion of the L1 SVSE program earns 60 ECTS credits and grants admission to the L2 SV program, with admission requirements varying by track.

Program available through Accès Santé (L.AS).

Read more
  • 40–50% in L1

    Success Rate

Objectives

The Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences is a broad-based, multidisciplinary program designed to provide a comprehensive education in the field of life sciences. The curriculum combines both foundational and theoretical coursework with training in methodological tools.

The SV bachelor's degree program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of biology. It focuses on the environment, biodiversity, biomedical research, plant health and improvement, and an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of life.

Specializing in a specific track allows students to focus on different areas of biology.

Read more

Expertise and Skills

  • Subject-specific skills:
    • Apply fundamental concepts and technologies from molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, physiology, immunology, classification of living organisms, developmental biology, and evolutionary biology to address a problem in the field or analyze a research paper or presentation.
    • Apply fundamental concepts of ecology and ecosystems to contextualize biological and physiological issues.
    • Understand, identify, and independently carry out the various steps of an experimental process.
    • Identify, select, and apply a combination of analytical tools (common techniques, instrumentation) suitable for characterizing organisms (from biomolecules to individuals in all their complexity) and their functioning at various levels of analysis (intracellular metabolism, biology and physiology of complex organisms, interactions between individuals and groups, and interactions with the environment).
    • Analyze and interpret experimental data to explore possible models.
    • Validate a model by comparing its predictions with experimental results and assess the limits of its validity.
    • Identify sources of error to calculate the uncertainty in an experimental result.
    • Manipulate fundamental mechanisms at the microscopic scale, model macroscopic phenomena, and link a macroscopic phenomenon to microscopic processes.
    • Use data acquisition and analysis software with a critical mindset.
    • Apply concepts and tools from mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science to address issues in the life sciences.
    • Identify specific regulations and implement key preventive measures related to health and safety.

 

  • Pre-professional skills:
    • Understand one's role and mission within an organization in order to adapt and take initiative.
    • Identify the process of producing, disseminating, and applying knowledge.
    • Adhere to the principles of ethics, professional conduct, and environmental responsibility.
    • Work both as part of a team and independently and responsibly to advance a project.
    • Identify and describe the professional fields that may be related to the skills and knowledge acquired in the specialization, as well as the possible paths to entering those fields.
    • Describe and highlight one’s identity, skills, and career goals in the context of a specific situation.
    • Take a step back from a situation, evaluate yourself, and question your own assumptions in order to learn.

 

  • Cross-functional and language skills:
    • Use standard digital tools and IT security policies to collect, process, produce, and disseminate information, as well as to collaborate internally and externally.
    • Identify and select various specialized resources to research a topic.
    • Analyze and synthesize data for use.
    • Develop an argument using critical thinking.
    • Be able to use the various registers of written and spoken French with ease.
    • Be able to easily use written and oral comprehension and expression in at least one modern foreign language (scientific English).
Read more

Organization

Knowledge Assessment

Continuous assessment and/or final exam at the end of the semester

Read more

Program

Thefirst year, L1 Life Sciences, Health, and Environment (SVSE), is a core curriculum year during which students study the fundamental subjects necessary for learning biology (basic concepts in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics), as well as scientific method and reasoning. Students can choose electives (one in the first semester, two in the second) to customize their academic path.

PLEASE NOTE: Not all combinations of electives in the second semester are possible, and most electives in both the first and second semesters have a maximum enrollment limit.

For Mathematics: Recent high school graduates are assigned to a (mandatory) track by program administrators based on the specializations they chose in their junior and senior years (mathematics specialization and/or advanced mathematics) and their math grades.

Goal: To enable students who did not take advanced mathematics courses in high school (or who did not acquire the necessary concepts) to learn the concepts required for studies in the life sciences at their own pace, using appropriate teaching methods.

  •  "Standard" Track: "Computational Methods" course required in the first semester;
  •  "Math Remediation" Track: same content, but spread over two semesters, with more support to ensure success. The "Math Remediation S1" and "Math Remediation S2" course units are required in S1 and S2, respectively; in S2, only one elective is required.

To enroll in preparatory programs for health-related fields of study (medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, dentistry, etc.), there is a dedicated portal: the LAS portal. Similarly, for preparatory programs for entrance exams to agricultural and veterinary schools, there is the PCAV portal.

 

Read more
  • Choose one of the following two options:

    • SVSE Standard Profile

      • Choose 1 of 4

        • HAT102T Selection

          • General Chemistry 1 (SVSE)

            4 credits
          • Physical Approaches to Life

            3 credits
          • From Cells to Organisms

            4 credits
          • From Organisms to Ecosystems

            2 credits
          • Environmental Sciences

            4 credits
          • English S1

            1 credit
          • Calculation Methods

            4 credits
        • Model HAV104Y

          • General Chemistry 1 (SVSE)

            4 credits
          • Physical Approaches to Life

            3 credits
          • From Cells to Organisms

            4 credits
          • From Organisms to Ecosystems

            2 credits
          • Environmental Sciences

            4 credits
          • English S1

            1 credit
          • Calculation Methods

            4 credits
          • Biomechanics

            4 credits
        • Model HAV105V

          • General Chemistry 1 (SVSE)

            4 credits
          • Physical Approaches to Life

            3 credits
          • From Cells to Organisms

            4 credits
          • From Organisms to Ecosystems

            2 credits
          • Environmental Sciences

            4 credits
          • English S1

            1 credit
          • Calculation Methods

            4 credits
          • Biotechnology

            4 credits
        • Model HAC103C

          • Experimental Chemistry

            4 credits
          • General Chemistry 1 (SVSE)

            4 credits
          • Physical Approaches to Life

            3 credits
          • From Cells to Organisms

            4 credits
          • From Organisms to Ecosystems

            2 credits
          • Environmental Sciences

            4 credits
          • English S1

            1 credit
          • Calculation Methods

            4 credits
    • SVSE Maths Remedial Profile

      • Choose 1 of 4

        • HAT102T Selection

          • Geology

            4 credits
          • From Molecules to Cells

            4 credits
          • General Chemistry 1 (SVSE)

            4 credits
          • Physical Approaches to Life

            3 credits
          • From Cells to Organisms

            4 credits
          • From Organisms to Ecosystems

            2 credits
          • Environmental Sciences

            4 credits
          • English S1

            1 credit
          • Math Remedial Course, Semester 1

            4 credits
        • Model HAV104Y

          • Biomechanics

            4 credits
          • From Molecules to Cells

            4 credits
          • General Chemistry 1 (SVSE)

            4 credits
          • Physical Approaches to Life

            3 credits
          • From Cells to Organisms

            4 credits
          • From Organisms to Ecosystems

            2 credits
          • Environmental Sciences

            4 credits
          • English S1

            1 credit
          • Math Remedial Course, Semester 1

            4 credits
        • Model HAC103C

          • Experimental Chemistry

            4 credits
          • From Molecules to Cells

            4 credits
          • General Chemistry 1 (SVSE)

            4 credits
          • Physical Approaches to Life

            3 credits
          • From Cells to Organisms

            4 credits
          • From Organisms to Ecosystems

            2 credits
          • Environmental Sciences

            4 credits
          • English S1

            1 credit
          • Math Remedial Course, Semester 1

            4 credits
        • HAV110V Selection

          • From Molecules to Cells

            4 credits
          • General Chemistry 1 (SVSE)

            4 credits
          • Physical Approaches to Life

            3 credits
          • From Cells to Organisms

            4 credits
          • From Organisms to Ecosystems

            2 credits
          • Environmental Sciences

            4 credits
          • Scientific Strengthening

            4 credits
          • English S1

            1 credit
          • Math Remedial Course, Semester 1

            4 credits
  • Choose one of the following two options:

    • SVSE Maths Remediation Profile

      • Choose 1 of 3

        • Series 1 Profile

          30 credits
          • Choose one of the following two options:

            • HAV216X + HAV213T Combo

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Evolution of the Earth and Regional Geological History

                4 credits
              • Math Remedial Course, Semester 2

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
            • Selection: HAV203V + HAV216X

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Exploring the Brain

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Math Remedial Course, Semester 2

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
        • Series 3 Profile

          30 credits
          • Choose one: 1 out of 1

            • Selection: HAV217V + HAV216X

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Math Remedial Course, Semester 2

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
              • Making Better Use of Your Cognitive Resources to Learn

                4 credits
        • Series 2 Profile

          30 credits
          • Choose one of the following two options:

            • HAV213T + HAV216X Selection

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Evolution of the Earth and Regional Geological History

                4 credits
              • Math Remedial Course, Semester 2

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
            • HAV209B + HAV216X Selection

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Life Cycle 2

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Math Remedial Course, Semester 2

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
    • Standard SVSE Profile

      • Choose 1 of 3

        • L1S2 SVSE Series 1 Profile

          30 credits
          • Choose one of the following two options:

            • HAV203V + HAV228V Selection

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Exploring the Brain

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
              • Health Law and Public Health

                4 credits
            • HAV203V + HAV211V Selection

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Exploring the Brain

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
              • An Introduction to Physiology

                4 credits
        • L1S2 SVSE Series 2 Profile

          30 credits
          • Choose 1 out of 6

            • HAV209B + HAV212B Combo

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Life Cycle 2

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Exploring Nature and Biodiversity

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
            • HAV209B + HAV214T Combo

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Life Cycle 2

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
              • The Evolution of Life, Climate, and the Oceans

                4 credits
            • HAV213T + HAV214T Selection

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Evolution of the Earth and Regional Geological History

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
              • The Evolution of Life, Climate, and the Oceans

                4 credits
            • Selection: HAV212B + HAV229X

              30 credits
            • HAV209B + HAV215V Combo

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Life Cycle 2

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Integrated Biology of Marine Mammals

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
            • HAV219P + HAV214T Combo

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
              • Planetology and Exobiology

                4 credits
              • The Evolution of Life, Climate, and the Oceans

                4 credits
        • L1S2 SVSE Series 3 Profile

          30 credits
          • Choose 1 of 4

            • Selection: HAV206C + HAV228V

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Chemistry for Biologists 1

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
              • Health Law and Public Health

                4 credits
            • HAV207V + HAV211V Selection

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Introduction: Animal Behavior Studies, Neuroethology, Ecology, and Ethology

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
              • An Introduction to Physiology

                4 credits
            • HAV207V + HAV215V Selection

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Introduction: Animal Behavior Studies, Neuroethology, Ecology, and Ethology

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Integrated Biology of Marine Mammals

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits
            • Selection: HAV207V + HAV212B

              30 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 1

                4 credits
              • Introduction: Animal Behavior Studies, Neuroethology, Ecology, and Ethology

                4 credits
              • Scientific Reasoning

                4 credits
              • English S2

                2 credits
              • Life Cycle 1

                4 credits
              • Organic Chemistry

                4 credits
              • Exploring Nature and Biodiversity

                4 credits
              • Critical Thinking

                2 credits
              • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell 2

                2 credits

Admission

Admission Requirements

Admission is open to students with a high school diploma or equivalent, or those changing their academic track. In all cases, applications must be submitted through the Parcoursup platform. For the entire SVSE program (including APP), the enrollment capacity—excluding repeat students—is 680 students each year. The number of applications received through Parcoursup exceeds 5,000.
Students wishing to pursue the APP-Bio track should apply directly through the APP-Bio L Life Sciences portal on Parcoursup; 40 spots are available, based on application review.

Applications for the first year of the Bachelor's degree (L1) must be submitted exclusively through Parcoursup: https://www.parcoursup.gouv.fr/
Please check the platform for dates and procedures. 

Read more

Target Audience

High school graduates who have earned their baccalaureate or equivalent, as well as students or professionals seeking a career change or retraining.

Read more

Capacity

680 students, including those repeating a year

Read more

Mandatory Prerequisites

The SVSE Bachelor's program is open to high school graduates as well as holders of a DAEU B (Diploma of Access to University Studies—Science Track).

Read more

Recommended Prerequisites

A general baccalaureate with science electives is strongly recommended to give you the best chance of success. For high school graduates without science courses or those with a technology-focused high school diploma, it is recommended that they brush up on their science subjects (biology, mathematics, chemistry) before classes begin. A voluntary remedial program may also be offered to students whose performance at the end ofthe first semester is not strong enough to ensure success.

Read more

And then

Continuing Education

Depending on the track they choose, the vast majority of students go on to pursue one of the many professional or research-oriented master’s programs in the life sciences, health, and the environment. They may also pursue master’s programs that prepare them for teacher certification exams.

The program also prepares students for admission to engineering schools and for further studies in the medical or pharmaceutical fields. It qualifies students to take the “B” entrance exams for the grandes écoles (ENSA: National School of Agronomy; ENV: National Veterinary School).

Read more

Continuing Studies at the Institution

Continuing Your Education Abroad

It is possible to complete part of your studies abroad through the ERASMUS program and various other programs (such as ERASMUS-MUNDUS, BCI (Quebec), etc.). To do so, you must plan ahead, prepare your application thoroughly, and meet the required academic standards.

Read more

Transition Programs and Reorientation

Throughout the three-year bachelor’s degree program, there are numerous pathways to and from other bachelor’s degree programs and other academic tracks (IUT, BTS, CPGE, engineering schools, etc.). However, these pathways depend on the specific program you choose, so we encourage you to check with the respective programs directly.

A dedicated LAS portal helps students explore health-related degree programs (medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, dentistry, etc.).

A specialized track (PCAV) is offered starting in the first year of undergraduate studies (L1) (PCAV portal) for students who wish to prepare for the entrance exams for engineering schools (the joint Polytechnique entrance exam, and the entrance exams for agricultural and veterinary schools).

Read more

Employment Placement

Those who choose a career path immediately after earning their bachelor’s degree typically pursue jobs in research and development (R&D), science outreach, or naturalist consulting: for example, in the pharmaceutical or agri-food industries, they hold positions such as research analyst, biologist, or quality and safety specialist; in science outreach, they may serve as project managers at museums, departmental or regional nature parks, or as science educators; they may also become technicians conducting impact studies or surveys.

The SV bachelor's degree also qualifies students to take the state and local government civil service exams (Categories B or C).

Read more