ECTS
60 credits
Duration
1 year
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Language(s) of Instruction
French
Overview
The Biology and Ecology (BE) track within the Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences (SV) is a multidisciplinary scientific program focused on the study of organisms (of all types: animals, plants, fungi, bacteria…), their evolution, and their ecology—in the scientific sense of the term, that is, the scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment, as well as the interactions they develop with one another (societal or political ecology, or environmentalism, is not central to the program, although it is sometimes addressed in courses). The fourth major discipline in our program is the acquisition and mastery of the mathematical and statistical tools essential to ecology and evolutionary biology. Finally, by selecting specific courses, you can specialize in paleontology or paleoecology through the study of Earth sciences.
Average pass rate in the second year: 80%
Success Rate
Objectives
This undergraduate program is thus a general bachelor’s degree whose primary purpose is to prepare students to continue their studies with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in the fields of organismal biology, evolutionary biology, or ecology, as well as related disciplines (scientific communication, ecosystem management, epidemiology, history of science, and epistemology, etc.). The curriculum focuses on developing the scientific method. As with all tracks within the SV major, special attention is given to tutorials, lab work, hands-on activities, experimentation, and fieldwork (within the logistical limits imposed by our large class sizes). The curriculum also places great emphasis on student autonomy in carrying out various projects—most often in groups—which require a high level of proficiency in communication tools (summary reports, posters, slide presentations, etc.), including the delivery of oral presentations in French or English.
A significant portion of the coursework in the first year (L1) of the Life Sciences, Health, and Environment (SVSE) bachelor’s program is focused on these disciplines, but the program does not truly begin until the second year (L2). Furthermore, the L2 and L3 (third year) are closely linked, with the L3 building on the knowledge acquired in the L2. All groups of organisms and all environments will be covered over the course of the three-year Bachelor’s program, although the courses also draw on knowledge of model species. The teaching teams aim to reflect real-world diversity to better understand living organisms, drawing in particular on local biological richness (organisms found on campus, in the Montpellier metropolitan area, and in Mediterranean ecosystems). The courses build upon and introduce students to related disciplines such as physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, ecotoxicology, and immunology.
Expertise and Skills
The skills that students enrolled in the Bachelor’s in Life Sciences (BE track) are expected to acquire are:
1) subject-specific skills:
- Understand the different levels of organization in living systems (ranging from the organism to the biosphere) and their interactions;
- Understand the processes that give rise to biodiversity;
- Understand current and past biodiversity;
- Understand the biodemographic and adaptive strategies of organisms, in relation to their resources, their interactions, and the characteristics of their environment;
- Be able to apply the various approaches and tools used in evolutionary biology and ecology: observation, sampling, experimentation, and statistical analysis;
- Know how to apply tools for describing biodiversity, from the gene to the biosphere;
- Understand the applications of organismal biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology (health, agronomy, conservation, restoration).
2) cross-functional skills:
- Knowledge:
- Understand the process by which knowledge is developed in various disciplines (hypotheses, experimental results, controversial findings, mathematical theorems, scientific facts).
- Expertise:
- Be able to apply concepts and tools from various disciplines to analyze a document, an observation, or the results of an experiment;
- Be able to develop a logical argument using critical thinking (identifying limitations, analyzing the literature, defending a point of view through a well-structured and logical argument, etc.);
- Be able to search for and extract information critically, prioritize information sources and assess their reliability, and synthesize the information;
- Be able to prepare original (non-plagiarized) scientific oral presentations and written reports, using illustrations and language appropriate for the target audience, with the help of appropriate computer tools;
- Be able to identify a scientific research question, propose and implement an observational approach, a sampling plan, or an experimental design, and analyze the resulting data using computer tools for data entry, analysis, and storage;
- Knowing how to research information to develop a training plan, knowing how to write a resume and a cover letter, and knowing how to use professional networking tools;
- The ability to successfully carry out a project as part of a team.
- Interpersonal Skills:
- Be able to work independently, adapt to new situations, and take appropriate initiative;
- Be able to self-assess and question oneself in order to learn;
- Knowing how to position oneself within a group for the purpose of carrying out a project, and knowing how to listen and engage in constructive dialogue;
- Comply with legal, ethical, and professional standards regarding the use and production of documents (plagiarism, sources, copyright, citations, and data fabrication);
- Comply with legal, ethical, and professional standards governing the handling of living organisms (animal husbandry and experimentation, field sampling);
- Respect others, and respect the equipment and organisms you are working with.
Organization
Knowledge Assessment
Continuous assessment (including reports and oral presentations) and/or a final exam at the end of the semester
Special Features
Due to the significant amount of hands-on instruction and projects, as well as fieldwork, this program cannot be offered online.
Program
The BE track of the Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences (L2 and L3) is spread over 4 semesters, each comprising Course Units (UE) awarded ECTS credits. It follows the L1 degree in Life Sciences, Health, and Environment (SVSE). Throughout the three years of the bachelor’s program, there are numerous pathways to and from other bachelor’s tracks and programs (IUT, BTS, CPGE, engineering schools, etc.). The UE listed below therefore constitute the standard track, which may vary depending on any changes in academic focus; such changes will only be permitted if approved by an academic committee.
The list of course units is available on the Faculty of Sciences website.
There are space limitations for certain elective courses.
It is also possible to take additional course units (up to a maximum of 36 ECTS per semester) or, in some cases, to have involvement in a student organization recognized as an additional course unit.
Choose one: 1 out of 1
S3L2SVBE
30 creditsChoose one of the following two options:
Profile 2 BE
Experimental Ecology and the Scientific Method
4 creditsFundamentals of Plant Physiology
Description of Variability 1
2 creditsDescription of Variability 2
2 creditsEnglish S3
2 creditsFundamental Ecology: Concepts and Methods
3 creditsEcology, Diversity, and Evolution of Fungi
2 creditsFundamentals of Plant Biology
3 creditsDiversity and Evolution of Present-Day and Past Metazoans N1
3 credits0hComparative Animal Physiology
4 credits
Profile 1 BE
Fundamentals of Plant Physiology
Description of Variability 1
2 creditsSedimentary Geology, Tectonics, and Mapping
4 creditsDescription of Variability 2
2 creditsEnglish S3
2 creditsFundamental Ecology: Concepts and Methods
3 creditsEcology, Diversity, and Evolution of Fungi
2 creditsFundamentals of Plant Biology
3 creditsDiversity and Evolution of Present-Day and Past Metazoans N1
3 credits0hComparative Animal Physiology
4 credits
ASTRE's Scientific Approach to the Ecological Transition
2 credits
S4L2SVBE
30 creditsDiversity and Evolution of Present-Day and Past Metazoans N2
Introduction to Evolution
2 creditsFrom Genotype to Phenotype
4 creditsFunctional Ecology
4 creditsQuantification of Risk
4 creditsPersonal and Professional Project
2 creditsCHOICE 2
4 creditsChoose 1 out of 7
Earth Materials
4 creditsHistory of Plants and Natural Environments
4 creditsEcophysiology of Aquatic Organisms
4 creditsParasitic Eukaryotes
4 creditsNaturalist Specialization 1
4 creditsFundamentals of Conservation Biology and Physiology
4 creditsModeling Living Systems: Theory
4 credits
Choose 1 out of 6
History of Plants and Natural Environments
4 creditsEarth Materials
4 creditsFundamentals of Conservation Biology and Physiology
4 creditsEcophysiology of Aquatic Organisms
4 creditsParasitic Eukaryotes
4 creditsNaturalist Specialization 1
4 credits
English S4
2 creditsPlant Diversity
Admission
Admission Requirements
Admission is possible for students who have completed a first-year (L1) degree through the SVSE (formerly Monod) program at the Faculty of Sciences (FdS) of the University of Montpellier, or for those who have completed an equivalent first-year (L1) degree outside the programs offered by the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Montpellier (or equivalent higher education: preparatory classes; rarely a DUT or BUT; exceptionally a BTS). In all cases— including for students with an SVSE (formerly Monod) first-year degree from the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Montpellier or students from institutions with agreements with the Faculty of Sciences—the enrollment process is completed through the Faculty of Sciences’ e-candidat portal.
Admission is not automatic, regardless of your prior academic background: it is determined based on your application by an academic committee and is subject to available space.
For students who have completed a program under an agreement with the FDS (e.g., CPGE or PASS): Admission to the second year of the BE program is not automatic either; it also requires an application (e-candidat) that is evaluated by an academic committee.
The BE program is a general program in life sciences that is primarily theoretical (although practical applications play an important role in the curriculum). This program prepares students to pursue a master’s degree.
The main disciplines in this program are evolutionary biology and ,, organismal biology, as well as mathematics and statistics. Note: This program involves handling and dissecting animal and plant organisms. The admissions committee will therefore evaluate the applicant’s ability to succeed in this program based on their academic record.
In addition, applicants for the L2 BE program must clearly state their motivation in the mandatory questionnaire that must be included with their application, as well as their plans after completing the bachelor’s degree, so that the admissions committee can best assess whether the program aligns with their academic and career goals.
The program is in high demand, and our enrollment capacity is limited to a maximum of 160 students, including those repeating the program. In previous years, we received more than 400 applications for the L2 program and admitted 130 to 150 students from the L1 SVSE program (formerly Monod), which meant 10 to 30 students from outside the program (excluding L1 FDS students). On average, more than 70% of these accepted external students came from other universities (Bachelor’s programs in SV and SVT outside of Montpellier). We therefore encourage students with a BTS or DUT/BUT degree, or those changing their academic track, to simultaneously apply for admission to the first year (L1) via ParcoursSup.
For all applicants (including those in the L1 SVSE program and approved training programs), applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis via E-candidat: https://candidature.umontpellier.fr/candidature/
International students from outside the EU: Follow the “Études en France” procedure: https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html
Target Audience
Students in the fields of evolutionary biologyand ,, and organismal biology. Students or professionals seeking to transition into these fields
Capacity
160 students, including those repeating a year
Mandatory Prerequisites
To enroll in the L2 program, you must have completed an L1 degree in Life Sciences or an equivalent program.
Recommended Prerequisites
A foundation in scientific ecology and organismal biology is strongly recommended for admission to the second year. A reasonable level of proficiency in mathematics is also required.
And then
Continuing Education
The SV Bachelor’s Degree (BE Track) is a generalist program: although career opportunities upon graduation exist depending on our students’ interests and skills, the majority of them choose to continue their studies at the master’s level. The generalist and multidisciplinary nature of the SV Bachelor’s Degree (BE Track) allows students to pursue a wide range of graduate programs.
1- Toward Careers in Research:
Currently, many students go on to pursue a master’s degree in a specialized field and, where applicable, continue on to a Ph.D. The level of training provided by the SV bachelor’s degree with a focus on BE enables students to enroll in a wide range of master’s programs in the fields of scientific ecology, evolutionary science, or epidemiology (e.g., the BEE, GE, and EcoEPI master’s programs offered by the Biology and Ecology Department).
2-Careers in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management:
The second career path, which is currently gaining momentum, involves continuing on to a master’s degree with a specialization in a “practice-oriented” master’s program—among the programs offered in ecology, primarily in Montpellier—in the broad fields of applied ecology, aquatic bioresources, and land management.
3- Toward careers in education, training, and science communication:
The third career path, which is also growing, is pursuing a master’s degree with a specialization in science communication and outreach. The undergraduate program should provide students with a strong scientific foundation and a broad perspective on various academic disciplines, enabling them to pursue this specialization. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in SV with a focus on BE, through its educational approaches, serves as an excellent springboard to these careers.
Another career path is teaching in elementary or secondary schools, in conjunction with the INSPE (Education Professions Curriculum). At the master’s level, instruction in the disciplinary fields of Life and Earth Sciences remains the responsibility of the teaching departments within the Faculty of Sciences, which ensures continuity in the faculty supervising the program.
Note: However, the BE degree is not the most appropriate path for those interested in a career in teaching, which is the logical next step after completing the Bachelor’s in Earth Sciences with a focus on SVT-CME for the MEEF (Secondary Level) certification or the Bachelor’s in Science & Technology for the MEEF (Elementary Level) certification.
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.).
Transition Programs and Reorientation
Admission to the BE track from other tracks within the SV major will require returning to the second year (L2) and will be subject to approval by the program directors (based on the applicant’s record).
Similarly, a BE student who wishes to switch to another track within the SV major must obtain approval from the program directors (based on their academic record) and consider returning to the second year of the program.
Employment Placement
Employment rates are quite good, with 58% of students who complete our programs finding a job within six months of finishing their master’s degree (excluding those who go on to pursue a Ph.D. or further studies), and among them, nearly two-thirds hold management or engineering positions (2018 figures).