ECTS
60 credits
Duration
1 year
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
The Biology and Ecology (BE) program of the Life Sciences (SV) degree is a multidisciplinary scientific program focused on the knowledge of organisms (of all types: animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, etc.), their evolution and their ecology, in the scientific sense of the term, i.e., the scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment, as well as the interactions between them: animals, plants, fungi, bacteria...), their evolution and their ecology, in the scientific sense of the term, i.e. the scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment, as well as the interactions they develop between themselves (societal or political ecology, ecologism, is not at the heart of the training, although it is sometimes addressed in the courses). The fourth major discipline of our training is the acquisition and mastery of the mathematical and statistical tools that are indispensable in ecology and evolutionary biology. Finally, the choice of specific teaching units may allow you to specialize in paleontology or paleoecology through the study of Earth sciences.
Average success rate in L2 80%.
Success rate
Objectives
This initial training is thus a general license whose primary vocation is to lead students to extend their studies with a master's degree (or equivalent) in the disciplines of organism biology, evolutionary biology, or ecology, as well as related disciplines (scientific communication, ecosystem management, epidemiology, history of science and epistemology, etc.). The teaching is centered on the acquisition of the scientific approach. As in all the courses of the SV mention, particular attention is paid to the teaching of directed work, practical work, the use of manipulation, experimentation and the field approach (within the logistical limit of what the large number of students allows us). The teaching also leaves a great deal of room for the autonomy of students to carry out several projects, most often in groups, involving a high level of practice in communication tools (summary reports, posters, slide shows, etc.), and in particular the realization of oral presentations, in French or in English.
A significant proportion of the teaching units are oriented towards these disciplines from the first year of the Licence (L1) Sciences de la Vie Santé Environnement (SVSE), but the course itself only begins in the second year (L2). Moreover, L2 and L3 (third year) are closely linked, with L3 building on the achievements of L2. All groups of organisms and all environments will be approached during the 3 years of the license, even if the teachings also use knowledge on model species. The will of the teaching teams is to take into account the real diversity in order to better understand the living world, by using in particular the local biological wealth (organisms present on the campus, in the Montpellier agglomeration and in the Mediterranean ecosystems). The courses are based on and open to related disciplines such as physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, ecotoxicology, and immunology.
Know-how and skills
The competences that students who will follow the Life Sciences degree course BE must acquire are :
1) disciplinary skills:
- To know the different levels of organization of living organisms (from the organism to the biosphere), and their interactions;
- To know the processes at the origin of biodiversity;
- Knowing current and past biodiversity;
- To know the biodemographic and adaptive strategies of organisms, in relation to their resources, their interactions and the characteristics of their living environment;
- Know how to implement the different approaches and tools used in evolutionary biology and ecology: observation, sampling, experimentation and statistical analysis;
- Know how to use the tools for describing biodiversity, from the gene to the biosphere;
- Know the applications of organismal biology, evolutionary biology and ecology (health, agronomy, conservation, restoration).
2) cross-cutting skills:
- Knowledge:
- To know the process of knowledge formation in different disciplines (hypotheses, experimental results, polemical results, mathematical theorems, scientific facts).
- Know-How :
- Know how to mobilize concepts and tools from different disciplines to analyze a document, an observation or the result of an experiment;
- Be able to develop a logical argument with a critical mind (limits, confrontation with the bibliography, defense of a point of view thanks to a constructed and logical argument, etc.);
- Know how to search for and extract information in a critical manner, prioritize sources of information and identify their reliability, and produce a synthesis;
- Know how to elaborate oral presentations and written scientific reports (without plagiarism), using illustrations and a level of language adapted to the public concerned, with the help of adapted computer tools;
- Be able to propose a scientific problem, propose and implement an observation approach, a sampling plan or an experimental approach, and analyze the resulting data, using computer tools for data entry, analysis and storage;
- Know how to search for information to set up a training plan, how to write a CV and a cover letter, and how to use professional networking tools;
- Know how to carry out a project within a group.
- Skills :
- Know how to work independently, adapt to a new context and take relevant initiatives;
- Be able to self-assess and challenge yourself to learn;
- Knowing how to position oneself in a group in order to implement a project, knowing how to listen and exchange in a constructive manner;
- Respect legal, ethical and professional rules for the use and production of documents (plagiarism, source, copyright and citation, falsification of data);
- Respect the legal, ethical and deontological rules for the handling of living organisms (animal breeding and experimentation, field sampling);
- Respect others, respect the material and the organizations we work with.
Organization
Knowledge control
Continuous assessment (including reports and orals) and/or final exam at the end of the semester
Special arrangements
The large amount of teaching in practical work and projects, as well as the fieldwork, do not allow this training to be offered at a distance.
Program
The BE program of the Life Sciences license (L2 and L3) is divided into 4 semesters, each comprising Teaching Units (UE) validated by ECTS credits. It follows the L1 Life Science Health Environment (LSE). Throughout the three years of the Bachelor's degree, there are many gateways from and to other Bachelor's degree courses and other courses (IUT, BTS, CPGE, engineering schools...). The UE below constitute the classic course which can vary according to possible reorientations, which will be possible only if validated by a pedagogical commission.
The list of teaching units is available on the Faculty of Science website
There are space constraints for some optional courses.
It is also possible to do additional UEs (with a maximum of 36 ECTS per semester) or in certain cases to have an associative commitment validated as an additional UE.
S3L2SVBE
30 creditsYour choice: 1 of 2
Profile 2 BE
Experimental ecology and scientific approach
4 creditsBasics of plant physiology
Description of variability 1
2 creditsDescription of variability 2
2 creditsEnglish S3
2 creditsBasic ecology: concepts and methods
4 creditsEcology, diversity, and evolution of fungi
2 creditsBasics of plant biology
3 creditsDiversity and evolution of present and past metazoans N1
3 credits0hComparative animal physiology
4 credits
Profile 1 BE
Basics of plant physiology
Description of variability 1
2 creditsSedimentary geology, tectonics and cartography
4 creditsDescription of variability 2
2 creditsEnglish S3
2 creditsBasic ecology: concepts and methods
4 creditsEcology, diversity, and evolution of fungi
2 creditsBasics of plant biology
3 creditsDiversity and evolution of present and past metazoans N1
3 credits0hComparative animal physiology
4 credits
Choice of 3 out of 1
S4L2SVBE
30 creditsDiversity and evolution of present and past metazoans N2
4 creditsIntroduction to evolution
2 creditsFrom genotype to phenotype
4 creditsFunctional ecology
4 creditsQuantification of the hazard
4 creditsPersonal and Professional Project
2 creditsCHOICE2
4 creditsChoice of 1 of 7
Earth materials
4 creditsHistory of plants and natural environments
4 creditsEcophysiology of Aquatic Organisms
4 creditsEukaryotes Parasites
4 creditsNaturalist Specialization 1
4 creditsBasics of conservation biology and physiology
4 creditsModeling of the living world: theory
4 credits
English S4
2 creditsDiversity of plants
4 credits
Admission
Conditions of access
Registration is possible from an L1 SVSE (ex-Monod) obtained at the FdS of the University of Montpellier, or from an equivalent L1 obtained outside the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Montpellier (or equivalent higher education: preparatory class, rarely DUT/BUT, exceptionally BTS). In all cases, and including for L1 SVSE (ex-Monod) of the FdS of Montpellier or students coming from establishments under agreement with the FdS, the registration procedure is carried out via the e-candidat portal of the Faculty of Science.
Acceptance is not automatic, regardless of your previous course of study: it is decided on the basis of your file by a pedagogical committee, and depends on the number of students available.
For students coming from a training program in agreement with the FDS (e.g. CPGE or PASS): access to L2 BE is not automatic either; it also requires a file (e-candidate) evaluated by a pedagogical commission.
The BE course is a general course in Life Sciences, rather theoretical (although practical applications are important in the training). This training prepares students for further studies in Master's degree.
The main disciplines of this course are Evolutionary Biology, Scientific Ecology EcologyBiology of organisms, but also Mathematics and Statistics. NB: This course involves the manipulation and dissection of animal and plant organisms. The committee will therefore evaluate the candidate's ability to succeed in this program based on his/her academic record.
Furthermore, the candidate for the L2 BE must clearly indicate his/her motivation in the compulsory questionnaire to be attached to the application, as well as what he/she wishes to do after the license, so that the committee can best judge the adequacy of the course with his/her study project and professional project.
The program is in high demand and our capacity is limited, with a maximum of 160 students, including repeaters. In the past years, we have received more than 400 applications for the L2, and we have retained 130 to 150 students from the L1 SVSE (ex-Monod), and 10 to 30 from outside (except L1 FDS). On average, more than 70% of these external students were from other universities (Licence SV and SVT outside Montpellier). We therefore encourage students from BTS, DUT/BUT, or in reorientation, to apply for admission to L1 via ParcoursSup.
How to register
For all candidates (including L1 SVSE and other courses under agreement), on the basis of a file, via E-candidat
Target audience
Students in the fields of Evolutionary Biology,Ecology Ecologyand Organismal Biology. Students or professionals in transition to these fields
Capacity
160 students, including repeaters
Necessary pre-requisites
For the integration of the course in L2, it is necessary to have obtained a L1 Life Sciences or equivalent.
Recommended prerequisites
A basic knowledge of scientific ecology and organism biology is strongly recommended for access to L2. A reasonable level in mathematics is also required.
And then
Further studies
The Bachelor of Science in Biology is a general degree: although there are possibilities of professional integration after this degree, depending on the desires and skills of our students, the majority of them go on to study for a Master's degree. The generalist and multidisciplinary nature of the BE degree allows students to integrate a wide range of training programs.
1- Towards research careers:
Currently, many students continue their studies in a Master's degree in a specialized field, and if necessary, they go on to a Doctorate. The level of training of the Bachelor's degree in Biology and Ecology allows students to integrate a wide range of Master's level courses in the thematic fields of scientific ecology, evolutionary sciences or epidemiology (e.g. BEE, GE and EcoEPI Master's degrees of the Biology and Ecology teaching department).
2-Towards careers in biodiversity and natural resource management :
The second outlet, which is currently taking off, is the continuation of the training in Master's degree with a specialization in a "professionalizing" Master's degree, among the training courses offered in ecology, and mainly in Montpellier, in the very broad field of applied ecology, aquatic bioresources and land management.
3- Towards careers in teaching, training and scientific communication :
The third outlet, which is also expanding, is the continuation of the training in Master's degree with a specialization in scientific communication and animation. The initial training must allow students to approach this specialization with a very good scientific foundation and a broad view of different disciplinary fields. The Bachelor's degree in Science and Engineering (BE), through its pedagogical approach, is a very good springboard towards these professions.
Another outlet is the teaching profession in primary or secondary schools, in connection with the INSPE (Cursus Métiers de Education). In the Master's program, teaching in the Life and Earth Sciences disciplines remains the responsibility of the teaching departments of the Faculty of Sciences, which allows for continuity in the teaching team.
NB: The BE license is not, however, the most appropriate pathway for an orientation towards the teaching profession, which is the logical continuation of the Earth Sciences license (SVT-CME) for the MEEF2nd degree or the Sciences & Technologies license for the MEEF1st degree.
Continuing your studies abroad
It is possible to do part of your studies abroad through the ERASMUS program and various other programs (e.g. ERASMUS-MUNDUS, BCI (Quebec), etc.).
Bridges and reorientation
Access to the BE course from other courses in the SV field will require a return to L2, and will be subject to the agreement of the course directors (on file).
Similarly, a BE student who wishes to reorient himself/herself in the other courses of the SV mention will have to have the agreement of the persons in charge (on file) and consider a return in L2.
Professional integration
The integration rates are quite good, allowing 58% of students from our courses to access a job less than 6 months after the end of their master's degree (excluding continuation of thesis or studies), and among these nearly 2/3 have a job at the executive or engineering level (2018 figures).