Science, Health

L2-L3 LIFE SCIENCES

Life Sciences
  • Targeted level of study

    BAC +3

  • ECTS

    180 credits

  • Duration

    3 years

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Science, Faculty of Pharmacy

  • Language(s) of instruction

    French

Presentation

The Life Sciences degree is a generalist program, which covers all disciplines related to the study of life: animal and plant biology, cellular and molecular biology, developmental biology, genetics, plant and animal physiology, infectiology, immunology, ecology, evolutionary biology, etc...

Theory is complemented by laboratory work (biochemistry, bacteriology, animal and plant physiology, in vitro cultures, dissections, etc.) and/or field work (sampling, etc.).

The curriculum also includes a methodology component: scientific method and reasoning, data analysis, scientific writing of reports, observation drawings, acquisition of techniques and tools (microscope, for example).

Complementary disciplines necessary for the training of any scientist are also taught: mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science as tools for the biologist, earth sciences, and general and scientific English.

Training begins in L1 within a single Life Sciences - Health and Environment (LSHE) portal, with options that allow students to customize their path. Specialization courses are then offered from L2 onwards or in L3.

The 3-year Bachelor's degree program includes lectures, tutorials, practical work and, depending on the program, an internship organized as a teaching unit (UE). Each unit is evaluated by continuous assessment and/or a final exam at the end of the semester. The degree entitles the student to 180 credits.

Graduates will be able to work in various fields: agri-food, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, environment, research, teaching, etc.

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Objectives

The Life Sciences degree is a generalist and multidisciplinary program that aims to provide a comprehensive education in the field of life sciences. The curriculum combines both fundamental and theoretical teachings, and the learning of methodological tools.

The SV degree provides an integrated vision of biology. It focuses on the environment, biodiversity, biomedical research, plant improvement and health, and the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of life.

The specialization in courses allows students to orient themselves towards the different fields of biology.

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Know-how and skills

  • Disciplinary Skills:
    • Mobilize the fundamental concepts and technologies of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, physiology, immunology, classification of living organisms, developmental biology and evolution to address a problem in the field or analyze a research or presentation document.
    • Mobilize the fundamental concepts of ecology and ecosystems to situate biological and physiological issues.
    • Understand, identify and carry out independently the different steps of an experimental approach.
    • Identify, select and apply a combination of analytical tools (current techniques, instrumentation) adapted to characterize organisms (from the biomolecule to the individual in its complexity) and their functioning at different levels of analysis (intracellular metabolism, biology and physiology of complex organisms, interactions between individuals and groups, interactions with the environment).
    • Interpret and analyze experimental data to consider their modeling.
    • Validate a model by comparing its predictions with experimental results and assess its validity limits.
    • Identify sources of error to calculate the uncertainty of an experimental result.
    • Manipulate fundamental mechanisms at the microscopic scale, model macroscopic phenomena, relate a macroscopic phenomenon to microscopic processes.
    • Operate data acquisition and analysis software with a critical mind.
    • Mobilize the concepts and tools of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science in the context of life science problems.
    • Identify the specific regulations and implement the main preventive measures in terms of health and safety.
  • Pre-Professional Skills:
    • To situate one's role and mission within an organization in order to adapt and take initiatives.
    • Identify the process of production, dissemination and valorisation of knowledge.
    • Respect the principles of ethics, deontology and environmental responsibility.
    • Work in a team as well as independently and responsibly in the service of a project.
    • Identify and situate the professional fields that are potentially related to the knowledge acquired in the field as well as the possible paths to access them.
    • Characterize and value one's identity, competencies and professional project according to a context.
    • Step back from a situation, evaluate yourself and question yourself in order to learn.

 

  • Cross-cutting and language skills:
    • Use digital reference tools and computer security rules to acquire, process, produce and disseminate information and to collaborate internally and externally.
    • Identify and select various specialized resources to document a topic.
    • Analyze and synthesize data in order to exploit them.
    • Develop an argument with critical thinking.
    • Use the different registers of written and oral expression of the French language with ease.
    • Be fluent in written and oral comprehension and expression in at least one modern foreign language (scientific English is strongly recommended).

 

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International training

Training with formalized international partnerships

International dimension

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.). It is necessary to prepare your application in advance.

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Organization

Knowledge control

Continuous or terminal control, depending on the UE.

Success rate:

40-50% in L1, 60 to 80% in L2, depending on the course, 80 to 90% in L3, depending on the course.

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Special arrangements

Accommodations are available for high-level athletes, students with disabilities, and students who work outside the classroom; see the FDS website for more details.

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Program

The first year, L1 Life Science and Health and Environment (LSHE), is a common core year during which the fundamental subjects for learning biology are taught (basic notions of biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics), as well as the scientific method and reasoning. It is possible to choose options (1 in the first semester, 2 in the second) to personalize one's course. It is also possible to integrate training courses in preparation for health studies (medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, dentistry, etc., L1 LAS), or in preparation for competitive exams in agronomy or veterinary schools (PCAV course).

During the2nd year (L2), it is possible to keep a generalist aspect in biology, with options to start a specialization, or to integrate a specialized course in scientific ecology and evolutionary biology (BE course).

During the3rd year, it is possible to specialize by integrating one of the 8 courses offered by the Biology-Mechanisms of Life department (Bio-MV): Animal Physiology and Neuroscience (PAN pathway), Biochemistry (Bioch pathway), Molecular Biology and Cell Biology (BMC pathway), Microbiology (Mic pathway), Plant Biology and Agroenvironment (BiPAgro), Biotechnologies, Biotraceability and Bioresources (BBB pathway), or Teaching Professions (BioME pathway), but also SVT-CME pathway within the ST license).

The list of Teaching Units for each year and portal is available on the Faculty of Science website.

NB: there are constraints on the number of places in the courses and for certain optional courses, linked to our capacity to accommodate students (staff and premises).

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.

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Select a program

Admission

Conditions of access

Registration possible with a baccalaureate or equivalent, or as part of a reorientation. In all cases, applications are made via the Parcoursup platform. The capacity of the program, excluding repeat students, is 680 students per year. The number of applications received via Parcoursup exceeds 5,000 candidates.

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Target audience

For integration in Licence 2, depending on the course: 

Registration is possible from an L1 SVSE portal 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 school, possibly DUT, even BTS). For all the candidates, coming from the L1 SVSE, from conventional training (CPGE or PASS) or outside the FDS, the registration procedure is carried out via the e-candidat portal of the Faculty of Science.

Acceptance is not automatic: it is decided by a pedagogical committee on the basis of the student's file and depends on the capacity of the course in question. The SV degree at the University of Montpellier is very attractive and generally exceeds its capacity.

For integration into Licence 3, depending on the course:

Automatic registration from a L2 SV of the same course obtained at the FdS of the University of Montpellier, or possible from a L2 in the fields of training of the aimed course obtained out of the formations of the Faculty of Science of the University of Montpellier or equivalent in higher education. The registration procedure is carried out via the e-candidate portal of the Faculty of Science.

Acceptance is not automatic: it is decided by a pedagogical committee on the basis of the student's file and depends on the capacity of the course in question. The SV degree at the University of Montpellier is very attractive and generally exceeds these capacities.

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Capacity

160 students for the BE course

440 students in L2 for the courses of the Bio-MV department

420 students in L3 for the courses of the Bio-MV department

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Necessary pre-requisites

The life sciences license is accessible to baccalaureate holders as well as to holders of a DAEU B (diploma of access to university studies - scientific option).

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Recommended prerequisites

A general baccalaureate with scientific options is strongly recommended to have every chance of success. For baccalaureate holders without scientific options or holders of technological baccalaureates, an upgrade is recommended.

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And then

Further studies

The vast majority of students, depending on their chosen path, go on to the many professional or research masters in life sciences, health, agrosciences and the environment. They can also go on to MEEF masters that prepare for teaching competitions.

The training also allows for integration into engineering schools and further studies in the medical or pharmaceutical fields. It gives access to the B competitive entrance exams for the grandes écoles (ENSA: École nationale supérieure d'agronomie; ENV: École nationale vétérinaire).

 

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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.). It is necessary to prepare your application in advance.

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Bridges and reorientation

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, etc.). Specific courses also allow students to move on to health studies (medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, dentistry, etc.), see LAS.

A specific course (PCAV) is offered from L1 for those who wish to prepare for the competitive engineering school exams (Polytechnic common exam, agronomic and veterinary school exams).

There are also gateways in L3 to professional licenses (biotechnology, plant production, health products and cosmetics, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, health).

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Professional integration

Those who choose the professional path right after their diploma are mainly destined for jobs in the field of research and development (R&D), in scientific animation or in naturalist expertise. For example, in the pharmaceutical or agri-food industry, they work as researchers, biologists, or quality-safety officers; in science, they work as officers for museums, departmental or regional nature parks, or as facilitators; they can become technicians to carry out impact studies or censuses.

The SV license also gives access to the state and local civil service competitions (categories B or C).

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