The Life Sciences degree is a scientific course which aims to enable students to develop over three years the skills necessary to understand the scientific, technological, environmental and socio-economic issues associated with life sciences and to specify their orientation over the years, according to their interests and professional projects.

Students will be able to choose three training course :

• A balanced approach to General Biology (BG): a balanced education that covers all life sciences, which opens up a wide range of possibilities for the future (various professions, masters, competitions).
• A specialization in Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Biology (BMCO): a specialization to understand the functioning of living things on a small scale (molecules, cells, genes) and its applications in health, biotechnology or the environment.
• A specialization in Biology of Organisms, Populations and Ecosystems (BOPE): a specialization focused on the study of living beings and their environment, in order to analyze ecological and environmental issues and contribute to the management and conservation of biodiversity.

The Bachelor's degree is structured to allow students to develop three skill blocks, which will be worked on progressively with three levels of mastery: Beginner, Intermediate and Proficient.

Competency block 1: Projecting oneself professionally and acting responsibly (PR)

Competency block 2: Adopting a rigorous scientific approach (RSA)

Competency block 3: Communicating scientifically (CS)

The organization of teaching in short modules of 16 hours allows students to build their training dynamically based on their prior learning, priorities, the level of competence targeted and achieved, and their professional and further study plans.

Educational goals :

With face-to-face instruction, self-study modules and learning and assessment situations (LAS), students will develop the skills necessary to understand the scientific, technological, environmental and socio-economic issues associated with life sciences.

For the BMCO specialty The fundamental mechanisms of life, from molecules to organisms, will be addressed in greater detail to understand the challenges in biology, health, and the environment. Students are expected to reach a proficient level in their chosen specialization.

Mobilizing knowledge to construct an argument:

• Identify, describe and explain the structures, functions and mechanisms of living organisms at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels. (Level C)
• Analyze the structure and function of macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids) in relation to biological functions. (Level C)
• Linking molecular and cellular mechanisms to the physiological functions of organisms. (Level C)

Choosing or designing appropriate or bibliographic approaches tailored to the question asked: 

• Implement, master and interpret the results of experimental techniques in biology (level C)

Identify the process of knowledge dissemination and valorization

• Understanding academic communication based on scientific articles in English (level C)

Training opportunities:

The Life Sciences degree program addresses the specific scientific and socio-economic needs of Reunion Island and the Indian Ocean region:

• Protecting the biodiversity hotspot facing unique environmental challenges (erosion, invasive species, climate change), constituting both an exceptional field of study but creating a need for experts in conservation, natural area management, ecological restoration and agro-ecology.
• Management of marine and terrestrial resources (sustainable fishing, fresh water, food sovereignty, renewable energies).
• Combating emerging diseases in an island context.
• Addressing environmental challenges related to tourism and waste management.

The Life Sciences degree provides training in understanding the scientific, technological, environmental and socio-economic issues associated with life sciences at a global level, but also more specific to Reunion Island, a tropical island in the Indian Ocean.

The competency-based approach allows students to ground their learning in an understanding of these issues and empowers them to take ownership of their education. The modular structure and competency-based approach enable a dynamic development of the curriculum, better aligned with the workings of today's society: short modules allow students to engage and learn in a short period with immediate results, while simultaneously developing the knowledge and skills necessary to complete their projects within the framework of learning and assessment situations (SAÉ).

The courses are organized into 16-hour modules with varied teaching formats: lectures, self-study, tutorials, practical work in the classroom and in the field, individual and group work distributed across the following themes:

• Cross-curricular teaching
• To plan for one's professional future and to act responsibly
• Scientific tools and methods
• Scientific communication
• Chemistry and biochemistry
• Cell and molecular biology, genetics
• Biology of organisms
• Physiology (from the cellular level to the organism)
• Animal biology
• Plant's biology
• Microbiology
• Population and ecosystem biology
• Evolution and phylogeny

The skills acquired during this training are in line with those of the RNCP record

Students must complete at least four weeks of internship relevant to their career goals (either a work placement or a research placement) to validate the competency block "Planning for a Career and Acting Responsibly." The internship can be completed during the week or during school holidays, provided that students do not have scheduled university classes.

The courses graded as Learning and Assessment Situations (LAS) give students the opportunity to be active in supervised, professionally oriented projects, most often carried out in teams. Students are placed in a work situation they might encounter later in their studies or in a job.

Registration fees are set annually by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space and are available on our institution's website: Register at the University of Reunion

• Baccalaureate or equivalent required for admission to the first year of a Bachelor's degree.
• A general baccalaureate with at least two scientific specializations is recommended.
• Admission to the second year (L2) or third year (L3) of the Bachelor's degree is possible through validation of prior studies based on application (other Bachelor's degree, CPGE, DUT, BTS, etc.).

For enrollment in the first year (L1) of the program via the Parcoursup platform, the ranking of applications for the main phase is based on:

• Academic results: grades from the first year (including the early baccalaureate exams) and the final year in scientific subjects such as scientific education, the SVT specialty and other scientific specialties (essential criterion, coefficient 5).
• Academic skills, methodological knowledge, know-how: quality of written and oral expression in French (French grades in the baccalaureate), quality of written expression in a foreign language (first and final year LV1 grades), quality of written and oral expression in French (final year French grades) (very important criterion, coefficient 2).
• The supplementary procedure also takes into account the future profile, motivation, knowledge of the training, and the coherence of the project (motivated training project).

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Baccalaureate + 2 or equivalent

Bachelor's degree holder with an interest in science, including life sciences.

300 seats

Data from the graduating classes of 2019 and 2020 (with a 58% response rate from outgoing graduates).

Situation 18 months after graduation:

• 56% are continuing their studies at the University of Reunion Island
• 25% are continuing their studies outside of Reunion Island
• 14% are employed
• 5% inactive

The Life Sciences (SV) degree offers several pathways for specialization in Master's programs, engineering schools, professional training programs, or competitive exams.

For Master's degrees (Bac+5)

• Masters in fundamental biology
• Life sciences.
• Molecular and cellular biology.
• Biochemistry, molecular biology.
• Integrative biology and physiology.
• Developmental biology.
• Microbiology.
• Neuroscience.
• Immunology.
• Bioinformatics.
• Structural biology, genomics.
• Genetic.
• Masters in biology, health and medicine
• Biology-health.
• Public health.
• Health engineering.
• Masters in ecology, biodiversity and environment
• Toxicology and ecotoxicology.
• Ocean, atmospheric and climate sciences.
• Marine Sciences.
• Water sciences.
• Ethology.
• Masters in agronomy and plant sciences
• Plant biology.
• Agrosciences, environment, territories, landscape, forest.
• Science and technology of agriculture, food and the environment.
• Biology, agricultural sciences.
• Plant Protection
• Masters in nutrition and food science
• Nutrition and Food Science
• Quality and innovation in agri-food
• Human nutrition and health
• Food safety
• Masters in teaching and science communication
• Teaching, Education and Training Professions (MEEF) Life and Earth Sciences
• Scientific mediation and communication of science

Access Admission is based on application (grades, internships). Some selective master's programs require an excellent level of education.

For engineering schools (Master's level) – Admission based on academic qualifications

• Food processing and agronomy
• Biotechnology and Chemistry
• Environment and Ecological Engineering
• Health and Pharmacy, biomedical engineering schools.

Access Application review + interview (sometimes written tests). Some schools recruit at the second-year undergraduate level (L2).

For pathways to professional licenses (Bachelor's degree +3/+4) for rapid professional integration

Access : Based on application, often with an internship or apprenticeship.

For civil service and teaching professions competitions

• State civil service (ministries, public institutions)
• Laboratory Technician (BIO)
• Technical and Scientific Police Technician (PTSC)
• Senior Technician in French Schools Abroad (TSEFE)
• Customs laboratory agent
• Primary school teaching
• Secondary school teaching qualification (CAPES SVT) (recruitment procedures are currently being reformed)
• Territorial civil service (FPT)
• Territorial Technician (specializing in biology/environment)
• Municipal police officer (environmental option)

Access Competition based on application files, written tests and/or oral interviews

The sectors of activity and types of employment targeted by this training correspond to those listed in the RNCP record

The career paths accessible after a bachelor's degree in life sciences are diverse. Examples include:

Careers in laboratories (Research, Health, Industry):

• Laboratory Technician
• Pharmacology/Toxicology Technician
•  Assistant engineer in biology
• Pharmacology/Toxicology Technician

Careers in the environment and ecology:

• Environmental Technician
• Sustainable Development Officer
• Sanitation/Water Technician
• Water Quality Monitoring Technician
• Marine or terrestrial nature reserve warden

Careers in the agri-food and agriculture sectors

• Aquaculture Technician
• Food Processing Technician
• Agricultural Technician
• Technical sales representative in biology/agronomy

Careers in health and services

• Clinical Research Assistant
• Science communicator
• Primary school teacher or science teacher

Careers in industry and production

• Bioproduction Operator
• Biomedical Maintenance Technician

Emerging professions, particularly in waste management and the circular economy

• Organic Waste Recovery Technician
• Waste Sorting and Recycling Technician
• Eco-design and Reuse Technician