Biotechnology Engineer
- Description of the training
The biotechnology engineer is both comfortable in manipulation and in theory, over vast areas which allows him to be versatile in advancing any biotech project; alumni have various perspectives: developing drugs, launching a startup, doing metagenomics analysis… In fact, the engineer profile allows you to open up to a multitude of projects on which you can specialize.
- Promotion
We are 45 biotechnology students, and half of the courses are taught with the 20 ChemBiotech students. Overall, the students come from 1/3 preparatory class, 1/3 BUT-BTS and 1/3 license. Some students comes from the Freiburg’s university.
> The Admissions page goes into more detail!
Most of us studied biology and some have a more chemical background. The first year allows everyone to be on the same level by filling in everyone’s gaps (whether it’s math, chemistry, manipulation or anything else!).
- Curriculum
Consult the training curriculum.
La formation se déroule sur trois années :
| Semester | Courses (details on the school website) | Internships (dedicated page) |
| S1/S2 | Refresher course in engineering sciences (maths, biophysics, chemistry), biology and practical work | Internship to discover a private company. 2 months minimum, 4 months maximum (May – August). |
| S3/S4/S5 | Engineer + master course | Possibility of doing 2 months between S4 and S5. |
| S6 | / | End-of-studies internship, generally 6 months abroad |
Over these 3 years, there are around 50% practical work and almost 100% of courses are taught in English. We have language courses (English and German: at the end of S4, we must validate a B2 in English and A2 in German if a beginner, B1 if not a beginner), and some weeks take place in Basel (Switzerland, 2 weeks) and in Fribourg-en-Brigsau (Germany, 5 weeks).
A master’s degree is often added to this: almost all students choose a double-degree master’s degree to have an internationally recognized diploma and further specialization – See the detailed paragraph.
The weeks are quite varied but the curriculum is rather dense, the assessments are not organized in mid-term exam weeks but there are calm periods and others with several assessments in a week.
Useful informations :
- ESBS website : There you will find all the information on the contents and types of teaching, on the admission conditions, on the teaching program and numerous PDF documents to download which summarize the different courses.
Double degrees and work-study programs
It is possible to do, in addition to the engineering diploma, a master’s degree and/or a work-study program and/or a university diploma (DU):
- Double degree – Master
The engineering degree remains relatively little recognized internationally. It is therefore interesting to have a master’s equivalent to be able to export abroad more easily. The ESBS offers to follow a Master’s degree, in parallel with the engineering diploma, from the 2nd semester of the 2nd year.
3 masters are available : Bioproduction, Synthetic biology or High-thoughput.
The majority of master’s courses are in common with those of the engineering diploma: the timetable does not double, only a few courses are added. It includes two projects : 3 weeks in S4, and 5 weeks in S5.
For more information, the ESBS website explains the different Masters: https://esbs.unistra.fr/formations/masters
- Work-Study
If the student joins a Master’s degree in the 2nd year (alongside their engineering diploma), it will then be possible for them to do a work-study program in the 3rd year.
For more information, the ESBS website explains the principle of Alternation: https://esbs.unistra.fr/formations/alternance
- DU
1 Diplôme Universitaire est proposé par l’école : Ingénieur éco-responsable. Pour plus d’informations : https://esbs.unistra.fr/formations/du
Useful Information :
- ESBS website : Here you will find all the information you need on course content and types of teaching, admission requirements, the teaching programme and numerous PDF documents to download that summarise the different courses.
Dual degrees and Work-study programmes
In addition to the engineering degree, it is possible to pursue a master’s degree and/or a work-study programme and/or a university diploma (DU):
- Double degree – Master
The engineering degree is not widely recognized internationally. It is therefore necessary to have a Master’s degree to be able to export more easily abroad. The ESBS proposes to follow a Master’s degree, in parallel with the engineering degree, from the 2nd semester of the 2nd year.
There are 3 Masters available: Bioproduction, Synthetic Biology OR High Data.
For more information, the ESBS website explains the different Masters: https://esbs.unistra.fr/formations/masters
- Alternance program
If the student enters a Master’s program in the 2nd year (in parallel with his or her engineering degree), it will then be possible for him or her to do a sandwich course in the 3rd year.
For more information, the ESBS website explains the principle of the Alternance: https://esbs.unistra.fr/formations/alternance
- University diploma (DU)
1 University Diploma is offered by the school: Eco-Responsible Engineer. For more information : https://esbs.unistra.fr/formations/du