Master's Degree, Year 1 (or equivalent)
FrenchOne master's program, two tracks
The FESup Agrégation BBB Master's program is part of the Master's program in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Paris Saclay University
Educational Objectives of the Program
This track is based on the science and health tracks of the M1 Biology-Health program. All course units are shared across the M1 program and organized into platforms (lists of elective course units), grouped into five major scientific fields. The recommended platforms for the M1 are
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology
- Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Microbiology
- Physiology and Pathophysiology Platform
The objectives of the typical track are:
- acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge in the scientific fields covered by the Agrégation BBB exam
- development of writing skills for synthesizing information in preparation for the written portions of the exam
- to develop public speaking skills in preparation for the oral admission exams
- to acquire a broad technological background
- to become proficient in reading scientific literature (including books, articles, and international scientific journals)
- For the “non-competitive” track: conducting pedagogical analysis of a proposed course unit.
Prerequisites and admission requirements for the program
Completion of a Bachelor’s degree and the first year of a Master’s program (M1) that includes as many course units as possible related to the Biochemistry, Biology, and Biotechnology teacher certification program
Skills
- Retain a vast amount of knowledge (theoretical, mechanistic, historical, etc.) across many disciplines of modern biology.
- Select this knowledge in order to produce a synthesis (in writing or orally).
- Formulate a research question on a given topic.
- Explain biological data or mechanisms in writing or orally in an educational manner while adhering to time constraints.
- Create diagrams (summary diagrams and explanatory diagrams) by hand (on paper or on the board) and using computer tools (for written and oral presentations).
- Perform laboratory procedures correctly, using the specific techniques required for each field (biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, chemistry, etc.).
Career Opportunities After Graduation
This M2 program has two main objectives, depending on the track chosen by the student:
- “Agrégation” track: passing the Agrégation exam in Biochemistry, Biology, and Biotechnology, which is a competitive exam for recruiting secondary school teachers.
- “Higher Education” track: acquisition of technical and pedagogical skills at the university level through a 5-month laboratory internship, evaluated based on the student’s ability to apply the research experience gained in the laboratory to higher education instruction.
Track 1 leads to positions in the French National Education System (as a probationary civil servant upon passing the competitive exam, or as a contract employee if the exam is not passed).
Both tracks allow students to pursue doctoral studies, but not directly—only after successfully completing a Master 2 “research” degree.
Graduation Profile for Students Who Have Completed the Program
Students possess a broad and up-to-date scientific background in biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, virology, cell biology, human and animal physiology, neurobiology and neurophysiology, endocrinology, and immunology.
Graduates have acquired:
- the ability to synthesize scientific data and theoretical knowledge across various fields of biology.
- strong writing skills
- oral fluency and teaching skills (articulation, public speaking, use of project materials, selection of appropriate illustrations, etc.)