1st year of engineering degree (Biotech 1)
1st year of engineering degree (Biotech 1)
During this 1st year of the Preparatory Cycle, student engineers are introduced to active schooling directing them towards a certain autonomy. Students attain specific skills in biology and engineering science, as well as general skills. English is an essential language in the field of biotechnology and so studies are focused on language learning with language experience in an English-speaking country for a period of a month.
Learning autonomy
Changing from traditional teaching to active teaching and autonomy involves a certain methodological awareness. This transition requires important changes in the student’s approach: he learns how to become the actor in his own education and is aware that his future is today in his hands. The student must expect his/her teachers to provide the fundamentals in learning and in return he must learn to interact and enter into debate with them. Each lesson is prepared in advance which helps the student ask the right questions making him proactive in his education and interested in learning more.
Skill acquisition
Experimental sciences
Fundamental sciences
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Biology
- Mathematical analysis and Algebra
- Atomic, kinetic and chemical balance
- Biodiversity
- Bacteriology
- Structural Biochemistry
- Practical Exercises in biological, chemical and biochemical engineering
Engineering Sciences
- Thermodynamics
- Physical mechanics
- Discovering computing: web functions, Python programming
- Practical exercises in computing
Practical training
Right from Biotech 1, the project approach is an important part of the training and the student should be able to work as a team and know how to efficiently lead a project, making the most of all the qualities of the team members.
Learning these skills comes from working cooperatively with class mates: the student learns the rules of group work on a practical level.
Economic Sciences
The workings of the economy and the business world, place of professional integration, should become more and more familiar to the future graduate:
- Fundamentals and concepts of the economy
- Understanding of the economic circuit
- Documentation projects on companies, issues linked to sustainable development, a science popularization project in poster form
Awareness of company demands
The Biotech 1 student still knows very little of the world, corporate ins and outs and the vast biotechnology market. SupBiotech offers different conferences focusing on various topics, as well as several on-site company visits which give the student the possibility of visualising and gradually establishing their professional orientation in the frenzied world of biotechnology.
International dimension
SupBiotech spotlights its international dimension by opening up an Anglophone section right from the first year.
Linguistic experience
At the end of their first year students pursue a linguistic experience with a month-long immersion visit to an English-speaking country to establish or improve their level of English. English plays a vital role in the field of biotechnology, and so it is wise to develop acquired linguistic skills throughout the year through the various exercises given by the English teachers, including a practical period focusing even more on improving comprehension and accent.
This course takes place during the summer months of July and August with the required approval from the administration department of the chosen destinations.
Speak Easy Sessions
Before the immersive experience, English language practice will take up an important place in the student’s curriculum. On top of the weekly lessons, weekly ‘speak easy’ session are held throughout the year when the students can work thoroughly on their comprehension and expression skills, both oral and written.
