FAQ

Studies (Bachelor)

I would like to follow a Bachelor curriculum in Biology at the University of Lausanne, what should I do?

Persons in possession of a federal maturity or having passed the entrance exam to the School of Biology of the University of Lausanne must fill an application form for the University of Lausanne (note the registration deadline)
Service des Immatriculations et Inscriptions- Unicentre - University of Lausanne - CH-1015 Lausanne - Tel. 021-692 21 00
Email: immat.bachelor [@] unil.ch -
Website:

http://www.unil.ch/immat

All other applications are considered on the basis of the record of achievement at school
Admission form for a written application

Formulaire d'admission sur dossier
What are the differences between the Bachelor in Biology of the University of Lausanne and the Bachelor in life sciences of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne?

The two programmes offered by the University of Lausanne and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne both target the life sciences. The curriculum of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne focuses on techniques and technologies related to the living world and, to that end, is based extensively on “basic” sciences courses (mathematics, physics and chemistry).
The curriculum of the School of Biology of the University of Lausanne aims to educate biologists who have acquired theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in a wide range of fields of the current biology. The education programme also aims to enable students who have acquired a Bachelor in Biology from the University of Lausanne to enter the three Master programmes in Biology from the University of Lausanne or any Master in Biology offered in Switzerland.
The School of Biology is part of the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of the University of Lausanne. What are the consequences of this combination?

The studies of medicine and biology are totally independent, from the administrative perspective.
However, the connection between the School of Medicine and School of Biology eases the offer of courses in common in the first year of the Bachelor’s and even more at the level of the Master in Medical Biology.
What is the failure rate in the first year of biology?

In recent years, the average number of students beginning a Bachelor curriculum hovers around 120 students. The success rate of this first year is about 60%.
As of the second year, the success rate is over 80%.

In the first year, much of the success depends on so-called basic disciplines (chemistry, mathematics...). Students who have obtained another type of Maturité than the type “chemistry-biology” or “mathematics-physics” will have to make up for the basic science concepts they lack the at the start of the courses.

Studies (Master)

What Master can we do at the School of Biology of the University of Lausanne?

The School of Biology provides three Master degrees of Science in biology, the content of which focuses on the main strengths of biological research at the University of Lausanne:
Evolutionary biology: MSc in Behaviour, Evolution and Conservation (BEC)
Medical Biology: MSc in Medical Biology (MB)
Genomics: MSc in Molecular Life Sciences (MLS)

These Masters provide specialised theoretical and practical courses, closely integrated in the research groups of Lausanne. Of particular importance is the personal research work (or "Master thesis") that will really confront the students with the conducting of an experiment throughout one year that will allow one to acquire methodology and research techniques, and to experience the writing and defence of a thesis.

The language for teaching of these 3 masters is english.
When and how to register for a Master of the School of Biology ?

To be allowed to register for one of the three Masters of the School of Biology at the University of Lausanne, it is necessary to hold a Bachelor degree of Science in Biology or in a field considered equivalent.

Lausanne students can register by filling an application form for transfer to a Master (see website for registrations in the University of Lausanne). All other applications must be made on the basis of the record of achievement at school to the Service des immatriculations et inscriptions of the University of Lausanne.

The registration deadline appears on the homepage of each Master.

The other candidates may be asked to take additional training prior to entering the chosen Master during maximum one year to complete their curriculum with the courses required for the Master’s curriculum.
What is the share given to individual research within the framework of the Masters of the School of Biology?

In the three Masters offered by the School of Biology, the share of individual research intensifies from the first to the third semester.
During the first semester, students learn the methods and techniques necessary for laboratory experiments in the context of an introductory personal work (first step project). This supervised practical work represents about 40% of the teaching time of the first semester. From the second semester, students start their Master thesis work, within a research group linked to the Master. The time spent on this work goes from 60% at the beginning of the second semester to 100% in the third semester.
What are the career opportunities after obtaining a Master in Biology ?

The Swiss association for university orientation (ASOU) has been conducting for some years a statistical report on the situation of graduates from the Swiss universities, one year after their graduation:

Development of the situation of biologists for years 1981 -> 2007

ADMINISTRATION

What are the registration deadlines for courses and exams?

The registration deadlines appear in our academic calendar
How does one register for courses and exams?

The registration for courses and examinations can be done via the link "Registration for courses and exams" on the page "Regulations and registrations” of our website.
Can one get equivalencies when one has followed another education programme before the Bachelor programme in Biology?

The School of Biology provides equivalencies, which are only valid for the academic curriculum for which the request has been made.

A request can only be made in case of a successful year of study or if a qualification has been obtained.

The student must have passed an exam of the courses for which an equivalency is sought.

A student who obtains equivalencies must acquire at least 60 ECTS credits in a curriculum of the School of Biology to obtain the corresponding degree awarded by the Faculty.
Where is the secretariat of the School of Biology and what is their schedule?

The secretariat of the School of Biology is located in the building Amphipôle, office 312

The office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 11:30am

GEOGRAPHIC AND THEMATIC MOBILITY

What is the best period of my studies to go on mobility?

Students who go on mobility usually leave during the second and third year of their curriculum. The plans of mobility leave must be substantiated and documented, meaning that if they want to leave in the second year, students must know from the beginning of their studies where they want to go and what programme they can follow.

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