BioEco Graduate School offers an internationally renowned master’s for a sustainable development combining biotechnology and circular economy. BioTechEco master program presents a unique opportunity for students looking to further their studies both in France and abroad. A truly integrated academic offering, with an emphasis on practical application, this two-year master’s degree is designed and led by experts in the field. Extensive collaboration with a broad network of partner universities and institutes, paired with a holistic approach to learning, makes this degree immensely valuable to those looking to take the next step in their academic and professional development.
At BioEco, nothing is taught in isolation. Teachers and students recognise the interplay between the different disciplines that when combined can drive genuine sustainable development. As such, the course is far broader in focus than simply addressing sustainability exclusively as a master’s in sustainability development. It can equally be regarded as a master’s in biochemistry, a master’s in climate change and as a related facet, a masters in renewable energy management. Taken as whole, one might describe it as a master’s in circular economy. This reflects the awareness of BioEco and partner organisations of the ongoing climate crisis and the urgent need to develop the scientists and professionals of the future with the appropriate skill sets and knowledge to be change-makers who can make a real difference in driving innovation.
BioEco’s approach is based on an understanding of the circular economy, an area of study and practice strongly supported by the Federal University of Toulouse given the pressing need for further innovations and advances with regard to the environment.
The BioTechEco master’s course is truly multi-disciplinary – as any course in sustainable development must be. Theoretical studies take place on several campuses such as INSA Toulouse, Toulouse INP, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Manufacture des Tabacs in Toulouse. This allows students to take advantage of the quality of the teaching staff at these specialist institutions. Practical application plays a central role in the curriculum and each student will carry out five weeks of practical work annually in one of BioTech’s partner research laboratories, for example the Toulouse Biotechnology Institute.
By seamlessly blending different specialisms, the BioTechEco creates well-rounded graduates, who stand out in the jobs market. This is a rigorous academic qualification, but modules focused on ethics, bioeconomics, and the environment more broadly mean those who complete this master’s course are desirable employees for the most innovative organisations in the sustainability field.
Toulouse: A hub for biotechnology master's programs
Effective biotechnology master’s programs must be holistic in their offering. The master’s in biotechnology offered by BioEco (the BioTechEco) combines biology, biochemistry and bioeconomics to enable students to become effective participants in the circular economy.
Not only does this course produce highly skilled future innovators, but it is professionally desirable. Indeed, those who have completed studies such as a master’s in biochemistry and molecular biology are able to access a rapidly-expanding jobs market, with new industrial sectors – directly linked to biotechnology – emerging on a near constant basis. Across Europe, 500,000 jobs exist in such sectors, as well as four times as many related roles within the industry (https://www.europabio.org/). With the number of direct biotechnology-related roles expected to expand three-fold over the next decade, this is an industry set to be worth up to 100 billion €. It is of little surprise that highly qualified and talented master’s graduates are in demand.
BioEco students benefit from two year of quality teaching throughout this master’s degree in biotechnology. Professors are leading researchers and teachers in their fields from partner universities and institutions. According to the NTU and ARWU rankings, the academics who work at BioEco come exclusively from institutions ranked among the 300 best in the world.
The standard of teaching paired with the multidisciplinary nature of the course makes the BioTechEco immensely practical. Students looking to gain the most thorough grounding in industrial processes, biological and biochemical engineering, ethics and the circular economy would be well served by undertaking this biotechnology master’s program.
The circular economy master’s degree: a future leader in innovation?
A circular economy master’s degree is highly sought after, and for good reason. This specialised bioeconomy master course focuses on the transition from hydrocarbon-based resources to renewables, the reduction of waste, and sustainable industry practices as appropriate for a rigorous master’s in renewable energy course.
This is one of the major global challenges faced by this generation and the generations of the future – and it is a daunting one. However, with the increasing use of renewable raw materials, the recycling of bi-products and water, the recovery of waste, the implementation of eco-compatible industrial processes and the deployment of a circular economy, hope remains. What is required are more highly skilled individuals to meet these challenges head on. The academic understanding one might gain from a renewable energy engineering degree or completion of a master’s in renewable energy engineering is crucial – but equally important is an understanding of how the societal and environmental issues of our century are the source of this current crisis.
MSbiotech: Master of science in biotechnology
The BioTechEco is an MSbiotech, a biotechnology degree of the highest standard.
BioEco graduates gain transferrable skills that are immediately useful in the industry and workplaces. As well as a more general biotech course, the BioTechEco can equally be regarded as a master of science in renewable energy and graduates can consider themselves to be able to master biotech management.
Such qualifications are demonstrably useful in the workplaces of today and will serve to future-proof BioEco graduates’ careers. Part of the course involves placements and apprenticeships in industrial biotech firms, meaning students not only gain crucial first-hand work experience, but they begin to transfer their mindset from learner to innovator.
The first semester of the BioTechEco takes place on the Toulouse campus, the premier student city in France.
The second semester will be carried out abroad at a partner university. Taking advantage of an international program, students will be able to choose between Italy, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, China, Vietnam, Germany, or the Philippines.
Below is a breakdown of the different teaching units composing this master’s program as well as the number of ECTS credits validated by each of them.
| Program | Localization | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 – Semester 1 | Toulouse | 30 |
| Systems Biology I, Synthetic Biology and Enzymatic Systems | 6 | |
| Biochemical Engineering I and Upstream and Downstream Bioprocesses I | 5 | |
| Ethical Issues I and Bioeconomy I | 4 | |
| Practical training in research laboratories | 15 |
| Program | Localization | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 – Semester 2 | International: partner universities | 30 |
| Systems Biology II, Microbial Systems and Upstream and Downstream Bioprocesses II | 5 | |
| Bioeconomy II | 25 |
Note: financial support may be granted to students during the second semester of the first year.
| Program | Localization | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 – Semester 3 | Toulouse | 30 |
| Life Cycle Assessment and Ethical Issues II | 5 | |
| Biochemical Engineering II and Enzymatic Systems II | 5 | |
| Entrepreneurial skills and leadership | 2 | |
| Bioprocess design and project management | 8 | |
| Practical courses | 10 |
| Program | Localization | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 – Semester 4 | Toulouse or international | 30 |
| 6 months in an industrial company or laboratory research team | 30 |
The different teaching units are assessed through examinations, written laboratory study reports, presentations, as well as group work. The purpose of these evaluations is to ensure an appropriate understanding of the concepts being taught throughout the course.