years of study

months of internship at least

international experience mandatory

Biotechnology Engineer in 5 years | Graduate

Full-time study

Sciences and health

Join ESTBB’s engineering program to build the skills needed for high-responsibility roles in biotechnology and beyond. You’ll develop expertise in biotechnology supported by a strong foundation in engineering sciences, complemented by essential skills in economics, social sciences, and management.

This degree is accredited by the French Commission for Engineering Diplomas (CTI)

Discover our
Biotechnology Engineer programme

6 good reasons to choose this programme

A common core year to choose your specialist programme
A strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation
A choice of 5 programmes to meet the challenges ahead
A solid foundation in engineering sciences
Hands-on learning with a range of real-life situations
The opportunity to take part in community engagement initiatives

Become a Biotechnology Engineer with ESTBB

You will gain access to senior positions, thanks to your biotechnology expertise combined with a solid foundation in engineering sciences and economic, social and managerial skills.

The course prepares you for a wide variety of careers in the pharmaceutical, veterinary, cosmetics, biotechnology and other industries. The 4 programmes offered in 4th and 5th years allow you to choose between highly scientific careers (research and development engineer, industrialisation engineer, etc.) or cross-disciplinary careers involving leadership and project management.

Degree Delivered

Title: “Engineering Degree – Biotechnology Major”
Accredited by the French CTI
Equivalent to a Master’s Degree

Research Opportunities

This program is supported by the Biosciences, Technologies & Ethics research cluster (#7).

Work experience in companies

The course includes at least 12 months in business:

- - Year 1: 1 month internship in an English-speaking situation (optional)
  - Year 2: 1 to 2 months of internship in a production organization within life sciences
  - Year 4: 4 months of internship
  - Year 5: 6 months internship

Word-linked training

Years 3, 4 and 5 can be followed on a work-study program.

Program

Each semester is structured around core modules:

Biosciences
Engineering Sciences and Techniques
Fundamental Sciences
Humanities : Management and Society
Language courses.

You also gain practical experience through internships at key points during your studies.

Preparatory Cycle

In Years 1 and 2, the Preparatory Cycle builds a solid foundation in scientific and engineering principles, helping you develop essential skills while gradually moving toward greater autonomy in your studies. These preparatory years introduce methods designed to foster independent learning and establish a strong academic base in biotechnology and engineering sciences.

Engineering Cycle

The Engineering Cycle offers specialized coursework and flexibility in study options. You can choose to complete the program under a traditional student status or through a work-study format as apprentices.

The curriculum under the student status covers diverse topics, and starting in your 4th year, you can choose from 4 specialized tracks:

INFECTIOLOGY

Develop expertise in infectious diseases (viruses, bacteria, parasites).
Create innovative solutions to combat diseases in humans, animals, and plants.
Design products like vaccines, drugs, and medical devices.
Lead international research projects to fight infectious agents.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND E-HEALTH TRACK

Use AI and big data to optimize living material production.
Leverage digital technologies to improve healthcare systems.
Implement digital transformations in biotech processes.
Consider ethical and social responsibilities in digital health solutions.

INNOVATION MANAGEMENT IN BIOTECHNOLOGY TRACK

Identify opportunities to develop new biotech products.
Design innovative methods to optimize biotech processes.
Lead projects in complex environments to create economic value.
Integrate ethical, economic, and sustainability considerations.

PROCESS ENGINEERING APPLIED TO LIVING SYSTEMS TRACK

Master large-scale cell and microorganism culture processes.
Use mathematics and computer science to model production units.
Optimize processes and yields for automated cell cultures.
Master separation and purification techniques.

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles in life science industries (biotech, pharma, veterinary, cosmetics, etc.). Depending on the chosen specialization, typical positions include:

Infectious Diseases: Research Scientist, Development Engineer, Validation Engineer.
Innovation Management: Biotechnology Project Manager, Innovation Engineer, Consultant.
Bioprocess Engineering: Bioproduction Manager, Industrialization Engineer, Quality Manager.
Digital Transformation & e-Health: Data Scientist, Digital Project Manager, AI Engineer.

Discover the
program
detailed

YEAR 1

BIOSCIENCES

Functional organization of biomolecules
Structural organization and cellular functioning
Structural and functional genomics
Living organisms: animals and plants / Ecology
Animal and plant physiology
Microbiology

ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNIQUES

Computer science
Statistics
Physical analysis techniques

FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCES

Chemistry of matter, analytical and organic chemistry
Physics
Mathematics

HUMANITIES: MANAGEMENT AND SOCIETY

Sports, toolbox (methodology and communication), humanitarian project
Professional development project

LANGUAGES

English and a second foreign language (LV2)

INTERNSHIP

1-month internship optional in an English-speaking environment

YEAR 2

BIOSCIENCES

Metabolic biochemistry
Chemical kinetics and enzymology
Cell biology – signaling pathways
Genetic engineering
Bacteriology, virology, and parasitology
Animal and plant physiology
Immunology
Ecosystem biology

ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNIQUES

Computer science
Analytical sciences
Electronics
Biostatistics

FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCES

Organic chemistry
Physics
Mathematics

HUMANITIES: MANAGEMENT AND SOCIETY

Interculturality, ecological transition, and sustainable development
Professional development project

LANGUAGES

English and a second foreign language (LV2)

INTERNSHIP

4 to 8-week internship in production

YEAR 4 – UNDER STUDENT STATUS (FISE)

CORE CURRICULUM

ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Information Systems
Biotechnology Economics: Challenges and Requirements
Regulatory Requirements
Geopolitics and Economics of International Industries
Entrepreneurship – Level 2 – Applications to Health

HUMANITIES: MANAGEMENT AND SOCIETY

Personalized Professional Project
Ethics of Research, Emerging Technologies, and AI
Management – Level 1

LANGUAGES

English and Second Foreign Language (LV2)

INTERNSHIP

Assistant Engineer Internship (8 to 17 weeks)

TRACK 1: INNOVATION MANAGEMENT IN BIOTECHNOLOGIES

Biotechnology Innovation – Level 1
Development of Critical Thinking
Business Management
Innovation Management and Creativity
Experimental Methods in Biotechnologies

TRACK 2: INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Immunology Issues in Health
Advanced Virology and Related Technologies
Environmental Microbiology
Infectious Microbiology
Experimental Methods
Public Health and Epidemiology

TRACK 3: BIOPROCESS ENGINEERING

Unit Operations
Separation and Purification Engineering
Biocatalysis and Bioreactors
Cell Engineering
Experimental Methods
Bioprocess Industrialization

TRACK 4: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND E-HEALTH

High-Throughput Sequencing Data Analysis Methods
Artificial Intelligence
Genetics and Population Dynamics
Public Health and Epidemiology
Immunology Issues in Health
Advanced Programming

YEAR 4 - APPRENTICE STATUS (FISA)

BIOTECHNOLOGIES

Bioresource and Biomarker Engineering
Immunology Challenges in Biotechnologies
Environmental and Infectious Microbiology
Experimental Methods (including project)
One World, One Health: Public Health and Epidemiology in both Bioresources and Infectious Diseases

ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNIQUES

Separation and Purification Engineering
Biocatalysis and Bioreactors (examples in Virology and Infectious Bacteriology)
Core Unit Operations
Regulatory Requirements (IP, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Research, Pharmacovigilance)
Advanced Programming

HUMANITIES: MANAGEMENT AND SOCIETY