Studying to become a biologist
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In France, becoming a medical biologist involves a long university course. This training enables students to acquire both the advanced scientific skills and the human qualities that are essential for practicing this specialty. This is what we described in our job description for biologists. As the options are numerous and sometimes difficult to follow, we have prepared this article to shed some light on the different stages along the way.
What is a medical biologist?
A medical biologist spends his or her days analyzing samples - blood, urine, tissue - to help understand what's going on inside a patient's body. It's the biologist who interprets test results, and can tell whether values are normal or indicate a health problem.
Based in his own laboratory, he works closely with the attending physicians. When a doctor receives a patient's test results, they have often discussed them with him or her in order to interpret them correctly and adapt treatment if necessary.
It's an essential but discreet link in the medical care chain. Thanks to his or her skills and the modern equipment at his or her disposal, he or she enables the healthcare team to make informed decisions for the patient's health. Behind-the-scenes work, essential to quality care.
How to become a medical biologist?
General medical studies
Before embarking on higher education, future medical biologists need to pass a science-based baccalaureate. There are then two possible routes to health studies:
The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
Introduced in 2020 to replace the PACES, the PASS combines a health major with a minor in another discipline.
- Assessment is based on continuous assessment and final exams.
- Those admitted continue into the second year of medical school.
- Others can reorient themselves via their minor and try again later.
The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.
The Health Access Licence (L.AS)
Another alternative since 2020, the L.AS combines a general bachelor's degree (science, law, literature, economics, etc.) with a health minor.
- After the 1st, 2nd or 3rd year, students who meet the requirements can apply for a degree in health.
- They then take specific tests to enter medicine, depending on their results.
This system encourages students to reorient their studies and enrich their career paths.
After the PASS or L.AS
Medical studies continue with two successive diplomas:
- DFGSM (Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales): three years including basic courses and initial clinical placements (PASS or L.AS counting as the first).
- DFASM (Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales): three years of advanced courses and internships in various hospital departments.
End-of-clerkship examinations
In the final year of the second cycle, students take a number of national examinations that determine their entry into their chosen specialty:
- EDN (Épreuves dématérialisées nationales): organized in October, these represent 60% of the final grade and focus on common medical knowledge. An average of at least 14/20 is required.
- ECOS (Examens cliniques objectifs et structurés): organized in May, they account for 30% of the final grade and assess clinical reasoning. The minimum mark is 10/20.
- Academic record: 10% of the final grade, taking into account student commitment, mobility, level of English and regularity in the curriculum.
Specialization in medical biology
Once these stages have been completed, students enter the four-yearmedical biology internship program. This training alternates theory and practice:
- Theoretical training: specialized courses, seminars and conferences covering all biological disciplines (biochemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, etc.).
- Practical training: internships in hospital or private laboratories, taking part in day-to-day activities and learning advanced techniques.
Interns must also write and defend a thesis to obtain a doctorate. At the end of this course, they are awarded the DES in Medical Biology (Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées).
Further training
Once qualified and registered with the Ordre des Médecins, medical biologists can deepen their skills by taking additional courses in molecular biology, genetics, toxicology, reproduction or specialized haematology. These additional diplomas strengthen their expertise and increase their attractiveness on the job market, giving them access to better job offers as a medical biologist.
The skills needed to become a medical biologist
At the end of their training, young biologists must :
- master biological analysis techniques (biochemistry, haematology, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology);
- be able to interpret and validate results for clinicians;
- understand pathophysiological and pharmacological mechanisms related to analyses;
- play an advisory role in therapeutic follow-up.
Beyond the scientific aspect, they must develop human qualities: rigor, a critical mind, clear communication, pedagogy, the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and a sense of ethics.
Career opportunities and prospects
Graduate medical biologists can work in a variety of environments: hospital laboratories, private facilities, research centers, universities, the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries.
With experience, they can also manage a laboratory, specialize in a cutting-edge discipline or move into teaching and research. The rise of biotechnology and genetics will also open up new career prospects.
All in all, medical biology studies are among the most demanding of all university health courses. It takes between 10 and 11 years of training to enter this specialty. At the end of this course, the medical biologist is in a stimulating and varied profession, essential to patient care. Combining science, technology and medicine, this discipline is a vital link in the healthcare system.
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