Studying to become a biologist

In France, becoming a médecin biologiste involves a long university course. This training enables the student to acquire both the cutting-edge scientific skills and the human qualities that are indispensable to the practice of this speciality. That's what we described in our micheacute;tier médecin biologiste. As the options are numerous and sometimes difficult to follow, we have prepared this article in order to clarify the different steps along the way.

What is a medical biologist?

The médecin biologist spends his or her days analyzing prélèvements - blood, urine, tissue - to help à understand what's going on in patients' bodies. It is he who interprets the test results and can tell whether the values are normal or indicate a health problem.

Installed in his laboratory, he collaborates closely with treating physicians. When a doctor receives a patient's test results, they have often worked together to interpret them correctly and adapt treatment if necessary.

It's an essential but discreet link in medical care. Thanks to his or her skills and the modern equipment at his or her disposal, he or she enables the care team to make clear decisions for the health of patients. Behind-the-scenes work, essential to the quality of care.

How to become a medical biologist?

Études générales de médecine

Before embarking on higher education, the future medical biologist must have a bachelor's degree with a scientific background. There are then two possible routes to health studies:

Le Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)

Introduced in 2020 to replace the PACES, the PASS combines a health major with a minor from another discipline.

• Evaluation is based on continuous assessment and final exams.
  
  
• Admitted students continue into their second year of medicine.
  
  
• The others can réorient themselves via their minor and retry later.

The PASS approach reduces the pressure associated with the former PACES single entrance exam, while diversifying the student's skills.

La Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS)

Another alternative since 2020, the L.AS combines a generalist bachelor's degree (sciences, law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a health minor.

• After the 1st, 2nd or 3rd year, students who meet the requirements can apply for a health minor.
  
  
• They then pass spécific proofs to intégrate the médecine, depending on their results.

This feature encourages réorientations and enriches career paths.

Après le PASS ou la L.AS

Medical studies continue in two successive diplomas:

• DFGSM (Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales) : three years including fundamental courses and first clinical placements (PASS or L.AS counting for the first).
  
  
• DFASM (Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales): three years of advanced teaching and internships in various hospital departments.

Éend-of-clerkship proofs

In the final year of the second cycle, students take several national assessments that determine access to their chosen speciality:

• EDN (preuves dématérialisées nationales): held in October, they account for 60% of the final grade and cover common medical knowledge. An average of at least 14/20 is required.
  
  
• ECOS (Examens cliniques objectifs et structurés): organized in May, they count for 30% of the final grade and assess clinical reasoning. The minimum mark is 10/20.
  
  
• Academic pathway mark: 10% of the final mark, awarded on the basis of student commitment, mobility, level of English and the uniqueness of the curriculum.
  

Specialization in medical biology

Once these steps have been completed, the student enters the four-year M&E Biology Internship program. This training alternates theory and practice:

• Theoretical training: specialized courses, seminars and conferences covering all biological disciplines (biochemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology…).
  
  
• Practical training: internships in hospital or private laboratories, participation in day-to-day activities and learning advanced techniques.
  

The intern must also write and defend a thesis to obtain a doctorate. At the end of this course, he obtains the DES de Biologie Médicale (Diplôme d’Études Spécialis;es).

Further training

Once qualified and registered with the Ordre des médecins, medical biologists can deepen their skills by taking additional training courses: These include molecular biology, genetics, toxicology, reproduction or specialized hematology. These complementary degrees strengthen her expertise and increase her attractiveness on the job market, giving her access to better job offers as a medical biologist.

The skills needed to become a médecin biologist

&At the end of his training, the young médecin biologist must:

• be proficient in biological analysis techniques (biochemistry, hématology, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology);
  
  
• &be able to interpret and validate results for clinicians;
  
  
• understand pathophysiological and pharmacological mechanisms related to analyses;
  
  
• assure advisory role in therapeutic follow-up.

Beyond the scientific aspect, he must develop human qualities: rigor, critical thinking, clear communication, pedagogy, the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and a sense of ethics.

Les débouchés et perspectives de carrière

Diploma medical biologists can work in a variety of environments: hospital laboratories, private facilities, research centers, universities, the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.

With experience, they will also be able to manage a laboratory, specialize in a cutting-edge discipline or move into teaching and research. The rise of biotechnologies and genetics will also open up new career prospects for them.

Finally, Medical Biology is one of the most demanding courses of study in health sciences. It takes 10 to 11 years of training to qualify for this specialty. At the end of this course, the medical biologist has a stimulating, varied and essential role to play in patient care. Combining science, technology and medicine, this discipline is establishing itself as an essential link in the healthcare system.

Have you read this article and would like to know more? Find out more in our mobiologist salary sheet!