Lab Immersion

A typical project will involve “hands-on” wetlab experimentation and data analysis, although theoretical and computationally-oriented projects are also possible.

A Lab Immersion enables students to apply the cross-disciplinary skills they have gained during their studies to practical challenges.

Lab immersions can be done inside EPFL (8-12 credits) or outside EPFL (22 credits, in academia or industry).

Lab Immersions at EPFL

Lab immersion I – 8 credits (BIO-501)
Lab immersion II – 8 credits (BIO-502)
Lab immersion III – 12 credits (BIO-503)

BIO-501, BIO-502 and BIO-503 cannot be done outside EPFL.

Project options are available on the individual SV laboratory websites or can be discussed directly with a head of laboratory. 

You can also search by SV research institute:

Global Health Institute (GHI)
Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC)
Neuroscience – Brain Mind Institute (BMI)
Bioengineering Laboratories (IBI)
Neuro-X
Core facilities

Projects outside the School of Life Sciences require approval of the SV section. A description of the project should be sent on the LSE support platform for validation.

The duration and timing of the Lab Immersion should be agreed between the student and project supervisor. The usual organization is:

During the semester 

  • 8 credits projects: 16h/week during 14 weeks
  • 12 credits projects: 24h/week during 14 weeks

During summer 

  • 8 credits projects: 42h/week (full-time) during 5 weeks
  • 12 credits projects: 42h/week (full-time) during 8 weeks

Total workload = 240h (8 credits) or 360h (12 credits)

Registration has to be done at the latest 2 weeks after the beginning of the semester.

For SV students:

  1. When you register on ISA, please download the pdf form (via pdf icon)
  2. Ask your supervisor to sign it
  3. Send it on the LSE support platform
  • No more than 30 credits can be validated for Lab Immersions (including a minor project)
  • For students who take iGEM lab or iGEM, no more than 24 credits can be validated for Lab Immersions (including a minor project)
  • With agreement of the section SV, only one 8 credit Lab Immersion can be validated within a specialization. Please submit your request on the LSE support platform

The evaluation method should be clearly defined and agreed upon with the head of laboratory beforehand. It usually involves a written report and/or an oral presentation.

For more information, see the course description for your specific Lab Immersion option.

Lab Immersions outside EPFL

Lab immersion outside EPFL in academia (BIO-504)
Lab immersion outside EPFL in industry (BIO-506)

All Lab Immersions outside EPFL require the approval of the SV section:

  1. Download and complete the relevant form (below)
  2. The form must be approved and signed by an EPFL supervising professor
  3. Submit the form to the SV section for final signature on the LSE support platform
  • No more than 30 credits can be taken from Lab Immersions (including a minor project)
  • A maximum of 38 credits can be validated in industry (including the industry internship), therefore validation of a BIO-506 implies that the Master project has to be carried out in academia.
  • External Master students cannot validate more than 30 credits outside EPFL. This implies that external Master students can do either a 22 credits Lab immersion outside EPFL or a 30 credits Master project outside EPFL but not both

Students must provide 2 reports to their EPFL supervisor:

  • First report 7 weeks after the start of the project
  • Second report 14 weeks after the start of the project

BIO-504 and BIO-506 are evaluated upon a pass/fail system (no grade).

For more information, see the course description for your specific Lab Immersion option.

Relevant forms can be found on the SV Education Moodle (EPFL access only). The filled forms must be sent to the section using the LSE support platform.