ECTS
60 credits
Duration
1 year
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Language(s) of Instruction
French
Overview
The Animal Physiology/Neuroscience track of the Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences is a multidisciplinary scientific program that explores the physiological functioning of animals, including humans, with a strong focus on three disciplines: neuroscience, muscular and cardiac physiology, and nutrition.
Program available through Accès Santé (L.AS).
80%
Success Rate
Objectives
This undergraduate program is a general bachelor’s degree designed to enable students to continue their studies by entering the first year of a master’s program (or equivalent) in the three major disciplines: neuroscience, muscular and cardiac physiology, and nutrition.
The courses offered are designed to provide students with a basic scientific education and to help them acquire the knowledge necessary to develop a scientific mindset.
The PAN program offers a balance between lectures (CM), tutorials (TD), and laboratory sessions (TP) so that knowledge acquisition occurs in a complementary manner through lectures and tutorials, as well as experimentally and practically through numerous laboratory sessions.
In addition, a specific course module—a tutored project—is offered to enable students to explore a research topic in a professional setting under the guidance of a tutor, thereby developing their autonomy. This involves group work using scientific communication techniques such as drafting a summary report, creating a slide presentation, and defending an oral presentation before a panel.
A significant portion of the course units (UE) in the first year of the Bachelor’s degree (L1) in Life Sciences, Health, and Environment (SVSE) focuses on biology, but the program does not truly begin until the second year (L2). Furthermore, the L2 and third year (L3) are closely linked, with the L3 building on the knowledge acquired in the L2. Students in L1 and L2 also study numerous biology-related subjects in addition to the three major disciplines—such as chemistry, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, and immunology—which are essential for training
with a scientific mindset.
Expertise and Skills
Knowledge:
o Understand the basic concepts in the disciplines essential to the training of a biologist; specifically, for students in the PAN track, this involves deepening
their knowledge of neuroscience, muscular and cardiac physiology, and nutrition in order to develop a scientific mindset (hypotheses, experimental results, controversial findings, scientific facts).
• Skills:
o Ability to apply concepts and tools from various disciplines to analyze a document, an observation, or the results of an experiment;
o Ability to develop a logical argument using critical thinking (identifying limitations, comparing findings with the literature, defending a point of view through a well-structured and logical argument, etc.) ;
o Be able to critically search for and extract information, prioritize information sources and assess their reliability, and synthesize the information;
o Be able to prepare oral presentations and scientific written reports, using illustrations and language appropriate for the target audience, with the aid
of appropriate computer tools;
o Be able to address a scientific problem, propose and implement an observational or experimental approach, analyze the resulting
data using appropriate computer tools to prepare a scientific report and an oral presentation with slides;
o Know how to research information to develop a training plan, know how to write a resume and a cover letter, and use professional networking tools. Know how to successfully carry out a project as part of a group.
• Interpersonal Skills:
o Ability to work independently, adapt to new situations, and take appropriate initiative;
o Ability to self-assess and reflect on one’s own performance in order to learn;
o Ability to find one’s role within a group to carry out a project, listen effectively, and engage in constructive dialogue;
o Comply with legal, ethical, and professional standards regarding the use and production of documents (plagiarism, sources, copyright, citations, and data falsification);
o Comply with legal, ethical, and professional standards regarding the handling of living organisms;
o Respect others, as well as the equipment and organisms with which one works.
The skills that students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences (PAN track) are expected to acquire are:
1) Subject-specific competencies:
• Understand the different levels of functional organization in living organisms (ranging from the cell to the entire organism);
• Understand the major physiological functions
• Understand the mechanisms of membrane transport
• Understand the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems;
• Understand the anatomy and physiology of the heart and skeletal striated muscles;
• Understand the basic concepts of pharmacology and cellular communication;
• Understand the basic concepts of endocrinology
• Understand the physiology and pathologies of nutrition
• Understand the chemical senses—smell and taste—in terms of information reception and processing
• Understand the anatomy, physiology, and major pathologies of the central and peripheral nervous systems
• Be able to perform surgical procedures on anesthetized animals;
• Be able to write scientific reports based on experimental results
2) Cross-disciplinary skills:
• Knowledge:
o Understand the basic concepts of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, immunology, and genetics, as well as the processes by which knowledge is developed in various disciplines (hypotheses, experimental results, controversial findings, mathematical theorems, scientific facts)
Organization
Program
The PAN track of the Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences (L2 and L3) is spread over 4 semesters, each comprising course units (UEs) awarded ECTS credits. It follows the L1 degree in Life Sciences, Health, and Environment (SVSE). Throughout the three-year bachelor’s program, there are numerous pathways to other bachelor’s programs and academic tracks (IUT, BTS, CPGE, engineering schools).
The list of Course Units can be found on the Faculty of Sciences website:
It is also possible to take an additional Course Unit (up to a maximum of 34 ECTS per semester).
Communication Skills and Scientific English
4 creditsAnimal Physiology Lab Sessions
4 creditsImmunology (from the immune response to infections to autoimmune diseases)
4 creditsPhysiology of Smell and Taste
4 creditsEnglish S5
2 creditsIntegrated Neurobiology and Cognition
4 creditsNeurobiology and Cellular Neurophysiology
4 creditsCardiac Physiology
4 credits
Cell Communication and Pharmacology
4 creditsNeuropathology
Muscular and Cardiac Disorders
5 creditsPhysiology and Pathology of Nutrition
4 creditsSensory Neurophysiology and Motor Function
4 creditsEndocrine Physiology
5 creditsProject or Internship
3 credits
Admission
Admission Requirements
Admission is open to students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree (L2) in SV PAN from the Faculty of Sciences (FdS) at the University of Montpellier, or who have earned a similar degree outside the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Montpellier, or an equivalent higher education degree: Bachelor’s degree, preparatory class, or DUT.
Applications can be submitted through the following platforms:
- French and European students: Follow the application process on the University of Montpellier's e-candidat portal:https://candidature.umontpellier.fr/candidature/
- International students from outside the EU: Follow the “Études en France” procedure: https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html
Registration Procedures
The registration process for students not enrolled in the L2 PAN bachelor’s program must be completed through the Faculty of Sciences’ e-candidat portal. Admission is not automatic; it is determined on a case-by-case basis by an academic committee. The program’s capacity (in terms of logistical and human resources) is 160 students in the L3 PAN program (including those repeating the year), of whom 10–20 are external students, i.e., those not enrolled in the L2 PAN program at Montpellier.
Target Audience
On average, the majority—80%—of external applicants come from the UM’s own IUT or from other universities, with a minority—20%—coming from other bachelor’s programs outside UM, from IUTs, or from preparatory classes. Based on observations from previous years. The PAN track of the University of Montpellier’s SV bachelor’s degree program is very attractive, receiving more than 200 applications each year. We advise applicants to the L3 PAN program to clearly state in their statement of purpose what they hope to do after completing their bachelor’s degree, so that the admissions committee can best assess whether the program aligns with the applicants’ academic or professional goals.
Mandatory Prerequisites
To be admitted to the L3 program, applicants must have completed an L2 degree or its equivalent, with a significant portion of their coursework aligned with the curriculum of the L2 PAN program, particularly in Animal Physiology, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Immunology, and Genetics.
Recommended Prerequisites
A foundation in animal physiology, as well as in neuroanatomy and neuronal biology, is strongly recommended for admission to the third year of the program.
And then
Continuing Education
The SV Bachelor’s Degree with a PAN track is a general degree: although there may be opportunities for entry into the workforce upon graduation, the majority of students choose to continue their studies in a master’s program. The generalist and multidisciplinary nature of the SV Bachelor’s Degree with a PAN track allows students to enter many first-year master’s programs (M1).
1- A Path to Research Careers with a First Year of Master’s Study:
Currently, many students continue their studies in a Master’s program in a specialized disciplinary field, and, where applicable, go on to pursue a Ph.D. The academic level of the SV Bachelor’s degree with the PAN track enables students to enter the first years of the Master’s program offered by the Biology and Health Master’s program in Montpellier, in the Neurosciences track (about 20 students), the Experimental and Regenerative Medicine track (about 15 students), and the BIOTIN track track (2 to 3 students), and the Design, Evaluation, and Management of Clinical Trials track (1 to 2 students).
In recent years, a large number of students have enrolled in master’s programs related to neuroscience at other French universities.
2- Other options:
Some students from underrepresented groups are able to gain admission to engineering schools based on the education they have received. Others can prepare for various bachelor’s-level entrance exams, particularly the one leading to careers in forensic science.
Continuing Your Education Abroad
It is possible to complete part of your studies abroad through the ERASMUS program.
Each year, between 1 and 3 students spend their third year of undergraduate studies abroad, primarily at universities in the United Kingdom.
Transition Programs and Reorientation
Admission to the PAN track from other tracks within the SV major will require returning to the second year (L2) and is subject to approval by the program director (based on the student’s application).
Similarly, a PAN student who wishes to switch to another track within the SV major must obtain the program director’s approval and be prepared to return to the second year (L2).
Employment Placement
The vast majority of third-year PAN students continue their academic studies with the first year of a master’s program (Master 1), and for the others—who make up a very small minority—it is very difficult to know exactly what their future holds.