ECTS
60 credits
Duration
1 year
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
The Animal Physiology/Neuroscience track of the Life Sciences bachelor's degree is a multidisciplinary scientific program that addresses the physiological functioning of animals, including humans, with a strong focus on three disciplines: neuroscience, muscular and cardiac physiology, and nutrition.
Open course in Health Access (L.AS).
80%
Success rate
Objectives
This initial training is a general bachelor's degree that should enable students to continue their studies with a first year of a master's degree (or equivalent) in the three major disciplines of neuroscience, muscle and cardiac physiology, and nutrition.
The courses taught should enable students to receive basic scientific training and acquire knowledge in order to develop their scientific mindset.
The PAN program offers a balance between lectures, tutorials, and practical work so that knowledge can be acquired in a complementary manner between lectures and tutorials and in an experimental, practical way through numerous practical sessions.
In addition, a specific teaching module, a tutored project, allows students to tackle a research topic in a professional setting under the supervision of a tutor, thereby developing their autonomy. This involves group work using scientific communication techniques such as writing a summary report, creating a slideshow, and giving an oral presentation to a panel.
A significant proportion of the teaching units (UE) in the first year of the Bachelor's degree (L1) in Life Sciences, Health and the Environment (SVSE) are focused on biology, but the course does not really begin until the second year (L2). Furthermore, the second year (L2) and third year (L3) are closely linked, with L3 building on the knowledge acquired in L2. Students in L1 and L2 also study many biology subjects in addition to the three major disciplines of chemistry, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, and immunology, which are essential for developing a scientific mind
.
Know-how and skills
Knowledge:
o Knowledge of the basic concepts in the disciplines essential to the training of a biologist, with a particular focus on the PAN program, which reinforces knowledge in 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 use concepts and tools from different disciplines to analyze a document, an observation, or the results of an experiment;
o Ability to develop a logical argument with a critical mind (limitations, comparison with the bibliography, defense of a point of view using a structured and logical argument, etc.) ;
o Know how to search for and extract information critically, prioritize sources of information and identify their reliability, and synthesize them;
o Know how to prepare oral presentations and written scientific reports, using illustrations and a level of language appropriate to the audience, with the help of
appropriate computer tools;
o Be able to address a scientific issue, 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 search for information to develop a training plan, know how to write a resume and cover letter, and use professional networking tools. Know how to successfully complete a project within a group.
• Interpersonal skills:
o Ability to work independently, adapt to new situations, and take appropriate initiative;
o Ability to self-assess and question oneself in order to learn;
o Ability to position oneself within a group for the purpose of implementing a project, listen, and engage in constructive dialogue;
o Comply with legal, ethical, and professional rules for the use and production of documents (plagiarism, sources, copyright, and citations, falsification of data);
o Comply with legal, ethical, and professional rules for the handling of living organisms;
o Respect others, respect the equipment and organisms on which you are working.
The skills that students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences with a focus on PAN must acquire are:
1) Disciplinary skills:
• Understand the different levels of functional organization of living organisms (from cells to entire organisms);
• 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
• Knowledge of the chemical senses of smell and taste in terms of information reception and processing
• Knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and main pathologies of the central and peripheral nervous systems
• Ability to perform surgical techniques on anesthetized animals;
• Ability to construct scientific reports based on experimental results
2) Cross-disciplinary skills:
• Knowledge:
o Understanding the basic concepts of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, immunology, and genetics, as well as the processes of knowledge formation in different disciplines (hypotheses, experimental results, controversial findings, mathematical theorems, scientific facts)
Organization
Program
The PAN program for the Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences (L2 and L3) is spread over four semesters, each comprising teaching units (UEs) validated by ECTS credits. It follows on from the L1 Life Sciences, Health and Environment (SVSE) program. Throughout the three years of the bachelor's degree, there are numerous pathways to other bachelor's degree programs and other courses (IUT, BTS, CPGE, engineering schools).
The list of Teaching Units can be found on the Faculty of Sciences website
It is also possible to take an additional Teaching Unit (with a maximum of 34 ECTS per semester).
Communication Techniques and Scientific English
4 creditsPractical Work in Animal Physiology
4 creditsImmunology (from response to infection to autoimmune diseases)
4 creditsOlfactory and Gustatory Physiology
4 creditsEnglish S5
2 creditsIntegrated Neurobiology and Cognition
4 creditsCellular Neurobiology and Neurophysiology
4 creditsCardiac Physiology
4 credits
Cellular Communication and Pharmacology
4 creditsNeuropathology
Muscular and Cardiac Disorders
5 creditsPhysiology and Pathology of Nutrition
4 creditsSensory Neurophysiology and Motor Skills
4 creditsEndocrine physiology
5 creditsProject or internship
3 credits
Admission
Admission requirements
Enrollment is possible for students who have obtained a L2 SV PAN degree from the Faculty of Science at the University of Montpellier, or obtained outside of the Faculty of Science at the University of Montpellier, or equivalent in higher education: bachelor's degree, preparatory class, DUT (university technical diploma).
Applications can be submitted on the following platforms:
- French and European students: follow the procedure on the University of Montpellier's e-candidat website: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 procedure for students outside the L2 PAN bachelor's degree program must be completed via the Faculty of Science's e-candidat portal. Acceptance is not automatic: it is decided on a case-by-case basis by an educational committee. The capacity (logistical and human resources) is 160 students in L3 PAN (including repeat students), of which 10-20 are external, i.e., not enrolled in L2 PAN Montpellier.
Target audience
On average, the majority (80%) of external students come from the UM's internal IUT or other universities, with a minority (20%) coming from other bachelor's degrees outside the UM, IUTs, or preparatory classes. Based on observations from previous years. The PAN program in the SV bachelor's degree at the University of Montpellier is very attractive, with more than 200 applications each year. We advise candidates for the L3 PAN to clearly indicate in their cover letter what they wish to do after their bachelor's degree, so that the committee can best judge the suitability of the program for the candidates' academic or professional plans.
Mandatory prerequisites
To be admitted to L3, applicants must have obtained an L2 or equivalent degree with a significant portion of their coursework relevant to the content of L2 PAN, particularly in Animal Physiology, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Immunology, and Genetics.
Recommended prerequisites
A foundation in animal physiology, neuroanatomy, and neuron biology is highly recommended for admission to the third year.
And after
Continuing education
The SV PAN bachelor's degree is a general degree: although there may be opportunities for professional integration upon completion of this degree, the majority of students go on to pursue a master's degree. The generalist and multidisciplinary nature of the SV PAN bachelor's degree allows students to enter many first years of master's programs (M1).
1- Towards research careers with a first year of Master's:
Currently, many students continue their studies with a Master's in a specialized field, and, where applicable, they go on to pursue a PhD. The level of training provided by the SV PAN bachelor's degree allows students to enter the first years of the Master's in Biology and Health in Montpellier, in the Neuroscience track (around 20 students), the Experimental and Regenerative Medicine track (around 15 students), and the BIOTIN track track (2 to 3 students), and the Design, Evaluation, and Management of Therapeutic Trials track (1 to 2 students).
In recent years, a large proportion of students have enrolled in master's programs related to neuroscience at other French universities.
2- Other possibilities:
A minority of students manage to enter engineering schools related to the training they have received. Others can prepare for various bachelor's degree-level competitive examinations, in particular those leading to careers in forensic science.
Continuing studies abroad
It is possible to complete part of your studies abroad as part of the ERASMUS program.
Each year, between one and three students spend their third year of undergraduate studies abroad, mainly at universities in the United Kingdom.
Gateways and reorientation
Access to the PAN program from other SV programs will require returning to L2 and will be subject to the approval of the program director (based on application).
Similarly, a PAN student who wishes to switch to another SV program must obtain the approval of the program director and consider returning to L2.
Professional integration
The vast majority of L3 PAN students continue their university studies with a first year of master's degree (master1), and for the others, who are a very small minority, it is very difficult to know precisely what they will do next.