Target level of study
Master's degree
ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
The bioinformatics program at the University of Montpellier celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2021. With a multidisciplinary teaching team and a strong network of companies and laboratories that regularly host its interns, it offers students with bachelor's degrees in computer science, mathematics, biology, or bioinformatics the opportunity to acquire master's-level knowledge in bioinformatics.
The advantages of the training program
The program is supported by research teams in computer science and biology (LIRMM, ISEM, IRMB, IGH, etc.), which promotes exchanges between researchers and students.
Every year since 2013, the program has organized Montpellier Omics Days (https://www.montpellier-omics-days.fr/), a scientific event focusing on "omics" (genomics, transcriptomics, etc.) that brings together around 100 people for conferences and workshops.
A laboratory for educational innovation, the BioInformatics Learning Lab (BILL) perpetuates innovative teaching practices that bring together students from different programs.
Finally, the program has a student association and a very active alumni network.
Objectives
The scientific objective of the program is to train multidisciplinary scientists with in-depth skills in:
- Analysis of biological data (statistics, algorithmic processing, data mining) at the level of sequences, -omic data, molecular structures, expression data, etc.
- Design of methods, tools, databases, and information systems to process this type of data.
- Programming in different IT environments in line with the biological context
, including needs analysis, solution design, and adaptation to specific constraints. - Disseminate and present the results of the analyses.
Know-how and skills
Trained professionals thus acquire genuine dual skills and expertise specific to bioinformatics, as well as theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of biology and computer science.
Organization
Open alternately
Type of contract | Apprenticeship contract |
|---|
A schedule of training periods and work placements has been drawn up for the two years.
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Mandatory |
|---|---|
Duration of the internship | 5 |
Internship abroad | Possible |
Duration of the internship abroad | 5 |
Several internships and projects are included in the program: a two-month internship at the end of the first year and another five-month internship at the end of the second year, as well as two supervised projects at the beginning of each year.
Program
Select a program
Bioinformatics
The Bioinformatics Master's program currently consists of a single track of the same name. It allows students from different bachelor's degree programs to acquire skills that complement their training during the first semester of M1 through teaching units (UE) tailored to their backgrounds. Then, starting in the second semester of M1, they can train in bioinformatics through core teaching units. Two groupsof optionalteaching units in S2 and S3 allow students to give their training a focus on computer science or biology/health.
For more information, return to the section containing general information or scroll down to the section on the two years of M1 and M2 training.
Admission
Admission requirements
Hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, biology, or bioinformatics, or an equivalent degree. The master's degree can also be completed through continuing education and apprenticeship programs.
Registration procedures
Applications can be submitted on the following platforms:
French & European students:
- For the M1, follow the "My Master's Degree" procedure on the website: https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/
- For M2 students, applicants must submit their application via the e-candidat application: 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
Target audience
Students with bachelor's degrees in computer science, mathematics, biology, or bioinformatics.
Capacity
30 students per year
And after
Continuing education
Students who have earned a master's degree in Bioinformatics can continue their studies at the doctoral level.
Professional integration
Students will be able to pursue careers as engineers or researchers in the public and private sectors. In the private sector, they will be able to work in an R&D team, either in large corporations or in innovative SMEs. Alternatively, they will be able to take on management positions and, eventually, project manager roles in digital services companies (ESN) for the production of dedicated software tools. In the public sector, trained professionals will be able to work as hospital engineers or bioinformatics engineers, acting as an interface between computer science and life sciences.Graduates of the Master's in Bioinformatics can also pursue a PhD to become researchers, teacher-researchers, or research engineers in bioinformatics.