Intended Level of Study
5 years of post-secondary education
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Overview
The Master’s program in Biology and Agrosciences (BA) is a joint program accredited by the University of Montpellier and the Institut Agro de Montpellier. Nationally, it is the only program to offer Master’s tracks that cover the full range of life sciences applied to the broad field of agrosciences, including plant biology, the biology of microorganisms and their interactions with all types of hosts, biotechnology, and food science.
The program’s structure, which is divided into seven tracks, allows it to cover the various scientific and technological fields mentioned above:
- 4 tracks in Plant Sciences: Plant Biology for Agro-Environment (BiPa), Plant-Microorganism Interactions (IPM), Biotechnology and Tropical Plant Breeding (BAPT), and Plant Experimentation Management (MEV),
- Microorganisms-Hosts-Environments Interactions (IMHE) Program,
- Biotechnology Programs: Biomolecular Engineering and Nanotechnology (Ibion-Tec),
- Engineering Sciences Program for the Rational Design of Foods: Engineering for the Eco-Design of Foods (ICOA).
This program of study (the 7 tracks and the course units offered in each track) is presented on the Master's in Biology and Agrosciences website: https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/
The curriculum is based on research-oriented education, thanks to the number and quality of Montpellier’s laboratories in all the fields covered, with a strong focus on the public and private research sectors in the BiPa, IPM, BAPT, and IMHE programs. The MEV, Ibion-Tec, and ICOA programs, while drawing on the campus’s laboratories, involve a stronger partnership with professionals from private companies.
The entire program incorporates innovative teaching methods (collaborative and interdisciplinary practical work, project-based learning, innovative projects in partnership with businesses, student-organized scientific events, collaborative scientific research, interdisciplinary learning labs, etc.).
The Master’s in Biology and Agrosciences includes two required internships as part of the program: one lasting 3 to 5 months during the first year (M1) and one lasting 5 to 6 months during the second year (M2). Depending on the students’ preferences and the track they follow within the Master’s program, these internships may be more research-oriented or industry-oriented. For the research track, these internships provide high-level training through research. The wealth of laboratories in Montpellier in the program’s fields of study (at the national level, Montpellier is the leading research hub in these scientific fields) allows students to find internships that align with their interests and career goals. Thanks to the international networks it has built, the faculty also enables students to complete internships in laboratories in Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, Asia, or Africa.
For a limited number of students (2 to 3 per track, selected based on the excellence of their academic records) who wish to acquire additional skills in project management, a dual degree program with the Montpellier Institute of Business Administration (IAE Montpellier) may be offered.
Objectives
The Master’s in Biology and Agrosciences at Montpellier trains professionals for research and the research and development sector in fields ranging from biological sciences for the agro-environment to biotechnology and the utilization of agricultural resources. Graduates will possess a solid scientific and technical foundation and will have gained initial professional experience. This Master’s program aims to train project managers for companies involved in plant breeding and/or plant protection, biotechnology, and the agri-food industry. It also aims to train scientific professionals to develop and lead basic or applied research in public or private laboratories, both in France and abroad.
Through the quality of its instruction, the variety of programs offered, its strong ties to research, partnerships with professionals in the private sector, and its international collaboration networks, the Master’s in Biology and Agrosciences program at Montpellier offers students numerous opportunities to build a career path that closely aligns with their aspirations in a motivating environment. The teaching teams for each track assist students in selecting internships that align with their career goals.
Expertise and Skills
Knowledge:
- Gain in-depth knowledge, particularly in the areas of the student’s chosen track,
- Master the key research strategies used to address the scientific questions at the heart of the student’s chosen field of study,
- Have a solid understanding of the tools and concepts from related disciplines that can be applied to understand how living organisms function or how to make the most of them (physics, chemistry, computer science, etc.).
- Acquire the management and project management skills necessary for executive training.
Expertise:
- Be able to draw on concepts and tools from various disciplines to design an experiment, analyze results, and draw conclusions and/or develop operational models.
- Be able to identify the questions raised at different levels of organization (molecule, cell, whole organism, organism in relation to its environment) and integrate them into a multiscale analysis.
- Know how to search for relevant scientific information to address a given problem, prioritize that information, compare and contrast it, synthesize it, and develop working hypotheses for further research.
- Be able to communicate clearly and accurately while adapting to the audience, through oral or written presentations.
- Be able to lead a project within a group, and identify and establish collaborations with researchers or professionals who bring related skills and expertise.
Interpersonal Skills:
- Be able to work independently,
- Be able to work as part of a team, develop and implement a joint project
- Comply with legal, ethical, and scientific standards related to experimentation, publication, and the use of documents, as well as the sharing of biological resources and partnerships.
Program
The Master’s in Biology and Agrosciences is organized into 7 tracks, covering all of the program’s scientific and technological fields:
1/ The Plant Biology program is divided into four tracks. To ensure that all students develop strong skills in plant biology, many courses are shared across the tracks; however, some courses are specific to each track to offer students genuine specialization and enable them to refine their career plans. These four tracks are:
- Plant Biology for the Agro-Environment (BiPa)
- Plant-Microorganism Interactions (PMI)
- Biotechnology and Tropical Plant Breeding (BAPT)
- Plant Experimentation Management (MEV)
2/ The Microorganisms-Hosts-Environments Interactions (IMHE) track offers training in microbiology and in all aspects of ecology and adaptive interactions between microorganisms, their hosts (plants, invertebrates, higher animals, and humans), and their natural or anthropogenic environments.
3/ The Biomolecular Engineering and Nanobiotechnology (Ibion-Tec) program is a multidisciplinary course of study (biology, physics, chemistry, electronics, etc.) that provides students with hands-on experience through projects, training them to become designers and managers of R&D projects in biotechnology and nanobiotechnology focused on applied molecular diagnostic and detection methods.
4/ The Engineering for Eco-Design of Food (ICOA) program integrates tools for food design and development while taking into account the environmental impact of processing methods and supply chains. At the intersection of life sciences (biology/biotechnology) and process engineering, this program prepares students for careers in the agri-food industry (production, R&D) and, more broadly, in sectors dedicated to the processing and utilization of agricultural resources (materials, energy, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.).
This academic offering and the curricula for the seven tracks are presented on the Master's in Biology and Agrosciences website: https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/master-biologie-agrosciences/
Select a program
Plant Biology for the Agro-Environment (BiPa)
The Plant Biology for Agro-Environment (BiPa) track offers a multidisciplinary program focused on knowledge derived from major model organisms such as Arabidopsis thaliana, as well as from crop plants that are now emerging as valid models (rice, corn, etc.). Our program covers the full range of plant science topics (plant adaptation to climate change, developmental biology, mineral nutrition, ecophysiology, and plant-microorganism interactions). In addition to traditional approaches to biology, we also emphasize modeling and bioinformatics—disciplines that are now essential for leveraging the massive amounts of data generated on a daily basis.
For more information about this course and its content, visit https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/biologie-des-plantes/biologie-des-plantes-pour-lagro-environnement/
Plant-Microorganism Interactions (PMI)
Plants form the basis of our food chain, both directly and indirectly. In their environment, plants are constantly interacting with microorganisms that make up their microbiome. Some of these microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) cause serious damage to crops, while others generally improve their health (nutrition, growth, or disease resistance). Consequently, a strategy for addressing the challenges of both production and food safety—for animals and humans alike—is to understand how plants respond to, adapt to, and potentially benefit from the presence of microorganisms in their environment.
For more information about this course and its content, visit https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/biologie-des-plantes/interactions-plantes-microorganimes/
Biotechnology and Tropical Plant Breeding (BAPT)
The Biotechnology and Tropical Plant Breeding (BAPT) track is based on course units (CUs) shared with the BiPa, IPM, and MEV tracks, designed to provide a foundation of fundamental knowledge in the fields of genetics and genomics, cellular and molecular biology, plant biology (development, ecophysiology, basics of interactions with microorganisms, etc.), and the tools required for a scientific approach (statistics, bioinformatics, critical analysis, project management, etc.). This core curriculum also includes an internship during the M1 and M2 years, which allows students to contribute to the development of a research project in a laboratory at a public institute or a private company.
Through specific course units—including a specialized thematic track and elective options offered in the M1 and M2 years—the Biotechnology and Tropical Plant Breeding track focuses on mastering biotechnology tools as well as gaining practical knowledge of plant breeding, with a particular emphasis on the major food and cash crops of Mediterranean and tropical regions. A specific first-year (M1) module, shared with the IBION-Tec track, covers engineering approaches aimed at producing phytomolecules of interest.
Given the projected global population growth in the coming years, one of the major challenges for development is to support increased agricultural production in the Global South amid global warming. Thus, the two specialized modules in the M2 program allow students to work in small groups on a project centered on a research question aimed at improving a crop’s resilience to environmental changes (water stress, poor soil, etc.). To do so, students are required to apply their knowledge to analyze plant phenotypes and adaptive strategies, model them, and propose a breeding goal (ideotype). The thematic school “Functional Genomics of Tropical and Mediterranean Plants” aims to illustrate, through case studies, how knowledge gained from model species and the use of genomic data on species that have not yet been extensively studied can be used to design classical or biotechnological breeding strategies tailored to enhance stress resistance in major tropical species. This program, which facilitates exchanges among master’s students, doctoral candidates, and researchers, also highlights the structures and tools for partnerships that enable the development of international and inter-institutional collaborative research projects focused on development assistance. Through the elective options offered, students can tailor their education to either delve deeper into plant adaptation to climate change or their resistance to biotic stresses, or explore the human and social dimensions of plant breeding. Finally, drawing on the international campus in Montpellier—which is Europe’s leading research hub in plant sciences dedicated to the improvement of Mediterranean and tropical crop species, thanks in particular to the presence ofthe IRD (French Research Institute for Development) and CIRAD (Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development)— students will have access to a wide range of internships in France or abroad, giving them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience conducting research on a tropical crop species and/or to participate in a field research project in the Global South in partnership with a national or international research institute.
In addition to this specialization, skills that complement scientific expertise are considered essential in all tracks of the Master’s program in Biology and Agrosciences, and they are fully integrated into the curriculum of the Biotechnology and Tropical Plant Breeding track. These include literature review, database management and utilization, scientific communication, and project design, management, and execution.
For more information about this course and its content, visit https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/biologie-des-plantes/biotechnologie-et-amelioration-des-plantes-tropicales/
Plant Management and Experimentation (MEV)
The vast majority of plant-based foods are produced through intensive agriculture. This form of agriculture was introduced in France after World War II. It perfectly met the socioeconomic demands of the time by enabling the production of food in large quantities and at low cost. The development of intensive agriculture was made possible only through fundamental research in various fields such as plant biology and physiology, genetics, and agronomy. Currently, it is widely accepted that advances in crop yields are due half to agronomy and half to genetics. This historical experience suggests that a multidisciplinary approach, supported by extensive scientific research, is necessary to develop a new form of agriculture.
Intensive agriculture is not without its drawbacks. It relies on the massive use of inputs (fertilizers and pesticides), which is a source of environmental pollution and causes health problems. It therefore seems important to make fundamental changes to agricultural practices in order to limit the use of inputs and transition to a model of sustainable agriculture. This shift in agricultural practices began about twenty years ago but has been accelerated by the ECOPHYTO plan, which aims to reduce the use of pesticides by 50% by 2018. This agricultural reform must also take place amid the added challenge of climate change. To successfully develop more environmentally friendly agriculturein the context of climate change, multidisciplinary approaches are needed that combine genetics (development of varieties that make better use of nitrogen and water, are resistant to existing diseases, etc.),agronomy/physiology/ecology (adapting crop rotation systems, introducing microorganisms, Natural Defense Stimulators, etc.), and plant pathology (development of biocontrol, etc.). Plant research, which drives changes in agricultural practices, therefore requires professionals capable of designing, implementing, and evaluating projects.
While the challenges of developing sustainable agriculture are important for developed countries, they are crucial for many countries in the Global South that cannot afford fertilizers or pesticides anyway. CIRAD and IRD have established partnerships with research centers in the Global South. Seed companies and agricultural producers (e.g., sugar, etc.) in the Global South require high-quality senior executives.
This master’s program is designed to be completed on a work-study basis. A number of students will have the opportunity to earn a dual master’s degree: an MEV (offered by the Faculty of Sciences) and a master’s in management (offered by the IAE).
For more information about this course and its content, visit https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/biologie-des-plantes/management-de-lexperimentation-vegetale/
Microorganism-Host-Environment Interactions (IMHE)
The IMHE program, “Microorganism-Host-Environment Interactions,”is innovative and unique in the region, offering students a curriculum that combines both theoretical and research-based training in environmental and applied microbiology. Environmental microbiology, in this context, encompasses the study of microorganisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and viruses) in ecosystems—whether or not they are associated with humans and animals.
The IMHE master’s program aims to provide an in-depth understanding of microbial systems through an integrative approach, covering both the study of microorganisms as cells, populations, and communities within their environment, as well as their interactions with hosts (humans, animals, plants) and vectors. The program examines interactions at the molecular, cellular, and microbial community levels, as well as the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on these interactions. It explores in depth the role of microorganisms in the functioning of both natural and anthropogenic ecosystems. The practical and applied aspects of microbiology are also covered, particularly the applications of microbial biomass and diversity in the fields of agriculture, the environment, health, and biotechnology.
Combinations of course units (UE) make it possible to offer two tracks: one focused on “Basic Research” (Track 1), while the other is more oriented toward “Research & Development” (Track 2). This program thus offers students the opportunity to pursue a variety of career goals, with a high placement rate for students entering doctoral programs (40 to 50%) or securing professional opportunities in industry immediately upon graduation. The program is open to apprenticeship students.
This program draws on the strong regional research community in the field of microbiology and benefits from the active involvement of researchers, faculty members, and industry professionals from this community based in Montpellier and throughout the Occitanie region.
Keywords: Microorganisms, Environmental microbiology, Microbial ecology, Microbiota, Emergence, Resistance, Adaptation, Symbiosis, Parasitism, (Meta)genomics, Microbial biorefining, Bacteria, Archaea, Viruses, Fungi, Eukaryotic microorganisms.
Website: https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/interactions-microorg-hotes/
Biomolecular Engineering and Nanobiotechnology (IBION-Tec)
The IBION-Tec program offers students the opportunity to acquire skills at the intersection of engineering and life sciences. This Master’s specialization is clearly positioned at the intersection of biology, physics (including electronics), and chemistry. It broadens students’ skill sets to include innovative and high-performance techniques such as biotechnology and nanobiotechnology, facilitating their transition into research centers and industry. This specialization provides a foundation of expertise in the field of biomolecular detection applied to diagnostics.
Its strength lies in covering a wide range of fields in research and development, in the areas of diagnostics and traceability, from the molecular scale to the industrial process scale.
This master’s program focuses on the design of innovative tools for diagnostics and traceability. This “design component” of the program spans both years of study, providing students with access to various technology platforms and lab facilities. The goal is to collectively bring a project to the feasibility stage—or even to develop a prototype—for one innovation per year in the field of detection techniques.
Citizens’ quality of life is at the heart of the training program, which takes into account food security and access to healthcare within the context of sustainable development.
IBION-Tec's goal is to develop diagnostic and detection tools for traceability (in the medical, agricultural, food, and other sectors) in accordance with European regulations.
For more information about this course and its content, visit https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/ibion-tec/
Food Engineering and Eco-Design (ICOA)
The Engineering for Eco-Design of Food (ICOA) program—offered as either a degree program or an apprenticeship integrated into the Agrosciences Biology track—is jointly accredited by the University of Montpellier and the Institut Agro de Montpellier (National Institution of Higher Education for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment). It bridges the gap between process engineering and life sciences and offers an integrated approach to food design that combines knowledge of processes (physical and biological) with expertise in the organoleptic and nutritional quality of products, all within a framework aimed at reducing the environmental impacts of the food industry.
The major disciplinary fields on which the curriculum is based fall within the engineering sciences and include: Biotechnology, Food Science, Physical Chemistry, Green Chemistry, and Sustainable Process Engineering. This highly interdisciplinary program prepares students for careers across the entire spectrum of the agri-food industry (production, R&D, quality control) and, more broadly, in all sectors dedicated to the utilization of agricultural resources (materials, energy, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.).
Both years include an internship (lasting at least 3 months in the M1 and 5 months in the M2, respectively), which students can secure from a very extensive list of available internship opportunities or by reaching out to the program’s active alumni network.
For a limited number of students (2 to 3 selected based on their academic record and career plans) who wish to acquire additional skills in project management, a dual degree program with the Montpellier Institute of Business Administration (IAE Montpellier) may be offered. By selecting an additional 5-ECTS course unit related to management topics, students can earn a dual master’s degree: a Master’s in ICOA and a Master’s in Technology and Science Management.
For more information about this course and its content, visit https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/ingenierie-pour-leco-conception-des-aliments/
IDIL - Plant and Microbiological Sciences for the Agro-Environment
The “Plant and Microbiological Sciences for the Agro-environment” program offers research-based training in the fields of plant sciences and microbiology. The program focuses on the study of plants and microorganisms at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels as they interact with their agro-environment.
The program draws on a network of laboratories that is unique in the world, conducting research on a wide range of topics within these broad disciplinary fields. The student’s academic plan is developed at the beginning of the master’s program in collaboration with the student, the faculty, and a research team, allowing for a personalized track specializing in plant sciences or microbiology.
Examples of course units:
- Mineral nutrition and plant adaptation to abiotic stresses
- Microbial ecology
- Roles of microorganisms in ecosystems
Route page: https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/plants-microbes-programme-idil/
Admission
Admission Requirements
Applications for the Biology and Agrosciences Master's programs must be submitted through the Mon Master and e-Candidat application systems on the Faculty of Sciences website:
https://candidature.umontpellier.fr/candidature/
Applicants must submit all required documents; incomplete applications will not be evaluated.
Each application is reviewed by an academic admissions committee specific to the program for which the student is applying.
Registration Procedures
Successful applicants must complete their administrative registration as soon as possible, in early September, and then complete their academic registration, specifying the courses they have chosen for the semester.
Target Audience
The Master’s in Biology and Agrosciences is open to students who hold a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or an equivalent degree (Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering), with a minimum level of knowledge specific to the intended Master’s program.
Mandatory Prerequisites
These vary from one program to another, and students are encouraged to read the “Prerequisites” section for the program to which they wish to apply.
As a general rule, proven knowledge of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and microbiology at the bachelor’s degree level is required. In addition, a minimum level of English proficiency sufficient to read scientific texts in English is required.
In addition to these prerequisites, students must have a basic knowledge of plant physiology for the BiPa, IPM, BAPT, and MEV tracks; microbiology for the IMHE track; biotechnology, immunology, and organic chemistry for the Ibion-Tec track; and engineering and process engineering for the ICOA track.
Recommended Prerequisites
They vary by program. A basic understanding of statistics and computer science is a plus for all programs.
And then
Continuing Education
For those interested, the Master’s in Biology and Agrosciences provides a pathway to a Ph.D. program upon completion of the Master’s degree, either in France or abroad, where graduates of this program are highly sought after.
Some students supplement their education in biology or biotechnology in the Master’s program in Biology and Agrosciences with a management track to pursue a career in entrepreneurship, or with a bioinformatics track to strengthen their skills at the intersection of experimental biology and computer science.
Continuing Your Education Abroad
Thanks to the exceptional network of international collaborations maintained by the Montpellier laboratories and the numerous ties between the Master’s program’s teaching teams and foreign laboratories, both M1 and M2 internships can be completed abroad (primarily in Europe and North America, but also in Asia, Africa, and Latin America). This provides students with the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the host laboratory or to join international PhD programs. This opportunity is not limited to students completing their Master’s internship abroad; it is also widely available to those completing their internships in Montpellier or at other research centers in France.
Employment Placement
- Doctoral Contracts
- National and international research organizations
- Research and Development Sector in the Private Sector