ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Presentation
The Plant Biology for the Agro-Environment (BiPa) program offers a multi-disciplinary training program focused on knowledge generated from major study models such as Arabidopsis thaliana, but also from cultivated plants that are now establishing themselves as true models (rice, maize, etc.). Our training covers the full range of plant science topics (plant adaptation to climate change, developmental biology, mineral nutrition, ecophysiology, plant-microorganism interactions). In addition to the classical approaches to biology, we also focus on modeling and bioinformatics, disciplines that are currently essential for making the most of the massive data generated on a daily basis.
For more information on this course and its content, visit https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/biologie-des-plantes/biologie-des-plantes-pour-lagro-environnement/
Objectives
This master's program is designed to be both generalist and high-level. Our aim is to provide you with both broad general knowledge and cutting-edge expertise in the plant sector. Ultimately, this master's degree will enable you to continue your training in fundamental or applied research, or to pursue a career plan related to the issues of modern agriculture.
This master's program is also designed to give you the autonomy to facilitate your integration into the professional world, through dedicated teaching units (project management) and numerous group projects offered in the various teaching units.
Our aim is to provide you with the best knowledge and opportunities to make you the research scientists and engineers of the coming years, who will be able to respond to the scientific and societal challenges linked to the plant world (fundamental science, biotechnologies, climate change, agro-ecology).
Know-how and skills
Disciplinary skills :
- Integrative biology tools: mutagenesis, transgenesis, direct and reverse genetics, OMICS approaches
- Understanding the basics of epigenetics
- Know the basics of plant-micro-organism interactions
- Learn the basics of statistics, bioinformatics and modeling
- Master the cellular, molecular and physiological aspects governing the functioning of cells in their environment, the developing plant and its adaptation to environmental constraints.
Cross-disciplinary skills :
- Propose disciplinary and multidisciplinary strategies, independently and as part of a team, to study a complex scientific problem.
- Understand, criticize and apply a scientific and experimental approach Know how to search for scientific information (databases, scientific publications)
- Ability to synthesize and present scientific results (projects, reports, oral presentations to juries)
- Build a professional project, write a CV and cover letters
- Acquire experience in a research environment (public or private).
Organization
Internships, tutored projects
Internship | Mandatory |
|---|---|
Length of internship | 4 months (M1) and 6 months (M2) |
Internship abroad | Possible |
Duration of internship abroad | identical to the duration in France |
Our pedagogical team has an extensive network of internship opportunities (4 months in M1 and 6 in M2) to suit your scientific or professional project, whether locally in Montpellier, in France or abroad. Each internship is assessed both in writing (internship report) and orally (presentation to a panel of experts).
It also offers 2 courses entirely dedicated to project management in relation to science, with the aim of developing the ability to organize work around a project carried out alone or as part of a team.
Program
The Biology of Plants for the Agro-Environment (BiPa) course comprises 4 semesters (120 ECTS), with some teaching units (UE) shared with the 3 other Plants courses (MEV, BPT, IPM) and others specific to the BiPa course. The list and detailed content of each of the Master's courses can be consulted on the Faculty of Science website.
The first semesters of M1 and M2 are devoted to courses and tutorials in the various UEs. The second semesters are mainly devoted to an internship (in a laboratory or company) in line with the student's career plan. Mobility for study or internship (ERASMUS), over one or two semesters, is greatly facilitated by the extensive network of partnerships between the University of Montpellier and European universities. It should be noted that all the practical work for the various courses is grouped together in a dedicated course at the very start of semester 2 in M1.
The BiPa training program is available on the following website: https://bioagro.edu.umontpellier.fr/master-biologie-agrosciences/biologie-des-plantes/
Select a program
M1 - Plant Biology for the Agro-Environment (BiPa)
Biostatistics with R
5 creditsPlant Cellular and Molecular Biology
3 creditsPlant development
5 creditsPlant-Microorganism Interactions
5 creditsBasics of ecophysiology
2 creditsPlant molecular genetics
5 creditsEnvironmental adaptation and signage
3 creditsPlant nutrition
2 credits
BioInformatics: Data and Databases
2 creditsLiterature review
2 credits4-month internship
15 creditsExperimental approaches to plant biology
5 creditsProject management
3 creditsCHOICE 1
3 creditsYour choice: 1 of 2
Gene networks-Modeling
3 creditsTropical and Mediterranean plant breeding
3 credits
M2 - Plant Biology for the Agro-Environment (BiPa)
Laboratory or company internship
28 creditsCritical analysis of scientific information
2 credits
Mineral nutrition adapting plants to abiotic constraints
3 creditsAnalysis of differential gene expression
3 creditsSchool signage, dyna
3 creditsEpigenetics in plants
3 creditsModel plants, modeling
3 creditsBigOmics, comparative genomics
2 creditsEcophysiology: from phenotype to ideotype
2 creditsQuantitative genetics
3 creditsData processing
3 creditsBioInformatics: building queries
2 creditsProject management
3 credits
Admission
Access conditions
Applications can be submitted on the following platforms:
- French & European students: follow the "My Master" procedure on the website: https: //www.monmaster.gouv.fr/
- For M2, students must submit their application via the e-candidat application on the University of Montpellier's Faculty of Science website.
Applications are examined by a pedagogical committee made up of the Master's main lecturers.
Successful candidates are required to complete their administrative registration as soon as possible, and then to complete a pedagogical registration indicating the nature of the teaching modules chosen.
Target audience
The BIPa Master's degree is open to holders of the BiPAgro bachelor's degree from the University of Montpellier or a general bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or Cellular and Molecular Biology from other universities. Acceptance into the Master's program is based on the quality of the applicant's file, as assessed by the teaching staff, and on our capacity to accommodate students.
Necessary prerequisites
Knowledge (Bachelor's level) of plant physiology, genetics, molecular and cellular biology.
Recommended prerequisites
Basic plant development biology.
Introduction to computer thinking and programming (e.g. R, Python or Unix)
And then
Further studies
The theoretical and practical training on offer is designed primarily to lead to a doctorate in fundamental or applied research. Professional integration as an engineer in a public or private laboratory, or in a start-up company, are also possible outlets.
Studying abroad
During the 2 internships in the Master's program, students have the opportunity to gain experience abroad. This mobility can be an opportunity to join one of the many international Ph.D. programs (e.g. Gregor Mendel Institute (Austria); University of Tübingen (Germany), John Innes Center (UK), or for thesis recruitment at the end of the M2 internship in the host laboratory.
Professional integration
Graduates of our Master's program can go on to a career as a lecturer in a French, European or international university, as a researcher in a French (INRA, CNRS, IRD, CEA, CIRAD) or foreign public research organization, or in a plant science R&D company in France or abroad.