ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Language(s) of Instruction
French
Overview
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/
95%
Success Rate
Objectives
The IMHE program aims to deepen students’ understanding of the diversity of microorganisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and viruses) and their interactions with their host(s) and their biotic and abiotic environments.
The specific objectives are:
- knowledge of microbial diversity and the techniques used to study it.
- an understanding of how microorganisms function and their role in the evolutionary history of life.
- an understanding of the role of microorganisms in the functioning of ecosystems (both natural and human-altered), particularly within the framework of the integrated "One Health" approach.
- an understanding of the environmental factors that explain the dynamics and emergence of microorganisms as pathogens of humans, animals, and plants.
- knowledge of the potential applications of microbial biomass, including non-cultivable biomass, such as new, well-established approaches in the fields of bioenergy, bioremediation, and biological control.
The cross-disciplinary objectives for the Biology-Agrosciences track are:
- an introduction to research and the research process.
- the ability to conduct literature reviews and analyze them with a critical, scientific mindset; the ability to write reports and summaries; and written and oral communication skills.
- compliance 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.
- proficiency in statistical tools for data analysis.
- proficiency in written and spoken scientific English.
- Gaining professional experience through two long-term internships (a 4-month internship during the first year of the master's program and a 6-month internship during the second year).
Organization
Open on an alternating basis
This program is offered as a work-study program.
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Required |
|---|---|
Duration of the internship | 4 months in the first year of the master's program and 6 months in the second year |
Internship Abroad | Possible |
Duration of the internship abroad | 4 months in the first year of the master's program and 6 months in the second year |
Students complete two long-term internships (4 months in the first year of the master’s program and 6 months in the second year) at a public or private research laboratory or in a company, and write a thesis that they defend orally before a panel of experts.
Program
The IMHE program spans 4 semesters, each consisting of Course Units (CUs) worth ECTS credits (30 ECTS per semester). It offers a core curriculum and elective course units that allow students to choose between two tracks: one focused on “Basic Research” (Track 1), and the other more oriented toward “Research & Development” (Track 2).
Students in Track 2 (admitted based on application review) have the opportunity to earn a dual degree by completing four additional course units worth 5 ECTS each, offered by the IAE de Montpellier (two course units per year, for a total of 20 ECTS). The program is open to apprenticeship students.
Project-based learning and educational innovation are emphasized. Through the pooling of expertise with the Master’s program in Bioinformatics in the Faculty of Sciences and the establishment of the BioInfoLearning Lab (BILL), an innovative interdisciplinary learning laboratory, students are encouraged to take an active role in their education by managing a mini-research project from start to finish (from field sampling to the extraction, sequencing, and analysis of microbial sequences in the first year of the Master’s program) and by disseminating their results (through publications and conference presentations in the second year of the Master’s program).
The first year (M1) of the program lays the foundation for the curriculum, focusing on the fundamentals of microbial ecology. The second year of the IMHE Master’s program builds upon the fundamental and applied knowledge introduced in the first year, further developing the associated skills. Students interact with numerous researchers who come to present their research on topics such as the molecular mechanisms of interactions between microorganisms and hosts (using a wide variety of models), the role of microorganisms in ecosystems, and their utilization.
The program focuses on developing scientific research skills. Students work with bibliographic resources (research, comprehension, critical analysis, and synthesis of the literature) and pedagogical communication methods. They complete two long-term internships (4 months in the first year of the master’s program and 6 months in the second year) at a public or private research laboratory or in a company, and write a thesis that they defend orally before a panel of experts.
Several course units are dedicated to career readiness, during which students work on their professional and personal goals.
Select a program
M1 - Microorganism-Host-Environment Interactions (IMHE)
The first year (M1) of the program forms the foundation of the curriculum, focusing on the fundamentals of microbial ecology. It offers a core curriculum and elective courses that allow students to choose between two tracks: one focused on “Basic Research” (Track 1) and the other more oriented toward “Research & Development” (Track 2).
Project-based learning and educational innovation are emphasized. Through the pooling of expertise with the Master’s program in Bioinformatics in the Faculty of Sciences and the establishment of the BioInfoLearning Lab (BILL), an innovative interdisciplinary learning laboratory, students are encouraged to take an active role in their education by managing a mini-research project from start to finish (from field sampling to the extraction, sequencing, and analysis of microbial sequences in the first year of the Master’s program) and by disseminating their results (through publications and conference presentations in the second year of the Master’s program).
The program is designed to teach students the scientific research process. Students work with bibliographic resources (research, comprehension, critical analysis, and synthesis of the literature) and pedagogical communication methods. During their first year of the master’s program (M1), they complete a 4-month internship at a public or private research laboratory or in a company, which includes writing a thesis and presenting it orally before a panel of experts.
Biostatistics with R
5 creditsEnglish
5 creditsImmunity and the Genetics of Microorganism Interactions
Microbial Ecology
6 creditsCHOICE 3
3 creditsChoose one of the following two options:
Emergencies, Resilience, Adaptations
3 creditsCHOICE 1
6 credits
Bioinformatics Learning Lab
2 creditsPreparation for the internship and transition into the workforce
2 creditsMolecular Microbial Ecology 1
3 creditsMolecular Microbial Ecology 2
2 credits4-Month M1 Internship
18 creditsCHOICE 4
3 creditsChoose 1 out of 6
Integrative Parasitology (University of Perpignan)
3 creditsMicrobiEAU
3 creditsBioenergy
3 creditsPollution in Agro-Environmental Systems
3 creditsProject Management
3 creditsBioprocess Engineering - Metabolism and Bioproduction
3 credits
M2 - Microorganism-Host-Environment Interactions (IMHE)
The second year of the IMHE Master’s program builds on the fundamental and applied knowledge and related skills introduced in the first year. Students interact with numerous researchers who come to present their research on topics such as the molecular mechanisms of interactions between microorganisms and hosts (using a wide variety of models), the role of microorganisms in ecosystems, and their utilization.
The program is designed to teach students the scientific research process. Students work with bibliographic resources (research, comprehension, critical analysis, and synthesis of the literature) and pedagogical communication methods. During their second year of the master’s program, they complete a 6-month internship at a public or private research laboratory or in a company, culminating in the writing of a thesis and an oral defense before a panel of experts.
Several course units are dedicated to career readiness, during which students work on their professional and personal goals.
The Role of Microorganisms in Ecosystem Functioning 2
3 creditsEnglish
3 creditsCHOICE 1
6 creditsChoose one of the following two options:
CHOICE 5
6 creditsChoose 2 out of 6
Molecular and Cellular Bacteriology
Critical Analysis and Synthesis of Scientific Articles
6 creditsThe Role of Microorganisms in Ecosystem Functioning 1
3 creditsInteractions Between Microorganisms and Their Hosts
6 creditsResearch Project
3 credits
OPTION 2
30 creditsChoose one of the following two options:
CHOICE 3
30 creditsChoose 2 out of 2
Professional Networks and Projects
3 creditsM2 Lab Internship
27 credits
CHOICE 4
30 creditsChoose 2 out of 2
M2 Internship at a Company
25 creditsDevelopment and Implementation of R&D Projects
5 credits
Admission
Admission Requirements
The IMHE program is open to students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences with a specialization in Microbiology, either in France or abroad. It is also designed to provide specialization in microbiology for students in medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry, as well as for engineering students from schools specializing in biological sciences and agronomy (such as Montpellier SupAgro/L'Institut Agro Montpellier) or veterinary schools.
Registration Procedures
Applications can be submitted through the following platforms:
French and European students:
- For the M1 program, follow the “My Master’s” procedure on the website: https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/
- For the M2 program, students must submit their application through the 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
Target Audience
The IMHE Master’s program is part of the academic pathway that follows the Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Microbiology Track, at the University of Montpellier (Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Mechanisms of Life). It is open to students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences with a specialization in Microbiology, either in France or abroad. It also serves as a specialization in microbiology for students in medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry, as well as for engineering students from schools specializing in biological sciences and agronomy (such as Montpellier SupAgro/L'Institut Agro Montpellier) or veterinary schools.
Mandatory Prerequisites
Undergraduate-level courses in Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Recommended Prerequisites
A basic level of computer skills and English is recommended.
And then
Continuing Education
Upon completion of the M2, students take the entrance exams for doctoral programs, notably GAIA, which oversees the master’s program, or may enter the corporate R&D sector; these career paths are made possible by the continuity between the two M1 tracks into the M2.
We encourage students interested in pursuing a career in entrepreneurship to apply for the IMHE FdS/IAE dual-degree program in Management and Business Administration, which will be available starting in the 2021 academic year (based on application review).
Students can complete their studies by enrolling in an M2 in Bioinformatics or a MEEF master's program to prepare for teaching certification exams.
Continuing Your Education Abroad
Thanks to the 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 Ph.D. at the host laboratory where they completed their internship or to join international Ph.D. 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
The IMHE program offers students the opportunity to pursue a variety of career goals, with a high placement rate for students entering doctoral programs (40 to 50 percent, depending on the year) or securing professional opportunities in the private sector immediately upon graduation.
The careers that result from this program are:
- Faculty Member and Researcher
- Research and Development Engineer
- R&D executives in the fields of plant protection, agri-food, health, and microbial biotechnology
- Experts and Program Officers
- Teacher and Trainer
The fields of employment in microbiology are wide-ranging, covering health, agriculture, food, cosmetics, health and safety, the environment, biotechnology, and more...
Specific courses provide students with the foundational knowledge and essential tools they need to enter the workforce.