ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
The IMHE(Microorganism-Host-Environment Interactions)program is unique in the region, offering students both theoretical and research-based training in environmental and applied microbiology. Environmental microbiology here encompasses the study of microorganisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and viruses) in ecosystems that may or may not be associated with humans and animals.
The IMHE master's program aims to provide in-depth knowledge of microbial systems using an integrative approach, covering both the study of microorganisms as cells, populations, and communities in their environment, and their interactions with their hosts (humans, animals, plants) and vectors. The program covers interactions at the molecular, cellular, and microbial community levels, as well as the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on these interactions. It explores the role of microorganisms in the functioning of natural and anthropized ecosystems. The practical and applied aspects of microbiology are also covered, including the applications of biomass and microbial diversity in the fields of agriculture, the environment, health, and biotechnology.
Combinations of Teaching Units (UE) make it possible to offer two profiles, one focused on "Fundamental Research" (profile 1), while the other is more focused on "Research & Development" (profile 2). This program thus offers students the opportunity to pursue a variety of professional goals, with a high placement rate for doctoral students (40 to 50%) or professional opportunities in companies directly after graduation. The program is open to apprenticeships.
This program draws on the strong regional research community in the field of microorganism studies and relies on the strong involvement of researchers, teacher-researchers, and industry professionals from this community based in Montpellier and more broadly in the Occitanie region.
Keywords: Microorganisms, Environmental microbiology, Microbial ecology, Microbiota, Emergence, Resistance, Adaptation, Symbiosis, Parasitism, (Meta)genomics, Microbial valorization, 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 knowledge about 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 techniques for studying this diversity.
- understanding how microorganisms function and their role in the evolutionary history of life.
- understanding the role of microorganisms in the functioning of ecosystems (natural and anthropized), particularly in the context of the integrated "One Health" approach.
- understanding of environmental factors that explain the dynamics and emergence of microorganisms as pathogens in humans, animals, and plants.
- knowledge of the possible applications of microbial biomass, including non-cultivable biomass, including new approaches in bioenergy, bioremediation, and biological control.
The cross-disciplinary objectives of the Biology-Agricultural Sciences major are:
- introduction to research and the research process.
- mastery of bibliographic research and analysis with a critical scientific mindset, report and summary writing, written and oral communication.
- compliance with legal, ethical, and scientific rules and standards related to experimentation, publication, and use of documents, sharing of biological resources, and partnerships.
- proficiency in statistical data analysis tools.
- proficiency in scientific English, both written and spoken.
- the acquisition of professional experience through two long internships (a four-month internship in M1 and a six-month internship in M2).
Organization
Open alternately
This course is available on a work-study basis.
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Mandatory |
|---|---|
Duration of the internship | 4 months in M1 and 6 months in M2 |
Internship abroad | Possible |
Duration of the internship abroad | 4 months in M1 and 6 months in M2 |
Students complete two long internships (4 months in M1 and 6 months in M2) in a public or private research laboratory, or in a company, with the writing of a thesis and an oral defense before a jury of specialists.
Program
The IMHE program is spread over four semesters, each comprising teaching units (UE) validated by ECTS credits (30 ECTS per semester). It offers a core curriculum and optional teaching units that allow students to choose between two profiles: one focused on "Fundamental Research" (profile 1) and the other more focused on "Research & Development" (profile 2).
Students in Profile 2 (based on application selection) have the opportunity to earn a double degree by taking four additional 5-ECTS course units offered by the IAE Montpellier (two course units per year, for a total of 20 ECTS). The program is open to apprenticeships.
Project-based learning and educational innovation are emphasized. Thanks to the pooling of skills with the Faculty of Science's Master's program in Bioinformatics and the establishment of a 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 extraction, sequencing, and analysis of microbial sequences in M1) and promoting their results (publication, presentation at conferences in M2).
The first year of the M1 program forms the foundation of the course, covering the fundamentals of microbial ecology. The second year of the IMHE Master's program builds on the fundamental and applied knowledge acquired in the first year, as well as the associated skills. Students interact with numerous researchers who come to present their research work on topics related to the molecular mechanisms of interactions between microorganisms and hosts (using a wide variety of models), the role of microorganisms in ecosystems, and their exploitation.
The program focuses on teaching students how to do research. They work on bibliographic resources (research, understanding, criticism, and bibliographic synthesis) and teaching communication methods. They do two long internships (4 months in M1 and 6 months in M2) in a public or private research lab or a company, and write a thesis that they defend in front of a panel of experts.
Several courses are dedicated to professional integration, in which students work on their professional and personal projects.
Select a program
M1 - Microorganism-Host-Environment Interactions (MHEI)
The first year of the M1 program forms the foundation of the course, covering the fundamentals of microbial ecology. It offers a core curriculum and optional courses that allow students to choose between two profiles: one focused on "Fundamental Research" (profile 1) and the other more oriented toward "Research & Development" (profile 2).
Project-based learning and educational innovation are emphasized. Thanks to the pooling of skills with the Faculty of Science's Master's program in Bioinformatics and the establishment of a 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 extraction, sequencing, and analysis of microbial sequences in M1) and promoting their results (publication, presentation at conferences in M2).
The program focuses on teaching students how to conduct scientific research. Students work on bibliographic resources (research, comprehension, critique, and bibliographic synthesis) and pedagogical communication methods. They complete a four-month internship in their first year of the master's program in a public or private research laboratory or in a company, writing a thesis and defending it orally before a panel of specialists.
Biostatistics with R
5 creditsEnglish
5 creditsImmunity and genetics of microorganism interactions
Microbial ecology
6 creditsOPTION 3
3 creditsChoose one of two options:
Emergencies Resistance Adaptations
3 creditsOPTION 1
6 creditsChoose 1 out of 3
Bioinformatics Learning Lab
2 creditsPreparation for internships and professional integration
2 creditsMolecular Microbial Ecology 1
3 creditsMolecular Microbial Ecology 2
2 credits4-month M1 internship
18 creditsOPTION 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 (MHEI)
The second year of the IMHE Master's program builds on the fundamental and applied knowledge acquired in the first year, as well as the associated skills. Students interact with numerous researchers who come to present their research work on topics related to the molecular mechanisms of interactions between microorganisms and hosts (using a wide variety of models), the role of microorganisms in ecosystems, and their exploitation.
The program focuses on teaching students how to conduct scientific research. Students work on bibliographic resources (research, comprehension, critique, and bibliographic synthesis) and pedagogical communication methods. They complete a six-month internship in their second year of the master's program in a public or private research laboratory or in a company, writing a thesis and defending it orally before a panel of specialists.
Several courses are dedicated to professional integration, in which students work on their professional and personal projects.
Role of microorganisms in ecosystem functioning 2
3 creditsEnglish
3 creditsOPTION 1
6 creditsChoose one of two options:
OPTION 5
6 creditsChoose 2 out of 6
Molecular and Cellular Bacteriology
Critical analysis and synthesis of scientific articles
6 creditsRole of microorganisms in ecosystem functioning 1
3 creditsInteractions between microorganisms and their hosts
6 creditsResearch project
3 credits
OPTION 2
30 creditsChoose one of two options:
OPTION 3
30 creditsChoose 2 out of 2
Networks and professional projects
3 creditsM2 internship in a laboratory
27 credits
OPTION 4
30 creditsChoose 2 out of 2
M2 internship in a company
25 creditsCreation and implementation of R&D projects
5 credits
Admission
Admission requirements
The IMHE program is open to students with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences with a specialization in Microbiology, obtained in France or abroad. It is also designed to provide specialization in microbiology for students in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and engineering students at schools specializing in life sciences and agronomy (such as MontpellierL'Institut Agro Montpellier) or veterinary schools.
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
The IMHE Master's program is part of the curriculum that follows the Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Microbiology track, at the University of Montpellier (Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Life Mechanisms). It is open to students with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences with a specialization in Microbiology, obtained in France or abroad. It is also designed to provide specialization in microbiology for students in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and engineering students from schools specializing in life sciences and agronomy (such as MontpellierL'Institut Agro Montpellier) or veterinary schools.
Mandatory prerequisites
Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Cellular and Molecular Biology at the Bachelor's degree level.
Recommended prerequisites
A minimum level of computer skills and English is recommended.
And after
Continuing education
At the end of the M2, students take entrance exams for doctoral programs, notably GAIA, which oversees the Master's program, or they can enter the R&D sector in companies; these career choices are made possible by the continuity of the two profiles from M1 to M2.
We encourage students who wish to pursue entrepreneurship to enroll in the IMHE FdS/IAE Management and Business Administration dual degree program, which will be available starting in the 2021 academic year (based on application).
Students can complete their studies by enrolling in a Master's degree in Bioinformatics or a Master's degree in Education (MEEF) to prepare for teaching exams.
Continuing studies abroad
Thanks to the network of international collaborations maintained by the Montpellier laboratories and the numerous links between the Master's teaching teams and foreign laboratories, both M1 and M2 internships can be carried out abroad (mainly in Europe and North America, but also in Asia, Africa, and Latin America). This gives students the opportunity to pursue a PhD in the laboratory where they completed their internship or to join international PhD programs. This opportunity is not limited to students who complete their Master's internship abroad; it is also widely open to those who complete their internships in Montpellier or other research centers in France.
Professional integration
The IMHE program offers students the opportunity to pursue a variety of professional goals, with a high placement rate for doctoral students (40 to 50% depending on the year) or career opportunities in companies immediately after graduation.
The professions resulting from this training are:
- Professor and researcher
- Research and Development Engineer
- R&D executives in the fields of plant protection, agri-food, health, and microbial biotechnology
- Experts and project managers
- Teacher and trainer
The fields of employment in microbiology are vast, covering health, agriculture, food, cosmetics, health and safety, the environment, biotechnology, and more.
Specific course units provide students with the foundations and tools they need to enter the workforce.