• Target level of study

    BAC +5

  • ECTS

    120 credits

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine

  • Language(s) of instruction

    French, English

Presentation

The Biology-Health master's degree is organized into 12 courses covering a wide choice of training and career opportunities (i) in biology and health research in public and private structures, or (ii) in technical and regulatory professions, in biotechnology for health, in pharmaceuticals, in neuroprosthetics and in clinical trials. This Master's degree, jointly offered by the Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy and Science at the University of Montpellier, provides a truly coherent, cross-disciplinary training program.

4 courses in the Biology-Health master's program focus more specifically on professionalization, with the option of continuing on to a doctorate at the end of the master's program:

  • Therapeutic engineering and bioproduction in health biotechnology (IBIS)
  • Management and evaluation of therapeutic trials (GET)
  • Project management and innovation in biotechnology (BIOTIN)
  • Neuroprostheses

 

7 other courses are more focused on fundamental research, with the possibility of continuing studies at doctoral level, while retaining the possibility of professional integration at the end of the Master's degree:

  • Cancer biology
  • Medicinal and translational chemistry
  • Epigenetics, Genetics and Cell Biology (EpiGenBio)
  • Infection Biology
  • Experimental and Regenerative Medicine (ERM)
  • Neuroscience
  • Quantitative Biology (qBio)

 

The DYMAMEID course - Dynamic of Emergence of Infectious Diseases - is reserved for students enrolled at partner universities, mainly in Asia.

The scientific environment of the Biology-Health master's program at the University of Montpellier is exceptional. In fact, this master's degree is very strongly rooted in research, with the involvement of teacher-researchers and researchers working in numerous institutes and laboratories in Montpellier and the wider region. The Health Biology master's program is perfectly aligned with the scientific priorities of the Health Biology research cluster of the MUSE I-SITE (Montpellier University of Excellence). This alignment between teaching and research offers students a wide choice of public and private laboratories for their internships (M1 and M2), as well as the opportunity to attend conferences, workshops and theme days, which provide an undeniable scientific opening and interaction with the professional world.

The various Master's courses share common core teaching units (UEs). The cross-disciplinary nature of these core courses in both M1 and M2 is in line with the desire for interaction between the courses in the Biology and Health field.

Teaching in English is gradually becoming the norm.

Students in the sciences and health. Entry to the first year of the Master's program (M1) is selective. Applications are made via the e-Candidat platform, generally in April and May. The exact dates on which the platform opens and closes vary from course to course.

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Program

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DYNAMEID Dynamic and Emergence of Infectious Diseases

The COVID-19 crisis showed just how dangerous, stressful and disruptive a pandemic can be for our societies. It has been shown that simply reacting to disease is no way to stop the progression of a pandemic. We don't know when or where the next epidemic will break out. We don't know what kind it will be. One thing we can be sure of, however, is that there will be a next epidemic. In the meantime, we are constantly observing the emergence of new pathogens and resistance to treatments. How should we, as a community, prepare to deal with it when it comes? The answer is not a single one, and certainly should not come after the onset of disease. The solution lies in understanding the complex nature of an emerging infectious disease and managing the risk globally. We need to prevent the emergence of new diseases by organizing regulations and exchanges in society appropriately. We need a new generation capable of managing risk with a new, more global vision. DYNAMEID is designed to train this generation.

"The greatest victory is one that requires no battle" Sun Tzu

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Sensory and Motor Neuroprostheses

Initially created around hearing prostheses (middle ear implants, cochlear implants, brainstem implants), this course aims to broaden its scope to include sensory neuroprostheses (visual implants) and motor neuroprostheses (stimulators). The course offers in-depth training in neurostimulation, implantable prostheses, prosthetic adaptation and functional sensory and motor exploration. This training meets a need recognized by all those involved - doctors, neuroprosthetists and nursing staff - who are looking for solid training in the field of neuroprosthetics. Such training requires knowledge that cannot be acquired in just 3 years. The development of implantable prostheses, and the specific nature of the populations they are designed to help, call for additional professional training at Master's level (Bac+5), leading to doctoral studies.

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Translational Medicinal Chemistry

This course lies at the interface between chemistry and biology, and is aimed at students in the biological sciences, the health sector or ENSCM. Based on structural, molecular and cellular biology, this course provides theoretical and methodological training in drug design and rational innovation, as well as nanotechnologies for vectorization and targeting. Training in pharmacokinetics, toxicological investigation and therapeutic pharmacology then enables students to understand the fate of a molecule within the body.

 

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IBIS Therapeutic Engineering and Bioproduction in Biotechnology-Health

The IBIS pathway (Ingéniérie thérapeutique et Bioproduction en Biotechnologie santé - Red Biotechnologies) in the Health Biology specialization is designed to train students to create and produce the therapies of tomorrow, using biotechnology tools. Scientific advances in the understanding of human diseases are leading to healthcare innovations, most of which are being driven by biotech companies. The dynamism in France and worldwide in the creation of highly specialized companies with specific know-how must coincide with an evolution in the training courses leading to these new professions and skills.

These therapies are complex in nature and use.

ation, and obtaining them will therefore require multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary skills in biotechnology, which the IBIS pathway aims to meet. The IBIS course is based on the needs of the sector's industrialists, as identified in the report by Leem (the professional organization of pharmaceutical companies) "Plan compétences, Biotech/innovations, santé2020".

The aspects developed concern :

- Biotechnological tools for the discovery of innovative therapeutic molecules, whether biological (recombinant proteins and antibodies, cells) or chemical.

- The engineering of bioprocesses for the industrial production of these compounds will also be developed, as will their formulation and vectorization (nanobiotechnologies).

In addition, an opening towards agro-environmental (green and yellow), marine (blue) and industrial (white) biotechnologies will be offered through cross-disciplinary teaching units with other Masters programs. In addition, an agreement is planned with Polytech Montpellier to offer a double engineering/master's degree:

      - 2 students per year from Polytech Montpellier, GBA Biological and Food Engineering, to enter the health biotechnology sector (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.).

      - 2 students per year from the Biology-Health/IBIS Master's program to enter the agrifood and nutrition sector.

To sum up, the IBIS course is an innovative training program in the field of health biotechnologies, designed to meet the needs of the sector's industrialists, by offering applied, multi-disciplinary, practical and integrated teaching, aimed at students in science, pharmacy, engineering or continuing education.

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Epigenetics, Genetics and Cell Biology (EpiGenBio)

At M1 level, a compulsory common core of knowledge enables the acquisition and consolidation of fundamental knowledge in genetics, genomics, cell and development biology. In the first year of the program, students are given the option of choosing 3 genetics courses to reinforce their knowledge. It should be noted that teaching in M1 is cross-disciplinary, as many of the courses are common to the various Biology-Health Master's courses. This enables students to choose a personalized pathway: molecular bases of hereditary diseases, signaling, structural biochemistry, biostatistics, physiopathology or R. programming.

At M2 level, courses are directly associated with research laboratories. A compulsory elective course is complemented by a thematic course.

This organization allows for cross-disciplinary training and an international outlook.

Within the thematic framework, an Epigenetics workshop is organized. This workshop provides an opportunity to bring together internationally renowned scientists and clinicians working on topical issues in genetics and epigenetics (evolutionary program). The aim of the workshop is twofold: to offer advanced training in the various fields of genetics research, and to provide an opportunity for students and professionals to exchange views on career development.

During the course, lectures are combined with guest seminars given by researchers who have been involved in major advances in the field.

These teaching sessions are then further developed in the form of article analysis, methodological discussions and round tables with specialist researchers. In this way, each student benefits from personalized supervision and direct exchanges with professionals. One day is also devoted to career development.

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Each year, students will take theoretical and practical courses (internships). The program includes:

  • 3 required core courses (15 credits), shared with the other specializations of the BioHealth Master's program:
  • 3 courses (15 credits) to be chosen among optional courses
  • A 5-credit English course
  • Internships and personal research projects.

The aim of the first year (M1) of this specialization is to consolidate and acquire new fundamental knowledge in Genetics, Genomics, Cell and Developmental Biology. Building on three required common core courses, students will choose additional courses for 15 credits to create their own personalized curriculum. Optional courses cover various topics such as the Molecular Basis of Diseases, Cell Signaling, Structural Biology, Statistics, Physiopathology, or R programming.      

During the second year (M2), a series of advanced courses exploring major topics in Genetics, Epigenetics, Cell and Developmental Biology will be taught by scientific and medical researchers from various research institutes and hospitals in Montpellier, as well as by selected international guest speakers.

In this context, a workshop in Epigenetics is organized every year with leaders in the field. The goal is to introduce various aspects of epigenetic research with a highly interactive approach. We also dedicate time to discuss critical issues linked to ethics in science and to the choice of both academic and private sector career paths.

During both years, students will be trained to analyze research articles and to discuss methodology, working with an academic advisor. 

The second semester of each year will be largely devoted to internships in research laboratories. Thus, students will have the opportunity to select among research internship projects at one of the many local Institutes in Montpellier or elsewhere in France, or abroad.

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Quantitative Biology (qBio)

At the crossroads of Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Bioinformatics, qbio is the graduate program destined for students interested in studying Biology with a quantitative perspective founded on transdisciplinary approaches.

The qbio curriculum has been designed to be highly innovative in pedagogical terms. Discussions animated by the teachers, together with the observation and manipulation of real material and concrete difficulties will help the students to make the different subjects their own.

Qbio bases its foundations on practical project-based teaching units in the first year. The second year is focused on internships, communication and scientific writing. The background of different disciplines will be refreshed during the Bootcamp, an intensive teaching unit held at the beginning of the master.

For more information and a detailed description of the different courses, check out our website https://qbio.umontpellier.fr

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Cancer Biology

The Cancer Biology program enables students to understand the molecular basis of cancer and explore the scientific rationale behind anti-tumor therapies in a cutting-edge scientific and medical environment. The program is supported by the Centre de Recherche Intégré en Cancérologie (SIRIC Montpellier Cancer), which brings together a cancer research center (ICM, l'Institut du Cancer de Montpellier), the Montpellier University Hospital and around a hundred teams based at various research institutes in Montpellier, all of which are likely to welcome Cancer Biology Master's students for internships and possibly doctoral theses.

The curriculum offered in the "Cancer Biology" course will allow students to acquire understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of cancer and the rationale underlying cancer therapies, in a leading scientific and medical environment. This course is supported by the Montpellier comprehensive cancer center (SIRIC Montpellier Cancer) which is composed of the Regional Cancer Centre (ICM), Montpellier University hospital, and over a hundred research teams located in different Montpellier research institutes. These teams propose internships for Masters students and, for those who continue after the Masters, PhD.

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Infection Biology

This course is devoted to microbiology in the broadest sense, including the immune response to infection. It aims to provide Master's-level training in infectious processes and human pathogens (bacteria, viruses, unicellular parasites, etc.).

A particular feature of this Master's program is its focus on the molecular and cellular aspects of infection. It is rooted in the community of Montpellier research laboratories involved in these aspects of infectiology, including university laboratories (Faculties of Science, Medicine and Pharmacy), research institutes (CNRS, INSERM, IRD, CIRAD, etc.) and university hospitals in Montpellier and Nîmes.

The vast majority of laboratories likely to welcome students for this Master's program (and possibly for a subsequent doctorate) are associated with major French research institutes, and are particularly numerous (over 70 HDR supervisors). They represent considerable expertise in the field, as demonstrated by their involvement in national and European projects, and their well-established international visibility. Links with the COIMBRA group of European universities also give this Master's program an international outlook. The PACA-LR EuroBiomed inter-regional competitiveness cluster (one of whose major axes is "Diagnostics and therapeutics of infectious and tropical diseases") and the IHU "Méditerranée-Infection/Infectiopole Sud", with which many of the researchers involved in this course are associated, are levers of innovation and potentially of economic insertion.

The integrated teaching for both years of the Master's program, although not exhaustive in the field, aims to give students a level of competence that will enable them to grasp any specific research or development topic in the fields of Microbiology, under their molecular and cellular aspects. Teaching is in English. Courses are given in the form of lectures covering the most recent research work, and in the form of tutorials with critical analysis of articles. Practical training takes place mainly in research laboratories (2 internships in M1, 1 internship in M2), but also includes practical work in immunology.

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Experimental and Regenerative Medicine

This 2-year course covers the major physiological functions and the most advanced methods for normalizing homeostasis disturbed by pathologies. This translational approach is made possible by numerous interactions between fundamentalists and clinicians.

Targeted approaches and, more specifically, modern therapeutic methods in humans are discussed.

It draws on the skills of specialists from research units in Montpellier and throughout France.

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BIOTIN

The BIOTIN master's degree in biology and health is accredited by the universities of Montpellier and Nîmes, and by the Institut Mines-Télécom. It also has agreements with Polytech, the Kedge Business School in Marseille, the Etablissement Français du Sang and collaborates with Inserm-transfert. It is accredited by the Eurobiomed competitiveness cluster, which coordinates academic and industrial healthcare activities in the PACA and Occitanie regions, including research organizations and universities, as well as some 300 biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

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Neuroscience

This course covers the major physiological and pathological functions of the nervous system. It focuses on fundamental aspects of neurobiology and neurophysiology, and covers the molecular, cellular and integrated aspects of neuronal communication and the integration of synaptic signals at the basis of an individual's behavior. These different aspects are dealt with in the context of normal and pathological functioning of the nervous system. Teaching will cover the latest conceptual and technological advances in neuroscience, as well as recent advances in the understanding and treatment of major neurological and psychiatric diseases. Particular attention will be paid to explaining and presenting the crucial interconnections between basic, translational and clinical research in the development of innovative therapies.

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IDIL- Sciences for human health

The interdisciplinary, multi-scale research used in modern Bio-Health requires people working in the field to be trained in a wide range of disciplines. In this sense, the "Sciences for Human Health (SH2)" pathway provides a new training course within a higher education establishment for young scientists, ranging from Masters to Doctorate, while bringing together people with different backgrounds.

Based on this observation, the program (SH2) implements a dual curriculum in medicine and biology, to train future leaders, scientists and healthcare professionals in the field of Bio-Health. The training provides a solid grounding in key disciplines, and creates close links between training and research.

This course is aimed at students from science and technology backgrounds who work closely with the healthcare sector (doctors, pharmacists, odontologists).

Examples of teaching units:
- Cell biology
- Functional genomics
- Current research in immunology

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