Health, Science

Epigenetics, Genetics and Cell Biology (EpiGenBio)

  • ECTS

    120 credits

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Science

  • Language(s) of instruction

    French, English

Presentation

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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Objectives

The aim of the "EpiGenBIo" program is to train students from scientific and medical backgrounds in basic research and its possible applications in the fields of medical genetics, biotherapies and carcinogenesis.

The program is designed to provide training in multidisciplinary approaches to the life sciences. Integrated courses in genetics, epigenetics, functional genomics, cell biology, biochemistry and the acquisition of statistical tools enable students to tackle major biological issues such as the regulation of genome expression and cellular communication at the level of the cell and the whole organism, integrating structural, functional and evolutionary aspects. 

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This is a multidisciplinary program in biological health sciences that aims to encompass at both molecular and cellular levels the regulation of gene expression that controls cell fate during development in normal and pathological contexts.

The main objective of this Master's program is to train students from both scientific and medical backgrounds for fundamental research in an academic environment, as well as for possible applications in the fields of medical genetics, biotherapy or cancerology.

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Know-how and skills

  • Literature review and synthesis
  • Oral and written presentation of scientific results in English
  • Carry out a research project independently, going through the stages of conception, experimentation and interpretation, using the latest tools in the field concerned.
  • Adopting ethical behavior
  • Adopt a methodology specific to basic and/or medical research
  • Transdisciplinary skills
  • Teamwork in compliance with standards
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Organization

Program

Select a program

M1 - Epigenetics, Genetics and Cell Biology (EpiGenBio)

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  • CHOICE 1

    15 credits
    • Choice of 3 out of 3

      • Statistics applied to biology

        5 credits
      • Structural Biology

        5 credits
      • Cellular communications and signalling

        5 credits
  • Cell Biology

    5 credits
  • Developmental genetics

    5 credits
  • English_FDS

    5 credits
  • Stage_FDS

    15 credits
  • CHOICE 3

    5 credits
    • Your choice: 1 of 4

      • Long-term internship or abroad

        5 credits
      • Cell culture

        5 credits
      • Practical analysis of genomics data in R

        5 credits
      • Medical genetics and genetic counseling

        5 credits
  • TER_FDS

    5 credits

M2 - Epigenetics, Genetics and Cell Biology (EpiGenBio)

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  • Cell Fate & Plasticity

    5 credits
  • TER_FDS_S3

    5 credits
  • CHOICE 1

    10 credits
    • Choice of 2 out of 5

      • Genetic information - Epigenetics - Mechanistic bases

        5 credits
      • Physical Biology

      • Signage: Methods and Concepts

        5 credits
      • Bioinformatics and System Biology

        5 credits
      • Integrative Pathophysiology

        5 credits
  • Developmental Biology, Stem Cells and Biotherapy

    5 credits
  • Workshop in Epigenetics

    5 credits
  • Fictional research project_FDS

    10 credits
  • Stage_FDS

    20 credits

Admission

Access conditions

Applications can be submitted on the following platforms: 

French & European students :

 

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Target audience

Students with a scientific or healthcare background.

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Necessary prerequisites

Students should have a basic knowledge of genetics, cell and molecular biology.

Students should have strong basic knowledge in Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology.

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Recommended prerequisites

Bases en épigénétique - Knowledge in Epigenetics

Génomique fonctionnelle - Functional Genomics

Biologie du développement - Developmental biology

Bio-statistics or bio-informatics - Biostatistics or Bioinformatics

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And then

Further studies

  • PhD
  • Master's degree to acquire dual skills (e.g. bioinformatics, clinical research, therapeutic trials, MBA management...).
  • Gateway to medical training
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Professional integration

  • Doctoral student
  • Study or research engineer in Biology
  • Clinical Research Associate
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