ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French, English
Presentation
At the M1 level, a mandatory core curriculum allows students to acquire and consolidate fundamental knowledge in genetics, genomics, cell biology, and developmental biology. Starting in this first year, students can choose to strengthen their knowledge of genetics by selecting three genetics course units. It should be noted that M1 teaching is cross-disciplinary, as many course units are common to different tracks within the Master's in Biology and Health. This structure allows students to develop a personalized track of their choice: molecular bases of hereditary diseases, signaling, structural biochemistry, biostatistics, pathophysiology, or R programming.
At the M2 level, courses are directly linked to research laboratories. A compulsory elective course is supplemented by a thematic course.
This organization allows for cross-disciplinary training and international exposure.
As part of the thematic program, a workshop on epigenetics is being organized. This workshop provides an opportunity to bring together internationally renowned scientists and clinicians working on current topics in the field of genetics and epigenetics (program subject to change). The workshop has two objectives: to provide in-depth training in various areas of genetic research and to give students and professionals the opportunity to discuss their career paths.
During this course, lectures are combined with guest seminars given by researchers who have contributed to major advances in the field.
These teaching sessions are then explored in greater depth through article analysis, methodological discussions, and roundtable discussions with specialist researchers. Each student thus benefits from personalized supervision, giving them the opportunity to engage in direct dialogue 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 from 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 on 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.
The advantages of the training program
The originality of this course lies in its integration of the latest technologies into the study of the entire organism in vivo in normal and pathological contexts.
- A multidisciplinary training program by and for Fundamental or Clinical Research
- An International Workshop on Epigenetics
- The guarantee of acquiring solid foundations in Genetics, Epigenetics, Genomics, and Developmental Biology while ensuring a personalized learning path.
- Teaching units in the form of lectures in English given by specialists in each field
- Two internships in a research team in France or abroad with a network of host laboratories.
Objectives
The aim of the "EpiGenBio" program is to train students from scientific and medical backgrounds in fundamental research and its possible applications in the fields of medical genetics, biotherapies, and carcinogenesis.
This is a training program in multidisciplinary approaches to life sciences. Integrated teaching units in genetics, epigenetics, functional genomics, cell biology, biochemistry, and statistical tools are provided in order to understand the major issues in biology, such as the regulation of genome expression and cell communication at the cellular and organismal levels, 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.
Know-how and skills
- Bibliographic analysis and synthesis
- Oral and written presentation of scientific results in English
- Conducting a research project independently, going through the stages of design, experimentation, and interpretation using the latest tools in the relevant field.
- Act ethically
- Adopt a methodology specific to fundamental and/or medical research
- Acquisition of transdisciplinarity
- Teamwork in compliance with standards
Organization
Program
Select a program
M1 - Epigenetics, Genetics, and Cell Biology (EpiGenBio)
OPTION 1
15 creditsChoose 3 out of 3
Statistics applied to biology
5 creditsStructural Biology
5 creditsCellular communications and signaling
5 credits
Cell biology
5 creditsDevelopmental genetics
5 credits
English_MSDS
5 creditsInternship_FDS
15 creditsOPTION 3
5 creditsChoose 1 out of 4
Long-term or overseas internship
5 creditsCell culture
5 creditsPractical analysis of genomic data in R
5 creditsMedical Genetics and Genetic Counseling
5 credits
TER_MSDS
5 credits
M2 - Epigenetics, Genetics, and Cell Biology (EpiGenBio)
Cell Fate & Plasticity
5 creditsTER_FDS_S3
5 creditsOPTION 1
10 creditsChoose 2 out of 5
Developmental Biology, Stem Cells, and Biotherapy
5 creditsWorkshop in Epigenetics
5 credits
Fictitious research project_FDS
10 creditsInternship_FDS
20 credits
Admission
Admission requirements
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
Target audience
Students with a background in science or healthcare professions.
Mandatory prerequisites
Students must have a fundamental knowledge of genetics, cellular and molecular biology.
Students should have strong basic knowledge in Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology.
Recommended prerequisites
Basics in epigenetics - Knowledge in Epigenetics
Functional Genomics
Developmental biology
Biostatistics or Bioinformatics
And after
Continuing education
- Doctorate
- Master's degree for acquiring dual skills (e.g., bioinformatics, clinical research, therapeutic trials, MBA in management, etc.).
- Bridge with medical training programs
Professional integration
- Doctoral student
- Biology Research or Development Engineer
- Clinical Research Associate