Health, Science

IDIL - Quantitative Biology: Molecular Mechanisms of Living Systems (qBio)

  • ECTS

    120 credits

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Science

  • Language(s) of instruction

    English

Presentation

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

The qbio curriculum has been designed to be highly innovative in pedagogical terms. Discussions led by teachers, together with the observation and manipulation of real material and concrete difficulties, will help 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's program.

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

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The advantages of the training program

Program benefits
- Subsidized internships in M1 and M2
- Courses in English and an international environment
- Customizable courses
- Support from a mentor

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Objectives

Ability to approach a biological system with a quantitative perspective, via either modeling/data analysis or state-of-the-art experimental approaches.

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Know-how and skills

  • Design, conduct, and analyze an experimental plan in order to answer a specific biological question from a quantitative perspective.
  • Organize a scientific event
  • Present a scientific project (oral presentation and written reports)
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Program

MASTER 1

Teaching units: 20 ECTS
- Core units: Fundamental teaching specific to a discipline.
- Non-core unit: Introduction to another discipline in the IDIL graduate program.
- In-lab units: Workshops and practical cases in the laboratory to acquire specific skills or techniques over a few days.
- Cross-disciplinary units: Methodological and professional teaching.

Personal Project: 10 ECTS
Development of a personal project related to research, preparation for a research internship

Research internship: 30 ECTS credits
Participation in a research project, and learning theory and skills through practice.

MASTER 2

Teaching units: 20 ECTS
- Core units: Fundamental teaching specific to a discipline.
- Non-core unit: Introduction to another discipline in the IDIL graduate program.
- Cross-disciplinary units: Methodological and professional training.

Multidisciplinary Team Project: 10 ECTS
Interdisciplinary project led by students from different IDIL backgrounds

Research internship: 30 ECTS credits
Participation in a research project, and learning theory and skills through practice.

The IDIL model:
The IDIL (Interdisciplinary In lab') graduate program at the University of Montpellier opened its doors in September 2022, with the aim of training students through and for research via educational innovation. The IDIL courses available are diverse and cover many disciplines, from bio-health to political science. 
Taught entirely in English, IDIL courses offer students the opportunity to follow their courses through a unique structure based on four main aspects:
- Learning by doing. IDIL courses place a strong emphasis on learning by doing, including In-lab units (courses taking place in a laboratory) and a subsidized research internship in M1 and M2. The IDIL program opens the doors to around 100 laboratories at the University of Montpellier, where students will be immersed in their work.

- Customization of the curriculum. IDIL students have the opportunity to tailor their course of study to their career plans and interests by selecting courses from three different teaching units: Non Core, In-lab, and Transversales. Support will be offered to ensure that the student's curriculum corresponds to their chosen field of study.

- Introduction to a new discipline. All IDIL students must choose a Non-Core teaching unit, which is an introductory course to a discipline from another IDIL program. For example, a student in Comparative Politics and Public Policy can take an introductory course in Applied Ecological and Evolutionary Sciences. This system allows students to develop a unique profile and is an effective way to develop interdisciplinary thinking, a major challenge in modern research.

- Support from a mentor. Throughout their IDIL program, students will be coached by a researcher from Montpellier's laboratories. The mentor will help prepare students for their internships, teach theory through various workshops, and help students develop their professional network.

More information about the IDIL graduate program can be found here: https://idil.edu.umontpellier.fr/ 

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Select a program

M1 IDIL - Quantitative Biology: Molecular Mechanisms of Living Systems (qBio)

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  • Structural Biology

    5 credits
  • Boot camp

    5 credits
  • OPTION 1

    5 credits
    • Choose 1 from 1

      • Statistics applied to biology

        5 credits
  • Introduction to Quantitative Biology

  • Synthetic Biology - Practical Applications

    5 credits
  • Imaging Biological Systems - Practical Applications

    5 credits
  • Internship_FDS

    15 credits
  • TER_MSDS

    5 credits
  • Practical Modeling and Simulation of Biological Systems

    5 credits
  • Applied Structural Biology

    5 credits

M2 IDIL - Quantitative Biology: Molecular Mechanisms of Living Systems (qBio)

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  • Workshop

    5 credits
  • OPTION 1

    10 credits
    • Choose 2 out of 5

      • Genetic Information - Epigenetics - Mechanistic Foundations

        5 credits
      • Physical Biology

      • Signaling: Methods and Concepts

        5 credits
      • Bioinformatics and Systems Biology

        5 credits
      • Integrative Pathophysiology

        5 credits
  • Lab_2

    15 credits
  • Lab_3

    25 credits
  • Scientific Writing

    5 credits

Admission

Admission requirements

• Bachelor's degree in one of the IDIL fields
• Minimum English level B2
• CV and cover letter
• Two letters of recommendation from a researcher and/or professor
• Estimated ranking of the student in their class
• Explanatory transcript

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Registration procedures

First, please contact the program director for the Master's degree you are interested in to obtain information about the expected level and type of instruction offered.

French and European students: follow the "MonMaster" procedure: https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/*


International students from outside the EU: follow the "Etudes en France" procedure: https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html

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Target audience

Highly motivated biologists, physicists, biochemists, and mathematicians with a strong interdisciplinary approach.

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Tuition fees

Scholarships available
- Paid internships in M1 & M2
- International students | A 4-month IDIL scholarship is available in M1 & M2 (€600/month)
- International students | The IDIL program reimburses your travel expenses to come and study in Montpellier (up to €600)
- International students | French as a foreign language courses are offered to facilitate the integration of international students.

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Mandatory prerequisites

Good knowledge of the basics of biochemistry, molecular biology, physics (mechanics, optics), and mathematics (complex numbers, derivatives, etc.). 

 

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Recommended prerequisites

Basics of Python programming.

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And after

Continuing education

PhD in an academic or private context (in France or abroad).

Doctoral studies
IDIL courses are conducive to doctoral studies, with the IDIL graduate program subsidizing theses organized around interdisciplinary research projects.

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Professional integration

Private biotech environment

qbio provides a solid scientific foundation for students interested in careers in publishing, management, or event planning.

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