ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Language(s) of Instruction
French, English
Overview
This program focuses on microbiology in the broadest sense, including the immune response to infection. It is designed to provide Master’s-level training on infectious processes and human pathogens (bacteria, viruses, unicellular parasites, etc.).
One of the key features of this master’s program is its focus on the molecular and cellular aspects of infection. It is deeply rooted in Montpellier’s research laboratory community focused on these aspects of infectious diseases, including university laboratories (Faculties of Science, Medicine, and Pharmacy), research institutes (CNRS, INSERM, IRD, CIRAD, etc.), and university hospitals in Montpellier and Nîmes.
The laboratories that may accept students as part of this Master’s program (as well as, potentially, for a subsequent Ph.D.) are, for the most part, affiliated with major French research institutes and are particularly numerous (more than 70 HDR-qualified supervisors). They possess extensive expertise in the field, as evidenced by their involvement in national and European projects and their well-established international reputation. Links with the COIMBRA group of European universities also provide an international dimension to this Master’s program. The PACA-LR EuroBiomed interregional competitiveness cluster (one of whose major focus areas is “Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious and Tropical Diseases”) and the “Méditerranée-Infection/Infectiopole Sud” IHU, with which many researchers involved in this program are affiliated, serve as drivers of innovation and, potentially, economic integration.
The integrated curriculum for the two-year Master’s program, while not exhaustive in this field, aims to provide students with a level of expertise that enables them to address any specific topic in research or development within the fields of microbiology, focusing on their molecular and cellular aspects. Instruction is conducted in English. Courses are delivered in the form of lectures covering even the most recent research and in the form of seminars involving critical analysis of scientific articles. Practical training is carried out primarily in research laboratories (two internships in the first year of the Master’s program, one internship in the second year) but also through practical work in immunology.
Objectives
This program provides training in research and through research (internships during the first and second years of the master’s program) that has practical applications, either in so-called academic research with career opportunities at universities and research organizations (CNRS, INSERM, IRD, INRA, CIRAD...), or in areas such as therapeutics, diagnostics, or patient care, which provide mutual benefits to university hospitals and companies in the field.
Expertise and Skills
- Integration of knowledge in molecular and cellular infectious microbiology: from basic to experimental, from the molecular to the cellular level
- Training in a cutting-edge research environment in infectious diseases
- Development of critical thinking skills through the analysis of scientific articles and research internships
Organization
Program
The first year of the Master’s program consists of semesters 7 and 8. Semester 7 consists exclusively of courses. Semester 8 consists of a supervised research project (TER) involving the analysis of an academic article, and two research laboratory internships.
The Master 2 program consists of semesters 9 and 10. Semester 9 consists exclusively of courses. Semester 10 includes a mock research project (PRF), in which students develop a mock thesis proposal, and a long-term internship in a research laboratory.
Select a program
M1 - Infection Biology
Experimental Approaches in Infection Biology
5 creditsCHOICE 1
10 creditsChoose 2 out of 2
Cell Biology
5 creditsStructural Biology
5 credits
Molecular Bases of Infectious Diseases
Applied Statistics in Biology
5 credits
Stage 1: Infection.
10 creditsImmunopathology
5 creditsTER_FDS
5 creditsStage 2: Infection.
10 credits
M2 - Infection Biology
Immune responses to pathogens
5 creditsMolecular and Cellular Bacteriology
Molecular and Cellular Virology
5 creditsCHOICE 1
10 creditsChoose 2 out of 5
Molecular and Cellular Parasitology
5 credits
Fictional Research Project + TER (Infectio)
10 creditsInternship_FDS
20 credits
Admission
Admission Requirements
Applications can be submitted through the following platforms:
French and European students:
- For the M1 program, follow the “My Master’s” procedure on the website:https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/
- For the M2 program, students must submit their application through the e-candidat portal: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
- Students who have completed their third year of a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or an equivalent program
- Students in the schools of medicine or pharmacy who wish to deepen their molecular and cellular understanding of infectious microorganisms.
Mandatory Prerequisites
- Fundamentals of molecular biology, cell biology, and microbiology
- English proficiency equivalent to B1/B2 (no certificate required)
Recommended Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of genomics and immunology
And then
Continuing Education
The Master 2 degree in Infection Biology opens the door to pursuing doctoral studies. Graduates may also continue their studies to acquire dual expertise (biotechnology law, mediation, and media relations, etc.).
Continuing Your Education Abroad
The Master 2 degree in Infection Biology also opens the door to pursuing doctoral studies abroad.
Employment Placement
Graduates are qualified to work in academic research, in the private sector in the fields of therapeutics, diagnostics, and more, or in teaching.