Health, Science

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

  • ECTS

    120 credits

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Training Structure

    College of Sciences

  • Language(s) of Instruction

    English

Overview

At the intersection of biology, physics, chemistry, and bioinformatics, qbio is a 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 from a pedagogical standpoint. Discussions led by the teachers, combined with the observation and hands-on exploration of real materials and concrete challenges, will help students master the various subjects.

Qbio is built on practical, project-based teaching modules in the first year. The second year focuses on internships, communication, and scientific writing. Students will review the fundamentals of various disciplines during the Bootcamp, an intensive teaching module held at the beginning of the master’s program.

For more information and a detailed description of the various courses, visit our website at https://qbio.umontpellier.fr

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The Benefits of the Training Program

Program Highlights
- Subsidized internships during the M1 and M2 years
- Courses taught in English and an international environment
- Customizable courses
- Support from a mentor

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Objectives

Ability to approach a biological system from a quantitative perspective, using either modeling/data analysis or state-of-the-art experimental methods.

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Expertise and Skills

  • Design, conduct, and analyze an experimental plan 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

Course Units: 20 ECTS
- Core Units: Fundamental courses specific to a discipline.
- Non-Core Units: Introduction to another discipline in the IDIL graduate program.
- In-Lab Units: Workshops and practical exercises in the laboratory designed to develop specific skills or techniques over the course of a few days.
- Cross-Disciplinary Units: Methodological and career-oriented courses.

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

Research Internship: 30 ECTS
Participation in a research project and learning theory and skills through hands-on experience.

MASTER 2

Course Units: 20 ECTS
- Core Units: Fundamental courses specific to a discipline.
- Non-Core Unit: Introduction to another discipline in the IDIL graduate program.
- Cross-Disciplinary Units: Methodological and professional development courses.

Multidisciplinary Team Project: 10 ECTS
An interdisciplinary project led by students from various IDIL programs

Research Internship: 30 ECTS
Participation in a research project and learning theory and skills through hands-on experience.

The IDIL Model:
The IDIL (Interdisciplinary In lab') graduate program at the University of Montpellier launched in September 2022, with the goal of training students through and for research via educational innovation. The IDIL tracks available are diverse and cover numerous disciplines, ranging from bio-health to political science. 
Taught entirely in English, the IDIL tracks offer students the opportunity to pursue their studies through a unique structure based on four main aspects:
- Learning by doing. The IDIL programs place a strong emphasis on learning by doing by incorporating “In-lab units” (courses held in a laboratory) into their curricula, as well as a funded research internship during the M1 and M2 years. The IDIL program provides access to approximately 100 laboratories at the University of Montpellier, where students will engage in immersive research work.

- Customized curriculum. IDIL students can tailor their academic path to their career goals and interests by selecting courses from three different instructional units: Non-Core, In-Lab, and Cross-Disciplinary. Academic advising will be provided to ensure that each student’s curriculum aligns with their chosen field of study.

- Introduction to a new discipline. All IDIL students must choose a Non-Core course, which is an introductory course in a discipline from another IDIL track. For example, a student in Comparative Politics and Public Policy may take an introductory course in the Applied Ecological and Evolutionary Sciences track. This program allows students to develop a unique academic profile and is an effective way to foster interdisciplinary thinking, a key aspect of modern research.

- Mentoring. Throughout their IDIL program, students will be mentored by a researcher from one of Montpellier’s laboratories. The mentor is responsible for helping students prepare for their internships, teaching theory through various workshops, and helping students build their professional networks.

For more information on the IDIL graduate program, click 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
  • CHOICE 1

    5 credits
    • Choose one: 1 out of 1

      • Applied Statistics in Biology

        5 credits
  • Introduction to Quantitative Biology

  • Synthetic Biology - Lab Sessions

    5 credits
  • Imaging Biologicals Systems - Practical Applications

    5 credits
  • Internship_FDS

    15 credits
  • TER_FDS

    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
  • CHOICE 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 B2 level of English
• Resume and cover letter
• 2 letters of recommendation from a researcher and/or professor
• Estimated ranking of the student within their graduating class
• Detailed transcript

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Registration Procedures

First, please contact the program director of the master’s program you are interested in to obtain information about the expected academic level and the 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 mindset.

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Tuition Fees

Available Scholarships
- 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 study in Montpellier (up to 600€)
- International students | French as a foreign language courses are offered to help international students integrate.

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Mandatory Prerequisites

A solid understanding of the fundamentals 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 then

Continuing Education

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

Pursuing a Ph.D.
The IDIL programs are well-suited for students wishing to pursue a Ph.D., as the IDIL graduate program provides funding for dissertations centered on interdisciplinary research projects.

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Employment Placement

Private Biotech Sector

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

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