ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Language(s) of Instruction
French
Overview
The program offers multidisciplinary training in organic chemistry with a focus on life sciences. The curriculum centers on the synthesis, characterization, and study of the biological properties of essential biomolecules (nucleosides, oligonucleotides, saccharides, peptides, proteins, biopolymers, etc.) …
93 %
Success Rate
Objectives
The Biomolecular Chemistry track (3 specializations) aims to train professionals capable of managing the various research and development and/or organizational aspects of a project in the field of biomolecular chemistry. This track covers a broad range of skills, including, among others, the most advanced organic synthesis methodologies for producing biomolecules, the latest spectroscopic characterization and analytical methods, as well as skills in the design and development of biomolecules.
Expertise and Skills
Acquiring these skills will enable graduates of this master’s program to collaborate with colleagues from other disciplines (biologists, physical chemists, biochemists) and propose solutions that extend beyond their core expertise as chemists. Graduates of this Master’s program are eligible to pursue doctoral studies with the goal of becoming a faculty member or researcher (in academic research or the pharmaceutical industry). Graduates of this Master’s program are able to:
Transferable skills:
- Work as part of a multidisciplinary team covering a broad spectrum of basic sciences
- Formulating a Research Proposal After Reviewing the Literature
- Designing new molecules for therapeutic use or as biochemical tools
- Master the main methods of analysis
- Implement experimental approaches
- Using the computer tool
- Mastering Scientific English (spoken and written)
Subject-Specific Skills:
- Analyze the different steps of an experimental protocol
- Master the main techniques for the synthesis, purification, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic compounds
- Apply the latest spectroscopic and analytical techniques
- Designing New Molecules
- Analyze and interpret the experimental results of biological tests
General scientific skills:
- Use equipment and techniques for analyzing organic compounds and biomolecules
- Analyze the experimental data
- Identify and comply with regulations
- Understanding a Scientific Text Written in English
- Adopt a multidisciplinary approach
- Implement an experimental approach
- Understanding a Complex Situation
- Ability to integrate into a research organization: participation in projects, communication with specialists and non-specialists
General Skills:
- Ability to draw on resources from multiple disciplines
- Knowledge and understanding of a scientific field
- Ability to work in an international setting
- Working Independently: Setting Priorities, Managing Your Time
- Conducting a study: identifying a research question; constructing and developing an argument; interpreting the results; writing a summary
- Conducting a search for information: define the purpose of the search, identify ways to access the information, analyze its relevance, explain and share it
- Working as a Team: Fitting In, Finding Your Place, Collaborating
- Communicate: write clearly, prepare appropriate communication materials, speak in front of a group, and discuss materials
- Fitting into a professional environment
Organization
Knowledge Assessment
Each course unit (UE) is subject to graded assessments. Depending on the course unit, these assessments may take the form of ongoing evaluations (practical work and internships), final written exams, reports, and/or oral presentations. Grades for these course units can be averaged across them; an average of 10/20 or higher for all courses in the semester is required to pass the semester. Grades from different semesters cannot be averaged.
Open on an alternating basis
This program is offered as a work-study program.
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Required |
|---|
Semester 8: A 2- to 4-month internship providing an introduction to research in an academic or public laboratory.
Semester 10: 5- to 6-month internship. Research and development in an academic or private laboratory.
Semester 7: Career Project – Project Monitoring (5 hours of lectures, 5 hours of tutorials, 40 hours of lab work)
Program
This Master’s program in Chemistry is aligned with the European system. It is open to holders of a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. It is a university program worth 120 ECTS credits. It consists of four semesters, each worth 30 ECTS credits. The first year of the Master’s program (60 ECTS credits for S7 and S8) is common to all specializations offered in the second year (M2). The second year (S9) includes a core curriculum (major courses worth 18 ECTS) and a block of elective courses (minor courses worth 12 ECTS) corresponding to the Research Track (O1) and two professional tracks: the Synthesis Track (O2) and the Omics Analysis Track (O3).
Select a program
M1 - Chemistry of Biomolecules (BM)
Fluorinated and Phosphorus-Containing Biomolecules: Synthesis and Applications
2 creditsCHOICE 1
4 creditsChoose 2 out of 3
Solutions, Colloids, Interfaces
2 creditsSeparation Techniques
2 creditsAnalysis of Volatile Compounds
2 credits
Polymers for Healthcare
2 creditsHeterocyclic Chemistry
2 creditsChemistry of Natural Products
2 creditsLiquid NMR Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction
2 creditsAnalysis of Biomolecules by Mass Spectrometry
2 creditsChemometrics, statistical data analysis, experimental design
2 creditsOrganometallic Chemistry and Heterelement Chemistry
2 creditsCoordination Chemistry and Organic Chemistry
2 creditsProfessional Projects – Project Management
8 credits
2- to 4-month M1 internship with a defense and report in English
10 creditsNucleosides and Derivatives
2 creditsInnovative Synthesis and Extraction Processes
2 creditsMedicinal Chemistry
2 creditsAsymmetric Synthesis
2 creditsAmino Acids and Derivatives
2 creditsBio-based Chemistry
2 creditsCommunication and Career Integration
2 creditsOPTION 2
4 creditsChoose 2 out of 3
Introduction to Modeling
2 creditsHybrid and Structured Materials
2 creditsNanomaterials
2 credits
Strategies and Tools in Organic Synthesis
2 credits
M2 - Chemistry of Biomolecules (BM)
Fluorinated and Phosphorus-Containing Biomolecules: Synthesis and Applications
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Fluorinated biomolecules. Current developments in fluorinated molecules. Fluorination methods: nucleophilic and electrophilic monofluorination; introduction of difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl groups. The contribution of the fluorine atom(s) to the activity of these compounds. Examples of syntheses of fluorinated compounds used as antitumor and antiviral agents; antidepressants, anxiolytics, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.
Phosphorus-containing biomolecules. Structure, nomenclature, reactivity, structural analysis, and applications.
We will discuss several synthetic routes for compounds from each of the families covered, highlighting, where appropriate, unconventional activation methods. The focus will be on biomedical applications, as well as other applications in agrochemistry, optoelectronics, nanomaterials, and more.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m. (7.5 hours on fluorinated biomolecules and 7.5 hours on phosphorus-containing biomolecules)
TD: 5 hours
CHOICE 1
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Solutions, Colloids, Interfaces
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course unit provides students with foundational knowledge and cross-disciplinary skills in the field of colloids and interfaces, which are common to the various tracks within the Master’s in Chemistry program (Materials Chemistry, Separation Chemistry, Materials and Processes, ICAP Cosmetic Engineering, and Biomolecular Chemistry). It is also offered to international students enrolled in the SFRI program at the University of Montpellier, where instruction is conducted in English. An introductory presentation covering basic notions and concepts will help students discover and better understand the main physicochemical properties of colloidal dispersions, associative colloids, and macromolecular solutions, as well as the parameters and phenomena governing stability in colloidal dispersions and mixed solution-colloid systems. Next, an interdisciplinary practical course based on the flipped classroom model will be offered to help students build and deepen their knowledge through individual and group analysis of the various applications of colloidal and interfacial phenomena and systems.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 7
TD: 13
Separation Techniques
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The purpose of this course is to teach liquid-phase chromatography and gas-phase chromatography.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Analysis of Volatile Compounds
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Knowledge of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques using electron impact ionization and a quadrupole mass analyzer for the analysis of volatile organic molecules.
1) GC-MS analyses of volatile organic compounds:
- Electron Impact (EI) Ionization Techniques
- Chemical Ionization (CI) Techniques
- Quadrupole (Q) Analysis Techniques
- GC/MS Couplings
2) Applications in organic chemistry analysis and the characterization of volatile samples.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Polymers for Healthcare
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Knowledge of the major families of polymers used in the biomedical field.
1) Unique Characteristics of Polymers for Biomedical Applications and Major Families of Polymers Used
2) Description of Application Families
3) Discussion of the concept of synthesis and the relationship between structure, properties, and specifications
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 H
Heterocyclic Chemistry
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course provides a concise and systematic overview of all aspects of heterocyclic chemistry, from nomenclature to applications such as the mechanisms of action of medications, toxins, and drugs, as well as pigments, food colorings, and more…
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Chemistry of Natural Products
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Natural products play a major role in the field of biomolecular chemistry. They represent an important source of bioactive compounds for medicinal chemistry. This course provides a comprehensive overview of secondary metabolism and the origin of natural products derived from plants. This course will focus on the organic chemistry underlying the various biotransformations that occur during the biosynthesis of each major class of molecules. A mechanistic approach will be used to understand the chemical basis of each transformation.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 13
TD: 7
Liquid NMR Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
NMR:
Liquid-phase NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) is an essential spectroscopic analytical method for chemists, enabling, in particular, the determination of the structure of small organic molecules or macromolecules in solution, as well as the study of dynamic phenomena... The objective of this course unit is to understand the phenomena involved in this technique and to relate them to the various structural insights provided by this method. The goal is to be able to interpret the spectral data obtained from this analysis to elucidate the structure and stereochemistry of organic molecules or the structures of polymers, or to monitor reactions.
X-ray diffraction:
X-ray diffraction is a powerful, non-destructive technique for characterizing the crystalline structure of materials; it is also capable of providing crystallographic and structural information, such as lattice parameters and atomic positions. This includes all crystalline materials, such as ceramics, materials for energy and information storage and processing, as well as organic molecules and metal complexes (interatomic distances and angles, stereochemistry (chirality, stereoisomerism, etc.), intra- and intermolecular bonds, etc.). The objective of this course unit is to provide an introduction to crystallography and diffraction, with the goal of understanding the operation and characteristics of an X-ray diffractometer, as well as interpreting diffraction patterns (structural analysis, lattice parameters).
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 10
TD: 10
Analysis of Biomolecules by Mass Spectrometry
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Knowledge of the latest mass spectrometry techniques for the qualitative analysis of organic molecules and biomolecules.
1) Description of the fundamental principles (Ion Science and Technology):
- Ionization Techniques
- Analytical Techniques
- Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)
- LC/MS and LC/MS/MS couplings
2) Application in the analysis of biomolecules and the monitoring of organic chemical reactions.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Chemometrics, statistical data analysis, experimental design
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course unit will cover the fundamental concepts and practical tools of chemometrics through: - statistical data analysis;
- the laws of probability;
- confidence interval estimation;
- parametric and nonparametric tests.
An introduction to experimental design will be offered at the end of the module.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 7 a.m.
TD: 1:00 p.m.
Organometallic Chemistry and Heterelement Chemistry
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The first part of the course presents the fundamentals of transition-metal organometallic chemistry. It begins with a description of the metal-carbon bond to facilitate an understanding of its stability and chemical reactivity. Next, we will demonstrate the power of this synthetic tool for forming C–H, C–C, and other bonds. Examples of their applications in various fields will help students grasp these reactions and their areas of application: fine chemistry, industrially important catalytic transformations, the synthesis of natural products, and the preparation of materials.
The second part of this course is devoted to the chemistry of heteroelements, with a focus on silicon, tin, and boron. This part aims to present the various methods for preparing boron-, tin-, and silicon-based reagents, as well as the main transformations carried out with these compounds, including their applications in organic synthesis and materials synthesis.
CM: 1:00 p.m.
TD: 7 H
Coordination Chemistry and Organic Chemistry
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course is designed to build on the fundamentals of organic chemistry and coordination chemistry covered in the third year of the bachelor’s program and to introduce concepts related to molecular engineering and molecular chemistry. The course consists of lectures and tutorials. Students will prepare for certain lectures and tutorials using provided course materials, enabling them to actively participate in class and tutorials, understand the concepts presented, and acquire the necessary skills. A study plan and related activities will be provided. For students who have not covered the fundamentals of coordination chemistry and organic chemistry, relevant materials will be made available.
Coordination Chemistry: The course will cover various aspects of transition metal and lanthanide complexes, molecular materials (polynuclear complexes and coordination polymers with extended structures, such as MOFs, etc.), as well as their properties and applications. Structural aspects, bond characterization, properties, and issues related to stability and reactivity will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed on the complexation effect and the stability of complexes of metals, lanthanides, and actinides with certain ligands, with a view to applications in the biomedical field (imaging and therapy), decontamination (nuclear field), etc. The electronic properties (relaxivity, magnetism) and optical properties (absorption, luminescence) of these complexes will be discussed and placed in the context of applications in various fields, such as imaging, electronics, sensors, etc.
Organic Chemistry: This course builds on the knowledge acquired during the Bachelor’s program and will provide a systematic study of the main reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry, establishing a common foundation for all students in the Master’s in Chemistry program. The main processes (substitution, addition, elimination, transposition, etc.) and their essential characteristics and applications to mechanistic sequences will be examined. This course is designed to equip students with general tools for analyzing mechanisms (ionic, radical, and concerted) so they can understand these mechanisms in all their variety.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 1:00 p.m.
TD: 7 H
Professional Projects – Project Management
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
8 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The professional project bridges the gap between traditional practical work and laboratory or industry internships. It takes the form of a supervised project in which students are placed in a professional setting through collaborative (group) work based on the completion of a project addressing a problem identified by a company, local government, nonprofit organization, or academic institution. It is part of the core curriculum of the Master’s in Chemistry and is carried out under the supervision of a faculty member or industry professional serving as a mentor. Conducted throughout the semester, this project aims to integrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills acquired during the undergraduate and early Master’s programs through this professional scenario. These real-world scenarios will be directly related to the Master’s track chosen by the students. In addition to disciplinary skills in chemistry, students will also acquire interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills—which are intrinsically linked to project management—thereby equipping them for their future professional careers.

Addressing a research problem: an example of the synthesis of new phosphorescent materials.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 5 hours
TD: 5 hours
Practical Training: 40 hours
2- to 4-month M1 internship with a defense and report in English
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
10 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The internship in the 8th semester of the Master’s 1 program in Biomolecular Chemistry is designed to familiarize students with careers in life sciences research. Students will have the opportunity to complete this introductory research internship in academic or private laboratories. Subject to prior approval by the academic staff (internship topic must be related to the master’s program curriculum and the environment/resources must be appropriate), students may seek a host team in an academic setting at the institutes of the Chemistry Cluster at the University of Montpellier (IBMM, ICGM, …), in academic laboratories outside the University of Montpellier (in France or abroad), or in the private sector (chemical, pharmaceutical, and agri-food industries, biotechnology laboratories, …).
Fieldwork: 2- to 4-month internship
Nucleosides and Derivatives
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Nucleosides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). As such, they play an essential role in many biological processes. This course will cover the structure and biological role of natural nucleosides. The course will also cover the main pathways for the synthesis and characterization of these compounds and their analogs (glycosylation reactions, structural modifications of the furanose ring, substitution and introduction of heteroatoms, configuration inversion, etc.). The use of nucleoside analogs in the treatment of viral diseases and cancers will also be discussed.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Innovative Synthesis and Extraction Processes
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course is shared among MI students in the Master’s in Chemistry program: ICAP P1, ICAP P2, MAT P1, MAT P2, and BM (second semester). The following topics will be covered:
- The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry and Units of Measurement in Green Chemistry;
- Synthesis Strategies in Sustainable Chemistry;
- Alternative or environmentally friendly solvents for synthesis and extraction;
- Unconventional Activation Techniques and Applications.
CM: 13
TD: 7 H
Medicinal Chemistry
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The course on medicinal chemistry aims to introduce students to the key steps in the process of developing molecules with biological activity. In particular, the course will cover the interactions involved, the concept of the pharmacophore, bioisostery, and other related topics, as well as structure-activity relationship studies, enabling students to consider appropriate strategies and structural modifications.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Asymmetric Synthesis
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Following an overview of the concepts of prochirality and stereochemistry, this course will introduce the tools needed to master diastereoselective and enantioselective syntheses. The various approaches will be presented in a detailed and systematic manner. Examples of industrial syntheses of chiral bioactive molecules will be discussed.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 H
Amino Acids and Derivatives
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course covers synthetic methods used to produce enantiopure amino acids, as well as the use of chiral amino acids in the synthesis of other enantiopure compounds.
These amino acids are the building blocks of peptides. The various physicochemical properties resulting from the nature of these amino acids will enable the development of strategies for synthesizing peptides of interest and characterizing them.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 H
Bio-based Chemistry
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The following topics will be covered:
- Bio-based solvents
- Fuels derived from biomass
- Antioxidants derived from lignin
- Metal catalysts derived from plants
- Surfactants derived from renewable resources
- Examples of industrial applications of enzymatic synthesis
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
Communication and Career Integration
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This learning unit will explore, in small groups or through individualized instruction, educational tools and best practices related to communication and career integration, through:
- assessments of knowledge, skills, competencies, interpersonal skills, and motivation;
- raising awareness of job-search techniques;
- CV and cover letter writing;
- rules for oral and written communication;
- mock job interviews.
Practical exercises directly related to the industries targeted by the students’ respective programs will be offered.
TP: 8:00 p.m.
OPTION 2
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Introduction to Modeling
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
An overview of the most commonly used computational and modeling methods in the field of solid-state chemistry, categorized by the spatial and temporal scales that can be studied using these methods:
(1) Quantum calculations (Hartree-Fock, post-Hartree-Fock methods, DFT),
(2) Force-field-based modeling (atomistic and coarse-grained),
(3) Hybrid QMMM and AACG modeling.
Overview of various computational techniques: static and optimization calculations, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulations.
The EU will include lectures and lab sessions. Two modeling lab assignments will be offered: modeling techniques in classical mechanics and quantum calculations.
CM: 11:00 a.m.
TD: 9:00 a.m.
Hybrid and Structured Materials
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
"Hybrid" materials constitute a new class of materials that combine organic ligands linking inorganic units; they are being studied more and more, both from a fundamental and an applied perspective.
In this course unit, two main categories of hybrid materials will be covered:
- Coordination Networks and Metal-Organic Frameworks
- Organosilicon/carbon materials
CM: 10 a.m.
TD: 10 a.m.
Nanomaterials
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course unit is dedicated to introducing inorganic materials and nanomaterials intended for use in the biomedical field (imaging, therapy, implants). This course unit builds upon the knowledge acquired in course unit HAC930C (Development of Materials for Health). The course aims to explore health-related issues and the role of inorganic materials and nanomaterials in diagnosis, therapy, and well-being. Strategies for developing future inorganic materials and nanomaterials based on theragnostics, multifunctionality, and smart materials will also be addressed.
The EU program includes lectures and tutorials. Students will be assigned a group project on the (theoretical) study of a material or inorganic nanomaterials for health applications.
CM: 11
TD: 9
Strategies and Tools in Organic Synthesis
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The course on strategies and tools in organic synthesis focuses on developing a deeper understanding of strategies for synthesizing molecules—whether or not they are derived from nature—using the tools of organic chemistry.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Chem informatics
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The EU's thematic areas are as follows:
A theoretical section on chemoinformatics
A theoretical section focused specifically on modeling tools for drug design
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
A section focused on practical skills, including computer work
Project Management - Business Law
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Peptides and Proteins
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Peptides and proteins consist of chains of amino acid residues that confer specific properties upon them. Their functionality depends on their sequence—and thus on the chemical functions they possess—and is also greatly influenced by their structure. In addition to conventional peptide synthesis, advanced options for functional modification, structural changes, and property adjustments—which can significantly alter or enhance the properties of the resulting peptide—will be explored. Significant biotechnological developments in both the chemical and biological fields will be discussed, leading to a wide range of applications in which peptides and proteins are successfully utilized.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
Recipe Collection
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Receptors are of major interest in medicinal chemistry and account for more than 40% of current therapeutic targets. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching the basic concepts and fundamental principles of receptor science necessary for students pursuing studies in biomolecular chemistry at the interface of chemistry and biology.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Nucleic acids
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Discusses the structure and function of nucleic acids. Reviews methods used to synthesize DNA- and RNA-based oligonucleotides, as well as chemical reactions that lead to modifications of nucleic acids for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Additional topics include: nucleic acid molecular beacons, antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides, and DNA arrays.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
NMR
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
In-depth study of 1H, 13C, 19F, 29Si, and 31PNMR, as well as two-dimensional methods. The basics of EPR will also be covered (principles and applications).
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 H
Targeted Delivery
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Number of hours
20h
This course covers the various molecular and supramolecular tools used for the vectorization and delivery of active ingredients based on the type of cells or intracellular organelles being targeted. Ligand-receptor interactions will be discussed, as will methods for preparing and activating conjugates. Examples of drugs will be presented.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 H
Structure-Based Drug Design
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
Mass Spectrometry
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Knowledge of the latest mass spectrometry techniques for the detection, identification, and structural characterization of organic molecules and biomolecules.
Applications in chemistry (pharmaceutical industry) and biology (omics approaches).
1) Structural elucidation (Ion characterization technologies):
- LC/MS/MS and exact mass measurements
- Isotope Labeling, H/D Exchange
- Ionic Mobility
2) Surface analysis and imaging (molecular mapping)
3) Applications in chemistry and biology: characterization of small organic molecules and biomolecules.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Chemobiology (67% ENSCM)
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The course will focus on organic chemistry and the post-functionalization of biomolecules—specifically peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)—with applications in gene therapy, biosensing, and the design of probes for biological studies.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Lipid Compounds
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The following topics will be covered:
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids and sphingolipids
- Glycolipids
- Fat-soluble vitamins
- Steroid hormones
- Bile salts
- Structure and Synthesis of Prostaglandins and Leukotrienes
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
Glycochemistry
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The following topics will be covered:
- General Mechanism of Glycosylation
- Synthesis of glycosyl donors
- Methods for Activating Glycosyl Donors
- Stereoselective synthesis of several natural oligosaccharides
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
Prodrugs/bioprecursors
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Understanding the limitations associated with the administration of an active ingredient (solubility, bioavailability, etc.).
General description of the enzymatic systems involved in the biotransformation of nutrients and exogenous compounds.
Description of the main modes of membrane transport and transport systems for fundamental biomolecules (sugars, amino acids, nucleosides, etc.).
Examples of prodrug and bioprecursor designs.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 H
CHOICE 1
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Inorganic (Nano)materials for Health
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course unit is dedicated to introducing inorganic materials and nanomaterials intended for use in the biomedical field (imaging, therapy, implants). This course unit builds upon the knowledge acquired in course unit HAC930C (Development of Materials for Health). The course aims to explore health-related issues and the role of inorganic materials and nanomaterials in diagnosis, therapy, and well-being. Strategies for developing future inorganic materials and nanomaterials based on theragnostics, multifunctionality, and smart materials will also be addressed.
The EU program includes lectures and tutorials. Students will be assigned a group project on the (theoretical) study of a material or inorganic nanomaterials for health applications.
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 11
TD: 9
Nanotechnologies and Multifunctional Systems for Therapeutic Applications
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
Internship
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
25 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
A 5- to 6-month internship must be completed in a research or research and development laboratory specializing in organic chemistry, biomolecular chemistry, biochemistry, analytical instrumentation, or analytical testing and development. Students will thus have the opportunity to complete this end-of-program internship in academic or private research laboratories. Subject to prior approval by the faculty (the internship topic must be related to the master’s program curriculum, and the environment and resources must be adequate), students may seek a host team in an academic setting at the institutes of the Chemistry Cluster at the University of Montpellier (IBMM, ICGM, IEM…), in academic laboratories outside the University of Montpellier (in France or abroad), or in the private sector (chemical, pharmaceutical, agri-food, and cosmetics industries; biotechnology laboratories; etc.), as well as in research facilities such as proteomics, metabolomics, and fluxomics platforms.
The research project assigned to students must be related to the skills and expertise they have acquired during previous semesters and in the courses they have taken, particularly in Semester 9, depending on their chosen track.
This 5- to 6-month internship may begin in mid-January after the exam period and may not exceed 6 months, with one semester included during the period of valid university enrollment. The faculty of the Master’s program in Biomolecular Chemistry will advise students on finding an internship that matches their aspirations and abilities.
Advanced English
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Bibliographic Project/Scientific Information
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Scientific Information: This course aims to familiarize students with scientific research and information management. As part of this, recent bibliographic search tools will be explained and used during lectures and tutorials (Electronic resources: SciFinder / ISIS / Beilstein). Training on the features of Zotero and the use of the electronic lab notebook will also be provided. The writing and analysis of scientific publications will be covered.
Bibliographic Project: Tools for researching scientific information will be applied to a real-world scenario. The teaching team will assign each student a bibliographic topic related to the specialization they have chosen. If necessary, this bibliographic topic may be defined in consultation with the host organization where the internship will take place.
For this personal project, the student will have access to all the bibliographic resources available at the university or the host company. The bibliographic research may be combined with the English course to prepare for an oral presentation similar to one given at an international conference.
Biotechnology and Applications
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The purpose of this course is to highlight biological processes at the cellular level or even in living organisms. Various molecular imaging approaches will be covered (fluorescent probes, radiolabeling).
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 9:00 a.m.
Land: 11 H
Green Chemistry
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The principles of green chemistry provide a foundation for the evaluation and design of new chemical products and processes that minimize negative impacts on human health and the environment. In this course, offered to M2 students in the Master’s program in Biomolecular Chemistry (BM), Track 2 (O2), we will cover the basic principles and concepts of green chemistry, as well as their applications in the field of unconventional activation methods and the use of alternative solvents in organic synthesis.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 9:00 a.m.
Field: 11 h
Extraction and Separation of Biomolecules
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course unit will cover techniques for the extraction of biomolecules (protein precipitation, SPE), as well as techniques for the separation of biomolecules (chromatography, electrophoresis).
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 9 a.m.
Field: 11 h
Project Management - Business Law
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Peptides and Proteins
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Peptides and proteins consist of chains of amino acid residues that confer specific properties upon them. Their functionality depends on their sequence—and thus on the chemical functions they possess—and is also greatly influenced by their structure. In addition to conventional peptide synthesis, advanced options for functional modification, structural changes, and property adjustments—which can significantly alter or enhance the properties of the resulting peptide—will be explored. Significant biotechnological developments in both the chemical and biological fields will be discussed, leading to a wide range of applications in which peptides and proteins are successfully utilized.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
Supported Syntheses
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
In chemistry, solid-phase synthesis is a method in which molecules are covalently bonded to a solid support and synthesized step by step using selective protective groups. The purpose of this applied course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of this field and to examine supported strategies for the practical preparation of polypeptides and oligonucleotides.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 9:00 a.m.
Land: 11 H
Nucleic acids
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Discusses the structure and function of nucleic acids. Reviews methods used to synthesize DNA- and RNA-based oligonucleotides, as well as chemical reactions that lead to modifications of nucleic acids for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Additional topics include: nucleic acid molecular beacons, antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides, and DNA arrays.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
CHOICE 1
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Targeted Delivery
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Number of hours
20h
This course covers the various molecular and supramolecular tools used for the vectorization and delivery of active ingredients based on the type of cells or intracellular organelles being targeted. Ligand-receptor interactions will be discussed, as will methods for preparing and activating conjugates. Examples of drugs will be presented.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 H
Chemobiology (67% ENSCM)
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The course will focus on organic chemistry and the post-functionalization of biomolecules—specifically peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)—with applications in gene therapy, biosensing, and the design of probes for biological studies.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
NMR
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
In-depth study of 1H, 13C, 19F, 29Si, and 31PNMR, as well as two-dimensional methods. The basics of EPR will also be covered (principles and applications).
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 H
Multistep synthesis
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course aims to describe the synthetic tools applied to complex and polyfunctional molecules. Retrosynthetic and stereocontrolled approaches will be covered, as well as the judicious use of protective groups.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 9:00 a.m.
Land: 11 H
Functionalization/Bioconjugation
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Bioconjugation reactions are of major interest in the biomedical sciences and enable chemists to modify biomolecules to impart new functions or properties to them. This course will cover strategies for bioconjugation and the labeling of biomolecules, which allow for the exploration of complex biological systems. The lab sessions will illustrate these concepts through examples of bioconjugation using osidic and nucleotide platforms.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 9:00 a.m.
Land: 11 H
Mass Spectrometry
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Knowledge of the latest mass spectrometry techniques for the detection, identification, and structural characterization of organic molecules and biomolecules.
Applications in chemistry (pharmaceutical industry) and biology (omics approaches).
1) Structural elucidation (Ion characterization technologies):
- LC/MS/MS and exact mass measurements
- Isotope Labeling, H/D Exchange
- Ionic Mobility
2) Surface analysis and imaging (molecular mapping)
3) Applications in chemistry and biology: characterization of small organic molecules and biomolecules.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Lipid Compounds
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The following topics will be covered:
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids and sphingolipids
- Glycolipids
- Fat-soluble vitamins
- Steroid hormones
- Bile salts
- Structure and Synthesis of Prostaglandins and Leukotrienes
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
Glycochemistry
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The following topics will be covered:
- General Mechanism of Glycosylation
- Synthesis of glycosyl donors
- Methods for Activating Glycosyl Donors
- Stereoselective synthesis of several natural oligosaccharides
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
Internship
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
25 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
A 5- to 6-month internship must be completed in a research or research and development laboratory specializing in organic chemistry, biomolecular chemistry, biochemistry, analytical instrumentation, or analytical testing and development. Students will thus have the opportunity to complete this end-of-program internship in academic or private research laboratories. Subject to prior approval by the faculty (the internship topic must be related to the master’s program curriculum, and the environment and resources must be adequate), students may seek a host team in an academic setting at the institutes of the Chemistry Cluster at the University of Montpellier (IBMM, ICGM, IEM…), in academic laboratories outside the University of Montpellier (in France or abroad), or in the private sector (chemical, pharmaceutical, agri-food, and cosmetics industries; biotechnology laboratories; etc.), as well as in research facilities such as proteomics, metabolomics, and fluxomics platforms.
The research project assigned to students must be related to the skills and expertise they have acquired during previous semesters and in the courses they have taken, particularly in Semester 9, depending on their chosen track.
This 5- to 6-month internship may begin in mid-January after the exam period and may not exceed 6 months, with one semester included during the period of valid university enrollment. The faculty of the Master’s program in Biomolecular Chemistry will advise students on finding an internship that matches their aspirations and abilities.
Advanced English
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Bibliographic Project/Scientific Information
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Scientific Information: This course aims to familiarize students with scientific research and information management. As part of this, recent bibliographic search tools will be explained and used during lectures and tutorials (Electronic resources: SciFinder / ISIS / Beilstein). Training on the features of Zotero and the use of the electronic lab notebook will also be provided. The writing and analysis of scientific publications will be covered.
Bibliographic Project: Tools for researching scientific information will be applied to a real-world scenario. The teaching team will assign each student a bibliographic topic related to the specialization they have chosen. If necessary, this bibliographic topic may be defined in consultation with the host organization where the internship will take place.
For this personal project, the student will have access to all the bibliographic resources available at the university or the host company. The bibliographic research may be combined with the English course to prepare for an oral presentation similar to one given at an international conference.
Bioanalyses
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Description of the latest mass spectrometry techniques for analyses in the pharmaceutical industry (drug development: drug discovery and preclinical analyses).
Mass spectrometry instrumentation and data acquisition methods in the pharmaceutical industry for the following applications:
- Analyses at the various stages of drug development,
- Qualitative metabolic analyses,
- Quantitative Analyses in Pharmacokinetics.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
Land: 5 H
Extraction and Separation of Biomolecules
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course unit will cover techniques for the extraction of biomolecules (protein precipitation, SPE), as well as techniques for the separation of biomolecules (chromatography, electrophoresis).
Hourly volumes*:
CM: 9 a.m.
Field: 11 h
Project Management - Business Law
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Peptides and Proteins
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Peptides and proteins consist of chains of amino acid residues that confer specific properties upon them. Their functionality depends on their sequence—and thus on the chemical functions they possess—and is also greatly influenced by their structure. In addition to conventional peptide synthesis, advanced options for functional modification, structural changes, and property adjustments—which can significantly alter or enhance the properties of the resulting peptide—will be explored. Significant biotechnological developments in both the chemical and biological fields will be discussed, leading to a wide range of applications in which peptides and proteins are successfully utilized.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
CHOICE 1
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Structure-Based Drug Design
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
Chem informatics
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The EU's thematic areas are as follows:
A theoretical section on chemoinformatics
A theoretical section focused specifically on modeling tools for drug design
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
A section focused on practical skills, including computer work
Nucleic acids
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Discusses the structure and function of nucleic acids. Reviews methods used to synthesize DNA- and RNA-based oligonucleotides, as well as chemical reactions that lead to modifications of nucleic acids for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Additional topics include: nucleic acid molecular beacons, antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides, and DNA arrays.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
LC-MS, MS/MS
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Knowledge of LC/MS and LC/MS/MS techniques for the characterization of organic molecules and biomolecules in complex matrices.
Description of the instruments and data acquisition methods that will be used in the lab.
1) Analytical chromatography techniques coupled with mass spectrometry using ambient ionization:
- LC/MS-type instruments,
- LC/MS/MS-type instruments.
2) Coupled spectral data acquisition systems.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 9:00 a.m.
Land: 11 H
NMR
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
In-depth study of 1H, 13C, 19F, 29Si, and 31PNMR, as well as two-dimensional methods. The basics of EPR will also be covered (principles and applications).
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 H
Separation/Purification
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The objective of this course unit is to provide students with theoretical and practical training in the fundamental techniques for the separation and purification of biomolecules
Hourly class sizes*:
CM: 9:00 a.m.
, Field: 11:00 a.m.
Screening
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Understanding of screening techniques for bioactive molecules, and, more generally, in vitro assays used to measure a biological event in the context of drug discovery or diagnosis.
1) Pharmacological and biophysical fundamentals describing a biological event that is the subject of biological tests:
2) Biological tests for the development of drugs or diagnostic tools
3) Applications, case studies, critical analyses.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Mass Spectrometry
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Knowledge of the latest mass spectrometry techniques for the detection, identification, and structural characterization of organic molecules and biomolecules.
Applications in chemistry (pharmaceutical industry) and biology (omics approaches).
1) Structural elucidation (Ion characterization technologies):
- LC/MS/MS and exact mass measurements
- Isotope Labeling, H/D Exchange
- Ionic Mobility
2) Surface analysis and imaging (molecular mapping)
3) Applications in chemistry and biology: characterization of small organic molecules and biomolecules.
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 3:00 p.m.
TD: 5 hours
Lipid Compounds
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The following topics will be covered:
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids and sphingolipids
- Glycolipids
- Fat-soluble vitamins
- Steroid hormones
- Bile salts
- Structure and Synthesis of Prostaglandins and Leukotrienes
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
Glycochemistry
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The following topics will be covered:
- General Mechanism of Glycosylation
- Synthesis of glycosyl donors
- Methods for Activating Glycosyl Donors
- Stereoselective synthesis of several natural oligosaccharides
Hourly Volumes*:
CM: 15
TD: 5
Internship
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
25 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
A 5- to 6-month internship must be completed in a research or research and development laboratory specializing in organic chemistry, biomolecular chemistry, biochemistry, analytical instrumentation, or analytical testing and development. Students will thus have the opportunity to complete this end-of-program internship in academic or private research laboratories. Subject to prior approval by the faculty (the internship topic must be related to the master’s program curriculum, and the environment and resources must be adequate), students may seek a host team in an academic setting at the institutes of the Chemistry Cluster at the University of Montpellier (IBMM, ICGM, IEM…), in academic laboratories outside the University of Montpellier (in France or abroad), or in the private sector (chemical, pharmaceutical, agri-food, and cosmetics industries; biotechnology laboratories; etc.), as well as in research facilities such as proteomics, metabolomics, and fluxomics platforms.
The research project assigned to students must be related to the skills and expertise they have acquired during previous semesters and in the courses they have taken, particularly in Semester 9, depending on their chosen track.
This 5- to 6-month internship may begin in mid-January after the exam period and may not exceed 6 months, with one semester included during the period of valid university enrollment. The faculty of the Master’s program in Biomolecular Chemistry will advise students on finding an internship that matches their aspirations and abilities.
Advanced English
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Bibliographic Project/Scientific Information
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Scientific Information: This course aims to familiarize students with scientific research and information management. As part of this, recent bibliographic search tools will be explained and used during lectures and tutorials (Electronic resources: SciFinder / ISIS / Beilstein). Training on the features of Zotero and the use of the electronic lab notebook will also be provided. The writing and analysis of scientific publications will be covered.
Bibliographic Project: Tools for researching scientific information will be applied to a real-world scenario. The teaching team will assign each student a bibliographic topic related to the specialization they have chosen. If necessary, this bibliographic topic may be defined in consultation with the host organization where the internship will take place.
For this personal project, the student will have access to all the bibliographic resources available at the university or the host company. The bibliographic research may be combined with the English course to prepare for an oral presentation similar to one given at an international conference.
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
Registration Procedures
Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry
Master's Degree in Pharmacy (Year 1)
Capacity
40 in M1 and M2
Mandatory Prerequisites
Admission to the M1 program is based on an application review for holders of a national Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology (BUT) in Chemistry.
Recommended Prerequisites
Level L3
Organic Chemistry
Techniques for Characterizing Organic Compounds
And then
Continuing Education
Doctoral Dissertation
IAE
Continuing Your Education Abroad
Ph.D.
Master of Business Administration
Transition Programs and Reorientation
Admission based on application materials for applicants who have completed the M1 level in chemistry or equivalent programs (M1 in Pharmacy).
Graduates of the Master's program in Analytical Chemistry and the Master's program in Polymer Chemistry.
Employment Placement
Business sectors: fields at the intersection of chemistry and biology, the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, biotechnology, laboratories/analytical platforms (analysis and quality control), fine organic chemistry, custom synthesis, and the pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drug industries.
Available career paths: pursuing a Ph.D., researcher or manager in basic research and research and development, public or private research laboratories, faculty member, researcher.