Targeted level of study
BAC +5
ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French, English
Presentation
Epidemics and emergences of diseases related to pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, eukaryotic parasites) have been increasing over the last decades. The recent episodes of SARS, Ebola, Zika, and highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemics were even more recently complemented by the COVID 19 and Swine Fever epidemics. They should not make us forget the resurgence of measles, the antibiotic resistance of the tuberculosis bacillus, the increasingly persistent pressure of nosocomial diseases or the still worrying presence of malaria, dengue and anthrax...
This increase in "cases" is the result of complex and multiple phenomena: human density(s), degradation of natural ecosystems, degradation of biodiversity, overexploitation, intensive livestock farming, urbanization, artificialization of environments, climate change, pollution, globalization of human and commercial exchanges, inappropriate use of antibiotics, poorly adapted care, decrease in vaccination coverage, poverty ... These changes and imbalances are therefore of diverse and varied origins. The study or management of these epidemic phenomena therefore requires the involvement of various skills and different levels of analysis, thus an integrative and multidisciplinary approach (Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Statistics, Computer Science, Geomatics, Geography but also Sociology, Economics, Anthropology ...) The eco-evolutionary perspective facilitates this synthesis by placing the analyses of the underlying biological phenomena in population, spatial and temporal dimensions.
The advantages of the training
1/The Eco-EPI mention has obtained the support of the MUSE e-site via the financing of the Eco-Epidemiology of Animal and Human Pathogens Comprehensive and Utilitarian Resources -EpiCURe project (Call for projects Take Off #3: Cursus - ACCOMPANYING THE TRANSFORMATION AND/OR CREATION OF CURSUSES). This project consists in the implementation of a platform of data collections established by successive classes of students of the mention. It will be coupled with a set of web services to exploit the stored data. Through this transversal and decompartmentalizing tool, concretely supported by the complete pedagogical framework of the M1 and M2, students will be able to "take in hand" the scientific content and knowledge to be acquired during their master. This platform will enhance the knowledge acquired and synthesized through a cooperative approach by students, the teaching staff, research actors and operational actors in the field. The accumulated knowledge will be perpetuated, exploited and disseminated in French and English, beyond the mention and the university, giving national and international visibility to the training in Eco-epidemiology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and to the trainings associated with the project (Bio-Informatics, Geomatics).
2/ In the fall of 2021, two requests to open up to apprenticeship are planned: one concerning the M2 of the GS course (mainly oriented towards health monitoring services), and the second declined as a specific M2 course (oriented towards pharmacy interns who are heads of clinics and R&D in pharmaceutical companies).
Objectives
The aim of the Eco-EPI master's degree is to train experts capable of responding to the challenges of the emergence and epidemiological management of human and/or animal pathogens in the context of current and future changes. Upon graduation, they will be able to
- future epidemiological researchers who are aware of the socio-economic contexts and issues
- future managers who are aware of the scientific data.
The "multidisciplinary and integrative scientific approach" that characterizes the program is essential to the challenges facing our contemporary societies. Graduates of this program, whether they are researchers, experts or managers, will be "involved" scientists, full-fledged actors in the various stages of these challenges.
Know-how and skills
Graduates of the Eco-EPI program are able to analyze and study (research) or identify (management) the factors of emergence of parasitic and infectious diseases, namely
- ecological cycles and transmission dynamics
- evolutionary and molecular mechanisms favoring epidemics, emergence and/or host changes
- eco-environmental factors favouring epidemics and/or emergence
- Socio-economic factors favouring epidemics and/or emergencies
- the relative risks associated with each of these factors in each outbreak and/or emergence
To implement their research or management/monitoring program, they master disciplinary skills and tools in a variety of areas including
- Biological and ecological sciences (including evolutionary biology) focusing on pathogen-induced diseases
- mathematical sciences (statistics and modeling) and computer sciences focused on the collection and analysis of epidemiological data (databases, GIS, etc.)
- Applied human sciences focused on emergence factors, risks and management: sociology, economics, political governance, law (through organizations and institutions), risk identification and management...
They know how to implement a scientific approach in an autonomous manner, with a prospective research or organizational objective of surveillance or control, by adapting it to a specific context, and by integrating information of various kinds.
They master project management and collaborative work with various partners and interlocutors.
They are able to disseminate results to different audiences and make recommendations.
See the specific competencies for each pathway for more information
Organization
Knowledge control
Defined at the level of each teaching unit: Final test, or Continuous assessment, or Oral, Individual or by group.
The evaluation of the internships constitutes a specific continuous assessment: - evaluation of a report or dissertation - defense before a jury
Special arrangements
- M1 specific to 4th year pharmacy students, research stream, to focus training on skills not covered in their previous curriculum
- M2 apprenticeship (under construction and awaiting validation): alternating periods of study on campus / periods of internship
Open in alternation
Under construction
Alternation methods
Application in progress. Opening planned for September 2022
- The Management and Surveillance of Parasitic and Infectious Outbreaks - GS-EPI course will offer a version adapted to M2 learning
- An M2 course specifically designed for apprenticeship (Infectious and Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology - apprenticeship), oriented towards research, in response to the need for integrative skills of future health professionals (pharmacists, internship physicians) or future R&D managers of pharmaceutical companies.
Program
The mention allows to specialize according to two main courses:
- The Integrative Study of Parasitic and Infectious Emergencies - EI-EPI course is designed to lead to a thesis in fundamental, applied or finalized research;
- The Management and Surveillance of Parasitic and Infectious Emergencies - GS-EPI course has an applied and operational vocation, which will offer an apprenticeship in M2 in 2022
These two courses will be completed during accreditation by an M2 course specifically designed for apprenticeship (Infectious and Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology - apprenticeship), oriented towards research, in response to the need for integrative skills of future health professionals (pharmacists, internship physicians) or future R&D managers of pharmaceutical companies
Year 1 is mainly a common year for the two courses of the mention: it presents a very common core in M1 semester 1 (26 ECTS/ 30) with a free option allowing to explore fields and to deepen issues.
The choice of course is made in M2, but it is prepared as early as semester 2 of M1 by the choice of an orientation option providing elements of depth in the research or management approach. It will also be prepared by the choice of the theme of the internship or the Advanced Tutorial Project.
Whatever the objective of insertion (Research or Operational) and therefore the choice of M2, four major fields of specialization are possible. These specializations are not hermetic themes, but present interfaces. They are
- Zoonoses and animal diseases
- Vector-borne diseases
- Global Changes
- Artificialization, Technologies and Modern Therapeutics
This specialization is worked on as early as M1 S2 during thematic projects, the internship or the Advanced Tutored Project. It will be deepened by the choice of courses in M2S3 and the M2 internship
Select a program
Integrative Study of Parasitic and Infectious Emergencies (IS-PIE)
The Integrative Study of Parasitic and Infectious Emergencies - EI-EPI course is part of the Eco-Epidemiology master's degree Eco-EPI, whose ambition is to train experts capable of meeting the challenges posed by contemporary epidemiological phenomena.
Indeed, epidemics and emergences of diseases related to pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, eukaryotic parasites) have been increasing over the last decades. This phenomenon is the result of complex and multiple factors of various origins: human density(s), degradation of natural ecosystems, degradation of biodiversity, overexploitation, intensive breeding, urbanization, artificialization of environments, climate change, pollution(s), globalization of human and commercial exchanges, inappropriate use of antibiotics, ill-adapted health care, decrease in vaccination coverage, poverty...
The study or management of these epidemic phenomena therefore requires the involvement of various skills and different levels of analysis, thus an integrative and multidisciplinary approach (Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Statistics, Computer Science, Geomatics, Geography but also Sociology, Economics, Anthropology?) The eco-evolutionary perspective facilitates this synthesis by placing the analyses of the underlying biological phenomena in population, spatial and temporal dimensions.
Management and Surveillance of Parasitic and Infectious Emergencies (GS-EPI)
The Management and Surveillance of Parasitic and Infectious Emergencies (GS-EPI) program is part of the Eco-Epidemiology master's degree program Eco-EPI, which aims to train experts capable of meeting the challenges posed by contemporary epidemiological phenomena.
Indeed, epidemics and emergences of diseases related to pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, eukaryotic parasites) have been increasing over the last decades. This phenomenon is the result of complex and multiple factors of various origins: human density(s), degradation of natural ecosystems, degradation of biodiversity, overexploitation, intensive breeding, urbanization, artificialization of environments, climate change, pollution(s), globalization of human and commercial exchanges, inappropriate use of antibiotics, ill-adapted health care, decrease in vaccination coverage, poverty...
The study or management of these epidemic phenomena therefore requires the involvement of various skills and different levels of analysis, thus an integrative and multidisciplinary approach (Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Statistics, Computer Science, Geomatics, Geography but also Sociology, Economics, Anthropology?) The eco-evolutionary perspective facilitates this synthesis by placing the analyses of the underlying biological phenomena in population, spatial and temporal dimensions.
Infectious and Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology - Apprenticeship (Eco-EPI App)
IDIL- Eco-EPIdemiology of Emerging Diseases (Eco-EPIED)
The Eco-Epidemiology of Emerging Diseases (Eco-EPIED) master's degree responds to the contemporary challenge of emerging infectious and parasitic diseases in human and animal populations.
In light of the ecological, environmental and evolutionary analysis of these phenomena, this multidisciplinary program provides a synthetic approach. It integrates all relevant scientific skills and tools (including biology, statistics, bioinformatics as well as human sciences concepts) in different contexts and concrete needs of public health. Thus, Eco-EPIED is a One Health program dedicated to research and its concrete applications.
Recognized research units in Montpellier dedicated to the analysis and control of emerging diseases support the program. It also involves experts from international organizations, public health agencies, pharmaceutical companies and non-governmental organizations.
This interdisciplinary training is open primarily to students with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Health Sciences and 4th year Pharmacy or Human Medicine. Secondly, students with a degree in Geography and Development, Social Sciences, Health and Social Sciences (their integration will be validated according to complementary training elements indicating their capacity to rapidly acquire skills in so-called "hard" sciences). Nevertheless, all students must have a very strong interest in the biology/ecology of pathogens, communicable diseases and epidemiology. And their academic and non-academic background must attest to their openness to a transdisciplinary approach including bioinformatics, statistics and human sciences. Fluency in scientific English (B2 level) is required. Autonomy and teamwork are also required.
Examples of Teaching Units:
- Ecology and Evolution of Microorganisms and Parasitism
- Transmission: case studies
- Risk, Risk Analysis and Surveillance
- Bioinformatics and Databases
- Study of Variability
Admission
Target audience
At the entrance of the M1, students from :
- Life Sciences or Life and Earth Sciences licenses, in particular the following courses: Ecology and Biology of Organisms, Biology of Organisms and Populations, Environmental Sciences, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Physiology,
- Health Sciences licenses
- Biology and Humanity licenses (Catholic universities)....,
- 4th year pharmacy or human medicine students.
- More secondarily, students with a bachelor's degree in Geography and Planning, Social Sciences, Health and Social Sciences[1]. Their integration will be validated according to additional elements of their file indicating their capacities to quickly acquire certain elements of so-called "hard" sciences.
Upon entering M2:
- by right, students having acquired the M1 Eco-EPI
- Students in reorientation, coming from a M1 Biology, Biology-Health, Health, Life Sciences, Public Health, Microbiology, Nutrition and Food Sciences, Biology-Agro Sciences, Agrosciences, Environment, Territories, Landscape, Forest, Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Risks and Environment, Teaching, Education and Training (MEEF),2nd degree. Their integration will be evaluated on the basis of the M1 prerequisites that are essential for continuation in M2 Eco-EPI, the coherence between their training project and the objectives of the field, and according to potential vacancies in relation to the number of students.
- 6th year veterinary students with a professional project focused on "One Health" epidemiological surveillance or research (under the same conditions as those listed above)
- In continuing education, and especially in alternation (if validated by the CFA)
- health surveillance personnel (often from masters programs focused on human sciences)[2].
- pharmacists, physicians in internship in response to the need for integrative skills of future health professionals
- Students at Master 1 level in Pharmacology, Biotechnology, Drug Sciences, planning to become future R & D managers of pharmaceutical companies in the field of infectious and parasitic epidemics
[1] For a priori continuation in M2 "management and monitoring
[2] For a continuation in M2 "management and monitoring
Capacity
30 students per year of training
Necessary pre-requisites
Imposed by the entry level (see Target audience), the specific modalities linked to initial, continuing or sandwich training and the M2 course envisaged or chosen. It is therefore mainly a question of
- a bachelor's degree in biological and environmental sciences, or its equivalent, for entry into M1;
- Master's level 1 in biological and peri-biological sciences, or their equivalent, in M2, including in this case fundamental knowledge of pathogens or diseases of infectious and parasitic origin.
For entry into M1, "knowledge" at the L3 level or equivalent in at least two of these fields
- Biology of organisms
- Physiology
- Cellular and molecular biology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary biology
- Parasitology
- Microbiology
For entry into M2, knowledge of M1 level or equivalent is required in Biology of the main pathogenic organisms and in at least 2 of the following fields
- Physiology, Immunology
- Cellular and molecular biology
- Infectious process
- Pathologies of infectious and parasitic origin
- Antibiotic therapy and anti-infectious drugs
- General ecology
- Parasitic ecology
- Microbial ecology
- Health ecology
- Evolutionary biology and/or conservation biology
- Parasitology
- Microbiology
- Vector Entomology
- Descriptive epidemiology (statistics)
- Modeling
- Health risk management
- Public health policy
- Epidemiological surveillance
Recommended prerequisites
For entry into M1,
- L1-L2 level knowledge in at least 1 of these areas
- Bio-Statistics
- Computer science (database, GIS)
- Basic knowledge, even self-taught, in 1 or 2 of the following areas can be valuable
- Breeding systems
- Economy
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Territorial planning
- Environmental management
- Conservation Biology
For entry into M2
- M1 level knowledge in at least 1 of these fields (Initial training)
- Bio-Statistics
- Computer science (database, GIS)
- Knowledge (professional experience, internships, studies, extra-academic experience) in 1 or 2 of the following areas
- Human/animal genetics
- Human or veterinary health
- Biotechnologies for diagnosis and prevention tools (treatments, vaccines...)
- Livestock and animal production systems
- Economy and trade globalization
- Participatory science
- Sociology /Anthropology
- Development assistance
- Humanitarian aid
- Territorial planning
- Environmental management
And then
Further studies
For graduates of the Integrative Study of Parasitic and Infectious Emergencies EI-EPI program, the major objective is to pursue a thesis in fundamental, applied or finalized research.
Although it leads primarily to a 5-year post-master's degree, it is possible for some graduates of the Management and Surveillance of Parasitic and Infectious Emergences (GS-EPI) program to pursue a thesis: a research thesis focused on the interfaces between disciplines, surveillance or management.
Continuing your studies abroad
Continuation of studies abroad: Yes (see continuation of studies)
Professional integration
Professions: Researcher in eco-epidemiology and related fields, expert eco-epidemiologist, epidemiological monitoring officer, health watch officer, surveillance network coordinator (including animal diseases), consultant in epidemiological risk management, etc.
Insertion: Research organizations/institutes, Universities, International organizations, National management and monitoring organizations, Monitoring institutes, Monitoring networks, R&D pharmaceutical companies, ...