ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French, English
Presentation
Become a researcher in Living Matter Physics!
Biological phenomena and systems represent a new paradigm of complex, active, self-regulating matter, governed by laws that remain largely unknown. To study them, we must draw on the most innovative physical principles, methods, and techniques. The PhIMV program will prepare you for fundamental and applied research in the physics of living matter.
91%
Success rate
The advantages of the training program
Some courses are taught in English. Our master's program trains you in research at the interface between physics and biology. The language used for scientific publications in this field is English. We therefore encourage teaching in English whenever possible. As a result, certain specific courses in the PhIMV Master's program may be taught in English, at the discretion of the instructor. Similarly, we encourage students who wish to do so to write their internship reports and present their internship defenses in English.
Objectives
The objective of your training will be to acquire the disciplinary skills and attitude of a physicist in the study of complex matter and biological systems, and also to learn how to communicate and collaborate with scientists from other disciplines (biology, chemistry, medicine, electronics, bioinformatics, etc.) in research at the interface between physics and the biological sciences.
You will learn about cutting-edge physical technologies that are used in both public research laboratories and companies operating in the biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical industries.
You will benefit from an interdisciplinary teaching team and a well-established network of research institutions in Montpellier, France, and abroad.
In conclusion, the PhIMV program offers you high-level training in a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field, exploring the physical principles and methods used to study life and its evolution.
Know-how and skills
- Learn the basics of how new non-invasive experimental techniques, visualization and super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule manipulation experiments, biomimetic, microfluidic, and biosynthetic approaches, and large physical instruments for exploring the properties of matter work. These are cutting-edge technologies that link physics to the disciplines of quantitative, computational, integrative, and systems biology, bioinformatics, and bioengineering.
- Practice experimental techniques and develop the most sought-after skills by participating in practical work led by renowned experts in the field.
- Learn and master analytical, numerical, and simulation tools from physics, mathematics, and computer science that are necessary for modeling complex systems, analyzing experimental data, and implementing quantitative and predictive models of the phenomena studied.
- Exploring new concepts in fundamental physics: molecular motors and switches, thermodynamics of small systems, active systems, stochastic systems, regulation, information, evolution, etc.
- During your immersion internship in a laboratory, you will learn research techniques and daily routines, the value of teamwork, and the importance of scientific discussion and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Organization
Knowledge assessment
https://mcc.umontpellier.fr/ lists all teaching units (UE) and their assessment methods.
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Mandatory |
|---|
The PhIMV master's program includes two internships of different lengths. The first internship (10 ECTS) will take place in M1S2 and will last a minimum of two months, with the possibility of a paid extension. The second internship (30 ECTS) will take place as part of M2S2 and will last at least five months.
The aim of the internships is to bring students closer to applied and fundamental research in the field of physics of living matter and biological systems (from molecules to organisms and possibly also populations of organisms). This experience will serve as a springboard for students after their master's degree, whether they decide to pursue a career in public or private research. In addition, these internships represent an excellent opportunity to learn and deepen their knowledge of a number of experimental and theoretical techniques (physics and biology) covered in the courses.
Students will need to be proactive in their search for internships, but will benefit from an interdisciplinary teaching team and a network of well-established research institutions in the Montpellier area. Internships will take place in research laboratories, supervised by faculty members and researchers from the host research teams. Particularly gifted students may also aspire to internships in companies or abroad.
Below is a list of the main research laboratories that have hosted our students for internships in the past (non-exhaustive list):
- Charles Coulomb Laboratory (L2C)
- Center for Structural Biochemistry (CBS)
- European Membrane Institute (EMI)
- Montpellier Cell Biology Research Center (CRBM)
- Curie Physical Chemistry, Curie Institute, Paris
- Interdisciplinary Physics Laboratory (LiPhy), Grenoble
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
Program
The Master's program is organized into four semesters, each of which constitutes a progressive specialization. Each semester is worth 30 ECTS credits and must be validated independently (there is no inter-semester compensation). To validate each year, the two semesters must therefore be validated separately, and to obtain the degree, both years must be validated.
The first year involves significant overlap with other tracks in the Master's in Physics program, particularly the SoftMat track. The program becomes more specialized in the second semester, and especially in the third semester. The fourth semester is devoted to a long internship at the end of the program.
Select a program
M1 - Physics and Engineering of Living Matter (PhIMV)
Hydrodynamics
33hEnglish M1 PFA
2 credits21hAtoms, Molecules, and Radiation
5 credits42hExperimental physics
5 credits42hCondensed Matter Physics 1
5 credits42hBiological physics
4 credits33hModeling and Simulation in Physics
5 credits42h
Statistical physics
6 credits49,5hM1 PhIMV internship
10 creditsMicroscopy and spectroscopy for biology
Surfaces, Interfaces, Colloids
5 credits42hData acquisition and processing 1
3 credits24hSensors and Image Processing
3 credits42h
M2 - Physics and Engineering of Living Matter (PhIMV)
Structural Biochemistry
2 creditsBiomimicry
3 credits18hPhysical modeling of living systems
6 credits36hPolymer Physics
4 credits24hEnglish M2 PFA
2 credits21hKnowledge of the company
2 credits16hPhysical Biology
Complex fluids and active matter
6 credits36h
M2 PhIMV internship
30 credits
Admission
Registration procedures
Applications can be submitted on the following platforms:
French & European students:
- For the M1, follow the "My Master's Degree" procedure on the website:https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/
- For M2 students, applicants must submit their application via the e-candidat application:https://candidature.umontpellier.fr/candidature
International students from outside the EU: for the M1, follow the "Études en France" procedure: https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html
Target audience
Training open to those with a bachelor's degree: Physics, Physical Chemistry.
Mandatory prerequisites
The PhIMV program is a master's degree in fundamental and applied physics. The prerequisites are therefore those of a bachelor's degree in physics (or physical chemistry) such as those awarded by French universities: a solid knowledge of mechanics, thermodynamics, and electrical phenomena.
A mastery of mathematics at the calculus level (integral calculus, differential calculus, vector calculus, matrices, etc.) is essential.
No prior knowledge of biological systems is required. The basics of cell biology will be taught during the first semester of the M1 program.
Recommended prerequisites
- Mathematical methods for physics
- Statistical physics
- Basics of condensed matter physics
- Simulation and numerical calculation
And after
Continuing education
The training program is geared toward career opportunities in
- fundamental research: research laboratories in physics, biology, biophysics, biochemistry, biotechnology, engineering schools, bio-inspired sciences;
- the diagnostic and biomedical industry, imaging and high-tech platforms;
- innovative biotechnologies: biomaterials, new diagnostics, data analysis, personalized medicine.
Continuing studies abroad
In the past, some students, after successfully completing our master's program, have continued their studies with a doctorate at research institutions abroad. For example, EPFL (Switzerland) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (United States), to name but a few.
In addition, we also benefit from the IPOLS (International Physics of Living Systems) Network, which supports the mobility of researchers and students whose research focuses on the physics of living matter.
Gateways and reorientation
Other courses in the Master's in Fundamental Physics and Applications, Master's in Education.
Professional integration
In total, more than 60% of students have completed a doctoral thesis (in France or abroad). 95% found their first job within one year of completing their master's degree.