Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour
Master in Molecular Biology and Environmental Microbiology (MBEM)
Pau, France
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 253 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for extra-European students are set at €3879/year.For academic year 2022-2023 UPPA will automatically provide partial reduction of these fees to extra-EU nationals; as a result they will pay the same enrolment fees as European nationals; For detailed
Key Summary
The Master's degree in Molecular biology and Environmental Microbiology trains specialists with a mastery of modern molecular biology and environmental microbiology, with a solid background in chemistry, capable of grasping environmental issues related to:
- The protection of ecosystems,
- The ecotoxicology of soils, sediments, and water,
- The identification of microorganisms representing a risk to the environment or public health,
- The bio-rehabilitation of sites affected by anthropogenic (industrial and agricultural) pollution.
The Molecular Biology and Environmental Microbiology Master's degree is at the heart of this technological and socioeconomic evolution. At a meeting point between the professional world and the University in a region that is home to large-scale facilities of several industrial companies concerned by bio-decontamination(Total, Arkema, chemical industries at the Lacq site) and strong agricultural activity.
Biological methods developed for the remediation of contaminated sites, the treatment of effluents, the control of the use of phytosanitary products, or the search for pathogens in natural waters and cooling or water distribution systems are increasingly in demand and proposed as necessary alternatives for sustainable improvement of environmental problems.
The implementation of these methods as well as the development of molecular analysis tools and techniques (quantitative PCR, DNA chips, high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, microbial biosensors, GMOs, and protein engineering) is one of the challenges for industrial and environmental policies in the coming years.
An orientation toward research may be envisaged, depending on the choice of options and especially internships.
| SEMESTER 1 from September to January | ||
| Mandatory courses | ||
| Field | Course | ECTS |
| Language |
| 2 |
| Data analysis |
| 4 |
| Molecular biology and environmental microbiology |
| 6 2 4
|
|
| Electives: choose for 10 ECTS | ECTS |
| Quality |
| 2 |
| Environmental Chemistry |
|
2 2 2 2 |
| Ecology | Molecular Ecology (2.0 crédits ECTS) | 2 |
| Biotechnology | Champignons et biotechnologie (2.0 crédits ECTS) NB:Taught in French | 2 |
| Water | Water treatment: Lab work on Biological water treatments (EC3) (2.0 crédits ECTS) | 2 |
| Health | Environment Health Safety (2.0 crédits ECTS) NB: Pending for 2021-2022 | 2 |
| Group project | Environmental engineering project | 4 |
| SEMESTER 2 From January to June | ||
| Fields | Course title | ECTS |
| Internship | - Internship | 20 |
| Bibliography | - Bibliographic research | 10 |
Objectives
- Taught in English, the first semester is devoted to theoretical and practical teaching by teacher-researchers, supplemented by conferences in which professionals from the sector share their experience in the field, as well as visits to companies. The course is mainly taught through project-based scenarios.
- The second semester consists of an internship of 4 to 6 months in a company, a professional organization, or an academic research laboratory.
Skills
At the end of this course, graduates will develop the following skills according to their choice of optional courses:
- Identify the concepts and approaches of modern microbiology and biology,
- Understand the complexity and importance of microbial processes in the environment,
- Master modern biochemical, molecular, and genetic methodologies, as well as mathematical, statistical, and computer bioinformatic tools,
- Search for pathogens in natural environments and industrial installations or select micro-organisms likely to degrade contaminants of biotic or abiotic origin in the laboratory or in the natural environment,
- Conduct experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of biological or chemical methods of environmental remediation,
- Conduct studies and formulate opinions to solve practical problems posed by the protection of ecosystems: assessing the benefit-risk of the methods used, setting up field study protocols,
- Conduct field experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical or biological methods for the protection of eco- and agrosystems.
Key assets
- Open to a Work and Study Program.
- Dual degree with a “Master in Biotechnology of Environment and Health” from the University of Oviedo (Spain).
Scholarships
- Region Aquitaine Scholarships for non-EU students
- EIFFEL Scholarship of Excellence
- Specific Master's scholarship
The International Master Programs Admission Office
master.programs@univ-pau.fr
Academic requirements
- Applicants must hold at least a 4-year university level in chemistry and/or biology fields.
The M2 MBEM is open to students who have completed an M1 (4-year degree) in "Molecular Biology and microbiology for the environment" (BME) or an equivalent level.
For students outside the UPPA, integration in the second year is subjected to a selection of curricula with equivalent training levels and sufficient skills in biology, chemistry, and environment (Molecular biology, bioinformatics, microbiology, environmental microbiology, ecotoxicology, biostatistics, field sampling, and data processing, physical-chemistry, analytical chemistry, environment).
English Language Requirements
- Applicants must be fluent in English, both in writing and speaking. An applicant whose native language is not English has to take a recognized international English test.
- Minimum required score: CECRL B2 level in English