From Fundamental Molecular Biosciences to Biotherapies (Master) at Sorbonne University

Sorbonne University offers a world-class master's program taught entirely in English which is called “From Fundamental Molecular Biosciences to Biotherapies”. 

Program Overview

Biotherapy refers to the use of molecules from living organisms to treat diseases by performing procedures such as cell and tissue therapy, gene therapy, and therapies using human molecules synthesized by eukaryotic cells or bacteria, like antibodies and bioactive proteins. 

The field of biotherapy has advanced considerably in recent years thanks to research progress in vectorology, stem cells, biomaterials, omics, and computational biology. Future researchers in biotherapy require a strong education in the molecular basis of physio-pathological processes in order to develop new biotherapy strategies.

The aim of the international master “From fundamental molecular biosciences to biotherapies” is to offer an integrated state-of-the-art training in fundamental molecular biosciences applied to biotherapies through a multidisciplinary approach that conforms to the trends and development within the field.

The program consists of four semesters, covering a total of 120 ECTS and offers students the opportunity, in addition to a high-quality education in Molecular Biosciences delivered at Sorbonne Université (Paris), to choose a specialization option among the different fields of biotherapies in different partners universities:

• Cancer biology: Heidelberg University (Germany)
• Immunology and biotherapies: Prague Charles university (Czech republic), Sao Paulo University (Brasil)
• Stem cell, Development, and Evolution: Lisbon University (Portugal), Heidelberg University (Germany)
• Bioinformatics for health sciences: Heidelberg University (Germany) and Barcelona Pompeu Fabra University (Spain).
• Fundamental molecular biosciences in biotherapies: Sorbonne-Université (Paris)

The program’s objective is to attract motivated students to a fully integrated Master course that combines the best elements of existing courses by the consortium members. 

Graduates will emerge with a critical understanding of basic and applied scientific knowledge and excellent professional and personal skills. 

The specializations allow students to obtain original multiple high qualifications in complementary disciplines and generate career opportunities in academic research, pharmaceutical industry, biomedical research with an emphasis on molecular aspects of biotherapies.

Admission Requirements

• The prerequisite for admission in this master's program is to possess a Bachelor's degree (license) in Biological Sciences or an equivalent diploma with a basic background in Genetics, Immunology, Cell Biology, and Developmental biology. 
• For the “Bioinformatics for Health sciences” option, a basic background in Bioinformatics is required. 
• Students must also possess a certification of proficiency in English (e.g, TOEFL or equivalent, minimum CEFR level B2).

Course Structure

The program, taught in English, consists of four semesters (120 ECTS) and offers students the opportunity, in addition to high-quality education in Molecular Biosciences delivered at Sorbonne Université (Paris), to choose a specialization among the different fields of biotherapies in different partners universities.

Students registered at Sorbonne Université will follow the 1st semester of the M1 year in Paris, move for the 2nd  semester to one partner university depending on the option chosen and come back to Paris for the M2 year, except for the option “Fundamental molecular biosciences in biotherapies” in which students will move during the 2nd semester of the M2 year.

First Year

First Semester (Sorbonne University, 30 ECTS)

• Practical in Molecular and Cellular Biology (12 ECTS)
• Fundamental Molecular Biosciences (15 ECTS)
• Language course (3 ECTS)

Second Semester (In one partner university 

• Theoretical courses (12 ECTS)

1. Cancer Biology
2. Immunology and Biotherapies
3. Stem cell, Development, and Evolution
4. Bioinformatics for health sciences
5. Fundamental molecular biosciences in biotherapies.

•  Junior internship (18 ECTS)

Four month-internship in a laboratory between January and June on a topic related to the chosen option. The evaluation will be a written report and an oral presentation.

Second Year 

First Semester (Sorbonne University, 30 ECTS)

Introductory course

• Transverse approaches applied to biotherapies  (6 ECTS)

Specialization course: (12 ECTS)

• Molecular biology of the cell (Institut Pasteur)
• Stem cell biology (Sorbonne Université)
• Advanced course in cell biology (IBPS, Sorbonne Université)
• International developmental biology course: from stem cells to morphogenesis (Institut Curie/Sorbonne Université)
• Translational Immunology and biotherapies
• Systems immunology

Optional course: (6 ECTS to choose among the following courses)

• Seminars in developmental biology (6 ECTS) Institut Curie
• Seminars in stem cell biology (6 ECTS) Sorbonne Université
• Development of marine organisms (6 ECTS) Marine station of Villefranche/mer, Sorbonne Université
• Regulation of gene expression: translation and cell cycle (6 ECTS) Marine station of Roscoff, Sorbonne Université
• Proliferation and cell death (6 ECTS) Sorbonne Université
• Advanced course in cell dynamics (3 ECTS) Institut Curie
• Cell biology and cancer (3 ECTS): Institut Curie
• Conferencies in Allergy and Hypersensitivity (6 ECTS) Sorbonne université
• Data analysis in Immunology (6 ECTS): Sorbonne Université
• Immunomonitoring (6 ECTS): Sorbonne Université

Second Semester 

• Design of a research project (6 ECTS)
• Senior research laboratory internship (30 ECTS)

Tuition Fees

There are no tuition fees at public French universities in general or there could be a low amount of fees sometimes. However, the annual tuition fees for students registered at a master’s program at Sorbonne University are around $343.

Scholarships

There are no scholarships offered by Sorbonne University. However, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is offering the Eiffel Excellence Scholarships with the aim of supporting international student recruitment by French higher education institutions amid growing competition among developed countries to attract the academic elite from around the world.

Scholarship Objectives

The objectives of the French Ministry’s Eiffel Excellence Programme are as follows:

• to train in French higher education institutions aspiring foreign policy-makers of the private and public sectors in three priority study areas: science, economics and management, and law and political science;
• to encourage applications by students from emerging countries, especially from Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the new EU Member States and, at the doctoral level, from industrialized countries.

Know more about the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship at Forsa

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