Second Year Master

The 2nd year Master (M2) consists in two alternative tracks:
- the AIV M2 track
- or the "Systems and Synthetic Biology, Information and Interactions" (S2I2) M2 track.

Both tracks are launched every year with a project writing workshop at the Villa Clythia in Frejus.

The AIV M2 track

The AIV M2 program is intended to develop the student's ability to read and critically interpret and discuss research works through the analysis of scientific articles, reviews and books. It consists in 4 modules (6 ECTS each). In parallel, students participate in three trimester internships (12 ECTS each), with at least one experimental and one theoretical project.

Project writing workshop
At the beginning of the year, a one-week retreat assembles the M2 students together with researchers from broad scientific backgrounds to conceive creative projects at the interface with Life Sciences.

Critical analysis of a research article (1st trimester)
A series of seminars, each prepared by two students from different backgrounds, presenting in detail a paper of their choice. The underlying hypothesis, background and the results is discussed in detail and the different techniques explained. In addition, the students are asked to suggest further experimental/modeling approaches with respect to their conclusions from the paper at stake.

Bibliographic synthesis (2nd trimester)
A series of seminars, each prepared by two students from different backgrounds, presenting their review of scientific literature concerning a subject of their choice. The students are expected to prepare a concise review, treating their chosen field from the viewpoint of their disciplines. In addition, the emerging open questions arising from their review will be discussed and detailed experimental/modeling approaches to resolve these questions will be presented.

"Zoom out - Zoom in-Zoom out'" (3rd trimester)
Using a scientific book as a starting point, students (in couples) present the main thesis of the book followed by a detailed research project in the form of a 4 years grant application. For each grant application a couple of students will be assigned as reviewers.

The S2I2 M2 track

The S2I2 M2 program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum in Integrative Biology, focusing on the emerging fields of Systems and Synthetic Biology and the interface between Technologies of Information and Communication (TIC) and Health Science. It is primarily a training for research through research and, as such, it consists of three 14-weeks internship rotations (12 ECTS each), with at least one experimental and one theoretical project, and including one that should be carried out within the private research sector (and may also be done abroad). In parallel, students participate in courses aimed at developing critical thinking, scientific questioning and project conception.

They start the year by participating in the Project writing workshop and can then choose between "Systems and Synthetic Biology" and "Web Science Interface" orientations, through 3 courses (6 ECTS each) to be chosen among the list below (and validated by the Master's teacher).

Critical analysis of a research article
Systems Biology
Synthetic Biology
Network and Dynamics
TIC and Health Science
Ethics in Bioengineering