Master's in Chemistry

Biomolecular Chemistry

Overview

The program offers multidisciplinary training in organic chemistry with a focus on the life sciences. The curriculum centers on the synthesis, characterization, and study of the biological properties of essential biomolecules (nucleosides, oligonucleotides, saccharides, peptides, proteins, biopolymers, etc.).

Objectives

The Biomolecular Chemistry track (3 specializations) aims to train professionals capable of managing the various research and development and/or organizational aspects of a project in the field of biomolecular chemistry. This track covers a broad range of skills, including, among others, the most advanced organic synthesis methodologies for the production of biomolecules, the latest spectroscopic characterization and analytical methods, as well as skills in the design and development of biomolecules.

Expertise and skills

Acquiring these skills will enable graduates of this master’s program to collaborate with colleagues from other disciplines (biologists, physical chemists, biochemists) and propose solutions that extend beyond their core expertise as chemists. Graduates of this master’s program are eligible to pursue doctoral studies with a view to becoming a faculty member or researcher (in academic research or the pharmaceutical industry). Graduates of this master’s program are capable of:

Transferable skills

  • Work as part of a multidisciplinary team covering a broad range of basic sciences
  • Formulating a research proposal after reviewing the literature
  • Designing new molecules for therapeutic use or as biochemical tools
  • Master the main analytical methods
  • Implement pilot programs
  • Use the computer tool
  • Mastering scientific English (spoken and written)

Subject-specific skills

  • Analyze the different steps of an experimental protocol
  • Master the main techniques for the synthesis, purification, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic compounds
  • Apply the latest spectroscopic and analytical techniques
  • Designing new molecules
  • Analyze and interpret the experimental results of biological tests

General scientific skills

  • Use equipment and techniques for analyzing organic compounds and biomolecules
  • Analyze the experimental data
  • Identify and comply with regulations
  • Understanding a scientific text written in English
  • Adopt a multidisciplinary approach
  • Implement an experimental approach
  • Understanding a complex situation
  • Ability to integrate into a research organization: participation in projects, communication with specialists and non-specialists

General Skills

  • Ability to draw on resources from multiple disciplines
  • Knowledge and understanding of a scientific field
  • Ability to work in an international setting
  • Working independently: setting priorities, managing your time
  • Conducting a study: identifying a research question; constructing and developing an argument; interpreting the results; writing a summary
  • Conducting a search for information: define the purpose of the search, identify access methods, assess relevance, explain and share
  • Working as a team: fitting in, finding your place, collaborating
  • Communicate: write clearly, prepare appropriate communication materials, speak in front of a group, and provide feedback on materials
  • Fitting into a professional environment

Organization

Assessment

Each course unit (TU) is subject to graded assessments. Depending on the TU, these assessments take the form of ongoing evaluations (practical work and internships), final written exams, reports, and/or oral presentations. Grades for these TU averaged across them; an average of 10/20 or higher for all courses in the semester is required to pass the semester. Grades from different semesters cannot be averaged.

Open on alternate days

This program is available as a work-study program.

Internships, supervised projects

  • Mandatory Internship
  • Semester 8: A 2- to 4-month internship introducing students to research in an academic or public laboratory.
  • Semester 10: 5- to 6-month internship. Research and development in an academic or private laboratory.
  • Semester 7: Career Project – Project Monitoring (Lectures: 5 hours, Seminars: 5 hours, Lab Work: 40 hours)

Program

This Master’s program in Chemistry is aligned with the European system. It is open to holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. It is a university program worth 120 ECTS credits. It consists of four semesters, each worth 30 ECTS credits. The first year of the Master’s program (60 ECTS credits for S7 and S8) is common to all specializations offered in the second year. The second year in S9 includes a core curriculum (TU , 18 ECTS) and a block of elective specializations (TU , 12 ECTS) corresponding to the Research Track (O1), and two professional tracks: the Synthesis Track (O2) and the Omics Analysis Track (O3).

ADMISSION

  • Admission requirements: selection based on application materials for French nationals and EU citizens, and via the TMM platform; for applicants from outside Europe, the “Etudes en France” procedure applies
  • Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry / Master’s Degree in Pharmacy (1st Year)
  • Enrollment capacity: 40 students in the M1 and M2 programs
  • Requirements: Admission to the M1 program is based on application review for holders of a national bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biochemistry, or a Bachelor of University Technology (BUT) in chemistry.
  • Recommended prerequisites: Bachelor's degree / Organic chemistry / Techniques for characterizing organic compounds

Further education

  • Further Studies in France: Doctoral Thesis / IAE
  • Further Studies Abroad: Ph.D. / Master of Business Administration
  • Transfer and Reorientation: Admission based on application materials for applicants with a Master’s degree in Chemistry (M1) or equivalent qualifications (M1 in Pharmacy) / Outgoing Streams: Master’s in Analytical Chemistry; Master’s in Polymer Chemistry

Employment placement

  • Sectors of activity: fields at the intersection of chemistry and biology, the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, biotechnology, laboratories/analytical platforms (analysis and quality control), fine organic chemistry, custom synthesis, and the pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drug industries.
  • Available career paths: pursuing a Ph.D., researcher or research manager in basic research and R&D, public or private research laboratories, faculty member, researcher.