M2 Fundamental Microbiology

• Master fundamental knowledge of microbial diversity and the fields of genetics and genomics, with a particular focus on microbial cell biology for the Molecular and Cellular Microbiology track, and a greater emphasis on understanding viral cycles in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells for the Virology track. Both tracks provide an integrated view of molecular mechanisms and cellular interactions.
• Develop experimental expertise and proficiency in targeted and comprehensive approaches in microbiology (including experimental design, cloning, microbial culture or analysis of viral cycles, extraction and quantitative analysis of nucleic acids or proteins, and analysis and representation of data sets).
• Develop know-how in data exploration and representation (including basic use of R).
• Communicate effectively in English within a scientific context (understand seminars, follow instructions, present scientific background and experimental results, and engage in scientific discussion).
• Independently conduct a scientific project and communicate a critical analysis of the results, both orally and in writing, in accordance with international standards in microbiology.
• Develop teamwork skills through collaborative bibliographic and experimental projects related to microbiology.

The program is international and with emphasis on research to prepare students for modern challenges in microbiology. It covers a variety of models (bacteria, archaea, eukaryotic microorganisms, viruses) and multiple scales of analysis from molecules to genomes, cells and communities. 

During the first semester the students acquire knowledge in genomics and life engineering through core curriculum ”Explore and Innovate” completed by the practical courses and elective teaching units in the field of molecular and cellular microbiology, eukaryotic and prokaryotic virology, microbial interactions, and critical thinking using artificial intelligence among others. 

During the second semester students undertake a six-month internship in a laboratory, providing hands-on research training in a microbiology-related field. This allows students to enhance their experimental and project-writing skills, and gives them ample opportunities to practice oral scientific communication. Internships can be completed in Paris-Saclay laboratories [e.g. Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), “MICrobiologie de l'ALImentation au Service de la Santé Humaine” (MICALIS), “L'Institut Diversité, Écologie et Évolution du Vivant” (IDEEV), Laboratory of Biology and Applied Pharmacology (LBPA, ENS Paris-Saclay)], or other renowned research institutions (e.g., Institut Pasteur, Institut Jacques Monod, Ecole Polytechnique) in France or abroad. 

The success rate of students enrolled in the M2 Fundamental Microbiology program is 94% (2015-2025). The average rate of M2 graduates continuing on to doctoral studies is 61% (2015-2025). Of these PhD theses, 55% are completed in a laboratory at Paris-Saclay University (UPSaclay), 33% in a French laboratory outside UPSaclay, and 12% abroad. Approximately 13% of graduates move directly into employment with a Bac+5 degree (as engineers, certified teachers, or communications officers at a research institute), and approximately 20% continue their studies (ENS curriculum, medical field, clinical research assistant, etc.).