M1 Microbiology - Orsay campus

Master's degree
Specialisation Microbiologie
Full-time academic programmes
Life-long learning
English
French

For English-speaking international students, please refer to 'International Track France'

The 1st year Master's in Microbiology is organised around four blocks of complementary knowledge and skills: The Methods and Fundamentals for the Study of Living Organisms foundation (12.5 ECTS) (cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, signalling, genomics) provides the scientific and methodological foundations for addressing all contemporary domains of Biology. The Microbiology Major (25 ECTS) gives the course its distinctive character, reinforcing knowledge in this scientific field, while the The Minor (10 ECTS) opens the door to other scientific fields, allowing students to develop cross-disciplinary scientific expertise. The Research Immersion block (12.5 ECTS) includes a bibliographical dissertation (state of the art on the internship issue) prior to the research internship (minimum 8 weeks).

Information

Présentation

Skills

Competency 1: Scientific approach       C1. Take a scientific approach, develop innovative ideas and produce new knowledge. Competency 2: Expertise, critical thinking and self-training      C2. Acquire highly specialised disciplinary knowledge and methodologies in one field and at the interface of several fields of work (complex interdisciplinarity) Competency 3: Scientific communication     C3.3: Extract and scrutinise relevant information from scientific documents or lectures in English. Competency 4: Professional soft skills    C4. Analyse and adapt actions to a professional context

Objectives

The 1st year Master's Microbiology offers you a curriculum through and for research, open to scientific and societal challenges  You will consolidate your disciplinary foundations, learn to analyse scientific literature, implement projects and work on concrete issues during a laboratory internship, while having the freedom to personalise your course according to your preferences and ambitions.  A multidisciplinary, integrative approach to deciphering the microbial world  This 1st year Master's course invites you to explore microorganisms at different levels of analysis, from the molecule to the microbiota, via the cell and microbial communities. You will study the fundamentals of the structure, physiology and genetics of microorganisms, their diversity and modes of interaction with their environment, as well as the mechanisms that govern their relationships with human beings, whether in pathogenic, symbiotic or biotechnological contexts. The curriculum will enable you to understand how bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites adapt to a variety of environments, how they are involved in essential processes (ecological, medical or industrial), and how studying them helps solve current challenges in health, the environment and biotechnology. Theoretical and practical competencies for research and industry Theoretical courses are complemented by practical work in which you will be introduced to a range of experimental techniques (culture and microbial identification, microscopy, molecular biology, omics analysis, etc.), as well as the analysis and interpretation of scientific data. Other TUs will enhance your curriculum by introducing you to bioinformatics, immunology and virology, sharpening your critical thinking and methodological competencies, and your ability to question current models, to better understand the challenges facing current microbiology research. A curriculum that will prepare you for a world in change Whether you are aiming for a career in academic research, biotechnology, health, environment or industry, this 1st year Master's gives you the keys to understand, innovate and contribute to the scientific and societal challenges of tomorrow. With a balance between specialisation and openness, it allows you to build a unique profile, versatile and adapted to developments in the sector.

Career Opportunities

Career prospects

Après Master + Doctorat : chercheur ou enseignant-chercheur
Chargé.e de recherche et innovation
Ingénieur de recherche ou d'études
Ingénieur.e recherche & développement
métiers de la recherche

Further Study Opportunities

Master Microbiologie
M2 Fundamental Microbiology
M2 Microbiologie et génie biologique
M2 Microbiotes, Bactéries et Virus pathogènes, Thérapeutiques anti-infectieuses
M2 Virologie et bactériologie : des interactions moléculaires aux épidémies

Fees and scholarships

The amounts may vary depending on the programme and your personal circumstances.

Calendar

Start of programme (indicative date)
07/09/2026
End of programme (indicative date)
23/07/2027
Admission

Admission Route

Sciences de la vie
Sciences de la vie et de la Terre

Capacity

Available Places

20

Target Audience and Entry Requirements

Hold a National undergraduate degree in Life Sciences or Life and Earth Sciences, obtained before September 1st of the academic year for which you are applying. Have a solid foundation in the fundamentals of biology: Molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics. Must have validated TUs in the 2nd/3rd year undergraduate degree in line with the themes of the relevant course. For French-speaking international students: Have a diploma equivalent to an undergraduate degree in Life Sciences, guaranteeing the same prerequisites, obtained before 1st September of the academic year for which you are applying. If your full-time academic programme is highly specialised, we recommend that you first apply for a 3rd year undergraduate degree in Life Sciences (National diploma). Required level of French: C1 (certification). For English-speaking international students: You may apply to the International track in France if you graduated with a Bachelor degree, major in Biology, or if you will graduate before Sept 1st of the academic year for which you apply.

Application Period(s)

Inception Platform

From 15/01/2026 to 16/03/2026

From 19/06/2026 to 25/06/2026

Supporting documents

Compulsory supporting documents

Motivation letter.

All transcripts of the years / semesters validated since the high school diploma at the date of application.

Certificate of French (compulsory for non-French speakers).

Curriculum Vitae.

Detailed description and hourly volume of courses taken since the beginning of the university program.

Additional supporting documents

VAP file (obligatory for all persons requesting a valuation of the assets to enter the diploma).

Supporting documents :
- Residence permit stating the country of residence of the first country
- Or receipt of request stating the country of first asylum
- Or document from the UNHCR granting refugee status
- Or receipt of refugee status request delivered in France
- Or residence permit stating the refugee status delivered in France
- Or document stating subsidiary protection in France or abroad
- Or document stating temporary protection in France or abroad.

Programme
Subjects ECTS Semester Lecture directed study practical class Lecture/directed study Lecture/practical class directed study/practical class distance-learning course Project Supervised studies
Préparation au M1 - site Evry 0 Semestre 1 15
Préparation au M1 Sites Orsay - Versailles 0 Semestre 1 25
Subjects ECTS Semester Lecture directed study practical class Lecture/directed study Lecture/practical class directed study/practical class distance-learning course Project Supervised studies
Groupe Socle - Anglais S1
Anglais Scientifique Santé 2.5 Annualisé 12.5 12.5
English for Sciences ORSAY 2.5 Semestre 1 25
Anglais S1 UEVE 2.5 Annualisé
Anglais S1 UVSQ 2.5 Semestre 1
Intercultural Communication Project EUGLOH 2.5 Semestre 1 24
BIOMEX
BIOMécanismes et EXploration multi-échelle (BIOMEX) 10 Semestre 1 31 56 22
Subjects ECTS Semester Lecture directed study practical class Lecture/directed study Lecture/practical class directed study/practical class distance-learning course Project Supervised studies
IR.fr
Projet scientifique 5 Semestre 2 4
Stage 7.5 Semestre 2 4
IR.en
Internship 7.5 Semestre 2 4
Scientific project 5 Semestre 2 4
Autres Stages IR
Stage expérimental (cursus Santé UVSQ) 5 Semestre 2 2
Stage facultatif 0 Semestre 2
Stage expérimental (cursus Santé KB) 2.5 Semestre 2
Subjects ECTS Semester Lecture directed study practical class Lecture/directed study Lecture/practical class directed study/practical class distance-learning course Project Supervised studies
Microbiologie (MB)
Microbiologie médicale : thérapeutiques anti-infectieuses et biotechnologies 5 Semestre 1 16 18
Evolution et biodiversité des microorganismes 5 Semestre 1 37 9
Communautés microbiennes 2.5 Semestre 1 10.5 12.5
Virus et génie génétique 5 Semestre 1 18 25
Les microbiomes: clés pour des écosystèmes aquatiques sains. 2.5 Semestre 1 14 9
Biologie cellulaire des interactions hôte-bactéries invasives 5 Semestre 1 25 6 15
Protéines membranaires : biochimie et biologie moléculaire 5 Semestre 1 8 38
Plant-microbe interactions 5 Semestre 1 25.5 1.5 9
Virologie fondamentale 5 Semestre 2 33.5 9.5
Immuno-vectorologie 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Parasitologie (études des interactions durables) 2.5 Semestre 2 5 18
Microbiologie industrielle et alimentaire 5 Semestre 2 46
Microbiologie appliquée 5 Semestre 2 30
La paramécie, nouveau modèle d'étude des ciliopathies humaines par ARN interférence 5 Semestre 2 10 36
Integrative microbiology 2.5 Semestre 2 10 10
Génétique et physiologie bactériennes 5 Semestre 2 25 21
Nutrition, microbiote et sécurité sanitaire 2.5 Semestre 2 19.5 2
Réponse immunitaire et stratégie défensive 5 Semestre 1 30 16
Biologie moléculaire et cellulaire appliquées à des modèles viraux 5 Semestre 1 6 6 34
Adapt or disappear: missions in virology 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Plateformes Biosciences 5 Semestre 2 10 30 30
Subjects ECTS Semester Lecture directed study practical class Lecture/directed study Lecture/practical class directed study/practical class distance-learning course Project Supervised studies
Biothérapies et cellules souches (BTCS)
Biothérapies innovantes 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Biothérapies: des concepts aux applications 2.5 Semestre 1 14 9
Cell reprogramming and regeneration 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
In vivo stem cells dynamics and function 2.5 Semestre 1 14 9
Dynamique et fonctions des cellules souches in vivo 2.5 Semestre 1 14 9
Introduction aux Biothérapies, des cellules souches aux organoïdes 2.5 Semestre 2 6 5 12
Toxicologie-pharmacologie 2.5 Semestre 2 19.5 2
Transgénèse animale 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Etats pathologiques de la cellule 2.5 Semestre 2 16.5 4
Génétique humaine 5 Semestre 1 36
Stratégies d'Immunothérapie 2.5 Semestre 1 14 9
Virus et génie génétique 5 Semestre 1 18 25
Functional (epi)genomics and precision medicine 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Introduction to biotherapies, from stem cells to organoids 2.5 Semestre 2 6 5 12
Génétique moléculaire et cellulaire du développement et de la différenciation 5 Semestre 2 25 21
Oncogenèse, Signalisation, Cellules souches 5 Semestre 1 12 13 21
Animal transgenesis 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Biologie des cancers (BDC)
Base de la différenciation cellulaire et de l'oncogénèse 2.5 Semestre 1 13 10
Oncogenèse, Signalisation, Cellules souches 5 Semestre 1 12 13 21
Génétique moléculaire et cellulaire du développement et de la différenciation 5 Semestre 2 25 21
Points de contrôle du cycle cellulaire et réparation de l'ADN 5 Semestre 2 11 14 30
Functional (epi)genomics and precision medicine 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Mécanismes de la cancérogenèse 5 Semestre 1 35 7.5
Stratégies d'Immunothérapie 2.5 Semestre 1 14 9
Génétique humaine 5 Semestre 1 36
Contrôle de l'expression génique 5 Semestre 1 12 11 20
Génomique et pathologies 2.5 Semestre 2 16 3 3
Etats pathologiques de la cellule 2.5 Semestre 2 16.5 4
Cancérologie fondamentale et clinique 5 Semestre 2 32 14
Apoptose et signalisation 5 Semestre 2 2 44
DNA Damage Repair in Normal and Cancer Cells 2.5 Semestre 1 23
Chromatin control of Gene expression 2.5 Annualisé 10 6 7
Biologie des génomes (BDG)
Introduction to human genetics 2.5 Semestre 2 12 11
Animal transgenesis 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Outils Biotechnologiques - Génomique fonctionnelle 2.5 Semestre 1 23
Génétique moléculaire et cellulaire du développement et de la différenciation 5 Semestre 2 25 21
Points de contrôle du cycle cellulaire et réparation de l'ADN 5 Semestre 2 11 14 30
Génétique des pathologies complexes 2.5 Semestre 1 9.5 13.5
Functional (epi)genomics and precision medicine 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Virus et génie génétique 5 Semestre 1 18 25
Génétique humaine 5 Semestre 1 36
Epigenetics 2.5 Semestre 2 13 10
Dynamique des génomes 2.5 Semestre 2 14 7
Contrôle de l'expression génique 5 Semestre 1 12 11 20
Boîtes à outils moléculaires et cellulaires 5 Semestre 1 10.5 4 21
Outils Biotechnologiques - Analyse de données multi-omiques 2.5 Semestre 2 10 11
Virologie fondamentale 5 Semestre 2 33.5 9.5
Génomique fonctionnelle et médecine de précision 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Génomique et pathologies 2.5 Semestre 2 16 3 3
Génétique et génomique des populations 2.5 Semestre 2 15 8
Immuno-vectorologie 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Transgénèse animale 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Biologie moléculaire et cellulaire appliquées à des modèles viraux 5 Semestre 1 6 6 34
Biothérapies innovantes 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
DNA Damage Repair in Normal and Cancer Cells 2.5 Semestre 1 23
Chromatin control of Gene expression 2.5 Annualisé 10 6 7
Biomolécules et Ingénierie du vivant (BIV)
Catalyse enzymatique, mécanismes moléculaires 2.5 Semestre 2 16 9
Préparation, purification et caractérisation des protéines recombinantes 2.5 Semestre 2 3 20
Polymères pour la Biologie et applications 2.5 Semestre 2 16 9
La biologie à l'échelle de la molécule unique et de la cellule unique 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Cellular economics 2.5 Semestre 1 13 10
Systems Biology I 2.5 Semestre 1 14 9
Protéines membranaires : biochimie et biologie moléculaire 5 Semestre 1 8 38
Enzymologie 5 Semestre 1 46
Outils de Bioinformatique structurale 5 Semestre 1 6 17
Architecture et fonction des macromolécules 5 Semestre 1 32 8 6
Systems Biology II 2.5 Semestre 1 16 9
Synthetic Biology 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Nanosciences pour la biologie 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Microbiologie industrielle et alimentaire 5 Semestre 2 46
Biotechnologies applications exemples 5 Semestre 2 10
Protéines recombinantes 5 Semestre 1
Outils biotechnologiques - Protéines 2.5 Semestre 2 17 6
Méthodes d'analyse structurale 5 Semestre 2 28 18
Analyse avancée de données biologiques en Python 5 Semestre 2 13 9
Mécanismes cellulaires et signalisation (MCS)
Endocrinologie moléculaire et cellulaire / Molecular and cellular endocrinology 5 Semestre 1 42
Dynamique membranaire et signalisation 5 Semestre 1 16 10 20
Biologie cellulaire du cytosquelette 5 Semestre 1 23 10 13
Base de la différenciation cellulaire et de l'oncogénèse 2.5 Semestre 1 13 10
Oncogenèse, Signalisation, Cellules souches 5 Semestre 1 12 13 21
Génétique moléculaire et cellulaire du développement et de la différenciation 5 Semestre 2 25 21
Plant-microbe interactions 5 Semestre 1 25.5 1.5 9
Longévité et vieillissement 5 Semestre 1 25 21
Initiation à la biologie vasculaire 2.5 Semestre 1 23
Biosignaling 5 Semestre 1 24 22
Approfondissement en immunologie : du fondamental à l'appliqué 2.5 Semestre 1 16 6
Voies de transduction du signal 5 Semestre 1 46
Signalisation et communication cellulaire 2.5 Semestre 1 14 9
Contrôle de l'expression génique 5 Semestre 1 12 11 20
Trafic intracellulaire 2.5 Semestre 2 17 6
Physiopathologie de la signalisation 5 Semestre 2 29 16
Lipids and membranes in patho-physiology 2.5 Semestre 2 13 10
Etats pathologiques de la cellule 2.5 Semestre 2 16.5 4
Cancérologie fondamentale et clinique 5 Semestre 2 32 14
Apoptose et signalisation 5 Semestre 2 2 44
La paramécie, nouveau modèle d'étude des ciliopathies humaines par ARN interférence 5 Semestre 2 10 36
Physiopathologie endocrinienne 2.5 Semestre 2 19 4
Physiologie et physiopathologie de la reproduction humaine 5 Semestre 2 24 14 8
Biologie moléculaire et cellulaire appliquées à des modèles viraux 5 Semestre 1 6 6 34
DNA Damage Repair in Normal and Cancer Cells 2.5 Semestre 1 23
Biophysique Cellulaire 2.5 Semestre 1 15 8
Immunologie et physio-physiopathologie (I3P)
Immunopathologie Clinique et Immunothérapie 5 Semestre 2 26 12
Biologie de la reproduction 5 Semestre 2 36 0
Endocrinologie moléculaire et cellulaire / Molecular and cellular endocrinology 5 Semestre 1 42
Immuno-pathophysiology 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Physiologie du système immunitaire 2.5 Semestre 1 16 9
Longévité et vieillissement 5 Semestre 1 25 21
Les bases de l'immunologie 5 Semestre 1 30 16
Initiation à la biologie vasculaire 2.5 Semestre 1 23
Stratégies d'Immunothérapie 2.5 Semestre 1 14 9
Approfondissement en immunologie : du fondamental à l'appliqué 2.5 Semestre 1 16 6
Lipids and membranes in patho-physiology 2.5 Semestre 2 13 10
Etats pathologiques de la cellule 2.5 Semestre 2 16.5 4
Toxicologie-pharmacologie 2.5 Semestre 2 19.5 2
Physiopathologie endocrinienne 2.5 Semestre 2 19 4
Physiologie et physiopathologie de la reproduction humaine 5 Semestre 2 24 14 8
Physiologie et biologie intégrées du système cardio-respiratoire 5 Semestre 2 35
Physiologie des régulations 5 Semestre 2 33 13
Nutrition, microbiote et sécurité sanitaire 2.5 Semestre 2 19.5 2
Nutrition et prévention des grandes pathologies 2.5 Semestre 2 19.5 2
Immunophysiopathologie 2.5 Semestre 2 14 9
Immunologie moléculaire et cellulaire 5 Semestre 2 26 20
Formation pratique en immunologie 5 Semestre 2 10 8 28
Réponse immunitaire et stratégie défensive 5 Semestre 1 30 16
Neurosciences (NS)
Technologie des neurosciences / Methods in Neuroscience 5 Semestre 1 5 41
Neurobiologie cellulaire et moléculaire 2.5 Semestre 1 18 5
Initiation aux neurosciences 5 Semestre 1 30 10
Biologie du comportement animal 5 Semestre 1 38 8
Neurobiology of emotions and decision making 2.5 Semestre 2
Neurobiology of Integrated Systems 5 Semestre 2
Neuroanatomie fondamentale 2.5 Semestre 1 13 10
Neurophysiopathologie des infections 1 5 Semestre 2
Neurophysiopathologie des infections 2 2.5 Semestre 2 20
Current Topics in Neuropathology and Research Design 5 Semestre 1 22 24
Ouverture GS LSH
Pratiques expérimentales 5 Semestre 2 46
Anglais S2 Certification Linguaskill 2.5 Semestre 2 22
Anglais S2 2,5 ECTS UVSQ 2.5 Semestre 2 25
Integrative plant physiology 5 Semestre 1 20 16
Application des procédures en expérimentation animale 5 Semestre 2 30 15
Transition écologique 2.5 Semestre 2 8 14
Anglais S2 2,5 ECTS UEVE 2.5 Semestre 2 23
Biostatistiques (Versailles) 2.5 Semestre 2 4 19 0
Current Questions in Evolution 5 Semestre 2 37
Introduction à l'imagerie biomédicale 5 Semestre 2 32 2
Biostatistiques (Orsay) 5 Semestre 1 11 11 24
Ecologie fonctionnelle 5 Semestre 1 46
Fonctionnement de l'entreprise innovante 5 Semestre 1 36
Les Mastériales.fr 2.5 Semestre 1 2 15 6
Workshop on plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses 5 Semestre 1 6 36
Atelier organismes modèles (S1) 5 Semestre 1 2 44
Workshop on model organisms / HELIX2 5 Semestre 1 4 48
Workshop on model organisms / HELIX1 2.5 Semestre 1 2 23
Cellular economics 2.5 Semestre 1 13 10
Ecological transition 2.5 Semestre 2 8 14
Workshop on plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses (Elective courses C - option 1) 4 Semestre 1 6 36
Workshop on plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses 5 Semestre 1 6 36
Plant-microbe interactions 5 Semestre 1 25.5 1.5 9
Integrative plant physiology 5 Semestre 1 20 16
UE LIBRES
UE libre S2 - 5 ECTS 5 Semestre 2
UE libre_2 S2 - 2,5 ECTS 2.5 Semestre 1
UE libre_1 S1 - 2,5 ECTS 2.5 Semestre 1
UE libre_2 S1 - 2,5 ECTS 2.5 Semestre 1

Teaching Location(s)

ORSAY
VERSAILLES

Academic Partner(s)

I2BC, Institut Micalis, CNRS, l’INSERM, l’INRAE et le CEA

Training campus

Saclay Moulon

Saclay / Gif-sur-Yvette / Orsay
Bus 4606 / 4609 / 4611 / 5154
RER B Le guichet
Student restaurant (CROUS)
Library
Sports facilities
Student residence

Contact

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