M1&M2 - Parcours Bioinformatique & Modélisation (BIM-BMC)

The first year of the Master's degree in the BIM-BMC specialisation (M1) comprises 5 Teaching Units (TU) of 6 credits (ECTS) per semester. One ECTS corresponds to 10 hours of teaching. The courses present the fundamental concepts of computer science, statistics and mathematics related to fundamental questions in biology. These courses are organised around UEs common to biology and computer science students (indicated hereafter with an asterisk *) and courses specific to biology or computer science students.

First Semester (S1)

♦ Biology EU

• 1- Regulation of gene expression: transcription, translation and protein degradation –  MU4BM005
• 2- Genome structure and function – MU4BM007
• 3- Systems Physiology – MU4BI030

The E.U. MU4BM005 and MU4BI030 are mutually exclusive and therefore optional.

♦ Computing EU

• 4- Methods and Algorithms for Probability and Statistics in Computer Science –  MAPSI/MU4IN601 *
• 5- Algorithms on trees and graphs in bioinformatics –  AAGB/MU4IN700*

Including a section on Programming in C specifically for biology students

♦ EU Mathematics

• 6- Discrete and continuous dynamical systems in biology and medicine –  MU4MA062 *

Second Semester (S2)

♦ Biology EU

• 1- Nucleic acids: from the single molecule to the cell –  MU4BM118 *

♦ Computing EU

• 2- Advanced programming in Python –  MU4BM748
• 3-Statistics in bioinformatics and sequence algorithms –  SBAS/MU4IN701*

♦ EU Mathematics

• 4- Mathematical and computational models in neuroscience –  MMCN/MU4IN702 *

♦ "English"

♦ Professional integration
Professional integration is a joint course for biologists and computer scientists, the aim of which is to help them prepare their career plans and gain a better understanding of the needs and expectations of the job market.

For a detailed description of the BIM study programme
The course described is aimed at students with a background in biology, computer science, mathematics or physics.

For a detailed description of the BIM curriculum
The program is designed for students from a background in biology, computer science, mathematics or physics.

The second year of the "Bioinformatics & Modelling" Master's degree (M2) comprises 2 Teaching Units (TUs) of 6 ECTS and 4 TUs of 3 ECTS. The first semester is supplemented by an introductory course of 6 ECTS. An internship of 30 ECTS takes up the entire second semester. As in M1, teaching is organised around courses common to biology and computer science students (indicated by an asterisk *) and courses specific to biology or computer science students.

The first semester is preceded by a refresher week in the form of an interdisciplinary workshop covering the mathematical and physical concepts used in systems biology. This workshop, which is not compulsory, is strongly recommended for those who are not completely at ease with mathematical concepts.

First Semester (S3)

This page lists the most frequently asked questions about the 'Bioinformatics & Modelling' speciality in the 'Molecular and Cellular Biology' field.

Where should I apply, BIM-BMC or BIM-Info?
Students in biology, computer science or mathematics can join this speciality by applying for the relevant subject, BMC (BIM-BMC) for biologists and Computer Science (BIM-Info) for computer scientists.
 For the latter, the teaching managers are Alessandra CARBONE and Martin WEIGT.

I don't see the "Bioinformatics & Modelling" speciality in the application form. For the "Molecular and Cellular Biology" Diploma/Major, only the "traditional pathway" is available?
This is perfectly normal. The easiest way is to indicate (by hand) on the application form that you are applying for the "Bioinformatics and Modelling" speciality.

Are there any pre-requisites for enrolling in BIM-BMC?
 A solid foundation in programming is strongly recommended for the M1. Mathematical and statistical concepts are also necessary to tackle modelling issues.

Can I apply directly for M2?
 You are perfectly entitled to apply for the M2 BIM-BMC if you wish. However, the Master's programme has been designed to be integrated over two years, so that in M1 you can reinforce the concepts that biologists lack in computer science, statistics and mathematics. In fact, biology and bioinformatics students are together in 90% of the M2 courses. We therefore need to be able to keep up with the level of computer science and modelling required.

If at the end of the M1 BIM-BMC I no longer wish to continue in M2, what will happen?
During M1, you will take biology courses that will enable you to apply for an M2 BMC if you wish. These courses are mainly associated with the genetics speciality, but you are not locked into a 2-year course if you wish to leave it.

Can I do an internship in M1 BIM-BMC?
Due to the large amount of training required to achieve a high level in biology, computer science and modelling, it is not possible to do an internship in the second semester of M1. However, the second semester ends fairly early, and an internship is possible if you can complete an optional 2-month placement during the summer to experience the reality of your chosen profession.

How are foreign students recruited?
Sorbonne University uses the "Campus France"
procedure to admit foreign students from countries with a Campus France space (see list on the Campus France website). Check the website regularly and early enough in the year, as the procedures for obtaining visas, for example, come early. For countries outside Campus France, see the dedicated page.

In what language are the BIM-BMC courses taught?
 All M1 courses are taught in French. M2 courses may be taught in English.

For a detailed description of the BIM study programme
The course designed for students with a background in biology, computer science, mathematics or physics.