Bio-Informatics and Modeling (BIM)

The new aspects of this course compared to existing masters in France and abroad are:

• a training program integrated with biology, combining algorithms, combinatorics and statistics for bioinformatics and mathematical modeling;
• research modules designed to mix students from different disciplines;
• Leveling modules to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge while maintaining a common language to enable exchanges;
• modules shared by teachers from different disciplines. This collaboration in the same module should enrich the "classical" disciplinary pedagogy and is intended to broaden the students' minds.

In the course,  we want to prepare our students for research and applications in this interface area by building upon a solid foundation in Computer Science. The main goal of this program is to prepare students for the development of new methods to solve problems in the life sciences. It is therefore essential that they be competent in their original field and familiar with the language and problems of the biological and biomedical sciences. The need to manipulate and analyze large amounts of data requires that students' training to be complemented by skills in numerical simulation and statistical analysis.

The BIM program allows computer science students to acquire skills in the field of bioinformatics and modeling while training them as computer scientists. The development of their knowledge in algorithms, artificial intelligence or imaging will enable them to make original methodological contributions in this field.

First year

To ensure a solid foundation in computer science, we offer a first year (M1) of comprehensive courses in computer science shared with the ANDROIDE (Distributed Agents, Robotics, Operations Research, Interaction, Decision), DAC (Data, Learning, Knowledge), IMA (Imaging) and STL (Software Science and Technology) tracks, and covering the necessary knowledge in algorithms, combinatorics and statistics. Students also take courses in statistics and introductory biology, bioinformatics and modeling. These modules allow students to become familiar with multidisciplinarity through both the content of the courses and the collaboration between students from different disciplines within the BIMM International Master’s Program, which shares its courses with the program.

Second year

The courses offered in this second year prepare students to pursue research in bioinformatics and modeling on topics related to sequence evolution (DNA, RNA and protein), gene expression, structural biology and population genetics.
The list of courses contains the programs of the UE proposed for teaching in M2 BIM as well as the courses which can be chosen in the mathematics or biology masters (in the BMC and BIP masters). The coherence of each student’s  choices is controlled by the teaching staff.
In the second semester, students are required to complete a 6-month research internship in a laboratory, which will result in a written report and a defense.

International course

Students in the course who participate in the international master's program (in partnership with the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium) will be required to spend a semester in a partner university, either for the M2 internship or for a semester of classes. If the presence of foreign students requires it, M2 courses may be taught entirely in English. Additionally, at least one M2 course is taught in English by a foreign visiting professor.

The BIM program is aimed at scientistific students with good knowledge of computer science and/or mathematics applied to computer science. In particular, students should have a background in general computer science, mastery of algorithmsprogramming and good knowledge of basic mathematics (logic, algebra, analysis, probability, statistics).

Admission to the first year of the Master's program:

The first year cohort is mainly students with a degree in Computer Science or Mathematics (with some UE in programming and algorithms), but less typical backgrounds will also be considered. For example, we offer Physics and Chemistry students the opportunity to apply to BIM. Students from mathematics and computer science backgrounds who have shown an interest in life sciences during their undergraduate studies will be particularly appreciated.

Admission to the second year of the Master's program:

The second year cohort includes students from the first year, together with students from other universities or engineering schools who have demonstrated an interest in life sciences, mathematics applied to computer science and/or computer science during their studies. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Finally, the integration of BIM into the BIMM International Master's Program offers international exposure for the training and a stream of students from abroad who have training compatible with what is described here.

Research

Bioinformatics, modeling of biological systems (laboratory or industry). The BIM course covers very practical and current problems such as genomics and the mining of large quantities of biological data, which ensures professional opportunities. It also addresses more prospective fields that are the subject of cutting-edge research in our laboratories. One of the objectives of the master's program is to give students the opportunity to complete a thesis in numerous centers outside the university: INRIA, Genoscope-CEA, INRA, etc. Others will go to university laboratories (biology, ecology, biomechanics, medicine...). The Computational and Quantitative Biology Laboratory welcomes people interested in doing an experimental thesis related to silico analysis as well as students who are interested in developing new methodologies for in silico data analysis.

Industry

The course also prepares students for work in research and development teams (pharmaceutical or biotechnology laboratories) or the creation of specialized software in the field of life sciences. With experience, the student will be able to hold positions as a consultant, expert in the development of computer systems for systems biology, project manager, or researcher.