What's happening at Sorbonne University

See all

Discover our news, events, portraits, videos, publications and more.

Education

Our Academic Programs

In Arts and Humanities, Medicine, and Science and Engineering

Choosing Sorbonne University means joining a world-renowned higher education and research institution. By joining our community of 55,000 students and 360,000 alumni worldwide, you'll be giving your all to a rigorous academic program and receiving the best in multidisciplinary teaching. 

Information for International Students

Are you a current or prospective international student? 

Whether studying on exchange or seeking a full degree at Sorbonne University, access essential contact information, resources for learning French and a glimpse into student life. 

Research and Innovation

Sorbonne University promotes excellence at the core of each of its disciplines and develops numerous interdisciplinary programs capable of meeting the major challenges of the 21st century.

Study at | Sorbonne University

Participate in the great adventure of learning, succeed in high-level studies and prepare to create the future.

Parismus is the international student association of Sorbonne University

Parismus

Parismus is the international student association of Sorbonne University.

Bringing together 10 institutions that offer studies in literature, medicine, science, engineering, technology and management, our alliance fosters a global approach to teaching and research, promoting access to knowledge for all.

Alliance 4EU+

The 4EU+ Alliance

In a changing world, Sorbonne University has joined forces with six universities: Charles University in Prague, the University of Warsaw, Heidelberg University, the University of Milan, the University of Geneva and the University of Copenhagen to create the 4EU+ Alliance.

With an innovative model of the European university, seven large research-intensive universities are working together to respond to the educational and research challenges facing Europe today.

Les Alliances de Sorbonne Université

How to get prepared for the new academic year 2023-2024

Discover our step-by-step guide to get ready for the start of the new academic year. Learn everything there is to know from the application process to the beginning of the first term.

Préparer ma rentrée slider


Publications

All publications

Artisans Abroad

Par Fabrice Bensimon

British Migrant Workers in Industrialising Europe, 1815-1870

Graduate

25 000

students

193

bachelor degrees

192

master degrees

13

campuses

Courses

Discover our courses catalog

Medicine

The Faculty of Medicine teaches the 3 cycles of medical studies: from PASS (integrated into the faculty) to the 3rd cycle including DES, DESC, DU and DIU. The lessons are given mainly on two sites: Pitié-Salpêtrière and Saint-Antoine. The faculty also provides paramedical education: speech therapy, psychomotricity and orthoptics. The Saint-Antoine site includes a midwifery school.

Study | at the faculty of medicine

One of our riches is the diversity of students and their backgrounds. Sorbonne University is committed to the success of each of its students and offers them a wide range of training as well as support adapted to their profile and their project.

Associative life

One of our riches is the diversity of students and their backgrounds. Sorbonne University is committed to the success of each of its students.

21 393

users

17 527

students

715

Doctors in medecine and research

12

Research centers

Chiffres-clés

Master in Marine Sciences

Covering some 71% of the Earth's surface and encompassing 90% of the biosphere, our oceans are essential to the dynamics of the "Earth system". This is reflected in the key role they play in regulating major biogeochemical cycles and climate. Oceans also make a major contribution to economic prosperity, social wellbeing and quality of life for many human societies. However, with over 60% of the world's population living close to a coastline – a figure that is constantly rising – marine environments are facing a growing number of threats, such as climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, the introduction of exotic species and the over-exploitation of resources.

Objectives

Hundreds of thousands of species inhabit our oceans, but not all are known, and others are exploited, vulnerable or threatened.  It is therefore essential to study all components of this biodiversity, including its functioning from the coast to the open sea, from the surface to the deep sea, from the tropics to temperate and polar environments.

With this in mind, the two-year Marine Sciences Master's program trains highly qualified oceanographers in the fields of biological oceanography, marine ecology and biogeochemistry in an interdisciplinary context. The program should enable students to tackle the major challenges facing marine environments (global change and biodiversity conservation), through interdisciplinary approaches covering scales from the most local to the most global.

The program draws directly on the University's research units located on the Paris campus and in the three marine stations of Banyuls-sur-mer, Roscoff and Villefranche-sur-mer. These unique research facilities boast a wide range of skills, covering the main scientific fields in the areas studied. Ensuring immersion in outstanding research laboratories and providing students with logistical access to marine environments, are essential components of the skills they will acquire.

The course offers two pathways:

The program is open to international students and welcomes those enrolled in the European program International Master of Science in Marine Biological Resources (IMBRSea). Some of our courses are therefore taught in English.

Organization

First year

The first semester of the first year (M1-S1) is the same for all students in the specialization. It takes place entirely on the Paris campus. The program includes the Teaching Units (TUs) common to the "Sciences de l'Univers, Environnement, Écologie" training department (taught in French) and fundamental oceanography TUs specific to the "Sciences de la Mer" training department (taught partly in English).

The second semester of the first year (M1-S2) gives students the opportunity to begin specializing in their chosen field. In addition to common courses, it includes:

  • an oceanography UE to be chosen on campus,
  • a practical course to develop the concepts acquired in the on-campus courses; to be chosen from the courses offered at the university's marine stations,
  • an introductory course in laboratory research.

The courses take place on the Paris campus from January to mid-March, followed by six weeks at one of the marine stations, depending on the student's choice.

The first-year teaching contract ends with the defense of the introductory research internship, which takes place in the same week as the master's thesis defense. This week-long colloquium provides an opportunity for the two cohorts of students to meet.

During the summer months, six summer courses are organized at marine stations. These courses, which are not part of the teaching program, enable students to complete their training in specific areas (taxonomy, statistics, scientific diving). Courses are taught in French or English (when non-French-speaking students attend).

Second year

Semester 3 (M2-S3) is divided into two courses. Choosing one of these courses requires 21 ECTS credits.

  • Pathway Marine Ecosystem Functioning and Global Change
  • Course Biodiversity and conservation of marine ecosystems.

The two courses in the third semester are designed to enable students, after a common grounding in the fundamentals of oceanography, to specialize in areas of expertise that will allow them to obtain funding for a thesis or to enter the workforce more directly. The courses are in line with current research structures, as reflected in major national and international programs.

As this semester is also offered to students of the European "International Master of Science in Marine Biological Resources (IMBRSea)" program, lessons are taken in English.

Semester 4 of Year 2 begins at the start of the academic year in January, and is entirely devoted to the end-of-master's internship (6 months in a laboratory or company), credited with 30 ECTS. It culminates in the writing and presentation of a master's thesis.

 

Skills

  • Understand the mechanisms that govern the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems at different spatial and temporal scales;
  • Understand the physical, chemical and biological processes that regulate the major biogeochemical cycles;
  • Master methods for studying and analyzing the marine environment;
  • Understand and assess human impact on marine ecological systems, from populations to ecosystems and the biosphere.

 

Target audience and admission procedures

To apply for our training program, you need a basic bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, earth and environmental sciences, chemistry, or an equivalent diploma.

Recruitment is based on a written application, which may be supplemented by a telephone interview.

 

Job opportunities

For a some students, this training leads to the preparation of a doctorate, followed by a career in research, not only in France in the major public organizations for fundamental or applied research (Universities, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, MNHN, etc.), but also abroad (mainly Universities). In addition to the methodological expertise students will acquire, these courses raise their awareness of the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems and environmental management. This ensures a wide range of career opportunities in consultancies, local authorities, environmental units of public or private companies, NGOs, etc.

Contact