M2 - Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis (AIDA)

Interdisciplinarity is a fundamental pillar for scientific developments in the 21st century. The revolutions in biotechnology and advancements in artificial intelligence now make it possible to generate and process massive volumes of data in the fields of molecular and cellular biology. It has become essential for the new generation of scientists to develop interdisciplinary skills in life sciences and data analysis to effectively exploit and interpret this complex information. The M2 Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis (AIDA) track aims to train experts at the interface of life sciences and artificial intelligence for biological data analysis.

This program is intended for individuals with an academic background in life sciences who wish to develop interdisciplinary skills in data analysis and artificial intelligence. To be eligible for this M2 track, you must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree in life sciences and demonstrate a strong interest in data analysis and artificial intelligence methods applied to molecular biology and cell biology.

Ideally, candidates are also expected to have some programming skills. Note that the M1 core courses “Biostatistics and Bioanalysis with R” (MU4BM019, M1S1, 3 ECTS) and “Python for Biology” (MU4BM018, M1S1, 3 ECTS) help students acquire these programming skills. The complementary M1 courses “Advanced Python Programming for Biology” (MU4BI033, M1S2, 6 ECTS) and “Supervised Projects in Systems Biology” (MU4BI034, M1S2, 6 ECTS) also prepare students for this program.

Completing an M1 internship related to complex data analysis is also recommended.

The M2 AIDA program includes the following courses:

Third Semester

• Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning for Biology (MUBIP12, 6 ECTS): This course aims to train students in the design and use of neural networks to develop predictive models applied to gene expression data analysis. A particular emphasis will be placed on using the Keras programming library (available in R and Python) to propose and implement different neural network architectures, allowing students to evaluate the performance of classification models applied to transcriptomic data from patients. The course consists of lectures, hands-on workshops, and group projects.

• Supervised and Unsupervised Learning for Biological Data (MU5BM753, 6 ECTS): This course provides an introduction to genomic data analysis methods, focusing on supervised and unsupervised classification techniques. Through lectures and projects, students will learn to apply these methods to genomic datasets, with a particular emphasis on integrative analysis of transcriptional networks.

• Single-Cell Transcriptomic Data Analysis (MU5BIS01, 6 ECTS): This course provides an in-depth exploration of single-cell transcriptomic data analysis methods. Students will be trained in the critical steps of interpreting these data, from preprocessing to result interpretation. The course focuses on group projects, where students will apply their acquired knowledge to real-world biological problems encountered in different fields of biology.

• BMC Disciplinary Courses (12 ECTS): Students in the AIDA program can choose disciplinary courses to strengthen their skills in molecular and cellular biology from a wide selection of BMC courses, totaling 12 ECTS. Various options are available, including molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, immunology, and microbiology.

  • Molecular Biology Option: This option allows AIDA M2 students to specialize in molecular biology by taking courses in biochemistry, genetics, and proteomics, with a focus on cheminformatics or protein folding. These courses are taught exclusively in French.

  • Cell Biology Option: This option allows AIDA M2 students to specialize in cell biology by taking courses in chemical cell biology (UE 5BM021, 3 ECTS), developmental biology (MU5BM211, 6 ECTS), and stem cell biology (MU5BM217, 6 ECTS).

  • Genomics Option: This option allows AIDA M2 students to specialize in genomics by taking courses in medical genomics (UE 5BM430, 6 ECTS) and functional genomics (UE 5BM429, 6 ECTS).

  • Immunology Option: This option allows AIDA M2 students to specialize in immunology through courses on transcriptomic data analysis (UE 5BM578, 3 ECTS), high-dimensional cytometric data analysis (UE 5BM572, 3 ECTS), experimental design using immunomonitoring tools (UE 5BM575, 3 ECTS), and system immunology conferences (UE 5BM560, 3 ECTS). These courses are taught exclusively in English.

  • Microbiology Option: This option allows AIDA M2 students to specialize in microbiology, particularly in environmental genomics data analysis (UE 5V655, 6 ECTS) at the Banyuls-sur-Mer marine station, as well as in hands-on microbiology culture and data analysis workshops (UE 5BM694, 6 ECTS).

Fourth Semester

• Internship (30 ECTS): The M2 program concludes with a six-month internship, conducted in a research laboratory (public or private) or in a company. This internship provides an opportunity to apply the concepts and methods studied in a professional setting. From the beginning of the academic year, students receive guidance in their internship search. The internship leads to the writing of a report and an oral defense.

The AIDA program aims to develop both disciplinary and transferable skills, enabling students to master data analysis tools and methods in contexts rooted in molecular and cellular biology themes.

Disciplinary Skills

• Strengthen expertise in molecular and cellular biology.
• Master concepts related to the generation of large-scale data through biotechnological tools.
• Master statistical tools and analytical approaches to interpret complex biological data.
• Gain expertise in supervised and unsupervised learning methods.
• Apply deep learning approaches and quantify model prediction accuracy.

Transferable Skills

• Interpret complex biological data in an interdisciplinary context.
• Develop critical thinking in evaluating experimental results and the methods used.
• Carry out scientific projects, from design to result analysis.
• Work effectively in teams while also managing projects independently.
• Communicate results clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Develop a personal and professional project linked to artificial intelligence and biological data analysis.

The AIDA track of the Master BMC program offers a wide range of career opportunities in modern biology by integrating data analysis skills for molecular and cellular biology. Graduates are highly sought after in the biotechnology, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and academic sectors.

• Data Scientists in Biology: With the increasing availability of biological data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, imaging, etc.), data scientists play a crucial role in analyzing and interpreting these datasets. They use algorithms and predictive models to advance scientific knowledge, from fundamental research to personalized medical treatments.

• Bioinformaticians: Bioinformaticians develop and design new approaches and methods for analyzing complex biological data. Combining expertise in biology, computer science, and statistics, they play an essential role in leveraging genomic, transcriptomic, and imaging data, leading to major advances in understanding biological systems and developing innovative analytical tools.

• Systems Biologists: Using integrative and multidimensional approaches, systems biologists model complex interactions across different biological levels (molecular, cellular, organ-level, and ecosystem). This field enhances our understanding of the biological networks underlying physiopathological processes and helps identify new therapeutic targets, highlighting the growing importance of systems biology in biomedical and pharmaceutical research.

• Data Analysis Engineers: Data analysis engineers play a key role in research laboratories by applying their expertise in analyzing and interpreting biological data across a variety of projects. They are valuable assets, leveraging their unique skills to explore fundamental and translational biological mechanisms.

• Consultants in Digital Transformation for Biology: These consultants facilitate the integration of digital technologies in biotech companies and research laboratories. They oversee the implementation of infrastructures tailored to processing large-scale biological data and train teams in the use of modern analytical tools.

• PhD Opportunities: Graduates of the AIDA track in the Master BMC program who wish to deepen their scientific expertise can pursue a PhD. This pathway leads to careers in academic or industrial research, covering a range of topics from fundamental biological mechanisms to the application of systems biology and artificial intelligence.

This M2 program is accessible from the first year of the Master BMC or directly in the second year of the Master BMC, depending on the candidate's profile.

Applications for the first year of the Master BMC at Sorbonne University are submitted via the Mon Master platform (https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/).

Applications for the second year of the Master AIDA-BMC are submitted:

• via the e-candidat platform (https://candidatures-2025.sorbonne-universite.fr/) for candidates from a French institution. Applications on the e-candidat platform are open from March 27 to June 12.
• via Études en France (https://www.campusfrance.org/fr/candidature-procedure-etudes-en-france) for international candidates. Applications on the Études en France platform open on February 17.

For students from the M1 BMC program, a presentation of the AIDA BMC track will take place on Monday, March 17, from 8:30 to 9:15 AM (Amphitheater 25, Pierre and Marie Curie campus), as well as on Tuesday, March 18, from 6:15 to 8:30 PM (room to be determined).

Please note that international students have opportunities to receive financial support for their studies in France through the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program, managed by Campus France (https://www.campusfrance.org/fr/le-programme-de-bourses-france-excellence-eiffel).