Life Sciences

The PSL Master’s in Life Sciences is an interdisciplinary Master’s programme that aims to prepare the next generation of scientists, engineers, and physicians to address emerging problems in contemporary biology, ecology and environmental science.

The Master is developed in partnership by world-renowned schools: Ecole normale supérieure (ENS - PSL), Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE - PSL), Collège de France, Ecole Supérieure de Physique Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris (ESPCI - PSL), Mines Paris - PSL, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (IBPC), Institut Curie and Institut Pasteur. The recruitment of competitively selected students with an exceptionally high researcher/student ratio, their tailor-made training and close tutoring are shared between the different teaching institutions within PSL. In addition, research training through research practice is an historical mark of these institutions.

Call for applications 2023 | PSL Phd tracks

This master's degree is part of 2 PSL graduate programs: Earth Science and Biodiversity & Life Sciences.

IMaLiS is managed by the department of Biology of the ENS, whereas the two other tracks Integrative PhysioPathology (IPP) and (Biodiversity and Environment, B&E) are managed by the Life and Earth Sciences section of the EPHE and are collectively referred to as IMaGHE (Integrative Master’s for Global Health and Ecology).

> At the M1 level, the Master’s includes three curricula:
- Interdisciplinary Master’s in Life Sciences (IMaLiS)
- Integrative Master’s for Global Health and Ecology (IMaGHE),Integrative physiopathology (IPP curriculum)
- Integrative Master’s for Global Health and Ecology (IMaGHE), Biodiversity and environment (B&E curriculum)

> At the M2 level, while the IMaGHE curricula remain unchanged, IMaLiS further divides into four curricula, also managed by the ENS:
- Systems biology, genomics and bioinformatics
- Neuroscience
- Fundamental biology for health
- Ecology and evolution

At both M1 and M2 levels, limited cross-sampling between the different pathways is possible, provided faculty are in agreement.

IMaLiS aims to nurture both interdisciplinary cross-pollination as well as the development of formalized, quantitative approaches. Most of IMaLiS courses take place in the Department of Biology of the ENS. Learning opportunities within IMaLis are further expanded thanks to close-knit partnerships with several leading French teaching institutions (Université Pierre et Marie Curie, AgroParisTech) and foreign universities (University of Arizona). Within the framework of the PSL Q-Life Institute of Convergence, a scholarship programme offering competitive stipends (10,000 €/year) for students following IMaLiS has been established to support both international students and French students with a degree in a scientific discipline other than biology. For more information see the Q-Life/IMaLiS scholarship programme.

IMaGHE aims at forming scientists involved in environmental or physiological research projects, either applied or academic. Internship opportunities are available within a large network of partners in and around top-ranked universities throughout French territories and abroad. 
These structures provide the most appropriate research training by immersing students in a research programme and with their own research topic. Thus, most IMaGHE courses take place at EPHE labs located in Paris, Montpellier, Lyon, Bordeaux, Caen, Dijon, Perpignan, Nancy, Grenoble, Dinard and Moorea (French Polynesia). 

Learning outcomes

> IMaLiS is a high-level, generalist course of study in the life sciences that incorporates key interdisciplinary content (including optional training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, geosciences and computer sciences).
In the first year of the IMaLiS programme students are free to select a variety of courses in cellular and developmental biology, medical sciences, genetics, genomics, neurosciences, computational biology, system biology, evolution and ecology. Specific combinations of coursework can be suggested by faculty, for instance to best prepare for the Master 2 specialization, or to best further the student’s individual objectives. In addition, during both years optional training in career skills (foreign languages, scientific communication, statistics, grant-writing, ethics, etc.). Upon successful completion of the first year of the programme, students may matriculate in any of the four specializations offered in the second year of the programme. 
In the second year of the IMaLiS programme, students specialize by choosing one of the four curricula listed above. 
The programme partners with world-class laboratories for internships (5 months each year) and is highly international in scope, with international recruiting, courses taught in English, and internship opportunities abroad.

> IMaGHE includes two alternative, although interconnected, curricula devoted to life sciences from the molecule to the organism for IPP or from the organism to the environment for B&E. Both curricula address questions about biotic and abiotic interactions affecting the health of living organisms. IMaGHE Master’s 1 and 2 programmes allow early involvement in a research (or R&D) project by backing fundamental learning with the context and practice of the internship.
IMaGHE Master 1 year (first semester) includes a common core providing mandatory training in career skills (foreign languages, scientific communication, statistics, resume- or grant-writing, ethics, etc.) in addition to “commitment” courses preparing for the choice of future teaching units. 
Career skills are reinforced in the IMaGHE Master 2 year for languages, environmental law, advanced statistics and preparation to position- or PhD search, for instance.
The Master 2 year provides more specialization with teaching units organized by research seminars. The IPP curriculum offers major courses in “Pathology of the nervous system”, “Infectiology” and “Normal cell, cancer and therapy”. The B&E curriculum specifies concepts inherent in the conservation, evolution, ecosystem services or ecology of coral reefs.
The programme partners for internships (B&E: 2-month minimum fieldwork in M1, 6-month in M2. IPP: 6-month each year) are webbed worldwide. The courses, taught in French are given in different locations, depending on their scientific content. 

Curriculum and tracks 

The programmes include an M1 year (60 ECTS) and an M2 year (60 ECTS).
IMaLiS
•    M1: Core curriculum + one 5-month internship
•    M2: 4 available tracks + one 5-month internship
IMaGHE
•    M1 : Core curriculum + Specialized options + one 2 to 6-month internship
•    M2 : Core curriculum + Specialized options + one 6-month internship

Who should apply?

The IMaLiS M1 year is open to international students with a Bachelor of Science (Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Earth and Life Sciences, etc.) and from France’s engineering schools, who have demonstrated interest in the Life Sciences. 
IMaLiS is also suitable for students who have completed the first two to three years of medical/pharmaceutical studies and who would like additional training in the sciences (see also our Medicine/Science track) before choosing their area of specialization.
IMaGHE M1 year curricula are open to students with a Bachelor of Science, or equivalent, and a research experience through internships or research positions. These curricula are particularly conducive to continuous training.

IMaLiS and IMaGHE M2 year is open to students with a Master 1 degree in Science (Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Earth and Life Sciences, etc.) or equivalent (minimum 4 years of studies), and to students from French engineering schools who have received basic education in Life Sciences. Selection procedure is separate for each curriculum.

Opportunities

The PSL Master’s in Life Sciences primarily prepares students for careers as researchers, research professors, research physicians or research engineers in the public sector, or as Research and Development professionals in the private sector, particularly the pharmaceutical and innovative biotechnology industries. Career opportunities also exist in management of parks and nature reserves, local authorities, as well as in the private or semi-public sectors in biodiversity or environmental management.