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Master in Bioinformatics

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  • Biology Department
  • Initial training - Continuing education
  • Marseille Luminy

Reopening of Master 1 - start of the 2026 academic year

Training in computational biology and artificial intelligence to meet scientific challenges in biology and healthcare

Master's coordinator: Emmanuel TALLA - emmanuel.talla@univ-amu.fr

General information

  • Target audience & prerequisites

    Students with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Life and Earth Sciences, Life Sciences and Computer Science (or mathematics), or a Pro Licence (genomics or bioinformatics).

    Sound knowledge of molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics. An introduction to statistics and bioinformatics is also an advantage.

  • Objectives

    Students with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Life and Earth Sciences, Life Sciences and Computer Science (or mathematics), or a Pro Licence (genomics or bioinformatics).

    Sound knowledge of molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics. An introduction to statistics and bioinformatics is also an advantage.

  • Course

    The Bioinformatics master's degree comprises two courses:

    - Bioinformatics analysis and development
    This path trains students in computational biology, providing them with the necessary skills and in-depth expertise to :

    - analyze massive data: manage, process and analyze complex, heterogeneous biological data to solve biological questions;
    - formalize and solve problems: identify biological issues and design computer-automated problem-solving strategies;
    - master computer and bioinformatics tools: write and use programs, alg rithms (including artificial intelligence), and software libraries to obtain results via exact or heuristic methods, then interpret them from a biological point of view ;
    - visualize and communicate: Statistically describe, visualize and represent massive biological data, then synthesize the work in reports or research projects, in French or English.

    - Complementary Computing Skills (CCI)
    The CCI course is common to all Master's programs (except computer science). It enables students already holding an M2 degree to acquire a dual competence in computer science.
    Contact: sciences-master-cci@univ-amu.fr

  • Skills and knowledge

    At the end of their training, future professionals will have acquired solid skills enabling them to :

    - design computer processes adapted to the resolution of biological questions;
    - implement advanced and specialized uses of bioinformatics and digital tools;
    - solve complex problems using fundamental concepts in biology and computer science;
    - analyze data from biology and health experiments and develop appropriate computing methodologies in response to the biological question posed;
    - communicate and transfer knowledge in French and English.

    Students will also have acquired interdisciplinary training in biology, computer science and statistics:
    - biological applications will include the analysis of genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and polymorphic data;
    - computer science training will include courses in programming, systems administration, software engineering, training in best practices for reproducibility of results, development of bioinformatics resources - databases, analysis tools - and deployment of interfaces
    interfaces;
    - biostatistics will cover statistical inference, multidimensional data analysis, sequence modeling and machine learning - including artificial intelligence.

  • Educational program

    In the first semester, students are introduced to fundamental concepts in bioinformatics, biostatistics and genomics, as well as an introduction to programming and software engineering.

    The second semester covers the analysis, processing and visualization of biological, medical or biotechnological data, as well as courses in algorithms, data structure and high-performance computing, and a two-month internship in a laboratory or company.
    In Master 2, students will deepen their knowledge of genomics, programming, biostatistics and data integration, coupled with AI methods for biology, and finalize their course with a six-month internship.

Pedagogy

  • AIMS

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    The Master's in Bioinformatics trains students to develop and implement computational and statistical tools to solve biological problems. It provides teaching in genomics, proteomics, molecular phylogenetics, computer science and statistics. It develops skills in software development and data analysis (the DLAD specialisation), or in systems modelling (the English-taught Computational and Mathematical Biology, CMB specialisation).

    The Master's in Bioinformatics provides interdisciplinary training encompassing biology (genomics, proteomics, phylogeny), computer science (programming, software engineering) and mathematics (dynamical systems, probability and statistics).

  • TARGETED STUDENTS

    The training recruits holders of a bachelor's degree in life sciences or a professional bachelor's degree related to the field (genetics, bioinformatics), and candidates who have completed a course of study in life sciences; (employees, job seekers) with a background considered equivalent by the educational commission.

  • STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION

    The course comprises two separate pathways from the M1 / This Master combines two distinct orientations:

    1. Software development and data analysis, which leads to the roles of bioinformatician-developer and bioinformatician-analyst.
    2. Computational and Mathematical Biology, entirely taught in English, which combines courses of mathematics, computer sciences and biology, providing an interdisciplinary for the modelling of complex biological systems.

  • KNOWLEDGE TO BE ACQUIRED

    Software Development and Data Analysis (DLAD) programme. Students will receive interdisciplinary training in biology, computer science and statistics. Biological applications will include the analysis of genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data, as well as evolutionary data and polymorphic variations. The computer science component will be based on courses in programming, systems administration and software engineering, training in best practice for the reproducibility of scientific results, the development of bioinformatics resources (databases, analysis tools) and the deployment of interfaces for these resources. Biostatistics will cover statistical inference, multidimensional data analysis, sequence modelling and machine learning.

  • PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TO BE ACQUIRED

    At the end of the Master, students should be able to elaborate mathematical models and computer approaches to simulate the dynamical behaviour of biological networks, predict the impact of perturbations of the network topology, and identify the key elements enabling to modify system properties. They will also be able to interact with scientists from the different disciplines (mathematics, computer sciences, life sciences), take an active part to interdisciplinary research projects, and produce an oral presentation or a written report of scientific results.

  • INTERNSHIPS AND SUPERVISED PROJECTS

    • M1: supervised project (6 weeks) in a research laboratory or facility, under the joint supervision of researchers (biologists or bioinformaticians) and bioinformatics lecturers
    • M2: work placement (6 months) in a research laboratory, a company, or at a technology platform.

  • SUPPORT FOR YOUR ACADEMIC CHOICES

    For the “Software Development and Data Analysis” programme, the core curriculum will provide a solid foundation in computer science, statistics, genomics and molecular phylogenetics. Each student will also be able to further their knowledge of computer science or genomics by choosing optional modules.

  • SUPPORT FOR YOUR LABOR MARKET INTEGRATION

    The persons in charge of the mention carry out a follow-up of professional insertion of the graduates of the last 5 years. The current rate of professional integration is 73% three months after the diploma, 95% after 2 years...

  • SUPPORT FOR YOUR STUDIES ABROAD

    Our students benefit from the exchange opportunities of the ERASMUS programme and we welcome, within the framework of this programme, European students in M1 and M2. In addition, we develop and maintain exchange agreements with several foreign universities.

Registrations

Specialization courses

Bioinformatics analysis and development course (ADB)

https://formations.univ-amu.fr/fr/master/5SBI/PRSBI5AB

Complementary IT skills course

https://formations.univ-amu.fr/fr/master/5SBI/PRSTS5AD

Managers