Master Neurosciences, parcours : Cellular and systems neuroscience (CSN)

The "cellular and systems Neuroscience" program trains researchers to work across multiple levels of analysis of the nervous system, from genes and molecules to neural networks. The goal is not simply to acquire knowledge, but to develop the ability to formulate rigorous scientific questions, select appropriate methodological tools, and interpret data in light of major current debates in neuroscience—whether concerning the normal functioning of the brain or its pathological dysfunctions.

The first year is common to all students and provides the essential foundations for research in neuroscience. It is structured around five main pillars: neuroanatomy, cellular and molecular neurophysiology, cognitive neuroscience, neuropharmacology, and computational neuroscience. Beyond the academic content, this year also develops core scientific skills, including critical reading of the scientific literature, experimental design, and quantitative reasoning. These skills are transferable to any area of specialization pursued later on.

The second year focuses more specifically on cellular approaches, extending to the level of neural networks. A core set of compulsory courses ensures that all students acquire a solid understanding of key concepts and techniques, while elective courses allow each student to tailor their academic path according to their own interests. The second-year internship is at the heart of the program: through immersion in a research laboratory, students have the opportunity to bridge theory and research practice by formulating a hypothesis, testing it, analyzing real-world data, and presenting their findings.

• SCIENCES, Marseille St-Charles

The Master's degree in Neuroscience is a research-based course:

• The course is supported by all 9 laboratories of the Institut NeuroMarseille ( 75 research teams)
• The integration of students into research laboratories is facilitated by a problem-based learning module in Master 1 (M1), as well as 2 laboratory placements in M1 (5 weeks) and M2 (5 months)
• Networking activities with graduates and professionals through the professionalization courses, the NeuroCommunity group and the Neuronautes student association
• Funding (France 2030 program) for the nEURo*AMU / NeuroSchool University Research School
• Funding (Amidex-TIGER program) for the master's degree courses that won the "Transformation of training through research" call for projects
• Additional training courses leading to certification in animal experimentation, scientific communication, data science, and project management
• Mobility grants: partnerships with the universities of Oldenburg, Helsinki and Montreal and members of the CIVIS European alliance (Tübingen, Rome, Madrid, Brussels, etc.)

For further information on the link between our Master's degree in Neuroscience and research, visit the Institut NeuroMarseille's website:

https://neuro-marseille.org/

• Conducting projects by mobilizing concepts, theories, and methods from the Neuroscience fields, using a multidisciplinary approach (molecular, cellular, integrated, or cognitive levels).
• Analyzing and interpreting experimental data in a critical manner (hypothesis formulation and implementation of a hypothetical-deductive approach).
• Organizing in a written document or orally a logical argument resulting from a hypothetical deductive approach, or a research report close to classical scientific communication, in French and English.
• Mobilizing the knowledge and skills acquired in Neuroscience, whether disciplinary or not, for conducting a project in a public or private professional organization.
• Identifying training and professions (research and development, project manager, teaching, etc.) in the public or private sectors that allow potentiating the theoretical and practical skills acquired in Neuroscience, and building a professional project in an autonomous and responsible manner.

During their Master's degree, students complete an internship in M1 (1 month) and another in M2 (5 months) in public research institutions (universities, CNRS, INSERM) or private organizations (companies, start-ups). As part of the program's international focus, these internships may also be carried out at one of the partner universities.

Applications for the first year of the Master's program (M1) are submitted through the Mon Master platform (https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr). For the "Cellular and Systems Neuroscience" track in the second year (M2), applications are submitted through the eCandidat platform (https://candidatures.univ-amu.fr/candidatures/#!accueilView). A limited number of students holding an M1 degree in Neuroscience from another university, as well as students in the third cycle of medical, pharmacy, or physiotherapy studies, may be admitted directly into the second year of this track.