Plant Biology
The Plant Biology courses in the Master's program in Biology and Agrosciences at Montpellier provide students with solid scientific knowledge in the fields of genetics and genomics, cellular and molecular biology, integrative plant biology (development, nutrition and metabolism, ecophysiology, interactions with microorganisms, etc.) and equip them with the tools required for a scientific approach (statistics, bioinformatics, critical analysis, project management, etc.). The program offers four Plant Biology tracks, giving students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the fundamental approaches of their choice through specific modules and laboratory internships, plant adaptation to the agro-environment, plant-microorganism interactions, biotechnology and plant improvement, and the design of plant experiments for applied research.
New sequencing technologies have revolutionized our understanding of the structure, diversity, and functioning of plant genomes and epigenomes. To exploit this new knowledge, we need to develop integrative approaches to plant biology based on a detailed understanding of plant physiology in its environment, the manipulation of big data, and an understanding of the interactions between components (systems biology) at scales ranging from the genome to the eco- or agrosystem, including the phenotype. The study of the functional integration of gene expression, diversity, and physiological functions, based on the characterization of the mechanisms at work in individuals, is the challenge to be met in the field of fundamental analysis as well as in plant improvement and protection. The plant biology courses in the Master's program in Biology and Agrosciences aim to provide students with the tools to meet this challenge.
The 4 plant biology courses
A series of modules shared between the four tracks train students in the various concepts and methodologies of plant biology. In each track, specialized modules and a choice of internship locations allow students to focus on the disciplinary field of their choice.
