The Master's program in Biology and Health (BS) is a research-oriented program offered by the Faculty of Health at the University of Reunion Island. The Master's program offers three tracks:

• Tropical Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis (ITZ)
• Metabolic and Chronic Diseases (MCD)
• Vulnerability and Development (VD)

These three tracks address key health research issues in Réunion, the Indian Ocean region, and globally. The BS Master's program trains students in scientific approaches and methodologies, benefiting from the expertise of specialists in the fields covered by the three tracks.

In addition to the knowledge taught, students' critical thinking skills are developed through numerous tutorials. Led by expert research professors from hospitals and universities, practical work and internships in Master 1 (M1) and Master 2 (M2) allow students to gain concrete, on-the-ground experience in both fundamental and applied research.

Educational goals:

The overall objective is for students to acquire the skills required for a Master's degree in Biology and Health, in accordance with the French National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP). It also encompasses knowledge of the physiological and pathological mechanisms of humans within their environment, with a particular focus on major public health issues in Réunion. These issues range from chronic diseases such as type II diabetes associated with obesity, to tropical infectious diseases such as dengue fever. They also include developmental vulnerabilities such as low birth weight, premature birth, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, genetic disorders, and congenital malformations.

Training opportunities:

The Master's program welcomes students in initial training with a Bachelor's degree, as well as students enrolled in dual degree programs pursuing medical studies. The Master's program is also open to residents and hospital practitioners, offering them career advancement opportunities towards university hospital positions.

The Master's program has an international focus, with the Innovation through Plants and AI for India and France (ILIADE) project initiated in 2023 and potentially continued under the upcoming contract. ERASMUS+ International Credit Mobility (ICM) projects were implemented during the 2020-25 contract, and Erasmus+ ICMs with the Velore Institute of Technology (VIT, India) and the Lebanese University (Lebanon) have been secured again for this new program.

By its location in Réunion, the master's program is situated in a privileged field of study, within its natural environment of One Health approaches, a single health for the different pathways. This situation gives students privileged access to research issues in situ unique, while encouraging mobility for internships, whether carried out abroad, in the Indian Ocean region or in metropolitan France.

The quality of student training, particularly during internships, is based on the recognized expertise of the speakers from public or private research structures and the members of the teaching team, in the scientific fields covered by the master's program.

The Vulnerability and Development track explores scientific and societal themes directly related to the specific characteristics and needs of the perinatal population in Réunion and the Indian Ocean region. These themes stem from the particularities of the newborn population, which exhibits a high rate of prematurity and, more generally, morbidities associated with a high-risk parental context (obesity, socioeconomic difficulties, addictions, environmental exposures with a potential developmental disruption effect). Furthermore, the actions and research undertaken, as well as the scientific output in this field by the professionals involved in teaching this track, demonstrate their recognition at both the national and international levels.

Total hours worked: 748 hours

The first year of the Master's program (M1) is dedicated to acquiring and deepening theoretical, methodological, practical, and clinical foundations in Health Biology. It focuses particularly on metabolism, infectious diseases, genetics, and epidemiology, as well as pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches.

The M2 program trains students in specific investigative tools adapted to each field of application:

The Vulnerability and Development course aims to study the main problems and determinants of abnormalities in embryo-fetal development, based on the genetic and malformative specificities of the context of Reunion, Mayotte and the Indian Ocean, as well as the study of the foundations of epidemiological research in perinatal care and the study of the main neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, etc.).

The structuring of skills to participate in the management of organizations, research, projects and perinatal health policies at regional, national and international levels is also addressed.

The skills acquired during this training are in line with those of the RNCP record 

• Teaching Unit (UE) 6-week internship in M1, Semester 2 (S2)
• Teaching Unit (UE) - 5-month internship in M2, Semester 4 (S4)

Registration fees are set annually by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space and are available on our institution's website: Register at the University of Reunion

• Possess a solid foundation in biology, biochemistry, physiology and life sciences; demonstrate progress throughout the course of study
• To utilize scientific analysis skills; to interpret experimental data; to write in a structured manner
• Formulate a training plan consistent with the specialization and at least one of the three pathways; demonstrate an interest in the topics covered.
• To value academic, associative or professional experiences; to demonstrate a scientific or societal openness
• Adopting an autonomous, rigorous and collaborative approach

• Analysis of post-baccalaureate transcripts; attention paid to major course units (cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, immunology, public health); consideration of academic progress
• Review of the elements of the file demonstrating analytical, methodological or experimental skills (reports, internships, methodological modules)
• Assessment of the consistency between the cover letter, career plan, and the content of the specialization; possibility of an interview to clarify motivation or guide the candidate.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) analysis; highlighting internships, mobility, community involvement, laboratory experience, and fieldwork
• Educational feedback will be taken into account if available; further evaluation may be conducted during a follow-up interview.

Health Sciences

Life sciences

Depending on the student's situation, applications for admission to the first year of the Master's program (M1) follow three specific procedures (the national platform MonMaster, Etudes en France, Validation of Acquired Experience). For more information, please consult the university's student services page. Enroll in the first year of a Master's program

Baccalaureate + 3 or equivalent

Students holding a bachelor's degree or equivalent

10 seats

The admission dates for the first year of the Master's degree (M1) are set nationally each year and are available on the platform. My Master

For admission to the second year of the Master's program (M2), the schedule is determined by the institution. It is available on the student services page of the university website: Students re-registering

The average success rate, based on the last 3 years:

• for M1 is 90%
• for M2 is 98%

A survey by the Directorate of Guidance and Training for Integration (DORI) indicates that for the 2022 class (23 students), the 18-month placement rate was 73% (with a survey participation rate of 65%).

• Thesis
• Health bridging programs (direct access to DFGSM2, DFGSM2)
• Master MEEF

The sectors of activity and types of employment targeted by this training correspond to those listed in the RNCP record

The master's degree opens doors to the professions listed in the RNCP (National Directory of Professional Certifications) profile:

• Research & Development (R&D) Engineer
• Project managers / scientific executives in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
• Technical and Scientific Police Engineer

but also:

• Doctoral thesis in Sciences
• Technical-commercial framework
• Clinical research associate (with additional training)
• Clinical research methodologist (with additional training)
• Scientific mediation