The Master's program in Chemistry and Life Sciences, VCB2 track, combines the chemistry of natural substances and microbiology, with applications in fundamental and applied research.

Backed by the expertise of the CHEMBIOPRO laboratory, it prepares students for careers as research engineers, project managers or researchers in promising sectors: pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumery, agri-food, sustainable development, chemical analysis.

Open to innovation, the VCB2 Master's program trains professionals capable of leveraging biodiversity resources and meeting the scientific and technological challenges of tomorrow.

Educational goals :

The VCB2 Master's program aims to train specialists with dual expertise in chemistry and microbiology applied to natural products, capable of addressing current scientific, technological, and industrial challenges. The courses offered cover:

• The diversity, ecological roles and biological properties of constituents from plants, marine invertebrates and microorganisms.
• The processes of extraction, isolation, purification and advanced analysis of natural products.
• The production, processing and valorization of molecules of interest for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumery, agri-food, agriculture and the environment.

The program also incorporates environmental law, scientific and professional English, and learning about digital tools for Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Training opportunities:

The VCB2 Master's program is situated within a scientific, ecological, and economic context marked by the exceptional richness of Réunion's and the region's biodiversity, recognized as one of the world's most important sites. (hotspots). Still largely untapped, this biodiversity constitutes a strategic resource for the discovery of natural molecules of interest and the development of sustainable extraction, transformation and production processes, directly linked to key sectors such as health, cosmetics, perfumery, agri-food, the environment and bioenergy.

In this context, the program aligns with national and European bioeconomy guidelines and is fully integrated into the Socially Responsible and Sustainable Specialisation Strategy (S5) of the Réunion Region, which promotes innovation and the development of tropical natural resources. In an island territory facing challenges of competitiveness, population growth, and ecosystem preservation, the Master's program aims to train specialists capable of identifying new molecules of interest derived from biodiversity and designing eco-innovative processes adapted to the needs of local and international sectors.

Led by the Laboratory of Chemistry and Biotechnology of Natural Products (CHEMBIOPRO), renowned for its expertise in the characterization and valorization of terrestrial, marine, and agro-industrial biomass, the Master's program is based on a solid scientific and technical foundation. The integration of chemistry and microbiology, central to the curriculum, covers all stages from the discovery of molecules to their production and sustainable valorization.

The VCB2 Master's program has several major advantages that make it an original and strategic course:

A strong local presence: located in Réunion, in the heart of a resort of choice. global terrestrial and marine biodiversity, the training benefits from an exceptional environment and strong potential for innovation in the health, cosmetics, perfumery, agri-food, environment and bioenergy sectors.

A recognized scientific backing: Led by the CHEMBIOPRO Laboratory, whose expertise in chemistry and microbiology covers the entire value chain – from the discovery of molecules of interest to their production and processing. The laboratory's integration into local, national, and international networks ensures the scientific quality and accessibility of the training.

A strong professional focus: Two mandatory internships – two months in the first year of the Master's program (M1) and six months in the second year (M2) – in a laboratory or company, facilitate a gradual immersion in research and the socio-economic environment. The program also benefits from the involvement of professionals, particularly from the cosmetics and perfume industries, who contribute to lectures and practical work. Students also participate in expert seminars, company visits, and practical workshops (CV writing, cover letters, career strategy), providing concrete preparation for their future careers.

An international opening: regular reception of foreign students via Campus France, Erasmus+ and the University of Reunion's excellence scholarships, promoting the cultural and scientific diversity of the cohorts.

Support for success: access to state-of-the-art scientific equipment in the CHEMBIOPRO laboratory, a room specifically dedicated to Master's students, the Moodle platform and close supervision which stimulate autonomy, scientific curiosity and integration into the research community.

A linguistic advantage: Teaching scientific and professional English provides an additional lever to strengthen the employability of graduates and their ability to thrive in international contexts.

An annual improvement council: continuous improvement of training through the annual holding of a development council including members of the teaching team, student representatives, administration and professionals from the sector.

These strengths give the Master's program a dual ambition: to train highly qualified specialists capable of meeting the challenges of the tropical bioeconomy, and to offer students easier professional integration, both locally and internationally.

Total hours worked: 588 hours

M1: 386 hours

M2: 202 hours

The VCB2 training program is structured around three types of units: fundamental disciplinary, specialized and professional.

• The fundamental units provide the solid foundations in chemistry and microbiology essential for the study and valorization of natural products.
• The specialization units prepare students for innovation and chemical and biotechnological valorization strategies, directly linked to current research and development challenges.
• The professional units strengthen the technical, linguistic and relational skills expected to perform managerial functions and offer an initial immersion in research and the socio-economic world.

In the first year, the curriculum is primarily academic, combining lectures, tutorials, and practical work, focusing on natural substances: their sources, diversity, role, production, extraction, separation, and identification. A minimum two-month internship in a laboratory or company allows students to apply this knowledge. Upon completion of the first year (M1), students can continue with the second year (M2) in Réunion or apply to specialized Master 2 programs in mainland France.

In the second year, independent study plays a significant role in developing critical thinking and the skills necessary for management positions. The curriculum focuses on innovation and new advances in the chemical and biotechnological valorization of natural substances, impacting the fields of health, cosmetics, perfumery, food processing, and ecology. The final semester includes a six-month internship in a company or laboratory.

Throughout the Master's program, students benefit from preparation for professional life (internships, presentations by professionals from the perfume and cosmetics sectors, company visits, presentations by the QUALITROPIC competitiveness cluster, CV and cover letter writing workshops, etc.) and language skills. They participate in supervised projects, attend professional seminars and thesis defenses, thus fostering their immersion in research and the socio-professional world.

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

In the first year of the Master's program (M1), the focus is on acquiring the fundamentals of the discipline, while in the second year (M2), the emphasis is on consolidating these fundamentals, designing projects, fostering innovation, and gaining practical experience in research or industry. Upon completion of the two-year Master's program, students will have acquired solid skills in the field of natural substances, including extraction, fractionation, and isolation, as well as the structural identification of active ingredients and their valorization through chemical and microbiological methods. This comprehensive training enables them to lead projects in process improvement, the discovery of new active ingredients, or their valorization in the fields of pharmacology, cosmetology, perfumery, food science (dietary supplements, flavorings, colorings, health foods), bioenergy, or chemical ecology.
The skills targeted include scientific rigor and logic, the ability to develop technical files, analytical thinking, as well as the aptitude to evaluate and integrate new technologies, design or improve processes, and isolate innovative molecules.

In the first year of the Master's program: 2 months of internship in a company or laboratory (April-June)

In M2: 6 months of internship in a company or laboratory (January-June).

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

• Good scientific level in the key disciplines of the Master's program (chemistry, microbiology). Regular progress and results consistent with the prerequisites.
• Consistency between prior academic background, stated motivation, and the objectives of the Master's program. Clarity of career plan and interest in the Master's program themes.
• Demonstrate analytical and writing skills.
• Mastering the English language at a sufficient level (B1 to B2) to follow, understand and communicate on scientific content.
• An academic and professional project in line with the aims of the training, accompanied by an engagement or experiences that enhance the candidate's motivation (scientific, associative or personal).
• To be autonomous, involved and rigorous.

• Particular attention will be paid to the grades from the different years of the candidate's post-baccalaureate course, to the distinctions and rankings as well as to the teachers' comments.
• A cover letter consistent with the Training is expected.
• The cover letter submitted by the candidate will be This gave him the opportunity to demonstrate his qualities. academics.
• Results obtained in the teaching units English during the Bachelor's degree: score to a standardized test (TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, Linguaskill, etc.) or university certification (CLES, etc.).
• International experience (Erasmus mobility, internship at abroad, participation in exchanges or projects English speakers).
• Involvement in personal activities or associative in English (clubs, conferences, etc.).
• Analysis of the cover letter and career path academic and valuable experiences for to assess the project's consistency with the training.
• Any annual performance reviews of the candidate His teachers will be an asset.

For admission to the first year of the Master's program:

• General degree in chemistry, chemistry/physics or Life Sciences (preferably with a specialization in chemistry)
• Professional license in the Perfumery, Cosmetics and Food Flavoring Industries
• Bachelor University Diploma of Technology (BUT) in chemistry, chemical engineering or biological engineering

For admission to the first year of the Master's program:

• Master's degree (first year) in chemistry
• Chemical Engineering School (4th year)
• Pharmacy studies

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 Mon Master, Études 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

For the M1: Students who have successfully completed:

• A general degree in chemistry, chemistry/physics, or Life Sciences (with significant coursework in chemistry), or any other degree deemed equivalent by the academic committee.
• Professional license in the Perfumery, Cosmetics and Food Flavoring Industries
• Bachelor University Diploma of Technology (BUT) in chemistry, chemical engineering or biological engineering

For the M2: Students possessing knowledge and skills acquired from a curriculum equivalent to the first year of university.^st year of the program or having validated:

• Master's degree (first year) in chemistry
• Chemical Engineering School (4th year)
• Pharmacy studies

A sufficient level of proficiency in written and spoken French and English is required to enable the student to follow the courses.

15 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

During the previous academic year (2020-2025), the VCB2 Master's program achieved a very satisfactory success rate: 90,5% in the first year (M1) and 81,3% in the second year (M2). Failures to obtain the degree primarily involved students admitted through appeals, whose academic level was deemed insufficient and whose career goals did not align with the required training. This often led to students dropping out or experiencing difficulties finding internships.

During the previous training period (2020-2025), the program established to promote professional integration and entrepreneurship proved its effectiveness, with a 95% job placement rate for the 2019-2022 cohorts. However, it would be beneficial to strengthen this program within the framework of the new training offer (NOF) by integrating the contributions of the QUALITROPIC competitiveness cluster and the Réunion Island Technopole. QUALITROPIC is an independent entity that brings together various stakeholders, primarily businesses, around the theme of "tropical bioeconomy," aiming to improve competitiveness, performance, and economic development. For its part, the Réunion Island Technopole supports innovative project leaders and facilitates business creation through its incubator.

The knowledge and skills acquired during the training enable students with this Master's specialization to enter the job market directly or to enroll in a doctoral thesis (in France or abroad).

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

The VCB2 Master's program aims to train highly skilled technical professionals (researchers, engineers, experts, consultants, etc.) capable of quickly assuming positions of responsibility. Graduates acquire solid skills in chemistry and biotechnology of natural products, enabling them to enter diverse sectors where the valorization of bioresources is a strategic imperative.

They can thus pursue careers in Research and Development within the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, perfumery, and food industries, as well as in emerging fields related to food supplements, flavorings, natural colorings, biopesticides, and bioenergy. Graduates are also qualified to contribute to innovation in sustainable extraction, processing, and production methods, meeting the growing needs of an environmentally responsible bioeconomy.

The training also opens up to public and private research, with the possibility of pursuing a doctoral thesis in order to access the professions of teacher-researcher, researcher (University, CIRAD, CNRS, large private research organizations), or R&D manager (research engineer, innovation project manager) in the strategic sectors of chemical and biotechnological valorization of natural resources.