ImAGEin Syllabus Year 2

​ Modules status:

“Compulsory” means this module has to be attended during a semester at the corresponding partner".
“Slot choice” means only one of the module with the exact same mention has to be chosen.
“Free choice” means the module can be chosen freely by the student to attain the required 30 ECTS per semester.
 

Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA)

Second year in Université Côte d’Azur consists of a third semester, consisting in 5 teaching modules (6 ECTS each; 3 compulsory and 2 free choices) with weekly sessions across the whole semester and the fourth semester is dedicated mostly to the Master Thesis work and internship, completed with 2 small modules (3 ECTS each; 1 compulsory, 1 chosen).
 

At the end of the year the student will be able to:

• Explain how the structural and functional changes that occur in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) with aging impact cognitive functions and neural processing.
• Discuss the interconnectedness of molecular and cellular alterations with physiological consequences at the organism level.
• Create a corpus and define metadata related to a given working hypothesis.
• Use appropriate statistical methods to fit any analytical needs
• Programme a deep learning network for text classification
• Extract linguistic information from the hidden layers of a deep learning network
• Define high-throughput OMICs technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, understanding the principles behind data generation in OMICs experiments.
• Be able to acquire and integrate large-scale OMICs data sets.
• Be proficient in applying common analytical techniques used in the analysis of large-scale OMICs data, including statistical analysis, data normalization and quality control.
• Review fundamental concepts in computational biology, including algorithm development, data structures, and algorithmic complexity, by exploring the role of computational methods in solving biological problems.
• Be proficient in various laboratory techniques, methodologies, and experimental procedures relevant to the specific field of study. The student will be able to design and plan experiments, including hypothesis formulation, identification of variables, and consideration of controls, collect and analyze experimental data.
• Enhance written and oral communication skills by documenting experimental procedures, recording results and presenting findings to peers or supervisors.

SEMESTER 3

Nouvel onglet contenu

Partner University	Module title	ECTS	Module status*	Description
Université Côte d'Azur	Neurophysiology of Aging	6	Compulsory	The course is structured in three big topics: (1) age-related sensorial modifications (input), (2) age-related alterations of the central nervous system (integration and coordination) and age-related changes of the neuromuscular system (output). In the end of this course, the student will be able to integrate the multiple age-related modifications, correlating molecular and cellular alterations with physiological consequences at the organism level
Université Côte d'Azur	Artificial Intelligence in Aging	6	Compulsory
Université Côte d'Azur	Modeling of biological systems	6	Compulsory
Université Côte d'Azur	Immuno-Pathology	6	Free choice	Course focused on the specific immunity mechanisms related to different types of pathogens, auto-immune syndromes and cancer.
Université Côte d'Azur	New therapeutic approaches	6	Free choice
Université Côte d'Azur	Pathophysiology of transport and medicine	6	Free choice	his module addresses the dysfunction of membrane receptors at the origin of pathologies classically associated with membrane electrical activity (cardiac pathologies, epilepsy). However, it goes far beyond this framework by exploring the emerging role of ion channels and membrane transporters in more unexpected processes such as carcinogenesis, development or even the immune response.
Université Côte d'Azur	Molecular biology of cell membranes	6	Free choice
Université Côte d'Azur	Network for Across-University Science (NAUS)	6	Free choice
Université Côte d'Azur	Behavioral and cognitive neuroscience		Free choice
Université Côte d'Azur	Winter School Conferences	3	Compulsory	The aim of this module is to learn the processes that lead from research results to the marketing of a product, acquire notions of intellectual property (IP) and entrepreneurial and managerial logics
Université Côte d'Azur	Technology transfer and entrepreneurship	3	Soft skills slot choice	The aim of this module is to learn the processes that lead from research results to the marketing of a product, acquire notions of intellectual property (IP) and entrepreneurial and managerial logics
Université Côte d'Azur	Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to Machine Learning	3	Soft skills slot choice

SEMESTER 4

Fourth semester is fully dedicated to the Master Thesis.

University of Cologne (UoC)

Second year in the University of Cologne is heavily focused on practical research training through the 2 Project Modules in semester 3 and the Master Thesis in semester 4 allowing students to combine expertise of up to 3 different laboratories during the year.

At the end of the year the student will be able to: 

• Be an expert of chosen laboratory techniques, methodologies, and experimental procedures relevant to the specific field of study. The student will be able to independently design and plan experiments, including hypothesis formulation, identification of variables, and consideration of controls, collect and analyze experimental data.
• Show highly developed skills in written and oral communication skills by documenting experimental procedures, recording results and presenting findings to peers or supervisors.
• Present project management skills, including planning timelines, allocating resources, and setting realistic goals for the research project.

SEMESTER 3

Partner University	Module title	ECTS	Module Status*	Description
University of Cologne	Project Modules 1	12	Compulsory	Experimental/computational research projects in research groups to prepare for the thesis: Internships in 1 to 2 out of 42 CECAD laboratories
University of Cologne	Project Modules 2	12	Compulsory	Experimental/computational research projects in research groups to prepare for the thesis: Internships in 1 to 2 out of 42 CECAD laboratories
University of Cologne	Joint imAGEin activities or Elective Module to be defined with local supervisor	6	Compulsory	Supplementary module of variable content; individually arranged

SEMESTER 4

Fourth semester is fully dedicated to the Master Thesis.

Paris-Sorbonne Université (SU)

Second year in Sorbonne Université focuses on understanding how ageing relates to stress response adaptations, through their repair capacity and resilience. Third semester is composed of lecture, and Fourth semester is fully dedicated to the Master Thesis.

At the end of the year the student will be able to: 

• Describe the major theories that explain the process of aging, being critical regarding the evaluation and comparison of the different theories, thus developing an understanding of the aging process. The student should be able to discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular aging, including the role of DNA damage, telomeres damage and cellular senescence.
• Define tissue homeostasis and its importance in maintaining the balance of cell proliferation and cell death in tissues.
• Define aging processes specific to skeletal muscles, cardiac muscles, and vascular muscles. The student should be able to explore molecular, cellular, and structural changes associated with aging in these muscle tissues.
• Summarize age-related pathologies affecting skeletal, cardiac, and vascular muscles, understanding the implications of these pathologies on overall health and well-being.
• Assess and analyze the impact of muscular aging and associated pathologies on the quality of life in aging individuals.
• Explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to physiological regeneration and tissue maintenance and its potential application for treating neurodegenerative diseases, injuries and age-related conditions.
• Explain the role of stem cells in ageing. The students should be able to summarize the changes stem cell undergo with age and the consequences of the stem cell exhaustion for the human organism.
• Master the skills of conducting a thorough literature review to analyze the current state of the scientific question, identifying gaps and areas of interest.
• Proficient critical thinking skills to evaluate existing research, methodologies, and findings related to the chosen scientific question.
• Be an expert of chosen laboratory techniques, methodologies, and experimental procedures relevant to the specific field of study. The student will be able to independently design and plan experiments, including hypothesis formulation, identification of variables, and consideration of controls, collect and analyze experimental data.
• Show highly developed skills in written and oral communication skills by documenting experimental procedures, recording results and presenting findings to peers or supervisors.
• Present project management skills, including planning timelines, allocating resources, and setting realistic goals for the research project.

SEMESTER 3

Sorbonne Université	Fundamental mechanisms of normal and pathological ageing	6	Compulsory
Sorbonne Université	Pharmacological approaches to ageing	6	Compulsory
Sorbonne Université	Scientific analysis: Environmental factors and ageing	6	Compulsory
Sorbonne Université	Managing a research project	6	Compulsory	Conceptual and methodological training to acquire the necessary tools to design and manage a research project. Development and implementation of an experimental approach allowing to answer a question asked: analysis of the state of a scientific question, design of an experiment, development of an experimental protocol. During the tutorials, the student will learn how to use the available means (bibliographic materials, preliminary data, etc.) to design their research project, which will be developed during the S4 internship.
Sorbonne Université	Inflammatory and disabling diseases  handicap	6	Free choice	Course aimed at presenting in details of the cellular and molecular bases of various inflammatory pathologies which can lead to a significant handicap. The various current therapeutic strategies are also addressed.
Sorbonne Université	Science and society	6	Free choice	Course aimed at discussing in English scientific issues or topics that have societal repercussion. To achieve such goal, participants are asked to work in small groups on a particular topic that they will present and discuss in front of the other participants. The questions raised during a session have to be answered or discussed during the following presentation of the students addressing the topic. The purpose of this organization is to increase both discussions between participants and the expertise of the lecturers.
Sorbonne Université	Cancer and environment	6	Free choice	Course aimed at giving a vision of cancer, not through the cell cycle, but through the environment since pollution, sedentary lifestyles and eating habits are recognized risk factors for cancer today. The translational lectures may range from gene regulation to therapeutic targets, making it possible to identify the specificity of cancers as organ pathologies, by declining their specificities.
Sorbonne Université	Physiopathology of sensory diseases and translational research	6	Compulsory

SEMESTER 4

Fourth semester is fully dedicated to the Master Thesis.

  University of Seville (USE):

Second year in University of Seville corresponds to the Master degree in Biomedical Research. Semester 3 is composed of teachings on neurodegenerative diseases and pathologies associated to ageing and biomedical strategies to study and treat them. Semester 4 is a Master Thesis 6 months internship in academic- or industry-based laboratories.

At the end of the year the student will be able to: 

• Discuss the principles and applications of nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology in the context of managing molecular and cellular aging and neurodegenerative processes.
• Discuss specific challenges posed by aging-related processes in cells and tissues.
• Summarize nanoparticles and drug delivery systems used in nanomedicine for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to specific cells or tissues. The student should be able to debate the advantages and limitations of different nanocarriers.
• Explore the development and application of nanoscale biosensors and diagnostic devices for the detection of molecular and cellular changes associated with aging and neurodegeneration.
• Explain nanoscale therapeutic strategies, including gene therapy, RNA interference, and other advanced approaches used in the management of aging-related processes and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Possess comprehensive understanding of the principles and rationale behind the design of clinical studies in the context of biosciences. 
• Summarize different types of clinical study designs, including observational studies, experimental studies, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, and clinical trials.
• Explore different methods of data collection used in biosciences, including surveys, interviews, clinical assessments, and laboratory tests.
• Be an expert of chosen laboratory techniques, methodologies, and experimental procedures relevant to the specific field of study. The student will be able to independently design and plan experiments, including hypothesis formulation, identification of variables, and consideration of controls, collect and analyze experimental data.
• Show highly developed skills in written and oral communication skills by documenting experimental procedures, recording results and presenting findings to peers or supervisors.

SEMESTER 3

Partner University	Module title	ECTS	Module Status*	Description
Université of Seville	Cellular basis of pathology	4	Free choice	Mechanistic insight of pathology with an emphasis in the rationale of therapeutic strategies
Université of Seville	Advanced therapies in aging/neurodegeneration	4	Compulsory	Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology for management of molecular and cellular aging/neurodegenerative processes
Université of Seville	Ethics in health management, research and innovation	4	Free choice	Social, economic and professional aspects that guide research and innovation activities for aging societies
Université of Seville	Molecular basis of Immune regulation	4	Free choice	Cellular and molecular mechanisms related to a smart manipulation of the immune responses
Université of Seville	Technologies for the study of the cell function	4	Free choice	In deep analysis of the basis and its application of modern fluorescence microscopy from regular confocal to super-resolution microscopy
Université of Seville	Computational Biomedicine	4	Free choice	Design, rationale and implementation of algorithms for biomedical data analysis. Modelling pathologies.
Université of Seville	Biomedical engineering	4	Free choice	Development and design of new technologies and medical instrumentation and imaging, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Université of Seville	Methods in biomedical research	4	Compulsory	Rationale for the design of clinical studies and statistical methodology in biosciences
Université of Seville	Joint imAGEin activities and transversal skills	6	Compulsory	See joint activities descriptions

SEMESTER 4

Fourth semester is fully dedicated to the Master Thesis.

University of Coimbra (UC)

Second year in the University of Coimbra is characterized by a strong focus on experimental research work and research-oriented training. Semester 3 and 4 are joined and fully dedicated to research work and the MSc Dissertation, offering gain of practical skills through a long-term internship.

NB: The Master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at UC is planned for a curricular restructuring in 2025/26, aimed at separating S3 and S4, allowing students to perform academic or laboratory training in S3 and dedicated research and thesis dissertation in S4. 
 

At the end of the year the student will be able to: 

• Be an expert of chosen laboratory techniques, methodologies, and experimental procedures relevant to the specific field of study. The student will be able to independently design and plan experiments, including hypothesis formulation, identification of variables, and consideration of controls, collect and analyze experimental data.
• Show highly developed skills in written and oral communication skills by documenting experimental procedures, recording results and presenting findings to peers or supervisors.
• Present project management skills, including planning timelines, allocating resources, and setting realistic goals for the research project.

SEMESTER 3 and 4

Partner University	Module title	ECTS	Module Status*	Description
University of Coimbra	Research Challenges in Cellular Biology and Biomedicine	3	Compulsory	The topics are presented and discussed by students in a workshop on Research Challenges in Neurobiology and Biomedicine.
University of Coimbra	Joint imAGEin activities and transversal skills	6	Compulsory	See joint activities descriptions
University of Coimbra	Dissertation in Biomedicine	57	Compulsory	Research work, dissertation and thesis defense