Duration
5 days
Training Structure
Joint Continuing Education Office, Faculty of Sciences
Overview
This university diploma enables students to acquire and/or update the theoretical and practical knowledge required for the design, evaluation, and implementation of restoration projects for small coastal seabeds in the Mediterranean.
The Benefits of the Training Program
- Knowledge that can be directly applied in one's profession
- A maximum of 21 students
- Instruction in French
- Scientific fundamentals + real-world case studies + actual and/or in situ studies
- Suggested reading and field trips/outings (not related to training)
- Teachers who complement each other through their experience: scientific fundamentals taught by academics, and professional experience shared by non-academic partners and stakeholders and companies involved in ecological restoration.
Objectives
- Understand the definition of ecological restoration and its principles
- Learn about existing ecological restoration methods in marine environments
- Understand the regulatory framework (Marine Strategy Framework Directive, differences from the “avoid-reduce-compensate” approach, permit applications)
- Understanding the Limits of Ecological Restoration
- Be able to develop a case for convincing a project owner to undertake an ecological restoration project
- Be able to contextualize ecological restoration in relation to other coastal and marine management tools, such as pollution control and the prevention of degradation
- Be able to propose and implement a restoration project in a marine environment
- Be able to critically evaluate a restoration project
- Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of restoration measures
Program
Training session:
- March 9–13, 2026: In-person classes
- Online Tutoring
- Exam in June 2026 (date to be announced)
Program
Module 1 (5 days of in-person instruction):
- Ecological Restoration of Shallow Coastal Waters: Definition and Principles + Overview
, Mediterranean Ecology - Ecological Restoration Policies, Complementarity, and Regulation
- Assessment of the Degree to Which Objectives Have Been Met and Ecological Effectiveness
- Stakeholders in ecological restoration and their responsibilities
- Artificial reefs: Are they a good solution?
- Restoration of marine plant communities (angiosperms, macroalgae)
- Restoration of coralligenous communities and corals
- Scaling Restoration Projects and Evaluating Performance (Roundtable Discussion)
- Group work on real-world case studies (5 groups of 4 students)
- Restoration of the nursery functions of port areas
- Ecological Restoration and Biomimicry
- Restoration of Movable Collections
- Economic and Financial Issues
- Meeting with Industry Professionals and Specialized Companies
- Overview of Other Initiatives and Case Studies
- Presentation and discussion of real-world cases, self-assessment, and peer assessment.
Module 2: Thesis Writing (supervised independent work)
During this module, each student will study a specific system based
on a real-world case study. They will be required to produce a reflective and synthesizing paper on
a restoration method that is controversial or subject to uncertainty (for example, the use
of artificial reefs, restoration of soft habitats, evaluation of existing restoration projects
, shipwreck immersion, species transplantation, etc.). This case study
will result in the production of a written report, an oral presentation, and a discussion with
professionals from various fields.
Module 3 (1 day of in-person instruction in June; online participation is acceptable)
- Presentation of the Interns' Case Studies
- Discussion with experts, Q&A, and feedback on the continuing education course “
” The goal is to critically analyze each case study and discuss its implications.
Admission
Admission Requirements
A two-year post-secondary degree (BAC+2) and at least 3 years of professional experience, or currently pursuing a four-year post-secondary degree (BAC+4).
Training in environmental studies.
Registration Procedures
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter—specifying your expectations for this program and how it aligns with your career goals—to the following address: sfc-fds @ umontpellier.fr
The selection of students will be carried out by a selection committee composed of one representative from the University of Montpellier, one representative from the University of Perpignan, and one representative from the professional world.
If academic performance is equivalent, career plans will be given priority in the selection process.
The university diploma program cannot have fewer than 10 students or more than 21.
Tuition Fees
Training Costs
Price: €1,600 (including tax)
€1,300 (including tax) Self-financed
Mandatory Prerequisites
A two-year post-secondary degree and at least 3 years of professional experience, or currently pursuing a four-year post-secondary degree. Education in environmental studies.
And then
Continuing Education
The goal is to enable learners to respond to requests related to ecological restoration in their roles as service providers, clients, or researchers.
These roles are found in the following fields:
- Research Engineer
- Local government official
- Project Manager at an engineering firm
- Natural Area Manager
- Technical Agent
- Design Engineer at a Design Firm