Training structure
Faculty of Science
Presentation
The Geosciences, Pollution Prevention and Treatment (GPTP) professionalization program is one of 3 programs in the Earth-Water-Environment bachelor's degree. Its aim is to provide general training in Earth Sciences, complemented by professional training in the prevention and treatment of pollution, particularly water pollution, with an internship of 4 to 6 months in a professional environment or laboratory .
Over 85% in L2 and L3
Success rates
Objectives
The Geosciences, Pollution Preventionand Treatment(GPTP) course is designed to provide a generalist education in Earth Sciences, complemented by professional training in the fields of pollution prevention and treatment, particularly for water and soil, with a 4 to 6 month internship in a professional environment or laboratory .
This course enables students to enter the job market at the end of their bachelor's degree (Bac + 3) at Technician/Assistant-Engineer level (see Professional integration below), or to enter a Master's degree (see Further study below). The first 2 years are identical to those of the Earth Sciences pathway, with a first orientation in 2nd year (L2) through the UE Hydrogeology, Hydraulics, Environmental Chemistry and Ocean, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere. The final orientation of the course takes place at the beginning of the 3rd year (L3). This program benefits from the participation oflecturers from the Chemistry and Process Engineering departments and the Polytech engineering school. The training team also draws on a network of local authorities and companies, in particular SMEs, enabling specialization in the following areas:
- hydraulics/hydrogeology/hydrology
- waste and pollution treatment and prevention
- water purification and treatment
- water and waste legislation
- water microbiology
- water and waste chemistry
This3rd year is structured arounda 4-6 month internship in a company or laboratory, which counts towards 20 ECTS. Created in 2004, this program is primarily designed to meet the demand for Pollution Prevention and Treatment technicians, as expressed through our contacts with the public and private sectors. In addition, this professional degree enables students to pursue a Master's degree.
Know-how and skills
The skills and competencies of the GPTP pathway involve learning to apply a scientific approach, and are identical to those of the STEE pathway for the first 2 years.
The aim of the third year is to enable students to become autonomous in areas and measures relating to the various fields of pollution prevention and management:
- Mobilize fundamental concepts and technologies in analytical chemistry, chemical thermodynamics, solution chemistry, physical chemistry of materials and chemical and physical-chemical water purification techniques to tackle a problem in the field of water chemistry or analyze a research or presentation document on water chemistry.
- Propose wastewater treatment process solutions. Size physico-chemical and biological treatment processes, then propose a complete design for an "ERU" WWTP.
- Mobilize fundamental concepts and technologies for microbial identification and water analysis.
- Be familiar with the main water and waste-related legislation, the links between water stakeholders and how to explain waste management on a regional scale.
- Propose extensive treatment solutions for small wastewater treatment plants (lagooning, reed filters, vegetated discharge zones, etc.).
- Identify the waste concerned and then choose the most appropriate treatment method, taking into account all technical, ecological, economic and social constraints (methanization, composting, thermal treatment, sorting-recycling, landfill, radioactive waste).
- Master the different ways of recovering water treatment by-products, organic by-products from economic activities and gaseous by-products from industry.
- Acquire a knowledge base in pedology and soil science to describe, classify and characterize soils, their physical, chemical and biological properties, as well as their formation and evolution in different environments.
- Understand the physical processes behind the flows involved in the water cycle at watershed scale, determine a hydrological balance at different spatio-temporal scales (peak flow for hydraulic structure design, runoff coefficient, hydrological balance, river gauging techniques, etc.).
- Master how to find information for an internship or a job, how to write a CV and LM, and how to conduct a job interview.
Organization
Open on a sandwich basis
Contract type | Professionalization contract |
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Program
Theoretical and practical courses are divided into lectures, practical sessions and practical work, but the special feature of this specialization is the emphasis placed on training in the field. Specific field trips are dedicated to in situ experimental data acquisition and observation. Field placements (from 4 to 10 days, depending on the semester) are also a strong feature of our training, enabling total immersion and the application of knowledge acquired in various disciplines to characterize and understand the functioning of a natural object/complex geological sector.
This course comprises 6 semesters, each validated by 30 ECTS. The first two years (L1 and L2) are common to the Earth and Environmental Sciences (STEE) degree, with the start of specialization in semester 4(L2: hydraulics, hydrogeology, ocean-atmosphere-hydrosphere, environmental chemistry).
L3 courses specific to the GPTP pathway are divided into CM, TD and TP, but the special feature of this pathway is the emphasis placed on practical, field-based teaching. The participation of lecturers from the Chemistry and Process Engineering departments and the Polytech engineering school, as well as professionals (engineering firms and public bodies), ensures professional specialization.
Internships and tutored projects :
The3rd year (L3) is built around a 4 to 6-month internship in a company or laboratory, providing direct exposure to the professional world. This internship counts for 20 ECTS.
A report and oral presentation round off the internship.
Select a program
Licence 3
Water purification and treatment
5 creditsWater and waste chemistry
5 creditsWater microbiology
5 creditsTools for professional integration
2 creditsSoil science
3 creditsInternship GPTP S5
10 credits
Extensive effluent treatment processes
3 creditsWaste treatment
5 creditsHydrology
4 creditsInternship GPTP S6
10 creditsBy-product recovery
5 creditsWater and waste legislation
3 credits
Admission
Admission requirements
Access to L2 :
Access to the GPTP pathway is at L2 level, after a first year of scientific study.
The first year of the GPTP bachelor's degree provides a foundation of knowledge in fundamental scientific disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry) as well as in Life and Earth Sciences. The content of this first year is ideal for integration into the L2 GPTP. However, students who have completed first-year degree courses in Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Physics and Chemistry are eligible for access to the STEE pathway, by application only.
Students who have completed a first year in a Classe Préparatoire aux Grandes Ecoles (CPGE), PASS or LAS may also be admitted to L2 STEE, subject to application.
Lastly, students with a BTS whose content is similar to that of this degree course can also enter the L2 STEE, by application only.
Access to L3 :
The L3 is also available as a continuing education degree, subject to the completion of a dossier (work-study contract in the form of a professionalization contract, information and contacts at: https: //sfc.edu.umontpellier.fr/ ).
Access to L3 GPTP is automatic for students who have completed L2 GPTP at the University of Montpellier.
Access is by application for external students:
- students with a second-year scientific degree or equivalent (CPGE, etc.)
- students with a BUT (before DUT) or BTS diploma.
The L3 is also available as a continuing education degree, subject to application (apprenticeship contract, sandwich course or professionalization contract, information and contacts on : ).
Applications can be submitted on the following platforms:
- French & European students: follow the University of Montpellier's e-candidat procedure: https: //candidature.umontpellier.fr/candidature/
- International students from outside the EU: follow the "Études en France" procedure: https: //pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html
Target audience
The GPTP course is aimed at students with an interest in environmental issues, in particular those associated withwater resources, pollution and the treatment of water, soil and waste, and who wish either to enter the job market at Technician level, or to pursue a Master's degree in these fields.
And then
Further studies
In the GPTP pathway, learning specific techniques is given priority over the disciplinary foundations taught mainly in the general STEE pathway. Every year, students in the GPTP course go on to study for a Master's degree, mainly in Environment, Water or Pollution (Montpellier University or others). In addition to the Water master's courses at Montpellier University, the Environment, Water, Pollution and QSE/HSE master's courses, here are some examples of master's courses taken by former GPTP students (this list is not exhaustive):
- Master's degree in Biology and the Environment, specializing in the Functioning and Restoration of Continental Aquatic Environments, Clermont-Ferrand
- Master's degree in Sustainable Development Engineering, specializing in Industrial Process Safety, Environment and Quality (SPIEQ), Nancy
- Master in Chemical Pollution and Environmental Management (PCGE), Université Paris-Saclay
- École d'ingénieurs arts et métiers, Gestion et Prévention des Risques industriels (GPR), Bourget du Lac, France
- Master in Water, Soil and Waste Management and Treatment, Chimie ParisTech
- Master's degree in Water, Soil and Treatment Quality (QuEST), Besançon
- Master in Hydrogeology, Soil and Environment, Avignon
- Master's degree in Environmental Management, MAEVA -STE (Environmental Management, Valorization and Analysis - Environmental Sciences and Technologies), Marseille, France
- Master of Chemistry and Life Sciences (CSV), Pollution Assessment, Management and Treatment (EGTP), Pau
- Master's degree, Separative Chemistry of Materials and Processes (CSMP), Montpellier.
Professional integration
The graduates of the GPTP degree program have been monitored since its creation in 2004. Our surveys show a very good level of professional integration in design offices and local authorities specializing in a wide range of fields:
- waste and wastewater prevention and treatment
- rural and urban hydraulics
- sanitary or territorial technician (competitive examination)
- water resource management, water quality
- flood risks, environmental risks
- soil/water pollution control
- QSE (Quality, Safety, Environment); HSE (Health, Safety, Environment)
The follow-up also shows the career progression of some students who, hired at technician level, move on to engineer-level positions after a few years (e.g.: department/project manager on internal evolution). Small classes of 15 to 20 students a year ensure that we are in tune with the regional and national job market.