Training structure
Faculty of Science
Presentation
The Geosciences, Pollution Prevention and Treatment (GPTP)professional track isone of three tracks in the Earth-Water-Environment bachelor's degree program. It aims to provide general training in Earth Sciences, supplemented by professional training in the fields of pollution prevention and treatment, particularly water pollution, with a 4- to 6-month internship in a professional environment or laboratory .
Over 85% in L2 and L3
Success rate
Objectives
The Geosciences, Pollution Preventionand Treatment(GPTP) program aims to provide general training in Earth Sciences, supplemented by professional training in the fields of pollution prevention and treatment, particularly water and soil pollution, with a 4- to 6-month internship in a professional environment or laboratory.
This program allows students to enter the job market at the end of their bachelor's degree (Bac + 3) with the level of Technician/Assistant Engineer (see below Professional Integration) or to enroll in a master's program ( see below Further Studies). The first two years are identical to those of the Earth Sciences program, with students beginning to specialize in their second year (L2) through courses in Hydrogeology, Hydraulics, Environmental Chemistry, and Ocean, Atmosphere, and Hydrosphere. The final specialization takes place at the beginning of the third year (L3). This program benefits from the participationof teachers from the Chemistry and Process Engineering departments and the Polytech Engineering School. The teaching team also draws on a network of local authorities and companies, particularly 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
Thisthird year revolves arounda 4- to 6-month internship in a company or laboratory, which counts for 20 ECTS credits. This program, created in 2004, primarily responds to the demand fortechniciansin pollution prevention and treatment that has emerged from our contacts with the public and private sectors. In addition, this professional bachelor's degree allows students to continue on to a master's degree.
Know-how and skills
The skills and expertise acquired in the GPTP program involve learning applied and scientific approaches, which are identical to those in the STEE program for the first two years.
The third year aims to enable students to become autonomous in areas and measures relating to the various fields of pollution prevention and management:
- Apply fundamental concepts and technologies in analytical chemistry, chemical thermodynamics, solution chemistry, physical chemistry of materials, and chemical and physicochemical water purification techniques to address an issue in the field of water chemistry or analyze a research paper or presentation on water chemistry.
- Propose wastewater treatment solutions. Size the physical-chemical and biological treatment processes, then propose a complete design for an "ERU" wastewater treatment plant.
- Mobilize fundamental concepts and technologies for microbial identification and water analysis.
- Be familiar with important laws relating to water and waste, the links between water stakeholders, and be able to explain waste management at the regional level.
- Propose extensive treatment solutions for small wastewater treatment plants (lagooning, reed bed filters, vegetated discharge areas, etc.).
- Identify the waste concerned and then choose the appropriate treatment method, taking into account all technical, environmental, economic, and social constraints (methanization, composting, thermal treatment, sorting and recycling, landfill, radioactive waste).
- Mastering the various methods of recovering value from wastewater treatment by-products, organic by-products from economic activities, and gaseous by-products produced by industries.
- Acquire a foundation of knowledge 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.
- Understanding the physical processes behind the flows involved in the water cycle at the watershed scale, determining a hydrological balance at different spatial and temporal scales (peak flow for sizing hydraulic structures, runoff coefficient, hydrological balance, river gauging techniques, etc.).
- Mastering information research for an internship or job, writing a resume and cover letter, and preparing for a job interview.
Organization
Open alternately
Type of contract | Professional training contract |
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Program
Theoretical and practical teaching is divided into lectures, tutorials, and practicals, but what sets this major apart is the significant emphasis placed on field training. Specific field trips are dedicated to acquiring experimental data in situ or to observation. Field internships (lasting 4 to 10 days depending on the semester) are also a key part of our program, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in the field and apply the knowledge they have acquired in various disciplines, enabling them to compare and contrast this knowledge in order to characterize and understand the functioning of a natural object or complex geological sector.
This program consists of six semesters, each worth 30 ECTS credits. Thefirst two years (L1 and L2) are shared with the Earth and Environmental Sciences (STEE) bachelor's degree, with specialization beginning in semester 4 (L2: hydraulics, hydrogeology, Ocean-Atmosphere-Hydrosphere, environmental chemistry).
The L3 courses specific to the GPTP program are divided into lectures, tutorials, and practicals, but what sets this program apart is the significant emphasis placed on practical and field-based teaching. The participation of teachers from the Chemistry and Process Engineering departments and the Polytech Engineering School, as well as professionals (design offices and public bodies), enables professional specialization.
Internships and supervised projects:
Thethird year (L3) revolves 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 credits.
A report and an oral defense conclude this internship.
Select a program
Bachelor's degree
Water purification and treatment
5 creditsWater and waste chemistry
5 creditsWater microbiology
5 creditsCareer tools
2 creditsPedology, soil science
3 creditsInternship at GPTP S5
10 credits
Extensive effluent treatment processes
3 creditsWaste treatment
5 creditsHydrology
4 creditsInternship at GPTP S6
10 creditsValorization of by-products
5 creditsWater and waste legislation
3 credits
Admission
Admission requirements
Access in L2:
Access to the GPTP program is granted in the second year of undergraduate studies, after a first year of scientific studies.
The first year of the GPTP bachelor's degree program provides students with a foundation of knowledge in the 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 L2 GPTP. However, students who have completed first-year bachelor's degree courses in Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Physics, and Chemistry may apply for admission to the STEE program, based on their academic record only.
Students who have completed their first year in a preparatory class for the grandes écoles (CPGE), PASS, or LAS may also be admitted to L2 STEE, based on their academic record only.
Finally, students with a BTS (advanced vocational training certificate) whose content is similar to that of this bachelor's degree program may also be admitted to the L2 STEE, based on their application only.
Access in L3:
The L3 is also available as a continuing education program leading to a degree, based on application (work-study contract in the form of a professional training 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 based on application for external students:
- Students who have completed their second year of a science degree or equivalent (CPGE, etc.)
- Students who hold a BUT (formerly DUT) or BTS degree.
The L3 is also accessible as a continuing education program leading to a degree, based on application (apprenticeship contract, work-study program, or professional training contract; information and contacts at: ).
Applications can be submitted on the following platforms:
- French and European students: follow the procedure on the University of Montpellier's e-candidat website: 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 program is aimed at any student interested in environmental issues, particularly those related towater resources, pollution, and water, soil, and waste treatment, who wish to either enter the job market as a technician or pursue a master's degree in these fields.
And after
Continuing education
Within the GPTP program, learning specific techniques is prioritized over learning the disciplinary basics taught mainly in the general STEE program. Each year, students from the GPTP program go on to pursue a master's degree, mainly in Environment, Water, or Pollution (Montpellier University or others). In addition to the Water master's program at Montpellier University and master's programs in Environment, Water, Pollution, or QSE/HSE, here are some examples of master's programs pursued by former GPTP bachelor's students (this list is not exhaustive):
- Master's Degree in Biology and 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's Degree in Chemical Pollution and Environmental Management (PCGE), Paris-Saclay University
- Arts et Métiers Engineering School, Industrial Risk Management and Prevention (GPR), Bourget du Lac
- Master's Degree in Water, Soil, and Waste Management and Treatment, Chimie ParisTech
- Master's Degree in Water, Soil, and Treatment Quality (QuEST), Besançon
- Master's Degree in Hydrogeology, Soil, and Environment, Avignon
- Master's Degree in Environmental Management, MAEVA-STE program (Environmental Management, Valorization and Analysis – Environmental Sciences and Technologies), Marseille
- Master's Degree in Chemistry and Life Sciences (CSV), Pollution Assessment, Management, and Treatment (EGTP) program, Pau
- Master's degree in Separative Chemistry, Materials and Processes (CSMP), Montpellier.
Professional integration
The career paths of graduates from the GPTP bachelor's degree program have been tracked since its creation in 2004. Our surveys show very good 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 local government technician (through competitive examination)
- water resource management, water quality
- flood risks, environmental risks
- soil/waterway remediation
- QSE (Quality, Safety, Environment); HSE (Health, Safety, Environment)
The follow-up also shows the career progression of certain individuals who, hired at the technician level, move up to engineering positions after a few years (e.g., department/project manager through internal promotion). Small classes of 15 to 20 students per year ensure that we remain in tune with the regional and national job market.