Targeted level of study
BAC +3
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
The vast majority of plant-based foodstuffs are obtained through intensive agriculture. This form of agriculture was introduced in France after the Second World War. It responded perfectly to the social and economic demands of the time by producing food in quantity and at low cost. The development of intensive agriculture was only possible thanks to fundamental research studies in various fields such as plant biology and physiology, genetics and agronomy. Today, it is commonly accepted that advances in crop yields are half due to agronomy and half due to genetics. This past experience suggests that a multi-disciplinary approach based on strong scientific research is needed to develop a type of agriculture.
Intensive agriculture does not have only good qualities. It is based on the massive use of inputs (fertilisers and phytosanitary products) which represents a source of environmental pollution and causes health problems. It therefore seems important to change agricultural practices in order to limit the use of inputs and move towards a model of sustainable agriculture. This shift in agricultural practices has been underway for the past twenty years or so, but it is being accelerated by the ECOPHYTO plan, which aims to reduce the use of plant protection products. This reform of agriculture must also be carried out under the pressure of an additional difficulty: climate change. In order to develop a more environmentally friendly agriculture in a context of climate change, it is necessary to have multidisciplinary approaches combining genetics (development of varieties that make better use of nitrogen and water, that are resistant to existing diseases, etc.),agronomy/physiology/ecology (adapting cultivation itineraries, introducing micro-organisms, Natural Defence Stimulators, etc.) and plant pathology (development of Bio-Control, etc.) Plant experimentation, the driving force behind changes in agricultural practices, therefore requires technicians with a BAC+3 level who have scientific knowledge in many fields.
The aim of this professional degree, which opened in 2015, is to train specialists in plant experimentation who are versatile because they can work in several sectors:
- Plant improvement within SMEs, multinationals or research centres such as INRA and CIRAD. The seed industry is extremely important in France as it is the leading European producer and the leading exporter in the world. This sector of activity represents more than 15,000 full-time equivalents and a turnover of approximately 2.9 billion euros. It is also interesting to note that the research budget is 236 million euros and that it has increased by +25% in 5 years. Seed companies are particularly well established in the south of France: almost all of them have an experimental station within a 100km radius of Nîmes.
- Crop protection in companies or laboratories working on the discovery, registration or testing of new crop protection products. Replacing phytosanitary products with less harmful natural substances is one of the most difficult challenges for the agriculture of the future. The development of bio-control companies (use of macro or micro-organisms, natural defence stimulators,...) started in 1985 when 200 small companies shared a turnover of 150 million dollars (worldwide data). It was only a niche market since it represented only 1% of the sales of phytosanitary products. The market has grown to $1 billion in 2009 and forecasts suggest that it will reach $8 billion between 2015 and 2020. The development of such substances requires a great deal of experimentation, some of which will be carried out by growing companies in the Montpellier region (Staphyt).
- Optimisation/adaptation of cultivation itineraries within plant experimentation and research centres. Many experimentation centres exist in the region, such as GEVES, CTIFL, CEHM or ARVALIS.
While the development of sustainable agriculture is important for developed countries, it is crucial for many countries in the South, which cannot afford fertilisers or phytosanitary products anyway. CIRAD and IRD have developed partnerships with research centres in the South. Seed or production companies (e.g. sugar, etc.) in the South need high-quality senior technicians.
Objectives
The aim of the L3Pro EVAPPMT is to provide the knowledge, know-how and skills necessary for the work of an experimentation technician in different sectors of activity. The 5-month internship and the tutor project enable the theoretical knowledge learned in class to be put into practice. The course also welcomes alternating students: continuing education, professional contracts and apprentices. The work-study programme is an undeniable asset for professional integration in private companies.
Know-how and skills
Disciplinary skills :
- creative breeding and seed production methods.
- methods for (i) testing and approval of plant protection products areas (ii) testing new plant varieties and (iii) testing new technical itineraries aimed at limiting the use of inputs and allowing crops to be adapted to climate change or induced by legislation (e.g. limiting plant protection products).
- the establishment of experimental designs and statistical treatments.
- plant experimentation in southern countries.
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Cross-cutting competences :
- Independently implement, manage, observe and evaluate plant experiments in the fields of genetic improvement and crop protection, including bio-control.
- Carry out a scientific and technical documentary watch.
- Optimise experimental protocols.
- Analyse and report the results to his/her superior, proposing hypotheses or solutions necessary for the continuation of the work.
- Build a professional project, write a CV, cover letters
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- To acquire a first experience of integration into the professional world
Organization
Control of knowledge
The knowledge tests are a mixture of continuous tests and final exams
Special facilities
A proper laptop is required to follow this course. Some of the lectures and statistical examinations are done in R. The completion of the tutored projects and various assignments within the modules requires the use of a computer. Depending on the health conditions, it is also possible that part of the course is done remotely and requires a proper internet connection in addition to a computer.
Open in alternating years
Type of contract | Apprenticeship contract, Professionalization contract |
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Alternation arrangements
A schedule has been drawn up to accommodate both work-study students (apprenticeships, professional contracts), people on vocational training and continuing education students.
Programme
The teaching in the L3pro EVAPPMT is spread over 2 semesters, each comprising Teaching Units (TU) which, when validated, give ECTS credits. The courses are not shared to any great extent and allow for excellent specialisation in plant experimentation. The L3ProEVAPPMT can be taken as an initial training course or as a sandwich course. This has made it necessary to set up a calendar adapted to work-study.
Select a programme
L3 - Licence Professionnelle - Plant Experimentation for the Improvement and Protection of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants (EVAPPMT)
Genetics for plant improvement
4 creditsBiotechnology for plant improvement
4 creditsBasics of plant pathology
5 creditsBusiness knowledge
3 creditsStatistics for Experimentation
6 creditsApplied Plant Physiology
5 creditsBasics of agronomy
3 credits
Tutored project
5 creditsSymbioses and biostimulants
4 creditsBasics of agroecology
3 creditsInternship in a company
15 creditsAdvanced agro-ecology
3 credits
Admission
Conditions of access
The EVAPPMT professional degree mainly recruits students who have validated :
- BTS in relation to plant production (e.g. APV, PH)
- BTS in relation to biotechnology/laboratory technology (e.g. ANABIOTEC)
- Biological engineering" DUTs.
A few places are also reserved for students from other courses (various masters, L3 vegetalists, ....)
How to register
The application must be made via the e-candidat portal of the FdS of the University of Montpellier. It is examined by a pedagogical committee which decides on admission. The motivation of the candidates and their projection in the profession of plant experimentation technician is an important selection criterion. Obtaining a work-study contract, even if it is not compulsory, is strongly encouraged.
Target audience
Necessary pre-requisites
BAC +2 in agronomy, crop protection, plant production, biological engineering and biotechnology.
Have a functioning computer and internet connection
Recommended prerequisites
To have obtained a Pro/Internship contract or to have identified companies likely to offer work-study contracts.
And then
Further studies
The L3pro EVAPPMT course is designed to train experimentation technicians who can be integrated into the world of employment on completion of the course. The continuation of studies in Master Pro or in engineering school remains possible for a small number of students even if it is not encouraged.
Professional integration
Sectors of activity: The aim of this professional degree is to train specialists in plant experimentation who are versatile because they are likely to carry out their activity in several sectors:
- Plant improvement within SMEs, multinationals or research centres such as INRAE and CIRAD
- Crop protection within companies or laboratories working on the discovery, approval or testing of new phytosanitary/bio-control products.
- Optimisation/adaptations of crop itineraries within plant experimentation centres and public or private laboratories
Types of jobs available: The jobs targeted are assistant breeder, assistant engineer, technician specialised in plant experimentation.
Examples.
1- Work in a seed company
- Experimental technician "Marketing" (post-marketing variety testing, assistance to farmers [protocol optimisation])
- Production" experimental technician (seed quality testing)
- Research technician (assistant breeder)
For more information on these professions:
http://www.gnis-pedagogie.org/fiches-metiers-semences-vegetales.html
2- Work in experimental companies
- Seed experimentation technician.
- Technician in plant protection and nutrition experimentation.
- Environmental and auxiliary fauna experimenter.