Targeted level of study
BAC +3
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
The vast majority of vegetable foodstuffs are obtained through intensive agriculture. This form of agriculture was implemented in France after the Second World War. It was the perfect answer to the social and economic demands of the time by allowing the production of 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. Currently, 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 multidisciplinary approach based on strong scientific research is necessary to develop a type of agriculture.
Intensive agriculture does not have only qualities. It is based on the massive use of inputs (fertilizers 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 to a model of sustainable agriculture. This shift in agricultural practices has been underway for the past twenty years, but it has been accelerated by the ECOPHYTO plan, which aims to reduce the use of phytosanitary products. This reform of agriculture must also be done 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 Defense 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 and scientific knowledge in many fields.
The goal 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 centers such as INRA and CIRAD. The seed industry is extremely important in France since it is the first European producer and the first exporting country in the world. This sector of activity represents more than 15000 full time equivalents and about 2.9 billion euros of turnover. 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 radius of 100km around 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 defense 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. This market has grown to 1 billion dollars in 2009 and forecast studies suggest that it will represent 8 billion dollars between 2015 and 2020. The development of such substances requires numerous experiments and some of them will be carried out by growing companies in the Montpellier region (Staphyt).
- Optimization/adaptation of cultivation itineraries within plant experimentation and research centers. Many experimentation centers exist in the region, such as GEVES, CTIFL, CEHM or ARVALIS.
If the stakes of developing sustainable agriculture are important for developed countries, they are crucial for many countries in the South that cannot afford fertilizers or phytosanitary products anyway. CIRAD and IRD have developed partnerships with research centers in the South. Seed or production companies (e.g. sugar, etc.) in the South require high quality technicians.
Objectives
The L3Pro EVAPPMT aims 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 allow students to put into practice the theoretical knowledge learned in class. The training also welcomes alternating students: continuing education, professional contracts and apprentices. Work-study programs are an undeniable asset for professional integration in private companies.
Know-how and skills
Disciplinary Skills:
- creative breeding and seed production methods.
- methods of (i) testing and approval of phytosanitary products, (ii) testing of new plant varieties and (iii) testing of new technical itineraries aimed at limiting the use of inputs and allowing crops to be adapted to climate change or to changes in legislation (e.g. limiting the use of phytosanitary products).
- the establishment of experimental designs and statistical treatments.
- plant experimentation in southern countries.
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Cross-Cutting Skills:
- Independently implement, manage, observe and evaluate plant experiments in the fields of genetic improvement and crop protection, including bio-control.
- To carry out a scientific and technical documentary watch.
- Optimize experimental protocols.
- Analyze and report the results to his/her superior by proposing hypotheses or solutions necessary to continue the work.
- Build a professional project, write a CV, cover letters
- Know how to work independently and in a team
- Acquire a first experience of integration in the professional world
Organization
Knowledge control
The knowledge tests are a mixture of continuous tests and final exams
Special arrangements
A proper laptop is required to take this course. Part of the courses and the statistics exams are done in R. The realization of the tutored projects and of different works within the modules requires the use of a computer. Depending on the health conditions, it is also possible that some of the courses are held remotely and require, in addition to a computer, a proper internet connection.
Open in alternation
Type of contract | Apprenticeship contract, Professionalization contract |
|---|
Alternation methods
A schedule has been drawn up in order to be able to welcome both alternating work-study students (apprenticeship, professional contracts), people in vocational training and students in continuing education.
Internships, tutored projects
Internship | Mandatory |
|---|---|
Duration of the course | 5 |
Internship abroad | Possible |
Duration of the internship abroad | 5 |
The 5-month internship takes place from 01/04 to 31/08. It can be done in a company, technical center or public research organization. For more information --> look at the module "internship in a company".
The tutored project is done between the beginning of January and mid-March. For more information --> look at the "tutored project" module
Program
The teaching in the L3pro EVAPPMT is distributed over 2 semesters, each comprising Teaching Units (UE) which when validated give ECTS credits. The UE are not shared and allow an excellent specialization in plant experimentation. The L3ProEVAPPMT can be taken as an initial training course or as a sandwich course. This has necessitated the setting up of a calendar adapted to alternating courses.
Select a program
L3 - Professional License - Plant Experimentation for the Improvement and Protection of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants (EVAPPMT)
Genetics for plant improvement
4 creditsBiotechnologies for plant improvement
4 creditsBasics of agronomy
3 creditsStatistics for Experimentation
6 creditsBusiness knowledge
3 creditsApplied Plant Physiology
5 creditsBasics of plant pathology
5 credits
Basics of agroecology
3 creditsTutored project
5 creditsInternship in a company
15 creditsAdvanced Agroecology
3 creditsSymbioses and biostimulants
4 credits
Admission
Conditions of access
The EVAPPMT professional license recruits mainly students who have validated :
- BTS in relation to plant production (e.g. APV, PH)
- BTS in relation to biotechnology/laboratory technology (e.g. ANABIOTEC)
- DUT " Biological Engineering ".
Some 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 that 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 mandatory, is strongly encouraged.
Target audience
Necessary pre-requisites
BAC +2 in agronomy, crop protection, plant production, biological engineering and biotechnology.
Have a working 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 training is designed to train experimentation technicians who will be integrated into the world of employment at the end of the training. 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 centers such as INRAE and CIRAD
- Crop protection within companies or laboratories working on the discovery, approval or testing of new phytosanitary/bio-control products
- Optimization/adaptation of crop itineraries within plant experimentation centers and public or private laboratories
Types of jobs available: The jobs targeted are assistant breeder, assistant engineer, technician specialized in plant experimentation.
Examples.
1- Work in a seed company
- Experimental technician "Marketing" (post-marketing variety testing, assistance to farmers [protocol optimization])
- Production" experimental technician (seed quality testing)
- Research" experimental technician (assistant breeder)
For more information on these trades:
http://www.gnis-pedagogie.org/fiches-metiers-semences-vegetales.html
2- Work in an experimental company
- Technician in seed experimentation.
- Technician in plant protection and nutrition experimentation.
- Environmental and auxiliary fauna experimenter.