Target 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, producing food in large quantities at low cost. The development of intensive agriculture was only possible thanks to fundamental research studies in fields as varied as plant biology and physiology, genetics and agronomy. Today, it is widely accepted that progress in crop yields is half due to agronomy and half due to genetics. This past experience suggests that a multi-disciplinary approach, underpinned by strong scientific research, is needed to develop a type of agriculture.
Intensive agriculture does not only have 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 make in-depth changes to agricultural practices in order to limit the use of inputs and move to a model of sustainable agriculture. This shift in agricultural practices was initiated about twenty years ago, but it is accelerated by the ECOPHYTO plan, which plans to reduce the use of phytosanitary products. This reform of agriculture must also be carried out under the pressure of an additional difficulty: climate change. To succeed in developing 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, resistant to present diseases,...),gronomy/physiology/ecology (adapting cultivation routes, introducing micro-organisms, Natural Defense Stimulators,...) and phytopathology (Development of Bio-Control,...). Plant experimentation, which is the driving force behind the modification of agricultural practices, therefore requires technicians at the BAC+3 level with scientific knowledge in many fields.
The aim of this professional bachelor's degree, which opened in 2015, is to train specialists in plant experimentation who are versatile because they are likely to work in several sectors:
– Plant breeding within SMEs, multinationals or research centres such as INRA and CIRAD. The seed sector is extremely important in France since it is the leading European producer and the leading exporting country from a global point of view. This sector of activity represents more than 15000 full-time equivalents and around 2.9 billion euros in 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, approval or testing of new phytosanitary products. Replacing plant protection products with less harmful natural substances is one of the most difficult challenges for the agriculture of the future. The development of companies doing biocontrol (use of macro or micro-organisms, natural defense stimulators,...) began in 1985 when 200 small companies shared a turnover of 150 million dollars (world data). It was only a niche market since it represented only 1% of sales of phytosanitary products. This market has grown since it represented 1 billion dollars in 2009 and forecasting studies suggest that it will represent 8 billion between 2015 and 2020. The development of such substances requires many experiments, some of which will be carried out by fast-growing companies in the Montpellier region (Staphyt).
– Optimisation/adaptation of crop itineraries within plant experimentation centres and research centres. Many experimental centres exist in the region, such as GEVES, CTIFL, CEHM and ARVALIS.
While the challenges of developing sustainable agriculture are important for developed countries, they are crucial for many countries in the South , which cannot afford fertilisers or phytosanitary products in any case. CIRAD and IRD have developed partnerships with research centres in the countries of the South. Seed or production companies (e.g. sugar,...) 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 experimental technician in different sectors of activity. The 5-month internship and the tutor project allow you to put into practice the theoretical knowledge learned in class. The course also welcomes work-study students: continuing education, professional contract and apprentices. Work-study programs are an undeniable asset for professional integration within private companies.
Know-how and skills
Disciplinary skills :
- methods of creative selection and seed production.
- the methods of (i) testing and approval of plant protection products areas (ii) testing of new plant varieties and (iii) testing new technical routes aimed at limiting the use of inputs and making it possible to adapt crops to climate change or induced by legislation (e.g. limitation of plant protection products).
- the establishment of experimental designs and statistical processing.
- plant experimentation in the countries of the South.
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Cross-disciplinary skills :
- Implement, manage, observe and evaluate plant experiments in the fields of genetic improvement and crop protection, including bio-control, autonomously.
- Carry out a scientific and technical documentary watch.
- Optimize experimental protocols.
- Analyze and report the results to your supervisor by proposing hypotheses or solutions necessary for the continuation of the work.
- Build a professional project, write a CV and cover letters
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Gain initial experience of professional integration
Organization
Knowledge control
Knowledge tests are a mixture of continuous assessments and final exams
Special features
To follow this training, you need to have a correct laptop. Some of the courses and exams in statistics are done under R. The realization of tutored projects and various works within the modules requires the use of a computer. Depending on the health conditions, it is also possible that part of the courses will take place remotely and require a proper internet connection in addition to a computer.
Open on a sandwich basis
Contract type | Apprenticeship contract, Professionalization contract |
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Work-study arrangements
A calendar has been drawn up in order to be able to welcome work-study students (apprenticeships, professional contracts), people in vocational training and students in continuing education.
Internships, tutored projects
Internship | Mandatory |
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Length of internship | 5 |
Internship abroad | Possible |
Duration of 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 --> watch the "internship in a company" module
The tutored project is carried out between the beginning of January and mid-March. For more information --> watch the "tutored project" module
Program
The teaching in the L3pro EVAPPMT is spread over 2 semesters each of the Teaching Units (UE) which, when validated, give ECTS credits. The UEs are not very shared and allow for excellent specialisation in plant experimentation. The L3ProEVAPPMT can be taken as an initial training course or as a work-study program. This required the establishment of a timetable adapted to the work-study programme.
Select a program
L3 - Licence Professionnelle - Plant Experimentation for the Improvement and Protection of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants (EVAPPMT)
Genetics for Plant Breeding
4 creditsBiotechnology for plant breeding
4 creditsBasics of agronomy
3 creditsStatistics for Experimentation
6 creditsBusiness Knowledge
3 creditsApplied Plant Physiology
5 creditsPlant pathology basics
5 credits
Basics of agroecology
3 creditsTutored project
5 creditsInternship
15 creditsAdvanced agroecology
3 creditsSymbioses and biostimulants
4 credits
Admission
Access conditions
The EVAPPMT Professional Bachelor's degree mainly recruits students who have validated:
- BTS related to crop production (e.g. APV, PH)
- BTS related to biotechnologies/laboratory techniques (ex ANABIOTEC)
- DUT "Biological Engineering".
A few places are also reserved for students from other courses (various masters, L3 vegans,....)
How to register
The application must be made via the e-candidate portal of the FdS of the University of Montpellier. It is examined by a pedagogical commission which decides on admission. The motivation of the candidates and their projection into the profession of plant experimentation technician is an important selection criterion. Obtaining a work-study contract, even if it is not compulsory, is very strongly encouraged.
Target audience
Necessary prerequisites
BAC +2 in training in agronomy, crop protection, plant production, biological engineering and biotechnology.
Have a working computer and internet connection
Recommended prerequisites
Have obtained a Pro/work-study contract or identified companies likely to offer work-study contracts.
And then
Further studies
The L3pro EVAPPMT training is designed to train experimental technicians who enter the world of employment at the end of the training. Continuing their studies in a professional master's degree or in an 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 work in several sectors:
– Plant breeding 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/adaptation of cultivation routes within plant experimentation centres and public or private laboratories
Types of jobs available: The targeted professions are assistant breeder, assistant engineer, technician specialized in plant experimentation.
Examples.
1- Work in a seed company
- "Marketing Placement" Experimental Technician (post-market testing of varieties, assistance to multiplying farmers [protocol optimization])
- Experimental technician "Production" (seed quality testing)
- Research Experiment Technician (Assistant Selector)
For more information on these trades:
http://www.gnis-pedagogie.org/fiches-metiers-semences-vegetales.html
2- Work in an experimental company
- Seed experimentation technician.
- Technician in plant protection and nutrition experimentation.
- Experimenter on the environment and auxiliary fauna.