M1 - Chrono-Environments and Paleoecology (CEPAGE)

General linear models with one or more random explanatory variables: from translating the figure that answers the biological question to the statistical model, i.e., taking into account numerous effects and knowing how to interpret them.

General properties viewed through regression and one-factor ANOVA (R2, F, ddl, least squares, likelihood, diagnosis, validation, goodness of fit, interpretation of effect sizes); nested and crossed factor ANOVA, multiple regression (concept of parameters and effects, and interaction)

incorporation of the dependence of explanatory random variables, confounding effects (quantitative for multiple regression, and unbalanced designs for ANOVAs)

See the full page

The overall objective is to consolidate the foundations in ecology acquired by students and to give them the tools they need to apply them in an integrated way to interpret the functioning of ecological systems. The course includes: 1) lectures on ecological concepts from the population scale to the macroecological scale, using examples of applications that place the discipline in the current ecological and societal context; 2) practical and supervised work focused on tools (sampling strategies, modeling, data analysis); 3) field teaching, during which students are encouraged to ask relevant scientific questions based on their observations in the field and to use their knowledge to answer them in a reasoned manner.

Summary of EU content:

- CM: History of the emergence of concepts in ecology; Population dynamics/metapopulations; Biotic interactions and food webs; Community ecology, metacommunities; Ecosystem ecology/functional ecology; Concepts of macroecology/biogeography; Global change and ecosystem functioning;

- Field: Integrative analysis of ecosystem functioning in situ;

- TD/TP: sampling and experimentation strategies in ecology; modeling in population dynamics/metapopulations, community ecology/metacommunities, food webs; biodiversity measures (alpha, beta, etc.).

See the full page

The overall objective is to consolidate students' foundations in evolutionary biology by addressing both (i) macroevolutionary phenomena and the general methods used to analyze them, and (ii) microevolutionary processes with an emphasis on the population genetics approach. This course unit aims to provide a solid foundation of knowledge in evolutionary biology and to illustrate the applications of the discipline to students' future areas of specialization. The course includes: 1) lectures on the concepts of evolution; 2) practical work in two main forms: 2a. sessions focused on the use of tools (phylogeny) and the mathematical formalization of evolutionary processes (population genetics); and 2b: sessions built around group work, allowing students, depending on their background and professional goals, to explore a particular topic in depth (fundamental question or application of evolutionary biology).

See the full page

English tutorial courses aimed at developing professional autonomy in the English language.

See the full page

See the full page

Generalized linear mixed models + methodology and experimental protocols to account for biological reality: non-normal distribution and pseudo-replication

Protocol optimization, power, and uncontrolled type I risk: variable transformation, polynomial regression, link function, likelihood, model selection

Deviance and goodness-of-fit analysis

Incorporation of blocks, repeated measurements over time, consideration of spatial and temporal correlation, over-dispersion

Graphical representation of predictions.

See the full page

The objective of this course unit is to provide the necessary statistical foundations for following the more advanced modules in the curriculum; it is therefore a general refresher course. Descriptive statistics are reviewed (quantiles, cumulative frequency polygons, sample estimators), simple tests are presented, essential graphs for univariate and multivariate data are presented, and the general principle of a statistical test, hypothesis testing, the concept of p-value, and Type I and Type II errors are presented. In practical work, students are also brought up to speed in the R environment.

See the full page

Based on ecological concepts and methods, this course unit aims to introduce students to historical ecology (the study of interactions between humans and their environment over varying periods of time) and its main applications in paleoecology and environmental sciences: climate change, fluctuations in biodiversity, vegetation transformation, forest dynamics, disturbance ecology, bioarchaeology, etc. ORPAL is an APP course (1/3 fieldwork and 2/3 laboratory work). The work, carried out in pairs or groups of three under the supervision of a mentor, covers the entire research process, from defining the problem field sampling, data acquisition, to interpretation, writing a scientific article (see https://biologie-ecologie.com/exemples-travaux/), and oral presentation of the results. ORPAM takes place during the first weeks of the academic year. This course unit begins with a three-day field school (24 hours - integration course) and continues with a mini laboratory course (24 hours). The course unit ends with the writing of a popular science article and an oral presentation of the results.

See the full page

The EU's objectives are twofold. On the one hand, it aims to retrace all the major stages in the history of organisms on Earth since its birth. Topics such as the emergence of life, the colonization of continents, the emergence of angiosperms, glacial/interglacial cycles, and the domestication of plants will be addressed. Secondly, it aims to show how paleoecology fits into the modern world, whether in terms of methodological developments (geochemistry, optical microscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray microscopy, etc.), climate change prediction models, ecosystem management in the context of global change, or developments in biotechnology.  The EU will mainly be organized into lectures (TD), each given by a specialist in the subject.

See the full page

The individual M1 internship lasts approximately three months and, depending on the program, must be completed in a research laboratory or a non-academic organization. It allows students to gain professional experience in the field of biodiversity, evolution, or ecology. It can be carried out in a local, national, or international organization, on a topic approved by the teaching team so as to fit in with the objectives specific to the program followed by the student.

Assessment: Preparation for the internship is assessed on the basis of a written document and a presentation of the internship project. The internship work is assessed during a public presentation before a panel, during which the content of the dissertation and the quality of the responses to the panel's questions are evaluated. The student's behavior and enthusiasm during the internship are assessed by the internship supervisor.

See the full page

See the full page

Teaching unit aimed at linking theoretical ecology, its operational implementation, and territorial issues as seen by societal actors. Built on a format combining theoretical courses covering the elements necessary for understanding field issues (ecosystem dynamics, anthropization, socio-ecosystem resilience, in situ conservation, etc.), this teaching unit includes several field blocks (each consisting of a preparatory tutorial/practical and an "active" field trip). The territories visited will provide an opportunity to meet members of society (managers, elected officials, associations, shepherds, etc.) whose position allows us to understand how ecological issues govern their actions and how, in turn, their actions impact biodiversity, its dynamics, and its distribution.

See the full page

How is biodiversity distributed across the Earth? What ecological, evolutionary, and historical factors determine these patterns of biodiversity distribution? What changes have human activities brought about in the global distribution of biodiversity? In this course, we will study the role of spatial and temporal variations in the environment on a global scale on the dynamics of biodiversity. In particular, we will examine the influence of long-term climate cycles on the past and present diversity of organisms. We will also address the impact of human activities and global changes on biodiversity on a planetary scale.

See the full page

This module presents table management and the link between multivariate and univariate analysis: matrix manipulation and common operations; the concepts of projection and distance; translation of descriptive and univariate statistics using multiple regression/ACP/AFD as examples; indices of (dis)similarity, distance; correlation.

See the full page

The objective of this course is to consolidate students' foundations in ecology and/or evolution by inviting them to define a research topic and question(s), formulate relevant hypotheses with supporting arguments, and justify a data acquisition and analysis strategy for testing them.

Summary of EU content:

- Independent work under supervision: identification of a relevant scientific question; bibliographic review to establish the state of the art and justify scientific hypotheses; proposal and justification of a methodological approach (materials and methods) to test the proposed hypotheses.

Types of topics:

Topics may cover any issue identified by students (in groups of 3/4) and approved by the teaching team, and may be based on different approaches to suit the requirements of different courses. For example, students may propose a field sampling or experimentation strategy, a meta-analysis of literature data, an analysis of sequences retrieved from GenBank, an analysis of occurrence data retrieved from GBIF, etc.

In all cases, projects must involve a genuine data acquisition strategy, identified, justified, and described by students in the materials and methods required for M1S2, with a provisional schedule for the project and identification of the tasks that each student will carry out within each group as part of the implementation of the project in M2S3. Projects must also be financially realistic and include a provisional budget, and must be able to be completed within the time available in M2S3.

Assessment methods:

Teaching is based on a problem-based learning approach. Students are assessed on how they progress in developing their approach (40% of the final grade), as well as on their ability to present and defend their project in a final oral exam (60% of the final grade).

See the full page