Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
Program
Select a program
M1 - Functional ecology and conceptualization of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (EcoSystèmes)
Study of variability
4 creditsEcology 1: concepts, tools, and applications
8 creditsEvolution 1
8 creditsEnglish and professionalization
2 credits15hDeep Ecology of Ecosystems
6 creditsCHOICES1
2 creditsYour choice: 1 of 2
Advanced data processing
2 creditsDescription and inference
2 credits
M1 S2 internship
14 creditsIntegrative Ecophysiology
4 creditsCHOICES3
8 creditsYour choice: 1 of 2
Ethnoecology and biocultural interactions
4 creditsEvolutionary ecology
4 credits
UE Project M1
4 credits
M2 - Functional ecology and conceptualization of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (EcoSystèmes)
M2 Project
10 credits3hEU ECOS CHOICES
10 creditsChoice of 1 of 3
M2 ECOS Profile 2
10 creditsChoice of 2 out of 7
Soil ecology and biogeochemical cycles
4 creditsIntegrative ecophysiology : deepening
4 credits15hPopulations, Randomness & Heterogeneity
4 creditsPollution and bioremediation of ecosystems
Functional diversity: from organisms to the ecosystem
4 credits9hEU ECOS CHOICES
Choice of 3 out of 7
Bayesian approach to variability
2 creditsAdvanced multidimensional data mining EXADIM
2 creditsConservation Biology
2 creditsImpacts of climate change on organisms, ecosystems and
2 creditsEcology of marine and coastal ecosystems
2 credits8hTools and methods for the dynamic study of marine ecosystems
2 credits3hBehavioral ecology
2 credits6h
Spatial data
4 credits
M2 ECOS Profile 1
10 creditsChoice of 3 out of 7
Soil ecology and biogeochemical cycles
4 creditsIntegrative ecophysiology : deepening
4 credits15hPopulations, Randomness & Heterogeneity
4 creditsPollution and bioremediation of ecosystems
Functional diversity: from organisms to the ecosystem
4 credits9hSpatial data
4 creditsEU ECOS CHOICES
2 creditsChoice of 1 of 7
Bayesian approach to variability
2 creditsAdvanced multidimensional data mining EXADIM
2 creditsConservation Biology
2 creditsImpacts of climate change on organisms, ecosystems and
2 creditsEcology of marine and coastal ecosystems
2 credits8hTools and methods for the dynamic study of marine ecosystems
2 credits3hBehavioral ecology
2 credits6h
M2 ECOS Profile 3
10 creditsChoice of 3 out of 7
Bayesian approach to variability
2 creditsAdvanced multidimensional data mining EXADIM
2 creditsConservation Biology
2 creditsImpacts of climate change on organisms, ecosystems and
2 creditsEcology of marine and coastal ecosystems
2 credits8hTools and methods for the dynamic study of marine ecosystems
2 credits3hBehavioral ecology
2 credits6h
Ecosystems: modeling and quantification
4 credits6hProfessionalization and scientific writing
2 credits15hEcology: Issues and controversies
4 credits6h
Professionalization & Integration
2 creditsM2 S4 internship
28 credits
Study of variability
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
"General linear models with 1 or more explanatory random variables: from translating the figure that answers the biological question to the statistical model, i.e., taking into account many effects and knowing how to interpret them
general properties seen through regression and 1-factor ANOVA (R2, F, ddl, least squares, likelihood, diagnosis, validation, goodness of fit, interpretation of effect sizes); nested and cross-factor ANOVA, multiple regression (notion of parameter and effects, and interaction)
incorporation of the dependence of explanatory random variables, confounding of effects (quantitative for multiple regression, and unbalanced designs for ANOVA)".
Ecology 1: concepts, tools, and applications
ECTS
8 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The general objective is to consolidate the basic knowledge of ecology acquired by the students, and to give them the tools to mobilize it in an integrative way to interpret the functioning of ecological systems. The courses include: 1) lectures on the concepts of ecology from the population scale to macroecological scales, with examples of applications that place the discipline in the current ecological and societal context; 2) practical and directed work focused on tools (sampling strategies, modeling, data analysis); 3) field courses during which students are invited to ask themselves relevant scientific questions based on observation in a situation, and to mobilize their knowledge in order to respond to them in an argumentative manner.
Synthetic content of the EU :
- CM: History of the emergence of concepts in ecology; Population dynamics / metapopulations; Biotic interactions and food webs; Community ecology, meta-communities; Ecology of ecosystems / functional ecology; Notions of macroecology / biogeography; Global changes and ecosystem functioning;
- Field: Integrative Analysis of Ecosystem Functioning in Situations;
- TD/TP: sampling and experimental strategies in ecology; modeling in population/meta-population dynamics, community/meta-community ecology, food webs; biodiversity metrics (alpha, beta, etc)."
Evolution 1
ECTS
8 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
"The general objective is to consolidate the students' bases in evolutionary biology, by approaching both (i) macro-evolutionary phenomena, and the general methods used for their analysis and (ii) micro-evolutionary processes by insisting on the population genetic approach. The objective of this course is to provide a common base of solid knowledge in evolutionary biology and to illustrate the applications of the discipline to the students' future fields of specialization. The teaching includes: 1) lectures on evolutionary concepts; 2) practical work in two main forms: 2a. sessions focused on the use of tools (phylogeny) and on the mathematical formalization of evolutionary processes (population genetics) as well as 2b: sessions built around group work, allowing students, depending on their career path and professional objectives, to go deeper into a particular theme (fundamental question or application of evolutionary biology)."
English and professionalization
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
15h
English tutorials aimed at professional autonomy in the English language.
Deep Ecology of Ecosystems
ECTS
6 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
ORPAL is an APP course (1/3 field and 2/3 laboratory work). The work carried out in pairs or in triples under the responsibility of a referee, covers the whole research chain, from the definition of the problem, the sampling in the field, the acquisition of data to the interpretation, the writing of a scientific article (see https://biologie-ecologie.com/exemples-travaux/) and the oral presentation of the results.
The ORPAM course takes place during the first weeks of teaching. This UE starts with a 3 days field school (24h - integration internship) and continues with a mini internship in laboratory (24h). The UE ends with the writing of a scientific article and an oral presentation of the results.
Advanced data processing
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Generalized linear mixed models + methodology and experimental protocols to take into account a biological reality: non-normal law and pseudo-replication
Protocol optimization, power and uncontrolled 1st order risk: variable transformation, polynomial regression, link function, likelihood, model selection
Deviance analysis and goodness of fit
Incorporation of blocks, repeated measurements over time, taking into account spatial and temporal correlation, over-dispersion
Graphical representation of predictions.
Description and inference
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The objective of this course is to provide the necessary basis in statistics to follow all the more elaborate modules of the curriculum, so it is a general refresher. Descriptive statistics are reviewed (quantile, polygon of cumulative frequencies, estimators from samples), simple tests are presented, essential graphs for univariate and multivariate data are presented, the general principle of a statistical test, the hypothesis plan, the notion of p-value, first and second species risk are presented. In practical exercises, students are also brought up to speed in the R environment.
M1 S2 internship
ECTS
14 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The individual internship in M1 lasts about three months and must be carried out, depending on the course, in a research laboratory or a structure in the non-academic sector. It allows the student to acquire professional experience in the field of biodiversity, evolution or ecology. It can be carried out in a local, national, or international structure, on a subject validated by the teaching staff in order to meet the objectives of the course followed by the student.
Evaluation: The preparation of the internship is a graded exercise based on a written document and a defense of the internship project. The internship work is evaluated during a public defense before a jury during which the content of the thesis and the quality of the answers to the jury's questions are evaluated. The behavior and dynamism of the student during the internship are evaluated by the internship supervisor.
Integrative Ecophysiology
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The aim of this course is to understand the adaptive biology of organisms by considering individual and population responses to environmental variation. Concrete examples in animal evolutionary ecophysiology will be discussed in the context of global change. The responses of organisms and populations to abiotic parameters (such as temperature, salinity, oxygen availability, pollutants) will be considered as well as their interactive effects. The course will show the implication of physiological mechanisms in ecology, from phenotypic and cognitive processes at the intra-individual level to functional variants between individuals and between species. Intraspecific variability, phenotypic plasticity and transgenerational effects will also be discussed. This course will be illustrated by examples of phenotypic trait analysis (including behavior) within populations. Links with genetic and epigenetic markers will also be discussed. Different approaches (-omics vs. target gene/protein), several experimental setups and various scales of organization of living organisms will be considered (molecule, gene, phenotype, individual, population, species).
Ethnoecology and biocultural interactions
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The teaching of this module is an introduction to ethnobotany and ethnoecology in order to understand the material and immaterial dimensions of the relationships between humans and their environment, with a particular focus on the plant world. We will be particularly interested in local systems of nomenclature and classification, perceptions and representations of nature, uses and management practices of resources, biocultural, ecological and evolutionary interactions. Ethnobotany and ethnoecology are disciplines at the interface of anthropology, botany and ecology, which can also borrow tools and concepts from linguistics, archaeology, geography and agronomy. This module complements the "Ethnoecology and Sustainable Development" module (Master 2) by providing the theoretical and methodological bases of ethnobotany.
Evolutionary ecology
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
"The objective of this course is to complete the first semester's teaching by developing the problems related to the evolution of phenotypes and the main associated methodological approaches. The lectures will address the evolution of different types of traits (life history traits, traits involved in reproductive strategies, traits involved in biotic interactions, quantitative traits). The main approaches covered include game theory formalization, adaptive dynamics, quantitative genetic approaches, and the work of confronting theoretical predictions with empirical data. Coursework includes:
1) lectures on the main concepts of evolutionary ecology;
2) tutorials focused on document studies and exercises".
UE Project M1
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
"The objective of this course is to consolidate the students' knowledge of ecology and/or evolution by inviting them to define a research topic and question(s), by defining relevant hypotheses in an arguable manner, and by justifying a strategy for acquiring and analyzing data to test them.
Synthetic content of the EU:
- Independent tutored work: identification of a relevant scientific question; bibliographic synthesis allowing to realize the state of the art and to justify the scientific hypotheses; proposal and justification of a methodological approach (material and methods) to test the proposed hypotheses.
Type of topics:
The topics can be on any question identified by the students (in groups of 3/4), and validated by the teaching staff, and can be based on different approaches allowing to adjust to the expectations of the different courses. For example, students can propose a sampling strategy in the field or in experiments, a meta-analysis of data from the literature, an analysis of sequences retrieved from GenBank, an analysis of occurrence data retrieved from GBIF, etc.
In all cases, the projects must involve a real data acquisition strategy, identified, justified and described by the students in the material and method requested in M1S2, with a provisional timetable 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 The projects must also be financially realistic and propose a provisional budget, and must be able to be finalized in the time available in M2S3.
Methods of control of knowledge:
The teaching is based on a problem-based learning approach, and students are evaluated on the way they progress in building their approach (40% of CC), as well as on their ability to present and defend their project during a final oral (60% of the overall grade)."
M2 Project
ECTS
10 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
3h
The objective of this UE is to allow the implementation of projects defined in the framework of the UE project of M1S2.
Synthetic content of the EU:
- Tutor-led autonomous work by groups of students: readjustment of the project's objectives and methodology if necessary, acquisition of data, ecological and/or evolutionary analyses and interpretations according to the provisional schedule defined in M1S2, restitution of results in the framework of a conference common to the different courses.
Methods of control of knowledge:
As for the M1 project UE, the UE is based on a problem-based learning approach. Students are therefore evaluated as they go along on how they are progressing with their project (40% CC), and then at the end of the semester on their ability to present the results of their project and discuss them in an oral presentation at a general restitution conference (60% of the overall mark).
Soil ecology and biogeochemical cycles
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The pedagogical objective of this course is to reposition the main types of soil on a global scale, to explain their formation and to identify the mineral phases or the main abiotic factors likely to regulate the biological activity of soils. Based on this analysis, the different soil organisms (micro-organisms, micro-, meso- and macro-fauna) will be presented as well as their relationships in order to reposition the cycle of organic matter and mineral elements in the soil at different temporal and spatial scales. The notions of recycling, looping of biogeochemical cycles and community assembly rules will also be addressed. The organization of this course is based on lectures and conferences as well as fieldwork.
Integrative ecophysiology : deepening
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
15h
Ecophysiology is a discipline at the interface between organismal biology and ecology. Integrative ecophysiology focuses more particularly on the issue of scale change. In other words, the objective of this course is to illustrate how the study of acclimation/adaptation mechanisms at the individual (or even sub-individual) scale can explain the structure of populations, the distribution of species and the functioning of ecosystems. The responses of organisms and populations to the main abiotic structuring parameters (such as temperature, salinity, oxygen availability, pollutants) will be considered as well as their interactive effects. The role of interactions between organisms will also be addressed. In this course, animals, plants and microorganisms will be considered and different types of approaches will be illustrated: field observations, in situ or laboratory experiments.
Populations, Randomness & Heterogeneity
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The main objective of this course is to provide the necessary skills to understand and use the concepts and methods on which the quantitative study of population phenomena is based. The main methods of analysis and modelling of these phenomena will be approached both from a theoretical point of view (formal calculations) and from a practical point of view (statistics, simulations), by means of examples exploring the different phylogenetic scales (microbial dynamics, invasive species, human demography), spatial (from local to global) and temporal (transient and permanent regimes, eco-evolutionary coupling), with a particular attention to heterogeneity (spatial, genetic or phenotypic) and randomness (stochasticity, uncertainties) characteristic of populations or inherent to their study.
Pollution and bioremediation of ecosystems
Component
Faculty of Science
This course aims at better understanding the main types of pollutants (organic vs. inorganic), their source(s), their fate in the environment and the way they interact with living organisms (bioaccumulation, biotransformation, effects). The methods used in depollution and bioremediation will be discussed. A particular focus will be made on the contribution of terrestrial and aquatic plants in phytoremediation as well as on the role of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) in the mechanisms of biodegradation, biotransformation or biosequestration. This course will be illustrated through different case studies through which examples of chronic and acute/accidental pollution of water, air and soil will be discussed. In particular, the treatment of pollution related to mining, petroleum, plastics and phyto-pharmaceutical industries as well as the treatment of liquid effluents (wastewater, industrial effluents) will be discussed. A field trip to Saint-Laurent-Le-Minier will illustrate a current project of phytoremediation of a former mining site.
Functional diversity: from organisms to the ecosystem
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
9h
The objective of this EU is to show that biological diversity is functional:
1) for different groups of organisms: plants, insects, aquatic organisms, vertebrates, and
2) at different scales of organization (from organisms to the ecosystem). The lessons aim to explain how to approach this functional facet of diversity for the 10+ million organisms present on the surface of the planet, by taking examples in very or slightly anthropized environments.
Bayesian approach to variability
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
1. Bayesian inference: Motivation and simple example.
2. The likelihood.
3. A detour to explore priors.
4. Markov chains Monte Carlo methods (MCMC)
5. Bayesian analyses in R with the Jags software.
6. Contrast scientific hypotheses with model selection (WAIC).
7. Heterogeneity and multilevel models (aka mixed models.
Advanced multidimensional data mining EXADIM
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The module aims at providing theoretical and practical knowledge of statistical analysis of spatial and temporal constraints: classification and ordering under constraints, '2-table ordinations methods and statistical tests: canonical analyses (AFD, CCA, RDA, CAP), 'statistical tests on distance matrices, comparison of matrices (PERMANOVA, Mantel, Procrustes)
Conservation Biology
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The courses present 4 aspects of Conservation Biology based on current scientific research in this discipline:
- Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation(BC): Definition of Conservation Biology Why conserve biodiversity? Who are the main actors in CB and the role of science in CB.
- Species conservation: What are the priority species? How to conserve species? How do you know if a species is "well conserved"?
- Space conservation: What are the priority spaces? How to conserve spaces?
- Does conservation work?Importance of social acceptability and political commitment. Need for biodiversity indicators and measuring the impact of conservation.
Students also complete a group assignment in which they present a SA project around the questions: why, what, where, how, how much does it cost and how do we know if it is effective?
Impacts of climate change on organisms, ecosystems and
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The goals of this course are to deepen the key concepts related to climate change, to illustrate important concepts in ecology and evolution in the light of climate change, in many different ecosystems, and to synthesize the different scientific and societal questions and issues raised by CC.
Ecology of marine and coastal ecosystems
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
8h
"I - Physical characterization and biogeochemical cycles of coastal marine ecosystems II - Biodiversity and functioning of coastal marine ecosystems III - Law of the coast and the sea; Uses, conflicts and integrated management of the coastal zone. This course offers students a systemic approach to the study of coastal marine ecosystems from a multidisciplinary perspective. The physical structure of these ecosystems will be addressed through courses on their geomorphology and hydrology with a particular interest in the hydric couplings with the open sea and their watersheds. Their biogeochemistry will be addressed in particular to describe the fluxes of carbon and nutrients through the water and sediment compartments. Several aspects of their biodiversity will be illustrated to describe the importance of these ecosystems as a living environment for the species they support and in particular the role of this biodiversity in their functioning will be discussed. The coastal zone is densely populated by humans (40% of the world population). Particular interest will be given to human uses (e.g. aquaculture) and their territorial planning and in particular the evaluation of their ecosystem services in an economic context, management and protection measures (e.g. Marine Protected Areas, Natura 2000) and professionals in the management of these environments will present feedback from concrete experiences. Finally, the implications of the law of the sea for the management of the coastal zone will be taught. "
Tools and methods for the dynamic study of marine ecosystems
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
3h
The module presents lessons around the identification, quantification and modeling of interactions between climate, marine species and their exploitation.
Behavioral ecology
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
6h
Behavioral Ecology approaches the study of behavior from an evolutionary perspective to study the mechanisms, function, and contribution of behavior to evolutionary and ecological processes. The work carried out in Behavioral Ecology helps to understand other phenomena observed in other disciplines of life biology, because all animals, from unicellulars to the most complex vertebrates, exhibit behaviors.
The module allows students to be exposed to the different basic concepts, as well as to the multitude of tools that can be used (observations and experiments in natural populations or on captive individuals, comparative analyses, use of tools from modeling, ecophysiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, embedded electronics...). Part of the training is based on specific discussions on the research approaches that can be used, the tools used and the limits of inferences that can be made. An active participation of the students will be required at these different levels, notably through critical discussions of articles.
The topics covered range from the exploration of food procurement strategies, mate choice, habitat choice, investment in reproduction, to the study of animal communication and the reasons for living in groups. The historical dimension of the discipline is addressed in the introduction, but also according to the sensibility of the speakers and the themes addressed (meaning and relations between 'Animal Behaviour', 'Ethology', Behavioral Ecology etc...).
Spatial data
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The objective of this resolutely transdisciplinary course is to provide skills useful for an effective management and a relevant exploitation of data of various origins and nature, and in particular with spatial component. The UE is composed of three successive complementary axes. The first one deals with the issues inherent to data compilation and the solutions provided by database management systems (DBMS): from database design to queries. The second deals with geographic information systems (GIS): from cartographic representation to geoprocessing. Finally, the third axis presents the diversity of spatial analysis tools that allow the quantitative exploitation of spatial data, whether it be metrics or statistical tests.
Soil ecology and biogeochemical cycles
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The pedagogical objective of this course is to reposition the main types of soil on a global scale, to explain their formation and to identify the mineral phases or the main abiotic factors likely to regulate the biological activity of soils. Based on this analysis, the different soil organisms (micro-organisms, micro-, meso- and macro-fauna) will be presented as well as their relationships in order to reposition the cycle of organic matter and mineral elements in the soil at different temporal and spatial scales. The notions of recycling, looping of biogeochemical cycles and community assembly rules will also be addressed. The organization of this course is based on lectures and conferences as well as fieldwork.
Integrative ecophysiology : deepening
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
15h
Ecophysiology is a discipline at the interface between organismal biology and ecology. Integrative ecophysiology focuses more particularly on the issue of scale change. In other words, the objective of this course is to illustrate how the study of acclimation/adaptation mechanisms at the individual (or even sub-individual) scale can explain the structure of populations, the distribution of species and the functioning of ecosystems. The responses of organisms and populations to the main abiotic structuring parameters (such as temperature, salinity, oxygen availability, pollutants) will be considered as well as their interactive effects. The role of interactions between organisms will also be addressed. In this course, animals, plants and microorganisms will be considered and different types of approaches will be illustrated: field observations, in situ or laboratory experiments.
Populations, Randomness & Heterogeneity
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The main objective of this course is to provide the necessary skills to understand and use the concepts and methods on which the quantitative study of population phenomena is based. The main methods of analysis and modelling of these phenomena will be approached both from a theoretical point of view (formal calculations) and from a practical point of view (statistics, simulations), by means of examples exploring the different phylogenetic scales (microbial dynamics, invasive species, human demography), spatial (from local to global) and temporal (transient and permanent regimes, eco-evolutionary coupling), with a particular attention to heterogeneity (spatial, genetic or phenotypic) and randomness (stochasticity, uncertainties) characteristic of populations or inherent to their study.
Pollution and bioremediation of ecosystems
Component
Faculty of Science
This course aims at better understanding the main types of pollutants (organic vs. inorganic), their source(s), their fate in the environment and the way they interact with living organisms (bioaccumulation, biotransformation, effects). The methods used in depollution and bioremediation will be discussed. A particular focus will be made on the contribution of terrestrial and aquatic plants in phytoremediation as well as on the role of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) in the mechanisms of biodegradation, biotransformation or biosequestration. This course will be illustrated through different case studies through which examples of chronic and acute/accidental pollution of water, air and soil will be discussed. In particular, the treatment of pollution related to mining, petroleum, plastics and phyto-pharmaceutical industries as well as the treatment of liquid effluents (wastewater, industrial effluents) will be discussed. A field trip to Saint-Laurent-Le-Minier will illustrate a current project of phytoremediation of a former mining site.
Functional diversity: from organisms to the ecosystem
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
9h
The objective of this EU is to show that biological diversity is functional:
1) for different groups of organisms: plants, insects, aquatic organisms, vertebrates, and
2) at different scales of organization (from organisms to the ecosystem). The lessons aim to explain how to approach this functional facet of diversity for the 10+ million organisms present on the surface of the planet, by taking examples in very or slightly anthropized environments.
Spatial data
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The objective of this resolutely transdisciplinary course is to provide skills useful for an effective management and a relevant exploitation of data of various origins and nature, and in particular with spatial component. The UE is composed of three successive complementary axes. The first one deals with the issues inherent to data compilation and the solutions provided by database management systems (DBMS): from database design to queries. The second deals with geographic information systems (GIS): from cartographic representation to geoprocessing. Finally, the third axis presents the diversity of spatial analysis tools that allow the quantitative exploitation of spatial data, whether it be metrics or statistical tests.
Bayesian approach to variability
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
1. Bayesian inference: Motivation and simple example.
2. The likelihood.
3. A detour to explore priors.
4. Markov chains Monte Carlo methods (MCMC)
5. Bayesian analyses in R with the Jags software.
6. Contrast scientific hypotheses with model selection (WAIC).
7. Heterogeneity and multilevel models (aka mixed models.
Advanced multidimensional data mining EXADIM
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The module aims at providing theoretical and practical knowledge of statistical analysis of spatial and temporal constraints: classification and ordering under constraints, '2-table ordinations methods and statistical tests: canonical analyses (AFD, CCA, RDA, CAP), 'statistical tests on distance matrices, comparison of matrices (PERMANOVA, Mantel, Procrustes)
Conservation Biology
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The courses present 4 aspects of Conservation Biology based on current scientific research in this discipline:
- Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation(BC): Definition of Conservation Biology Why conserve biodiversity? Who are the main actors in CB and the role of science in CB.
- Species conservation: What are the priority species? How to conserve species? How do you know if a species is "well conserved"?
- Space conservation: What are the priority spaces? How to conserve spaces?
- Does conservation work?Importance of social acceptability and political commitment. Need for biodiversity indicators and measuring the impact of conservation.
Students also complete a group assignment in which they present a SA project around the questions: why, what, where, how, how much does it cost and how do we know if it is effective?
Impacts of climate change on organisms, ecosystems and
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The goals of this course are to deepen the key concepts related to climate change, to illustrate important concepts in ecology and evolution in the light of climate change, in many different ecosystems, and to synthesize the different scientific and societal questions and issues raised by CC.
Ecology of marine and coastal ecosystems
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
8h
"I - Physical characterization and biogeochemical cycles of coastal marine ecosystems II - Biodiversity and functioning of coastal marine ecosystems III - Law of the coast and the sea; Uses, conflicts and integrated management of the coastal zone. This course offers students a systemic approach to the study of coastal marine ecosystems from a multidisciplinary perspective. The physical structure of these ecosystems will be addressed through courses on their geomorphology and hydrology with a particular interest in the hydric couplings with the open sea and their watersheds. Their biogeochemistry will be addressed in particular to describe the fluxes of carbon and nutrients through the water and sediment compartments. Several aspects of their biodiversity will be illustrated to describe the importance of these ecosystems as a living environment for the species they support and in particular the role of this biodiversity in their functioning will be discussed. The coastal zone is densely populated by humans (40% of the world population). Particular interest will be given to human uses (e.g. aquaculture) and their territorial planning and in particular the evaluation of their ecosystem services in an economic context, management and protection measures (e.g. Marine Protected Areas, Natura 2000) and professionals in the management of these environments will present feedback from concrete experiences. Finally, the implications of the law of the sea for the management of the coastal zone will be taught. "
Tools and methods for the dynamic study of marine ecosystems
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
3h
The module presents lessons around the identification, quantification and modeling of interactions between climate, marine species and their exploitation.
Behavioral ecology
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
6h
Behavioral Ecology approaches the study of behavior from an evolutionary perspective to study the mechanisms, function, and contribution of behavior to evolutionary and ecological processes. The work carried out in Behavioral Ecology helps to understand other phenomena observed in other disciplines of life biology, because all animals, from unicellulars to the most complex vertebrates, exhibit behaviors.
The module allows students to be exposed to the different basic concepts, as well as to the multitude of tools that can be used (observations and experiments in natural populations or on captive individuals, comparative analyses, use of tools from modeling, ecophysiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, embedded electronics...). Part of the training is based on specific discussions on the research approaches that can be used, the tools used and the limits of inferences that can be made. An active participation of the students will be required at these different levels, notably through critical discussions of articles.
The topics covered range from the exploration of food procurement strategies, mate choice, habitat choice, investment in reproduction, to the study of animal communication and the reasons for living in groups. The historical dimension of the discipline is addressed in the introduction, but also according to the sensibility of the speakers and the themes addressed (meaning and relations between 'Animal Behaviour', 'Ethology', Behavioral Ecology etc...).
Bayesian approach to variability
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
1. Bayesian inference: Motivation and simple example.
2. The likelihood.
3. A detour to explore priors.
4. Markov chains Monte Carlo methods (MCMC)
5. Bayesian analyses in R with the Jags software.
6. Contrast scientific hypotheses with model selection (WAIC).
7. Heterogeneity and multilevel models (aka mixed models.
Advanced multidimensional data mining EXADIM
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The module aims at providing theoretical and practical knowledge of statistical analysis of spatial and temporal constraints: classification and ordering under constraints, '2-table ordinations methods and statistical tests: canonical analyses (AFD, CCA, RDA, CAP), 'statistical tests on distance matrices, comparison of matrices (PERMANOVA, Mantel, Procrustes)
Conservation Biology
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The courses present 4 aspects of Conservation Biology based on current scientific research in this discipline:
- Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation(BC): Definition of Conservation Biology Why conserve biodiversity? Who are the main actors in CB and the role of science in CB.
- Species conservation: What are the priority species? How to conserve species? How do you know if a species is "well conserved"?
- Space conservation: What are the priority spaces? How to conserve spaces?
- Does conservation work?Importance of social acceptability and political commitment. Need for biodiversity indicators and measuring the impact of conservation.
Students also complete a group assignment in which they present a SA project around the questions: why, what, where, how, how much does it cost and how do we know if it is effective?
Impacts of climate change on organisms, ecosystems and
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The goals of this course are to deepen the key concepts related to climate change, to illustrate important concepts in ecology and evolution in the light of climate change, in many different ecosystems, and to synthesize the different scientific and societal questions and issues raised by CC.
Ecology of marine and coastal ecosystems
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
8h
"I - Physical characterization and biogeochemical cycles of coastal marine ecosystems II - Biodiversity and functioning of coastal marine ecosystems III - Law of the coast and the sea; Uses, conflicts and integrated management of the coastal zone. This course offers students a systemic approach to the study of coastal marine ecosystems from a multidisciplinary perspective. The physical structure of these ecosystems will be addressed through courses on their geomorphology and hydrology with a particular interest in the hydric couplings with the open sea and their watersheds. Their biogeochemistry will be addressed in particular to describe the fluxes of carbon and nutrients through the water and sediment compartments. Several aspects of their biodiversity will be illustrated to describe the importance of these ecosystems as a living environment for the species they support and in particular the role of this biodiversity in their functioning will be discussed. The coastal zone is densely populated by humans (40% of the world population). Particular interest will be given to human uses (e.g. aquaculture) and their territorial planning and in particular the evaluation of their ecosystem services in an economic context, management and protection measures (e.g. Marine Protected Areas, Natura 2000) and professionals in the management of these environments will present feedback from concrete experiences. Finally, the implications of the law of the sea for the management of the coastal zone will be taught. "
Tools and methods for the dynamic study of marine ecosystems
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
3h
The module presents lessons around the identification, quantification and modeling of interactions between climate, marine species and their exploitation.
Behavioral ecology
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
6h
Behavioral Ecology approaches the study of behavior from an evolutionary perspective to study the mechanisms, function, and contribution of behavior to evolutionary and ecological processes. The work carried out in Behavioral Ecology helps to understand other phenomena observed in other disciplines of life biology, because all animals, from unicellulars to the most complex vertebrates, exhibit behaviors.
The module allows students to be exposed to the different basic concepts, as well as to the multitude of tools that can be used (observations and experiments in natural populations or on captive individuals, comparative analyses, use of tools from modeling, ecophysiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, embedded electronics...). Part of the training is based on specific discussions on the research approaches that can be used, the tools used and the limits of inferences that can be made. An active participation of the students will be required at these different levels, notably through critical discussions of articles.
The topics covered range from the exploration of food procurement strategies, mate choice, habitat choice, investment in reproduction, to the study of animal communication and the reasons for living in groups. The historical dimension of the discipline is addressed in the introduction, but also according to the sensibility of the speakers and the themes addressed (meaning and relations between 'Animal Behaviour', 'Ethology', Behavioral Ecology etc...).
Ecosystems: modeling and quantification
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
6h
The objective is to master the modeling and statistical analysis of ecosystem data. Students should be able to model complex systems (e.g. plant of a cultivated ecosystem, population dynamics, lake ecosystem). They will also need to know what type of statistical model to use for ecological data processing, and how to interpret it.
Professionalization and scientific writing
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
15h
The objective of this course is to accompany the student in the construction of his professional project and his search for an internship, while beginning to prepare his integration into professional life by an exhaustive and personal vision of possible career paths.
In concrete terms, meetings with different speakers allow the presentation of the doctoral thesis (presentation of the GAIA doctoral school, presentations by thesis students) and the professional environment targeted by the different courses (research professions and the non-academic sector). Activities specific to each pathway then help to better target the scientific fields most closely related to the students' professional projects. Lastly, the course includes practical sessions designed to prepare students to write scientific articles in English.
Ecology: Issues and controversies
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
6h
This course approaches the issues surrounding ecosystem management from the perspective of social sciences, and more particularly "science studies". It aims to contribute to the development of a general culture related to the relationship between ecological sciences and societies, and to equip participants to analyze social issues and underlying socio-scientific controversies. The first part of the course provides a conceptual and methodological framework for the presentation of a reflexive tool for analyzing the interplay of actors and arguments (epistemological, axiological) involved in socioscientific controversies, and illustrates this tool with current examples. Subsequently, thematic presentations by ecological researchers illustrate a variety of issues surrounding ecological sciences, and serve as a basis for the application and acquisition by students of the reflexive analysis tool. Students are evaluated on their ability to mobilize this analytical framework in order to position themselves in an individual and argued manner in controversies related to ecological sciences.
Professionalization & Integration
ECTS
2 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The objective of this course is to help students finalize their professional projects and prepare for the post-master's program.
The EU is organized at the level of the course, with regular discussion sessions between the teaching staff and the students.
M2 S4 internship
ECTS
28 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
The individual M2 internship lasts approximately 5 to 6 months and must be carried out, depending on the course, in a research laboratory or a structure in the non-academic sector. It allows the student to acquire in-depth professional experience in the field of biodiversity, evolution or ecology. It can be carried out in a local, national, or international structure, on a subject validated by the teaching staff in order to meet the objectives of the course followed by the student.
Evaluation: The internship is evaluated during a public defense before a jury during which the content of the thesis and the quality of the answers to the jury's questions are evaluated. The behavior and dynamism of the student during the internship are evaluated by the internship supervisor.
Admission
Conditions of access
Applications are made on the following platforms:
French & European students:
- For the M1, follow the procedure " My Master " from the website : https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/
- For M2, students must submit their application via the e-candidat application: https: //candidature.umontpellier.fr/candidature
International students from outside the EU: follow the "Studies in France" procedure: https: //pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html