M2 - Sustainable Production and Use of Aquatic Bioresources

This EU begins during the back-to-school seminar (integration).

During this course, students will participate in the design and implementation of two major annual events in the field of ecology: the biodiversity festival (Festi'Versité) and the national biodiversity fair (SNB). Since 2008, these events have brought together all the players in the professional ecology sector in France, enabling them to get to know each other and raise awareness of their work.

In conjunction with partner organizations (OFB, F-CEN, UPGE, F-CPIE, UM, CNRS, local authorities, etc.) and the professional organizing body, students assist in the management of both events, occupying various positions according to their motivations, interests, and abilities (experience, skills, training offered) alongside volunteers from other programs (BTS): recruitment and reception of the public and speakers, media events, communication, safety (fire risk, first aid), logistics, fundraising, eco-responsibility, etc. Positions are offered through job descriptions to which students apply during the master's integration seminar.

Supported by an ad hoc structure (currently being set up) and under the direction of a steering committee bringing together their main stakeholders, these two events involve the assistance of students from the Master's program in Environmental Management at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Montpellier as part of their studies and through their student associations.

- Festi’Versité, the biodiversity festival. It raises awareness and educates the general public about environmental issues through activities, shows, games, conferences, screenings, and photo exhibitions. It takes place over a weekend in late October/early November at Montpellier Zoo.

- The National Biodiversity Fair. Serving as a forum for careers and training, a scientific and technical conference, and a professional networking event, it includes conferences and round tables, scientific and technical presentations, and professional recruitment and exchanges. The fair takes place over two days in January at the Montpellier Exhibition Center.

See the full page

This course presents the various steps involved in creating and developing an aquarium. From sizing to construction, species selection, and associated scenography. It also covers the legislation governing the production and trade of live aquatic organisms and explains the investment and communication strategies that an establishment such as an aquarium must implement in order to renew itself and maintain a consistent number of visitors.

See the full page

See the full page

During this course, students will put into practice the skills acquired in the "project management" course on a concrete case study, a project to be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 students on behalf of a professional organization (private or public companies, cooperatives, liberal professions, associations, public institutions (universities and research organizations in particular), local authorities, etc.).

The project runs over a period of four months, during which students work on it part-time, at a rate of half a day per week (Friday mornings).

The project should enable students to showcase their knowledge and skills outside the university setting by responding to the specific needs of a professional organization. This project prepares students to respond to a specific need and act as engineering and design service providers in anticipation of their upcoming professional commitments, i.e., their end-of-study internship and first job. The experience is enriching, valuable on a resume, and sometimes leads to an internship or even a job.

The proposed projects are diverse and varied: scientific and regulatory monitoring, state-of-the-art reviews, validation of methods and protocols, data collection and analysis, feasibility studies for creation and innovation, support during the preparation phase for responding to calls for tenders or calls for projects, diagnosis and recommendations, drafting of advisory or training documents, design and production of educational and/or instructional activities, design of communication documents, assistance with event organization, etc.

How it works: EU managers and each course manager research and propose topics that will be open to all students across all courses (mixed groups are possible if the topic and profiles are suitable). Students apply, and the EU manager selects the applications and proposes a group structure, which is quickly approved by the EU manager. Program managers propose one or more academic tutors for each proposed project.

See the full page

See the full page

The module covers topics related to identifying, quantifying, and modeling interactions between climate, marine species, and their exploitation.

See the full page

Training provided by UMR MARBEC at its site in Sète, France. This module explores the current context of fishing and global climate change on the dynamics of marine ecosystems. With a view to better understanding and predicting the effects of fishing and climate on marine ecosystems, the teaching module is structured around the identification of uses, methods of assessment, and modeling of marine resource dynamics.

EU summary content:

Interactions between resources and fishing. Analysis of marine trophic interactions. Temporal dynamics of exploited fish populations (species alternation, recruitment). Modeling of predator-prey systems. Bioenergetic modeling (DEB model). Analysis and processing of catch and fishing effort data. Data analysis using GLM and GAM.

See the full page

The proposed module will include a presentation of the main fish farming systems used in Mediterranean and tropical environments, with their main biotechnical and socioeconomic characteristics, as well as the corresponding supply chains and visits to production sites. It will focus on a presentation of the biological principles of aquaculture as applied to Mediterranean and tropical species and environments.

See the full page

Project management is an essential skill for professionals with a master's degree. This course unit aims to enable you to design and manage a project. We will look at the different phases of a project, its financing (diversification of sources and budget), work, time and resource planning, teamwork (meetings, conflicts, reporting) and risk management. The course will be taught via a six-week MOOC on "project management" (core curriculum, or traditional program—20 hours of training: core curriculum (four weeks) + at least two specialization modules) between late September and early November, supplemented by various tutorials.

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

"The content of this course unit consists of three main parts: I - Physical characterization and biogeochemical cycles of coastal marine ecosystems II - Biodiversity and functioning of coastal marine ecosystems III - Coastal and maritime law; 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 highly multidisciplinary perspective. The physical structure of these ecosystems will be addressed through courses on their geomorphology and hydrology, with a particular focus on water connections with the open sea and their catchment areas. Their biogeochemistry will be addressed, in particular to describe carbon and nutrient flows through water and sediment compartments. Several aspects of their biodiversity will be illustrated to describe the importance of these ecosystems as habitats for dependent species, with a particular focus on the role of this biodiversity in their functioning. The coastal zone is densely populated by humans (40% of the world's population). Particular attention will be paid to human uses (e.g., aquaculture) and their territorial planning, including the assessment of their ecosystem services in an economic context, management and protection measures (e.g., Marine Protected Areas, Natura 2000), and professionals involved in the management of these environments will present concrete feedback. Finally, the implications of maritime law for the management of coastal areas will be taught. "

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

See the full page

The EU aims to provide knowledge, without a legal angle, of coastal areas included in the "public maritime domain" and other coastal and offshore maritime zones, and to show which legal regimes apply to these areas: ownership of these areas, rules for occupying these areas, and rules for developing these areas. The whole subject draws on the fields of maritime law, coastal law, urban planning, and environmental law at sea.

See the full page

Introduction to quality management: challenges and principles, process approach, stakeholders, measurement and improvement systems. The regulatory context and ISO9001: certification, accreditation, labeling. Quality and continuous improvement tools and methods: activity description, problem solving, performance analysis and improvement. Risk management: concepts and vocabulary, tools and methods for identifying and controlling risks.

See the full page

See the full page

Innovation is the culmination of scientific research, but it is also essential for the survival and/or development of most companies and associations, and therefore of all human organizations. Innovation is also a very important driver of economic development in regions, where it is often linked to the circular economy or the social economy. 

Being able to participate in the design and implementation of innovative projects, and finding the financial and partnership resources to do so, are skills that are increasingly sought after in all employees, regardless of their status and role in their organization (in short, from workers to CEOs, including technicians, engineers, and even researchers!). It is as much about instilling a professional culture of innovation as it is about teaching the basic methodological and technical principles. This educational teaching is based on project-based learning and uses seminars (7 days a week, 24 hours a day) in a closed environment, cut off from the outside world to allow for better concentration. The pedagogical principle is to bring together several skills (in our case, those from four GE master's degree programs and two Energy master's degree programs) in the same space and time to work in groups on an environmental and local issue. Conferences, meetings, visits, reflection, and work will alternate to allow students to submit a written response and give an oral presentation at the end of the week. The best projects will be presented orally to a jury of professionals and defended by the students. 

Open to all GE majors in M2 (except the GeIBioTe track) in FI and APP and to the Master's in Energy.

With the exception of the Aquadura course, for which this EU takes place over the semester, Cogithon takes the form of a six-day seminar. The seminar begins with a theoretical component (on the first day) and then continues in the form of workshops in which students are organized into project teams. The teams compete to present a project as part of a call for tenders that changes each year and is developed in partnership with local stakeholders. The call for tenders is based on the work of the Aquadura course and their November presentations. 

See the full page

See the full page