Agriculture - Food, Science, Engineering

Water and Agriculture (WA)

  • ECTS

    120 credits

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Science

  • Language(s) of instruction

    French

Presentation

The Master's degree in Water and Agriculture is part of the Master's degree in Water Sciences (website: https: //www.master-eau.fr/eau-et-agriculture).

It offers a multidisciplinary scientific training dedicated to water management issues related to agricultural activities in the North and South. Agriculture represents 70% of freshwater withdrawals in the world. Pollution from agriculture, mainly diffuse, is the cause of long-term degradation of water quality. The stakes linked to agriculture are therefore multiple, both for the environment and for uses: quantitative, qualitative, multi-actor and multi-scale. 

In the context of global change - in particular climate change, erosion of biodiversity, growth in food needs - the implementation of practices that are more respectful of the environment (water, soil, biodiversity, etc.), the search for non-conventional resources through the reuse of treated wastewater, for example, and the adaptation of cropping systems are all possible avenues for action.

They require the training of high-level executives on these issues, with a mastery of processes, tools and methods specific to agro-hydrosystems. 

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Objectives

The main objective is to train managers of water resources and/or agro-hydrosystems, based on a scientific foundation in water sciences and agronomy and a mastery of specific or multi-disciplinary tools and methods.

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Know-how and skills

Interdisciplinary skills: integrative vision of water management issues from local to global scales

Disciplinary Skills:

  •   Define and analyze complex agro-hydrosystems using modeling, experimental, participatory, analytical and geomatic scientific methods 
  •   Define the contours of a question on a given issue, of a scientific front, in the fields of water-soil-plant, water-agriculture, agri-environment; design appropriate approaches or solutions
  •   Mobilize the academic knowledge required to exchange in a project.

Transversal technical skills

  •   Use information and communication technologies, data analysis methods
  •   Develop skills in documentary research and investigation, and in the interpretation of documents by articulating oral, graphic and written expression

Cross-cutting organizational skills

  •   Work independently: establish priorities, manage time, self-evaluate, develop a project
  •   Implement a project: define the objectives and context, carry out and evaluate the action.
  • Define a problematic; build and develop an argument, an approach; elaborate a synthesis.

Interpersonal and language skills:

Language skills

  •   Communicate orally and in writing in French and English. 

Interpersonal skills

  •   Lead a team of technicians or managers
  •   Working in a team: integration, positioning, cooperation
  •   Integrate into a professional environment: identify and communicate one's skills, situate a company or an organization in its socio-economic context, identify the resource persons and the various functions of an organization, situate oneself in a hierarchical and functional environment, respect procedures.
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International training

Double degrees, joint degrees, Erasmus Mundus

International dimension

Hosting of Erasmus students (partnership agreements with UM, Institut Agro, AgroParisTech)

Double degree with the University of Barcelona

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Organization

Knowledge control

Continuous assessment with various modalities according to the teaching units (orals, study reports, quizzes, supervised exams, reports of work, scientific articles).

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Open in alternation

The work-study program is organized in sequences of 3 to 5 weeks (training establishment/employer structure). In M1, complete presence within the structure from mid-April to the end of August. In M2, complete presence within the structure from the end of February to the end of August.

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Internships, tutored projects

Internship

Mandatory

Duration of the course

8

Internship abroad

Possible

Internship in M1: 2 months in a company, public institution or laboratory, in France or abroad.

M2 scientific project (6 weeks): personalized project, individual or by group, with pedagogical support from a teacher or researcher, leading to the writing of a synthesis article. For alternating students, this project is adapted according to the missions expected by the host organization.

Internship in M2: 6 months in a company, public institution or laboratory, in France or abroad.

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Program

The M1 program can accommodate up to 15 students.

The M1 courses are either common to other courses in the Water Master's program, or specific to the Water and Agriculture course.

In M2, most of the teaching is specific to the course, with a few modules at the interfaces with other courses. Students from engineering programs (including those of the Ministry of Agriculture, via AgroParisTech and the Agro Institute) or from other master's programs join the class.

The teaching units are led by recognized specialists in the topics taught. Research professors or researchers from partner organizations (INRAE, IRD, CIRAD) make a major contribution to the teaching, which also benefits from the involvement of many professionals (engineering firms, development companies, ASAs, international organizations, etc.).

All courses are held on the Montpellier campuses (University, Montpellier Supagro, AgroParisTech - Lavalette site), with a one-week field placement (Salon-de-Provence) at the beginning of the M2, occasional field trips and participation in scientific or professional events.

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Select a program

  • CHOICE 2

    2 credits
    • Choice of 1 of 3

      • Critical approach through films

        2 credits
      • Communication techniques

        2 credits
      • Critical approach through films

        2 credits
  • Project Management 1

    2 credits
  • Water and agriculture: scientific issues and questions

    3 credits
  • CHOICE 1

    9 credits
    • Choice of 3 out of 7

      • Functioning of aquatic ecosystems

        3 credits
      • Functioning of hydrosystems

        3 credits
      • From planning to management of the territory

        3 credits
      • Stakes actors regulation

        3 credits
      • Contaminants in the aquatic environment and sustainable development

        3 credits
      • Water cycle watershed

      • Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate

        3 credits
  • Bibliographic project

    3 credits
  • Soil hydrodynamics

    3 credits
  • Free surface hydraulics

    3 credits
  • Thematic English 1

    2 credits
  • Water and plant production

    3 credits
  • GIS practice

    3 credits
  • Territories and farms

    3 credits
  • EU CHOICE 2

    2 credits
    • Choice of 1 of 3

      • Water quality and microbiology

        2 credits
      • Hydrodynamics and applied hydraulics

        2 credits
      • Applied Geostatistics

        2 credits
  • Thematic English 2

    2 credits
  • Internship M1 - EA

    6 credits
  • Applied Geostatistics

    2 credits
  • Hydrology of cultivated basins

    3 credits
  • EU CHOICE 1

    3 credits
    • Choice of 1 of 3

      • Introduction to the R language

      • Groundwater management

        3 credits
      • Remote sensing water management

  • IWRM Participation Practices

    3 credits
  • Statistics

    3 credits
  • CHOICE 2

    2 credits
    • Choice of 1 of 3

      • Critical approach through films

        2 credits
      • Communication techniques

        2 credits
      • Critical approach through films

        2 credits
  • Project Management 1

    2 credits
  • Water and agriculture: scientific issues and questions

    3 credits
  • CHOICE 1

    9 credits
    • Choice of 3 out of 7

      • Functioning of aquatic ecosystems

        3 credits
      • Functioning of hydrosystems

        3 credits
      • From planning to management of the territory

        3 credits
      • Stakes actors regulation

        3 credits
      • Contaminants in the aquatic environment and sustainable development

        3 credits
      • Water cycle watershed

      • Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate

        3 credits
  • Bibliographic project

    3 credits
  • Soil hydrodynamics

    3 credits
  • Free surface hydraulics

    3 credits
  • Thematic English 1

    2 credits
  • Water and plant production

    3 credits
  • GIS practice

    3 credits
  • Alternating project

    3 credits
  • Territories and farms

    3 credits
  • Thematic English 2

    2 credits
  • Internship M1 EA Alternants

    6 credits
  • Applied Geostatistics

    2 credits
  • Hydrology of cultivated basins

    3 credits
  • CHOICE 2 APP

    2 credits
    • Choice of 1 of 3

      • Water quality and microbiology

        2 credits
      • Hydrodynamics and applied hydraulics

        2 credits
      • Applied Geostatistics

        2 credits
  • IWRM Participation Practices

    3 credits
  • Statistics

    3 credits
  • CHOICE 1

    6 credits
    • Choice of 2 out of 5

      • Numerical methods for modeling

        2 credits
      • Mass & heat transport - Geothermy / Transport modeling

        3 credits
      • Project Management-2

        3 credits
      • Irrigation and development

        3 credits
      • Scientific writing

        3 credits
  • Evaporation, from the plot to the agricultural watershed

    3 credits
  • Process and simulation of hydraulic transfers

    3 credits
  • ReUSE, irrigation and water quality

    2 credits
  • Geoprospective, Water and Landscape

    3 credits
  • Hydrological modelling of cultivated basins

    3 credits
  • Scientific Project 1

    2 credits
  • Biogeochemistry of pollutant transfers in cultivated areas

    3 credits
  • Operation and management of irrigated systems

    3 credits
  • UE M2 field placement: elementary processes management

    3 credits
  • CHOICES 22 ECTS

    22 credits
    • Choice of 1 of 3

      • M2 Professional internship - EA

        22 credits
      • Internship M2 Research - EA

        20 credits
      • Internship M2 Research - EA

        22 credits
  • ELECTIVE COURSE 5 ECTS

    5 credits
    • Your choice: 1 of 2

      • CHOICE 5 ECTS

        5 credits
        • CHOICE 4-2-1

          3 credits
          • Choice of 1 of 3

            • Preparation M2R - EA

              3 credits
            • Water and Climate Change

              3 credits
            • Preparation M2R - EA

              3 credits
        • CHOICE 4-2-2

          2 credits
          • Choice of 1 of 3

            • Events project / Call for tender

              2 credits
            • Water and Development

              2 credits
            • Water and South

              2 credits
      • International Field Schools - North & South

        5 credits
  • Scientific Project 2

    3 credits
  • CHOICE 1

    6 credits
    • Choice of 2 out of 5

      • Numerical methods for modeling

        2 credits
      • Mass & heat transport - Geothermy / Transport modeling

        3 credits
      • Project Management-2

        3 credits
      • Irrigation and development

        3 credits
      • Scientific writing

        3 credits
  • Evaporation, from the plot to the agricultural watershed

    3 credits
  • Process and simulation of hydraulic transfers

    3 credits
  • ReUSE, irrigation and water quality

    2 credits
  • Geoprospective, Water and Landscape

    3 credits
  • Hydrological modelling of cultivated basins

    3 credits
  • Scientific Project 1

    2 credits
  • Biogeochemistry of pollutant transfers in cultivated areas

    3 credits
  • Operation and management of irrigated systems

    3 credits
  • UE M2 field placement: elementary processes management

    3 credits
  • ELECTIVE COURSE 5 ECTS

    5 credits
    • Your choice: 1 of 2

      • CHOICE 5 ECTS

        5 credits
        • CHOICE 4-2-1

          3 credits
          • Choice of 1 of 3

            • Preparation M2R - EA

              3 credits
            • Water and Climate Change

              3 credits
            • Preparation M2R - EA

              3 credits
        • CHOICE 4-2-2

          2 credits
          • Choice of 1 of 3

            • Events project / Call for tender

              2 credits
            • Water and Development

              2 credits
            • Water and South

              2 credits
      • International Field Schools - North & South

        5 credits
  • Scientific Project 2

    3 credits
  • Internship M2 Apprentices - EA

    22 credits

Admission

Conditions of access

Have a validated L3 level (entry into M1) or M1/2ᵉ year engineering school (entry into M2).

Evaluation of applications on the basis of motivation and previous experience. Academic results evaluated in the core areas of the program.

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How to register

Main registration in one of the 3 co-accredited institutions. Free administrative registration in the other partner institutions.

Applications are made on the following platforms: 

French & European students:

International students from outside the EU: follow the "Studies in France" procedure: https: //pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html

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Target audience

Any holder of a bachelor's degree in a scientific field, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering Sciences... Returning students are also studied with attention. A strong interest in the field of agronomy or agricultural development is essential.

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Tuition fees

standard

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Capacity

15 in M1

21 in M2

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Necessary pre-requisites

Scientific culture at undergraduate level.

Cross-cutting skills (writing, office automation tools)

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And then

Further studies

Possibility of pursuing a doctorate.

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Continuing your studies abroad

possibility of mobility (double degree with the University of Barcelona), Erasmus+, doctorate abroad

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Professional integration

This training has a national and international opening and aims at professions such as

  • Managers responsible for the design, operation, consulting and animation of :
  • Quantitative water management (irrigated perimeters, rain-fed agrosystems, exploitation and development of resources);
  • water quality management for the environment and in the resource basins;
  • integrated water resources management (agencies/basin associations, communities)
  • Careers in innovation, research and expertise (international organizations) after pursuing a doctorate (CIFRE contract, doctoral contract)
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