Intended Level of Study
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Overview
The Master’s program (STPE) at the University of Montpellier offers a two-year course of study in the Earth sciences, focusing on the exploration and sustainable management of geological resources, geodynamics, and the characterization of geological hazards. The program prepares students for a wide range of careers in industry, private and public organizations, and academic research, thanks to:
- the development of fundamental and applied knowledge and skills in Earth dynamics, geological processes, and interactions with the environment;
- for executive/engineering-level (5 years of post-secondary education) and research positions.
The STPE Master’s program is designed for independent and motivated students with an interest in field and laboratory studies, as well as in the analytical and digital tools used in modern Earth and environmental sciences. The program is strongly supported by the expertise of the research teams at the University of Montpellier’s Geosciences Laboratory, as well as by a broad network of professional experts from partner industries and organizations.
Program
The STPE Master's program (Earth and Planetary Sciences, Environment) offers four specialized tracks:
- Exploration and Reservoir Geology (GER): a program focused on field geology for the exploration of georesources and issues related to the energy transition (hydrocarbon and water reservoirs, metals and minerals for renewable energy, geothermal energy, and geological storage).
- Geodynamics and Geomaterials (GEODyM): a specialized track focused on understanding the geodynamic contexts associated with the formation of various terrestrial materials (a dual-degree program with the Institute of Business Administration that provides students with expertise in both science and management);
- Geological Hazards – Observations, Measurements, Modeling (AG): programs dedicated to understanding, characterizing, and managing geological hazards and associated geological and geodynamic processes (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunamis, etc.);
- Earth and Water Under Global Change track (AWARE): a specialized track focusing on the impact of global change on hydrogeological and geological processes, Earth’s resources, and environmental, geological, and hydroclimatic risks.
A dual-degree program is offered in partnership with the École des Mines d’Alès, allowing selected students to earn both a university master’s degree and an École des Mines engineering degree.
Select a program
Exploration and Reservoir Geology
For more than 20 years, the GER Master’s program has offered a top-tier education in exploration geology for fluid and mineral resources, with a focus on the energy transition. The program’s international recognition and high employment rate stem from its specialization in the analysis of natural samples (40% fieldwork in the first year of the Master’s program and analysis using geomodeling software in the second year), as well as its close ties between high-level academic research and companies in the georesources sector (fluids, minerals, geothermal energy, storage, etc.).
Geodynamics and Geomaterials
Accurately characterizing different geomaterials is a major challenge for ensuring the responsible and sustainable development of our planet. The “Geodynamics and Geomaterials” master’s program trains students to understand the geodynamic processes associated with the formation of various terrestrial materials.
The key components of the program are:
- an understanding of the physical and chemical processes that govern Earth dynamics
- projects and internships that allow for personalized skill development
- proficiency in tools such as digital mapping and 3D data visualization.
- learning methods for the quantitative characterization of geomaterials (e.g., advanced microscopy, geochemistry, experimental rock deformation)
The master's program draws on the internationally recognized scientific and technical excellence of the Géosciences Montpellier laboratory, as well as on contributions from professionals in the field of geomaterials.
Geological Hazards – Observations, Measurements, Modeling
Natural disasters and hazards are among the major challenges facing our society. The “Geological Hazards” master’s program trains students to understand and characterize geological hazards and associated processes across all scales of time and space, ranging from earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis to issues related to landslides and slope stability.
The training program is based on four key areas:
- field observation and characterization
- Measurement and Quantification (Geophysics)
- numerical modeling of hazards
- understanding of the dynamics and physics of the processes
The master's program draws on the high-level research conducted at the Montpellier Geosciences Laboratory (and associated R&D laboratories) as well as on technical developments and applications at partner companies and organizations.
IDIL - Earth and Water Under Global Change (AWARE) - EARTH
The Earth and Water Under Global Change (AWARE) master’s program focuses on the impact of global changes on agroecological, hydrological, and geological processes, as well as their consequences for socio-ecosystems and the appropriate solutions to address these major challenges. It offers students a common foundation of cutting-edge courses, methodological and digital tools, and personalized training addressing the impact of climatic and anthropogenic forces on the Earth’s environment and resources. Environmental and health risks, geological risks, hydro-climatic risks, and their impacts on agro-ecosystems, water resources, socio-hydrosystems, and the coastal environment will also be central to the transdisciplinary program offered by AWARE.
The program is supported by various research units grouped within the UNESCO ICIReWarD-Montpellier center, which provides an ideal setting for studying the impact of global changes on our planet, its resources, and its environment.
Examples of course units:
- Hydrogeophysics
- Geodynamics and Plate Tectonics
- Chemical and Environmental Risks
Geodynamics
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The purpose of this course is to review and expand students’ knowledge of fundamental concepts regarding the formation of the oceanic crust and its relationship to magnetism and hydrothermal activity, as well as the origin, functioning, and dynamics of subduction zones (formation of active margins and back-arc basins), the mechanisms of subduction and continental collision (formation of the orogenic prism, post-orogenic extension, and exhumation). The interactions between tectonics and surface processes will also be discussed.
These concepts will be supported by theoretical and physical models and extensively illustrated with case studies of natural environments (the Himalayas and Tibet, Taiwan, the Alps, the western Pacific, Sumatra, and the Mediterranean). One course will be devoted to the Archean (geodynamics and georesources).
Structural Geology
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This course introduces the fundamentals of structural geology at the master’s level. It focuses on the analysis of various features and mechanisms of deformation in the Earth’s crust, from the surface down to the base of the crust. Deformation is explored through field examples, samples, thin sections, and experiments. These observations are compared with theory and with analog, analytical, and numerical models.
Key topics covered:
(1) analysis of deformation at all scales, and associated tectonic regimes
(2) typology and kinematics of structural features (e.g., faults, fractures, folds, shear zones),
(3) Equilibrium structural cross-section,
(4) Relationship between different scales and depths of deformation,
(5) Different rheological and structural contexts (brittle and ductile structural levels, compressive and extensional regimes, homogeneous and stratified media),
(6) Presence of fluids and their role in deformation.
Sedimentary basins
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Analysis of the formation of sedimentary basins through the interaction of internal drivers (lithospheric processes) and external drivers (processes in the Earth’s outer layers).
Analysis of post-depositional evolution leading to the formation of natural resources (energy and mineral).
Sedimentary Dynamics
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This module is an in-depth course in sedimentology that includes a lecture component and a practical field component. After an overview of the mechanisms of sedimentary record formation, hydrodynamic processes, and associated sedimentary features and structures, the various environments of terrigenous detrital and carbonate deposits are reviewed by surveying the sedimentary landscape from upstream to downstream.
Geophysical Imaging 1
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This module aims to provide the fundamentals of geophysical imaging of geological formations, from near the surface to the lithosphere scale. We will focus here on seismological methods (volume and surface wave tomography, receiver functions, ambient noise), gravimetry, and magnetotellurics. We will also present the fundamentals of reflection seismics (acquisition and processing). A case study conducted in a lab session will highlight the importance of combining these methods to best characterize the subsurface and its properties, particularly with regard to fluids.
English for the Geosciences, First Semester
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Integrating field
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This fieldwork course takes place at the beginning of our Master’s program. It aims to characterize the sequence of processes involved in the formation and subsequent dismantling of the Variscan orogen through a thematic study of the Montagne Noire massif. Particular attention will be paid to (1) the study of deformation of the sedimentary cover and the geodynamic evolution of the basins; (2) the analysis of ductile deformation and associated metamorphism in the deepest crustal levels; and (3) the study of late-orogenic basins. This course consists of three successive stages: the preparatory phase involving the study of cartographic materials in the classroom, fieldwork and the writing of a report, and finally a critical review of the bibliography.
Petrology and Magmatic Deposits
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The objective of this course unit is to standardize the knowledge of student cohorts from diverse academic backgrounds. The course focuses in particular on knowledge of mineralogy, magmatic petrology, and associated metal deposits. These disciplines are addressed through a synthetic and comprehensive approach that integrates processes and establishes links between the main mineralogical and geochemical reservoirs. The lectures are supplemented by laboratory exercises in magmatic petrology and metallogeny through the study of macroscopic and microscopic rock and mineralized samples.
Geochemistry and Geochronology
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Contributions of geochemistry, geothermochronology, and petrology to our understanding:
- of the major stages in the formation, deformation, and evolution of sedimentary basins and their underlying strata
- of the formation, origin, age, and evolution of metal deposits
Mineral deposits
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The introduction covers concepts related to the economics of primary resources and the history of mineral resources. This course then focuses on understanding the main metallogenic processes in relation to their geodynamic contexts. The concepts of metallogenic systems are explored in detail through an understanding (description and formation processes) of the main exogenous and endogenous mineral deposits. Laboratory exercises provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the specific mineralogy of metal-bearing mineralizations.
Seismic and Sequential Stratigraphy
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Key topics covered: the concept of sea level, the sedimentary record of sea-level changes, the concept of depositional sequences, the origin of sequences, the identification of sequences, and areas of application (basin/reservoir architecture, reservoir prediction).
Geological and Digital Mapping
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Case study of the Montpellier thrust fault, southwest of St. Paul-et-Valmalle: Mas d’Arnaud – Mas de Fabre – Le Castellas.
Structural geology, conventional and digital field mapping, facies sedimentology, GIS, detailed geological map.
Applications in basin geology
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
8 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Field application of knowledge acquired in the analysis of sedimentary basins through a multidisciplinary, multiscale approach combining sedimentology and tectonics. This work involves integrating field observations and subsurface data in the case of a foreland basin.
Rock Mechanics
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course unit provides an overview of the mechanical behavior of rocks based on the results of laboratory-scale studies. The different types of laboratory experiments are described, and the various mechanical behaviors are discussed and illustrated with experimental data. Hydrostatic compression, uniaxial compression, and triaxial compression tests are thus described. Elastic, plastic, and viscous behaviors are examined, and the combination of these behaviors is applied to describe rock behavior.
Concepts related to the behavior of discontinuities, as well as fracture mechanics, are discussed. The concepts of creep and delayed behavior will also be addressed to examine the long-term behavior of rock masses.
To quantitatively analyze mechanical behavior, the concepts of stress and strain tensors will be introduced. These will enable the introduction of elastic strain calculations based on elastic moduli. The calculation of stresses on planes, based on knowledge of the stress tensor, will be addressed in the general case and illustrated using Mohr’s diagram.
English for the Geosciences, Second Semester
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Seismic Interpretation
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Seismic reflection is widely used in exploration, both offshore and onshore, regardless of the geological context. Although it was initially developed by the oil industry, it is now used by industry (oil and mining) as well as by research institutions and engineering firms. It can be deployed to image the subsurface on both a local and regional scale. Students will therefore learn to interpret sedimentary, structural, and fluid features identified on 2D and 3D seismic profiles. Particular attention will be paid to the resolution of the interpretation based on the initial data.
Cracked tank
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Definition, classification, and in-depth analysis of naturally fractured reservoirs (NRF) in various geological contexts: different rock types (carbonates, clays, basement), burial, diagenesis, exhumation, folding, fault-induced damage, cooling, and mineralogical changes. Anthropogenic induced fracturing systems (hydraulic, thermal), applications to shale reservoirs (shale plays), cap rocks, and storage sites.
Integration of this knowledge into the exploration and development of naturally fractured reservoirs.
Concept and workflow for generating discrete fracture networks (DFNs).
Two-day pro bono presentation by Bertrand Gauthier of Total: Static and dynamic properties of fractured oil reservoirs.
Petrel Training
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Training in the evaluation and numerical simulation of fractured reservoirs.
Workflow for building a structural model in Petrel, from seismic logging through the integration of well structural data and the reconstruction of the structural model, to the creation of a DFN (discrete fault/fracture network).
CHOICE 1
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Organic Matter and Clays: Sedimentary Origin, Associated Resources, and Reservoirs
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Organic matter (OM) accounts for only a small portion of sedimentation. Unlike other deposited particles, it can change rapidly during burial by interacting with the grains of the host rock and producing fluids (gases and liquids) that will be highly mobile. Because it is degraded by bacteria, its preservation depends on numerous factors, but above all on the fine grain size of the grains deposited at the same time. Thus, clays represent the most favorable environment for the preservation of OM, but their complex mineralogy makes them a unique material that will also undergo transformation during burial. The products of these interactions have naturally attracted interest in the mining and petroleum industries, since these processes are responsible for the formation of major coal deposits and the production of hydrocarbons. Recently, however, studies have increasingly focused on these two elements as tracers of sediment origin and, subsequently, as markers of burial, which is of major importance for understanding the filling of basins and their post-depositional evolution.
Mineral Reservoirs
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Mineral deposits, exploration techniques, geostatistics, mining economics. The course focuses primarily on presentations by industry professionals (mining and quarrying). Two days of fieldwork are dedicated to illustrating certain exploration methods, particularly through the study of uranium and gypsum mineralization.
Logging
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
• Introduction and overview of the objectives of log interpretation
• Data preprocessing and correction
• Reservoir and cap identification
• Conventional deterministic approach (clay volume, porosity, saturation)
• “Quicklook” processing pipeline
• Final estimation (cutoff, “net to gross”)
• Implementation using technical drawings followed by Techlog software (Schlumberger).
Well Logging
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
• Overview of methods for deep drilling, covering both the technological aspects of drilling and mud and cuttings control (“mud logging”).
• Overview of geophysical methods used during drilling, or “delayed logging” (electrical, nuclear, acoustic, and seismic methods, as well as techniques developed for in-situ measurements of temperature, pressure, and permeability).
• Application of these methods in the oil and gas industry and environmental contexts.
Petrophysics and Diagenesis of Reservoirs
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Key topics covered: Petrophysics, carbonate rocks, siliciclastic rocks, oil flows, diagenesis
Structural Analysis of Mineralization
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The focus will be on weathering processes and fluid-rock interactions, but above all on the structural and textural constraints that enable us to propose innovative and original models of constrained deposits. In this course, we will emphasize the structural specificity of each deposit and the dangers of the sometimes indiscriminate application of textbook models.
Geothermal Energy and Storage
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This learning unit introduces the fundamental concepts needed to understand the formation and operation of geothermal reservoirs.
First, the various types of geothermal energy—ranging from very low-energy geothermal systems to high-energy geothermal systems for electricity generation—are discussed in detail and examined through real-world case studies. A global overview is provided to assess the energy potential of geothermal resources.
The EU will then focus on several topics specific to geothermal energy, such as mass and heat transfer mechanisms in reservoirs. These will be discussed and illustrated using real-world examples through numerical modeling. The geological signature of geothermal reservoirs, such as mineral alterations, will also be studied in detail through case studies.
The issue of storage will be addressed by examining applications such as the underground storage of CO2, heat, or energy. The influence of the mechanical properties of reservoir rocks, as well as the interactions between the stored fluids and the surrounding rocks, will be highlighted in order to assess the feasibility and sustainability of these storage systems.
Fluid-Fault Interaction
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course details the internal structure, mineralogical composition, and petrophysical properties of faults, as well as the geological conditions (stresses) that control their impermeability and integrity in faulted reservoir environments. We cover the different types of “fault seals” and the tools commonly used in the geological reservoir industry to predict fault permeability.
Key topics covered:
- Fault and top seals (juxtaposition, SGR, mechanical and diagenetic seals).
- Fault zonation,
- Deformation mechanisms,
- Deformation bands in porous sandstones,
- Permeability of fault zones.
Resource Assessment
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course unit consists of completing two resource assessment projects based on applied case studies in the mining and petroleum sectors. Students will have access to the digital imaging platform. They will be introduced to the use of specific interpretation and evaluation software that will enable them to analyze the provided datasets (software such as Techlog, Coralis, Petrel, etc.). The results of the data interpretation will be summarized and presented in a concise and well-reasoned manner in the form of two reports or presentations.
Professional internship at a company or laboratory
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
25 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
A 5- to 6-month internship at a company, engineering firm, or laboratory.
Structural Geology
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This course introduces the fundamentals of structural geology at the master’s level. It focuses on the analysis of various features and mechanisms of deformation in the Earth’s crust, from the surface down to the base of the crust. Deformation is explored through field examples, samples, thin sections, and experiments. These observations are compared with theory and with analog, analytical, and numerical models.
Key topics covered:
(1) analysis of deformation at all scales, and associated tectonic regimes
(2) typology and kinematics of structural features (e.g., faults, fractures, folds, shear zones),
(3) Equilibrium structural cross-section,
(4) Relationship between different scales and depths of deformation,
(5) Different rheological and structural contexts (brittle and ductile structural levels, compressive and extensional regimes, homogeneous and stratified media),
(6) Presence of fluids and their role in deformation.
The Environment Throughout the Quaternary: Mapping and Analysis
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Recent Architecture of Margins
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Geodynamics and Plate Tectonics
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Mathematical and Statistical Methods
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Geophysical Imaging 1
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This module aims to provide the fundamentals of geophysical imaging of geological formations, from near the surface to the lithosphere scale. We will focus here on seismological methods (volume and surface wave tomography, receiver functions, ambient noise), gravimetry, and magnetotellurics. We will also present the fundamentals of reflection seismics (acquisition and processing). A case study conducted in a lab session will highlight the importance of combining these methods to best characterize the subsurface and its properties, particularly with regard to fluids.
English for the Geosciences, First Semester
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Integrating field
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This fieldwork course takes place at the beginning of our Master’s program. It aims to characterize the sequence of processes involved in the formation and subsequent dismantling of the Variscan orogen through a thematic study of the Montagne Noire massif. Particular attention will be paid to (1) the study of deformation of the sedimentary cover and the geodynamic evolution of the basins; (2) the analysis of ductile deformation and associated metamorphism in the deepest crustal levels; and (3) the study of late-orogenic basins. This course consists of three successive stages: the preparatory phase involving the study of cartographic materials in the classroom, fieldwork and the writing of a report, and finally a critical review of the bibliography.
Career Project - GEODyM 1
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Geomaterials
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
GEODyM 1 Field Project 1
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
GEODyM Professional 1 Course
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Geodynamics 2
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Rock Mechanics
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This course unit provides an overview of the mechanical behavior of rocks based on the results of laboratory-scale studies. The different types of laboratory experiments are described, and the various mechanical behaviors are discussed and illustrated with experimental data. Hydrostatic compression, uniaxial compression, and triaxial compression tests are thus described. Elastic, plastic, and viscous behaviors are examined, and the combination of these behaviors is applied to describe rock behavior.
Concepts related to the behavior of discontinuities, as well as fracture mechanics, are discussed. The concepts of creep and delayed behavior will also be addressed to examine the long-term behavior of rock masses.
To quantitatively analyze mechanical behavior, the concepts of stress and strain tensors will be introduced. These will enable the introduction of elastic strain calculations based on elastic moduli. The calculation of stresses on planes, based on knowledge of the stress tensor, will be addressed in the general case and illustrated using Mohr’s diagram.
English for the Geosciences, Second Semester
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Rheology and Mechanics of the Lithosphere
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
From Digital Mapping to Multi-Risk Analysis
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
CHOICE 1
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Geotechnical Training
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Geochemistry and Geochronology
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Contributions of geochemistry, geothermochronology, and petrology to our understanding:
- of the major stages in the formation, deformation, and evolution of sedimentary basins and their underlying strata
- of the formation, origin, age, and evolution of metal deposits
Active Tectonics
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Geomaterials PRO App
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
CHOICE 1
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The Water Cycle and Watersheds
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The EU curriculum is organized into three parts:
1) The Water Cycle and Water Balance
• The Main Water Reservoirs
• The Mechanisms of the Water Cycle
• Water Circulation: From the Global Scale to the Watershed Scale
• Humans: Their Impact on the Water Cycle
2) The Atmospheric Phase of the Water Cycle – Hydrology
• The watershed
• Atmospheric circulation and precipitation
• Evapotranspiration
• Infiltration
• Runoff
3) The underground phase of the water cycle – Hydrogeology
• Porous media and their hydrodynamic properties
• Different types of aquifers
• Piezometric levels and maps
Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The “Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate” module aims to present the fundamental principles of atmospheric dynamics and ocean dynamics and offers a critical and well-documented perspective on climate change. The course is based on the analysis of official documents describing global change, well-documented discussions of key issues, and case studies applied to various global contexts.
Numerical Modeling
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
GEODyM 2 Field Project
ECTS
8 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Geodynamics PRO App
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
English for the Geosciences, Level 3
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Communication and Science Outreach
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Professional Internship
ECTS
26 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Advanced Personal Project
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Introduction to Risk Management and Vulnerability
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Introduction to Risk and Vulnerability Management. Definition of Key Concepts, Case Studies from Thailand and Sommières
The Environment Throughout the Quaternary: Mapping and Analysis
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Digital Tools for Data Processing and Analysis
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Geodynamics and Plate Tectonics
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Mathematical and Statistical Methods
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Geophysical Imaging 1
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This module aims to provide the fundamentals of geophysical imaging of geological formations, from near the surface to the lithosphere scale. We will focus here on seismological methods (volume and surface wave tomography, receiver functions, ambient noise), gravimetry, and magnetotellurics. We will also present the fundamentals of reflection seismics (acquisition and processing). A case study conducted in a lab session will highlight the importance of combining these methods to best characterize the subsurface and its properties, particularly with regard to fluids.
Geophysical Imaging 2
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Positioning & Remote Sensing
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This module aims to provide a foundation in the principles of positioning and topographic mapping. Basic knowledge of GNSS and laser positioning methods is covered in class and then applied in the field and during practical exercises. Finally, a project assignment is designed to enable students to apply the practical and theoretical knowledge covered at the beginning of the module and, above all, to better understand the complementary nature and accuracy of geodetic measurements.
Course Content:
- Introduction to Terrestrial and Space Geodesy
- Reference Frames in Geodesy
- Traditional Tools of Terrestrial Geodesy
- The GNSS Positioning System
- Applications of Geodesy (active tectonics, landslides, anthropogenic deformation, etc.)
- Topographic surveying (DTM, LIDAR, etc.)
Career Planning - Methods and Approaches
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Quantitative Geomorphology
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Geomorphology Course
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
S2 Professional Project
ECTS
10 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
English for the Geosciences, Second Semester
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Seismicity and Deformation
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
From Digital Mapping to Multi-Risk Analysis
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Gravitational Processes and the Dynamics of Landslides
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Volcanic Hazards
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Gravity-related hazards
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Career Project - Promotion and Communication
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Field EU - Surface Processes and Hazards
ECTS
7 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Numerical Modeling
ECTS
5 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Seismic Risks
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
English for the Geosciences, Level 3
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Environmental Interactions - Aleas
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Aleas Professional Internship
ECTS
30 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Personal project: research project + English
ECTS
10 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Research Project
ECTS
8 credits
Training Structure
School of Law and Political Science
Time of year
Fall
English
Training Structure
School of Law and Political Science
Time of year
Fall
EU French as a Foreign Language
Training Structure
School of Law and Political Science
Time of year
Fall
CHOICE 1
ECTS
6 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Hydrogeophysics
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
This module aims to provide the fundamentals of near-surface and borehole geophysical investigation methods used in the field of hydrogeophysics. These approaches are designed not only to characterize reservoir structure (geometry, lithologies) but also to detect, locate, and quantify fluid flow. We will also cover the processing and analysis of this data using various specialized software programs.
Hydrological Modeling and Global Change
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Groundwater modeling - Modeling of groundwater flow
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This course unit includes a theoretical component designed to provide an understanding of transport processes and a more practical component that integrates fieldwork, numerical modeling, and the conduct of environmental studies. Quantitative hydrogeology is addressed through analytical and numerical solutions that account for transport processes in the subsurface.
This learning unit covers, among other things:
1) the mathematical tools and fundamental equations underlying analytical and numerical modeling;
2) the principles of numerical modeling (MDF);
3) the typical methodology for creating a 3D numerical model for flow simulation; and
4) the analysis of scenarios incorporating climatic or anthropogenic forcings for optimal water resource management.
Irrigation and Development
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The three major global irrigation models—large-scale hydraulic systems, community irrigation, and private irrigation—are presented in their historical context, based on an in-depth literature review and examples of specific cases, with a focus on the Mediterranean region.
These three different irrigation models are presented (ideology, construction, water management, agricultural development, stakeholders, etc.) using a theoretical framework based on oxymorons. These models are then illustrated through various real-world examples, presented in PowerPoint presentations, videos, and articles.
The various key references for each type of irrigation system will be presented and discussed. Each irrigation model is discussed with the students, who present their analyses through a guided exercise. Once the three irrigation models are understood, the course focuses on the analysis of rural development models related to irrigation. The analysis is based on a critical examination of the dualist theory of development as applied to irrigation systems.
Coastal Engineering
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Chemicals and Environmental Risks
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
The Environment Throughout the Quaternary: Mapping and Analysis
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Numerical Modeling of Coastal and Groundwater Dynamics
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Chemicals and Health Risks
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
Geodynamics and Plate Tectonics
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Biogeochemistry: Pollutant Transport in Cultivated Environments
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The module's content is organized into six sections:
1) Introduction by the EU: scientific and operational challenges related to biogeochemical issues and water quality in agricultural watersheds;
2) Physicochemical and hydrological processes that determine the availability and mobility of pesticides in a watershed;
3) TD: modeling tutorials on the transfer of pesticides;
4) The biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus in agricultural systems;
5) Nitrogen cycle and balance in agricultural watersheds;
6) Tutorial: Assessment of the nitrogen balance in a watershed; diagnosis of surface water contamination
EU ER Field Training Course: Hydrometry, Hydrology, and Hydrochemistry
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The status of a watercourse, as defined by the WFD, comprises two aspects: chemical status and ecological status. To define ecological status, several parameters must be taken into account, including those related to the water volume (as measured by flow rate) of the watercourse. In this course unit, students will conduct field or laboratory measurements to determine some of the key parameters used to assess the status of a watercourse or, more generally, in hydrological studies (floods, resource assessment, etc.).
Four topics will be covered:
- the Hydrometry component, involving the use of various flow measurement techniques (point-by-point method with an electromagnetic current meter, ADCP, dilution method, float gauging, and radar).
- the soil hydrodynamics component, involving the use of several infiltrometry methods to determine conductivity at saturation, as well as the collection of soil cylinders to determine, after drying, the porosity, dry density, and soil moisture content.
- the Hydrochemistry component, which includes:
- a field component (sampling and analysis using a multiparameter meter and a field spectrophotometer) for physicochemical parameters (temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, TAC, PO4, and NO3, etc.)
- a laboratory portion (analysis and quantification of 4-tert-octylphenol in a surface water sample, using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)) to determine the presence of trace amounts of emerging contaminants from the alkylphenol ethoxylate (APEO) family, compounds found in products such as detergents, emulsifiers, and solubilizers.
- the hydrobiology component, which takes into account the presence or absence of certain species—fish, invertebrates, macrophytes (aquatic plants), and diatoms (single-celled algae)—in order to determine specific indices (IPR, IBGN, IBMR, IBD) related to the biological quality of the watercourse.
Geophysical Imaging 2
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Geothermal Energy and Storage
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This learning unit introduces the fundamental concepts needed to understand the formation and operation of geothermal reservoirs.
First, the various types of geothermal energy—ranging from very low-energy geothermal systems to high-energy geothermal systems for electricity generation—are discussed in detail and examined through real-world case studies. A global overview is provided to assess the energy potential of geothermal resources.
The EU will then focus on several topics specific to geothermal energy, such as mass and heat transfer mechanisms in reservoirs. These will be discussed and illustrated using real-world examples through numerical modeling. The geological signature of geothermal reservoirs, such as mineral alterations, will also be studied in detail through case studies.
The issue of storage will be addressed by examining applications such as the underground storage of CO2, heat, or energy. The influence of the mechanical properties of reservoir rocks, as well as the interactions between the stored fluids and the surrounding rocks, will be highlighted in order to assess the feasibility and sustainability of these storage systems.
Water and Public Health
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
Water and Crop Production
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The EU curriculum is organized into 6 course modules:
- Climate: meteorological variables, major climates of the Earth
- Surface energy balance: radiative, conductive, and convective fluxes, surface energy balance,
reference evapotranspiration (Penman and Penman-Monteith methods)
- Plants: growth and development cycle, phenology, geometric structure, photosynthesis, root system,
water in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum
- Crop models:
-Monteith approach, water constraints
- Impact of climate change on agriculture
Objectives*:
The objective of this module is to provide the theoretical foundations for understanding the influence of climate on crop pro
. The targeted competencies include knowledge of the fundamentals
of ecophysiology and the relationships between climate, water, and crop production.
Principles and Methods of Physics and Mechanics
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Positioning and Remote Sensing
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
OPTION 2
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Water Governance
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Water Management for Agricultural Transitions
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Cracked tank
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Definition, classification, and in-depth analysis of naturally fractured reservoirs (NRF) in various geological contexts: different rock types (carbonates, clays, basement), burial, diagenesis, exhumation, folding, fault-induced damage, cooling, and mineralogical changes. Anthropogenic induced fracturing systems (hydraulic, thermal), applications to shale reservoirs (shale plays), cap rocks, and storage sites.
Integration of this knowledge into the exploration and development of naturally fractured reservoirs.
Concept and workflow for generating discrete fracture networks (DFNs).
Two-day pro bono presentation by Bertrand Gauthier of Total: Static and dynamic properties of fractured oil reservoirs.
Economic Evaluation of Water Policies
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Numerical Methods for Modeling
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The module's content is organized into three sections:
1) a section covering the definition of concepts, an introduction to a tool (R), and a review of statistical estimation terminology and its application to the calibration of hydrological parameters;
2) a section on methods for analyzing uncertainties and sensitivity, and
3) a module on data assimilation applied to hydraulic modeling. The course unit will also begin with a presentation by a design firm executive, who will discuss the practical applications of this type of approach in engineering.
Field Case Study: Geophysics Applied to the Imaging of Karst Structures
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Groundwater Flow and Karst Hydrological Modeling
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
EU NON-CORE TRAINING UNITS IDIL (ELECTIVE)
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Defusing Quantitative Nonsense
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Plant Health 2.0: A Global War
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Challenges in Chemistry for Health and the Environment
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Time of year
Fall
Why Is Democracy Hard?
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Time of year
Every year
Innovations in clinical biomarkers and biotechnologies for pers
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Time of year
Fall
Mediterranean Terrestrial Ecosystems
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Mediterranean Aquatic Ecosystems
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Basics of Sustainable Management
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Number of hours
20h
Time of year
Fall
Explore, understand, and learn
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The Chemistry of Beer, Wine, and the Culinary Arts
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
How the Way We Move Reveals Who We Are
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
STAPS School
Biology by the Numbers: Measure, Predict, and Design
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Who's Afraid of AI?
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
IDIL Cross-Functional Training Units
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
4 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
In-Lab
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Research Internship - Water and Earth
ECTS
30 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
CHOICE 1 M2 IDIL EARTH
ECTS
12 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Water and Crop Production
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The EU curriculum is organized into 6 course modules:
- Climate: meteorological variables, major climates of the Earth
- Surface energy balance: radiative, conductive, and convective fluxes, surface energy balance,
reference evapotranspiration (Penman and Penman-Monteith methods)
- Plants: growth and development cycle, phenology, geometric structure, photosynthesis, root system,
water in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum
- Crop models:
-Monteith approach, water constraints
- Impact of climate change on agriculture
Objectives*:
The objective of this module is to provide the theoretical foundations for understanding the influence of climate on crop pro
. The targeted competencies include knowledge of the fundamentals
of ecophysiology and the relationships between climate, water, and crop production.
Coastal Engineering
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Geodynamics and Plate Tectonics
Level of Education
4-year college degree
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Chemicals and Health Risks
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
Geothermal Energy and Storage
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
3 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This learning unit introduces the fundamental concepts needed to understand the formation and operation of geothermal reservoirs.
First, the various types of geothermal energy—ranging from very low-energy geothermal systems to high-energy geothermal systems for electricity generation—are discussed in detail and examined through real-world case studies. A global overview is provided to assess the energy potential of geothermal resources.
The EU will then focus on several topics specific to geothermal energy, such as mass and heat transfer mechanisms in reservoirs. These will be discussed and illustrated using real-world examples through numerical modeling. The geological signature of geothermal reservoirs, such as mineral alterations, will also be studied in detail through case studies.
The issue of storage will be addressed by examining applications such as the underground storage of CO2, heat, or energy. The influence of the mechanical properties of reservoir rocks, as well as the interactions between the stored fluids and the surrounding rocks, will be highlighted in order to assess the feasibility and sustainability of these storage systems.
Water and Public Health
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
Positioning & Remote Sensing
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
This module aims to provide a foundation in the principles of positioning and topographic mapping. Basic knowledge of GNSS and laser positioning methods is covered in class and then applied in the field and during practical exercises. Finally, a project assignment is designed to enable students to apply the practical and theoretical knowledge covered at the beginning of the module and, above all, to better understand the complementary nature and accuracy of geodetic measurements.
Course Content:
- Introduction to Terrestrial and Space Geodesy
- Reference Frames in Geodesy
- Traditional Tools of Terrestrial Geodesy
- The GNSS Positioning System
- Applications of Geodesy (active tectonics, landslides, anthropogenic deformation, etc.)
- Topographic surveying (DTM, LIDAR, etc.)
Principles and Methods of Physics and Mechanics
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
CHOICE 2 M2 IDIL EARTH
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Water Governance
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Water Management for Agricultural Transitions
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Cracked tank
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Definition, classification, and in-depth analysis of naturally fractured reservoirs (NRF) in various geological contexts: different rock types (carbonates, clays, basement), burial, diagenesis, exhumation, folding, fault-induced damage, cooling, and mineralogical changes. Anthropogenic induced fracturing systems (hydraulic, thermal), applications to shale reservoirs (shale plays), cap rocks, and storage sites.
Integration of this knowledge into the exploration and development of naturally fractured reservoirs.
Concept and workflow for generating discrete fracture networks (DFNs).
Two-day pro bono presentation by Bertrand Gauthier of Total: Static and dynamic properties of fractured oil reservoirs.
Numerical Methods for Modeling
Level of Education
5 years of post-secondary education
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
The module's content is organized into three sections:
1) a section covering the definition of concepts, an introduction to a tool (R), and a review of statistical estimation terminology and its application to the calibration of hydrological parameters;
2) a section on methods for analyzing uncertainties and sensitivity, and
3) a module on data assimilation applied to hydraulic modeling. The course unit will also begin with a presentation by a design firm executive, who will discuss the practical applications of this type of approach in engineering.
Field Case Study: Geophysics Applied to the Imaging of Karst Structures
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Time of year
Fall
Groundwater Flow and Karst Hydrological Modeling
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
CHX NONCORE M2 IDIL EARTH
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Defusing Quantitative Nonsense
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
The Bionic Man
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Innovations in clinical biomarkers and biotechnologies for pers
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Time of year
Fall
Challenges in Chemistry for Health and the Environment
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Time of year
Fall
Why Is Democracy Hard?
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Time of year
Every year
Mediterranean Terrestrial Ecosystems
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Plant Health 2.0: A Global War
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
One Health and Eco-Epidemiology
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Basics of Sustainable Management
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Economics
Number of hours
20h
Time of year
Fall
Explore, understand, and learn
Training Structure
College of Sciences
The Chemistry of Beer, Wine, and the Culinary Arts
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
School of Pharmacy
How the Way We Move Reveals Who We Are
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
STAPS School
Biology by the Numbers: Measure, Predict, and Design
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Who's Afraid of AI?
ECTS
2 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Multidisciplinary Team Project
ECTS
10 credits
Training Structure
Education and Campus Life
Transversal Units 2B IDIL
Training Structure
Education and Campus Life
Research Internship - Water and Earth
ECTS
30 credits
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Admission
Admission Requirements
Applications can be submitted through the following platforms:
French and European students:
- For the M1 program, follow the “My Master’s” procedure on the website: https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/
- For the M2 program, students must submit their application through the e-candidat portal: https://candidature.umontpellier.fr/candidature
International students from outside the EU: Follow the “Études en France” procedure:https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html