ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French, English
Presentation
From the foothills to the sea, via lagoons and wetlands, we've been living along coastlines since the dawn of time; and we'll continue to do so, because the coastline is the gateway to the ocean, a source of wealth, pleasure and peace, an environment intimately linked to the development of civilizations. But the coastline is a geo-ecosystem that is highly sensitive to human activity. It is also particularly exposed to the effects of climate change. Lastly, although it's a familiar environment, it's actually very difficult to understand how it works, given the many complex interactions between water, air, sand, rocks and living organisms. For all these reasons, the coastline is at the heart of many scientific questions linked to hydro-morphodynamics and associated sciences. These questions are themselves strategic for the future of coastal development and housing, the management of natural coastal and marine areas, resource management (marine energy, sand stocks, freshwater in coastal areas), the quantification of coastal hazards and risks, and the design of innovative protection systems that respect the natural environment.
The Coastal Engineering, Coastal Dynamics and Sustainable Development Master's degree [GCL] trains students to specialize in the study and management of coastal and port areas, based on the acquisition of skills in geotechnics and coastal engineering, coastal risk analysis, environmental characterization using imagery and geophysics, and a solid foundation in the observation, measurement and simulation of hydrodynamic and morphodynamic processes in marine and port environments.
Objectives
We train specialists in coastal dynamics, coastal and geotechnical engineering, coastal risks and resources, innovative protection solutions and sustainable coastal management. We prepare students for careers in fundamental research, coastal management and development, and coastal and port engineering. We place the development of critical thinking at the heart of our training, so that we can deal with the totally strategic environmental issues of 2050.
The Master's program is equally oriented towards fundamental research, environmental applications and R&D developments close to industry. At the heart of the program is the desire to train a new generation of responsible engineers and scientists with an acute awareness of the major societal and environmental issues related to the sea.
Know-how and skills
The master's degree in coastal engineering and sustainable coastal development (GCD) is based on the acquisition of a portfolio of skills enabling the company to achieve a high level of excellence:
- in a detailed understanding of coastal hydro-morphodynamics, with an emphasis on rigorous scientific approach and critical thinking skills,
- in the characterization and management of coastal zones using the latest techniques and strategies, particularly in terms of environmental and on-structure diagnostics,
- in characterizing and quantifying risks in coastal and port areas (flooding/submergence/erosion),
- in the management and quantification of coastal abiotic resources (sand stocks, marine energies), and
- in coastal engineering, geotechnics and the design of coastal protection structures based on approaches that mimic nature or are related tosoft engineering techniques.
Organization
Knowledge control
The Montpellier Faculty of Science is organized around a skills assessment based on module validation. The Coastal Engineering pathway is aligned with this strategy, but also offers students an assessment built 100% on monitoring the acquisition of a portfolio of skills, less focused on grades and more centered on the development of individual skills and their organization according to the professional/personal project.
Open on a sandwich basis
The work-study program is organized in 4 blocks of 2-3 months over the year, which can be taken as classroom courses or in-company placements. The choice of blocks taken at the university gives a coloring to the skills acquired (more geotechnical/coastal engineering, more coastal development, etc.).
Internships, tutored projects
Internship | Mandatory |
|---|---|
Length of internship | At least 2 months, up to 5 months in practice |
Internship abroad | Possible |
Duration of internship abroad | at least 2 months, up to 5 months in practice |
The aim of this first compulsory internship in the GCL program is to immerse you in a company or laboratory, under comfortable conditions (already a potentially long internship).
test
test 2
Program
The concepts and knowledge covered in the course are based onnaturalistic observation, quantitative in-situ measurement,physical experimentation under controlled conditions (e.g. wave channel) and numerical simulation. Particular emphasis is placed on mastering the critical coupling of these approaches, both for academic research and for coastal and port engineering. Students can build their Master's course in coastal dynamics according to their own personal sensitivities, by developing the skills that best suit them. This is made possible by the PROJECT-based approach adopted throughout the course.
Select a program
M2 - Coastal engineering
Coastal engineering
3 creditsMetrology, offshore deployment logistics and analysis
5 creditsCoastal & port hydro-morphodynamic modeling tools
5 creditsDiagnostic methodologies in support of development
3 creditsDigital modeling
5 creditsEngineering and project management
3 creditsClimate change: managing coastal areas
4 creditsKey issues in coastal dynamics 2
2 credits
Admission
Access conditions
Recruitment based on application and personal interview. Bachelor's degree or equivalent, with a grounding in either Geosciences and Geophysics or Physics/Mechanics/Applied Mathematics.
Applications can be submitted on the following platforms:
- French & European students must submit their application via the e-candidat application: 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
Capacity
12 students in M1, 12 students in M2