MASTER BIOLOGY, AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Plant Experimentation Management

The vast majority of plant-based foodstuffs are obtained through intensive agriculture . This form of agriculture was established in France after the Second World War. It perfectly met the socio-economic demands of the time by making it possible to produce food in quantity and at low cost. The development of intensive agriculture was only possible thanks to fundamental research studies in various fields such as plant biology and physiology, genetics and agronomy. Currently, it is commonly accepted that progress in crop yields is half due to agronomy and half due to genetics. This past experience suggests that it is necessary to have a multidisciplinary approach based on a strong scientific research activity to develop a type of agriculture.

Intensive agriculture does not only have positive qualities. It is based on the massive use of inputs (fertilizers and phytosanitary products) which represents a source of environmental pollution and causes health problems. It therefore seems important to profoundly modify agricultural practices in order to limit the use of inputs and move to a model of sustainable agriculture. This shift in agricultural practices has been underway for about twenty years but it is accelerated by the ECOPHYTO plan which plans to reduce the use of phytosanitary products by 50% in 2018. This reform of agriculture must also be carried out under the pressure of an additional difficulty: climate change. To develop more environmentally friendly agriculture in a context of climate change, it is necessary to have multidisciplinary approaches combining genetics (development of varieties that make better use of nitrogen and water, resistant to existing diseases, etc.), gronomy/physiology/ecology (adapting cropping routes, introducing microorganisms, natural defense stimulators, etc.) and phytopathology (development of biocontrol, etc.). Plant experimentation, the driving force behind the modification of agricultural practices, therefore requires managers capable of writing, carrying out and evaluating projects.

If the challenges of developing sustainable agriculture are important for developed countries, they are crucial for many countries in the South that cannot afford fertilizers or phytosanitary products anyway. CIRAD and IRD have developed partnerships with research centers in countries in the South. Seed or production companies (e.g. sugar, etc.) in the South require quality senior executives.

This master's course was designed to be followed in alternation. A certain number of students will have the possibility of having a double Master: MEV (supported by the Faculty of Sciences) and management (supported by the IAE).

MEV training presented by students

Student testimonials and contacts

Objectives

The objective of the MEV course is therefore to train project management specialists with varied scientific knowledge (plant improvement, phytopathology, physiology and agronomy) in order to become versatile executives capable of exercising their activity in private organizations or seed companies, phytosanitary companies, or companies specializing in biocontrol / biostimulation. The MEV course aims to provide the knowledge, know-how and skills necessary for the work of a manager in Plant Experimentation in different sectors of activity. The 7-month periods in companies for work-study students, professionalization TU are all opportunities to put into practice the knowledge learned at the University in the field.

Training content

The MEV course schedule has been developed so that this training is accessible to both students in initial training and work-study students (professional contract, apprenticeship). The MEV course schedule also allows some students to graduate with a master's degree in management awarded by the IAE in addition to the MEV master's degree by following and successfully completing 4 Management TU spread over the Christmas holidays in the first and second years of the Master's degree.

List of Teaching Units

M1, 1st semester

M1, 2nd semester

M2, 1st semester

M2, 2nd semester