Master's in Biology and Agricultural Sciences

Plant Experimentation Management

The vast majority of plant-based foods are produced through intensive agriculture. This form of agriculture was introduced in France after World War II. It perfectly met the socio-economic demands of the time by enabling the production of food in large quantities and at low cost. The development of intensive agriculture was only possible thanks to basic research in various fields such as plant biology and physiology, genetics, and agronomy. Currently, it is widely accepted that advances in crop yields are due half to agronomy and half to genetics. This historical experience suggests that a multidisciplinary approach, grounded in robust scientific research, is necessary to develop a new form of agriculture.

Intensive agriculture is not without its drawbacks. It relies on the heavy use of inputs (fertilizers and pesticides), which is a source of environmental pollution and causes health problems. It therefore seems important to make fundamental changes to agricultural practices in order to limit the use of inputs and transition to a model of sustainable agriculture. This shift in agricultural practices began some twenty years ago but has been accelerated by the ECOPHYTO plan, which aims to reduce the use of pesticides by 50% by 2018. This agricultural reform must also take place under the pressure of an additional challenge: climate change.  To develop more environmentally friendly agriculturein the context of climate change, multidisciplinary approaches are needed that combine genetics(developing varieties that make better use of nitrogen and water, are resistant to existing diseases, etc.),agronomy/physiology/ecology (adapting crop rotation systems, introducing microorganisms, natural defense stimulators, etc.), and plant pathology ( development of biocontrol, etc.).Plant experimentation, the driving force behind changes in agricultural practices, therefore requires professionals capable of designing, implementing, and evaluating projects.

While the challenges of developing sustainable agriculture are significant for developed countries,they are critical for many countries in the Global South, which cannot afford fertilizers or pesticides anyway. CIRAD and IRD have established partnerships with research centers in the Global South. Seed companies and production firms (e.g., sugar, etc.) in the Global South require high-quality senior managers.

This master’s program is designed to be completed through a work-study format. A number of students will have the opportunity to earn a dual master’s degree: an MEV (offered by the Faculty of Sciences) and a master’s in management (offered by the IAE).

The MEV course presented by the students

Student testimonials and contact information

Objectives

The goal of the MEV program is therefore to train project management specialists with a broad range of scientific knowledge (plant breeding, plant pathology, physiology, and agronomy) so that they can become versatile professionals capable of working in private organizations or companies involved in seed production, plant protection, or those specializing in biocontrol and biostimulation.The MEV program aims to provide the knowledge, know-how, and skills necessary for managerial work in Plant Experimentation across various sectors. The 7-month work placements for work-study students and TU ) offer ample opportunities to apply the knowledge gained at the university in real-world settings.

Course Content

The MEV program schedule has been designed to make this program accessible to both full-time students and work-study students(professional training contracts, apprenticeships). The MEV program schedule also allows some students to earn a Master’s degree in Management from the IAE in addition to the MEV Master’s degree, provided they complete and pass four TU spread out around the Christmas break during the first and second years of the Master’s program.

List of Course Units

M1, 1st semester

M1, second semester

Master's 2, first semester

Master's 2, second semester