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Master in Earth, planetary and environmental sciences

Master in Earth, planetary and environmental sciences

Geophysics

Presentation and goals

As a research course, the Geophysics program is intended for students wishing to undertake a doctoral thesis in areas ranging from the Deep Earth through to the Globe's surface envelopes. These structures are essentially studied through their seismic, magnetic, electrical or gravimetric signatures, and their deformation movements. Students not wishing to continue their studies with a doctoral thesis will be eligible for jobs as engineer-geophysicists working in consultancies, public research organisations or major industrial groups concerned by the imaging, characterisation and monitoring over time of the physical properties of underground environments and their natural reservoirs. Part of the teaching will be in English.

The Geophysics program of the Solid earth major aims to train specialists in general or applied geophysics who intend to enter employment in the public sector after preparing a doctoral thesis, or directly enter the private sector after the master. The teaching is designed to fulfil both missions by providing solid training in the field of Earth physics as well as the essential tools for understanding the functioning of the internal Earth at all scales: acquisition of data in the field, signal processing, massive data processing, direct and inverse modelling with the assistance of high-performance computing facilities. Numerical simulations of the geophysical responses, subsurface imaging techniques, and the methods for estimating the mechanical and physical properties of the internal Earth are a prominent part of this course.

Students trained in the Geophysics program will be able to assert their engineering and geophysics skills and apply for jobs offered by consultancies, public research institutes or major industrial groups concerned by the imaging, characterisation and monitoring over time of the physical properties of underground environments and their natural reservoirs. The main applications of this work can be found in the field of civil engineering, in the assessment of natural risks, in the exploration and production of natural resources including geothermal energy, and in the storage of fluids or solid waste in the subsurface.

Presentation

Presentation

Further information

This course is characterised by many digital educational activities, carried out in the form of practical assignments or projects. The principle is a strong emphasis on using the latest tools for quantitative exploration of the Earth and its environment. Geophysical measuring tools are supplemented by interpretation tools, such as numerical modelling, signal processing, remote sensing and seismic interpretation. The support of the OSUG@2020 excellence laboratory has been essential to implementing or renewing many of these tools.

Most of the "tools" modules (i.e. numerical modelling, remote sensing/GIS) are organised in the form of projects, enabling students to apply these tools to mini-problems that correspond to their choice of programme and their interests. Several disciplinary modules (UEs) also partly take the form of a supervised project, where students work in small groups to resolve a societal problem.

The modules in semester 9  are taught in English, as is at least one module from the master 1st year. The policy is to offer teaching in English in the event that there are non-French-speakers among the students, both in 1st and 2nd years.

International dimension :

Internationally-oriented programmes

The program has a strong international focus, with teaching mostly in English and internship opportunities in a company or in a research laboratory abroad. Several foreign students are welcomed onto the program every year.

Programme

Programme

Program under construction - awaiting CFVU vote

Practica, projects, and missions

Internships in companies or laboratories are routinely conducted abroad

Registration and scholarships

Registration and scholarships

Access condition

  • The 1st year is open to students who have obtained a national diploma equivalent to a bachelor degree (licence) in a field compatible with that of the Master, or via a validation of their studies or experience
  • Entry to the 2nd year may be selective. It is open to candidates who have completed the first year of a master in the field, subject to a review of their application

Public continuing education : You are in charge of continuing education :

  • if you resume your studies after 2 years of interruption of studies
  • or if you followed training under the continuous training regime one of the previous 2 years
  • or if you are an employee, job seeker, self-employed

If you do not have the diploma required to integrate the training, you can undertake a validation of personal and professional achievements (VAPP)

Candidature / Application

For candidates whose country of residence is not included in the "Studies in France" portal (PEF) scheme, the calendar for the eCandidat application campaigns is available here

You want to apply and sign up for a master ? Please be aware that the procedure differs depending on the diploma you want to take, the diploma you have already obtained and, for foreign students, your place of residence.Let us be your guide – simply follow this link

Prerequisites

The Geophysics program of the new master in EPES is intended for students with a background in Earth sciences and a strong preference for the physical sciences, numerical calculation and data processing, as well as students with a background in physics who are interested in the natural physics laboratory that is planet Earth. At the local level, the Physics, Earth and environmental sciences, Mechanics program of the bachelor degree (licence) in Earth sciences appears particularly suitable. Students from the bachelor in Mechanics and the bachelor in Physics may also apply.

Target group

  • Students in initial training who have obtained a bachelor degree (licence) in physics, mechanics or earth sciences
  • Foreign students wishing to pursue their studies in the geophysics field in France
  • Students in continuing education wishing to pursue advanced studies in the geophysics field

Expenses

Tuition fees 2020-2021 : 243 €

And after

And after

Further studies

Graduates of the EPES master Geophysics program can continue their studies with a doctoral thesis, or supplement their training with a specialisation in computer science or business management methods.

  • A reorientation to the Georisks program is possible up to the end of the 1st year. Depending on the choice of UEs in semesters 7-8, reorientations to the Geodynamics or Georesources programs are also possible
  • Lastly, there is a Geosciences gateway locally in the Physics master through two modules of this master, Imaging and waves in natural environments (3 ECTS) and Geophysical fluids and/or instabilities (3 ECTS), option Complex matter, living matter, allowing students who have followed these modules to join the Geophysics program in 2nd year