Master EMME
Ecology, Monitoring and Management of Ecosystems
Outline of the program
The EMME Master’s degree aims to train future scientific leaders in ecology, as well as future managers and project leaders working to conserve and manage biodiversity and ecosystems.
The Master’s programme lasts two years.
It offers an original range of theoretical and practical courses in ecology, conservation biology and ecosystem management.
It is open to students from France and abroad, and over 80% of the courses are taught in English.
Program description
> A training program in line with the job market
Starting from the academic year 2024-2025, the courses and assessments are structured around the validation of 6 major competences corresponding to the expectations of the professional world targeted by the course (consultancies, local authorities, the voluntary sector, government agencies, research, etc.):
- Designing, managing and leading a project in ecology and conservation
- Integrating the regulatory, institutional and societal framework
- Understanding and integrating fundamental knowledge of ecology and conservation
- Implement a data collection strategy in the field and in the laboratory
- Analyse and interpret data relating to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
- Providing scientific or environmental outreach
The training includes practical work experience through:
- Long-term internships (2-3 months in M1 and 4-6 months in M2),
- Tutored projects spread over the first three semesters,
- Practical and supervised work.
> The courses
The courses are designed on the principle that biodiversity conservation must be based on a systems approach, linking knowledge at different levels of biological organization and on different spatial and temporal scales.
Thus, the training includes key disciplines in ecology, namely:
- Functional ecology (ecosystem structure and function, population and community ecology)
- Conservation biology (threats to animal and plant species)
But also other relevant disciplines such as:
- Palaeoecology (long-term evolution of ecosystems),
- Ecotoxicology (transfer and effects of pollutants),
- Epidemiology (transmission of zoonotic pathogens),
- Numerical ecology (statistics applied to ecology),
- Research protocol design,
- Environmental law and socio-economics of conservation,
- Organization structuring and management in environmental settings,
- In addition to the hard science of biodiversity.
Courses content relies on the scientific expertise of teaching staff and includes recent technological developments in the fields of numerical ecology, molecular ecology, monitoring and management of populations and ecosystems.
N.B. Conservation professionals and managers actively contribute to the continuous improvement of this master’s program, aiming to place the teachings within the wider context of project management and decision-making procedures.
> Field practical sessions
Field sessions enable students to put into practice the methods and concepts taught during their training. Each year, they take part in at least one week-long continuous field session, and in several field schools.
These practical applications allow them to test hypotheses regarding the potential impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on animal or plant populations or communities in a local context, particularly in the context of the various activities that exist in the Jura Massif known for its remarkable landscapes, its typical ecosystems (peat bogs, woodland meadows…), and its species of conservation concern species (lynx, etc.).
> Skills assessment
The skills to be acquired involve combining various resources (know-how, theoretical knowledge, databases, literature, technical tools, etc.) to adapt to different complex professional contexts.
These skills will be assessed gradually over the two years of the Master’s programme, through:
- specific assessments (knowledge tests, etc.)
- Learning and Assessment Situations (LAS: internships at the end of the year – 2 to 3 months in M1 and 4 to 6 months in M2 – and group tutored projects) in which the student will have to produce a piece of work corresponding to a well-defined professional situation and requiring autonomy, reflection and the mobilisation of various skills.
The Master’s degree will be awarded once all the competences have been validated.
The courses relating to these competences are distributed throughout the Master’s programme according to the table available via the link: https://www.nature-conservation-ubfc.com/emme/fr/targeted-competences-and-programme/
Future career prospects
The aim of the course is to train future scientific leaders in functional ecology, ecotoxicology and epidemiology as well as future managers and policy officers in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.
Entry requirements
Available spots: 16 in M1 and M2
The application files are reviewed by the recruitment committee of the EMME master’s program. After a first examination of all complete files by the recruitment committee, some candidates may be called for an interview.
Selection criteria are:
- Previous training in line with the Master EMME objectives
- Quality of the training (marks, ranks, distinction)
- Internships and/or professional experiences in line with the Master EMME objectives
- Motivation and career objectives
- Recommendation
General requirements: To meet the general entrance requirements for programme studies at the Master’s level, you must have graduated from an accredited university with a degree equivalent to at least a Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS).
Please note that you must provide adequate supporting documentation in the form of diplomas or official transcripts specifying all courses completed, including any transferred credits from previous schools, both in the original language and translated into English or French.
Specific requirements: Specific entrance requirements consist of previous university studies within the following subjects: biology, ecology, and statistics.
English requirement: In order to be eligible, the English language entry requirement corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in France.
Students already registered in a French university apply online on the MonMaster platform. All information available on http://www.nature-conservation-ubfc.com/emme/en/.
Candidacy file:
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae with personal, training, internship, professional, and other information allowing the recruitment committee to assess the quality of the candidacy.
- Evidence of completion of upper secondary school (high school) in the form of final and official certificates and transcripts. Note that the transcripts must specify all coursework completed.
- Cover letter, including the professional project.
- Two letters of recommendation (references).
Grants
Up to five fellowship grants (800 € per month, during up to 10 months) might be awarded each year to high quality foreign students depending on fund availability.
Contacts
- Francis Raoul, headteacher, +33 (0)3 81 66 57 36 / master.emme@univ-fcomte.fr
- Renaud Scheifler, headteacher assistant, +33 (0)3 81 66 57 40 / master.emme@univ-fcomte.fr
- Christelle Robbe, teaching assistant, +33 (0)3 81 66 66 33 / master.emme@univ-fcomte.fr