Earth, Planet and Environmental Sciences
We offer training in geosciences, coastal and marine environment trades through the research unit of the Geo-Ocean Laboratory in Plouzané (IUEM, UBO) and Vannes (UBS), in close collaboration with the Ifremer Marine Geosciences Institute.
The expertise of these two units covers a wide range of topics: from coastal dynamics to the evolution of the Earth’s mantle, including the dynamics of rifts, margins, ridges and sediment, paleo-climatic and paleo-environmental recording. The work is based on a multidisciplinary and multiproxy approach based on instrumental poles: ocean spectrometry pole – instrumental pole in geophysics – pole in sedimentology/micropaleontology/palynology.
The key points of this Master’s degree are the numerous land and sea fields carried out throughout the training, the intervention of high-level researchers from both institutes, the possibility of research internships, among other possibilities, within IUEM, d’Ifremer or SHOM.
Training course
Ocean Geosciences (GO)
The Ocean Geoscience course of study is strongly linked to the eponymous laboratory. The graduates of this master’s degree will be able to develop and design research projects, provide expertise and consulting activities within public or private structures in the fields of geosciences and, in particular, marine geosciences. This master’s degree allows students to pursue a phD in marine geosciences, particularly in the following fields: margins, ridges, rifts, mineral resources, sedimentology, paleo-environments, paleo-climates, marine geochemistry.
Download the full presentation of the course and its scientific and local context.
Return from field training in the Alps
Return from field training in England
Coastal and Littoral Resource Engineering and Management (IGRECL)
The IGREC course clearly aims to a non-academic professional integration in the management of coastal and littoral resources among small and medium-sized businesses in the sector, local authorities and large companies whose work affects these environments. At the end of this course, students will have multidisciplinary skills in the management and exploitation of mineral and biological resources, with an understanding of the concepts of risk and vulnerability. These skills will enable them to adapt, anticipate and respond to coastal spatial planning strategies taking into account the European legal and socio-economic framework.
Educational software
MOVE (PETROLEUM EXPERTS)
Since December 2018, UBO’s STU (Earth and Universe Sciences) courses have had free access to PETROLEUM EXPERTS’ MOVE software suite, under an agreement signed between the UBO’s Earth Sciences Department and this company. The commercial equivalent of this donation of the MOVE software suite is £1,308,000.00.
This software is the most complete structural geology analysis and modeling “toolbox” available. It provides a complete digital environment to report in 3 dimensions on geological properties and characteristics by reducing the risks and uncertainties of geological models. It is a platform for the integration and interpretation of geophysical data, section construction, 3D model construction, kinematic restoration and validation, geo-mechanical modeling, fracture modeling, fault role modeling and analysis of the relationships between faults and tectonic constraints.
The Earth Sciences Department and the University of Brest (UBO) sincerely thank PETROLEUM EXPERTS Limited for their donation for the free use of the MOVE software suite. This tool will allow us to train our students in Licence 3 (at the UFR Sciences et Techniques du Bouguen) and in Master 1 and 2 (at the IUEM, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer) to use in the classroom this professional software commonly used in design offices, consulting firms and large geoscience companies working on geological reservoirs. For doctoral students, the databases at their disposal (most often bathymetric data and dense seismic reflection profiles) can thus be significantly enhanced according to the objectives of their thesis work.
More informations :
- MOVE software
- PETEX website
- Links to the relevant Geoscience models: Bachelor’s degree, with a specialization in Earth Sciences, Geology | Master’s degree in Earth and Planet Sciences, Environment | Master’s degree in Ocean Geosciences |Master’s degree in Marine Sciences | Master’s degree in Marine Geophysics | Doctoral School of Marine and Coastal Sciences
Kingdom Suite
UBO’s Earth Sciences learning path benefit from the free availability of the Kingdom Suite Software distributed by IHS Markit through the University Grant Program, which is updated every year since 2008.
Kingdom Suite software is a worldwide reference for 2D and 3D seismic interpretation and allows the integration of geophysical and geological data offering a wide variety of uses in fundamental and applied research. The software is used in the classroom for Master’s degree courses in Ocean Geosciences and Coastal Resource Engineering and Management. It is also used during sea teaching campaigns and for projects conducted individually by doctoral students at the Ocean Geosciences Laboratory.
The Department of Earth Sciences and the University of Brest (UBO) sincerely thank IHS Markit for the accreditation they have received for the free use of the Kingdom Suite software.
QGIS
Free and Open Source Geographic Information System
Matlab
Programming language for technical calculation, paid software, license acquired at the Laboratory.
Octave
Technical calculation programming language, free numerical calculation software comparable to MATLAB.
Contacts
Specilization coordinator:
Christine AUTHEMAYOU (Send an e-mail)
GO course:
M1 : Aurélie PENAUD (Send an e-mail)
M2 : Christine AUTHEMAYOU (Send an e-mail)
IGRECL course:
Evelyne GOUBERT (Send an e-mail)
Physics
This international specialty is co-accredited by IUEM to UBO and by ENSTA Bretagne. It aims to provide students the knowledge of the physical and dynamic properties of the marine environment and related engineering elements (especially ships). It has 4 courses: Ocean and Climate Physics (POC), Marine Geophysics (GM), Naval Hydrodynamics (HN) and Data sciences. GM, HN et POC have a common block in M1: fluid mechanics, solids, applied mathematics, data analysis, numerical modelling. The specializations for each course are more important in M2. The SDO course is only offered in M2. The training is based on long academic or industrial research internships at the end of M2.
This Master’s degree allows access to doctoral training within the framework of the Doctoral School of Marine and Coastal Sciences, as well as to jobs as a research engineer in many regional, national or foreign companies. The context in Brest is particularly developed for marine science and technologies.
The new Ocean Data Science course opened at the start of the 2020 academic year. Following this pathway and then taking a year of Marine Geomatics at ENSTA Bretagne (subject to admission by application) will lead to a diploma from this leading engineering school.
The Marine Physics/Marine Sciences program in cooperation with graduate engineering schools in Brest, is international and taught essentially in English (see the site for more information).
The program focuses on the physics of the sea (POC specialty), of the Earth particularly under the sea (GM specialty) and of ships and naval structures (HN specialty). In M1 the common scientific basics (Fluid and solid mechanics, applied maths, numerical analysis) are taught. In M2, the specific knowledge of each specialty is taught. Projects and internships are essential in the program. Relation with research centres and with private companies are central to research training.
Attending and validating this specialty and then validating the (one-year) specialty Marine Geomatics (provided the results of the M2 are good) would lead to obtaining the Engineering Degree of ENSTA Bretagne.
More precise information in English about our program and how to apply can be obtained with contacting Master.Marphys@univ-brest.fr
Training course
Ocean Physics and Climate
The course is based on the Laboratory for Ocean Physics and Satellite remote sensing (LOPS), the Laboratory of Environmental Marine Sciences (LEMAR), both of IUEM laboratories, the Hydrography, Oceanography and Meteorology department of SHOM, the Laboratory of Coastal Hydrodynamics of CEREMA.
Opportunities: research, teaching and research, consulting firms (impact of ocean circulation, or extreme events on offshore structures, on coastal erosion, on marine ecology, on exploitation of marine resources, or changes in pollution levels).
Marine Geophysics
The course is based on the Geo-Ocean Laboratory (GO), which is a research unit, and the Marine Geosciences Department of Ifremer.
Opportunities: research, teaching and research, research and development in the fields of marine energies, offshore / petroleum, marine mineral resources, and in consulting firms (sedimentary transport, coastal risks…).
Naval Hydrodynamics
The course is based on the Dupuy de Lôme Research Institute (IRDL, FRE, Brest) and the Institut de Recherche de l’École Navale (IRENAV).
Opportunities: research, teaching and research, consulting firms and test centres, marine energies, architecture and shipbuilding.
Ocean data science
Contacts
The speciality coordinator
Xavier CARTON
Send an e-mail
The M1 coordinator
Olivier Arzel
Send an e-mail
The M2 coordinators
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Marine Geophysics course
Cécile GRIGNÉ
Send an e-mail
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Naval Hydrodynamic course
Pierre-Michel GUILCHER
Send an e-mail
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Ocean Physics and Climate course
Xavier CARTON
Send an e-mail
Environmental management
EGEL (Expertise and Management of the Coastal Environment) is one of the eight Master’s degrees in the SML field (Marine and Coastal Sciences) at IUEM. Created in 2000, it is, historically, one of the first specialised training courses on coastal and marine environment management in France with a network of more than 500 alumni trained over the last 20 years.
Nationally recognized, EGEL aims to prepare students for careers in planning, environmental engineering and research in the field of coastal and marine management. A multidisciplinary Master’s degree in excellence (geography, planning, biology, ecology, law, economics, chemistry, etc.), it offers a cross-disciplinary approach to the knowledge, understanding and management of coastal and marine issues in a logic of transition and sustainability of territories.
Training course
EGEL- Expertise and management of the coastal environment
Our training is divided into two years.
The first year (M1) is considered as a disciplinary refresher course. It is therefore more focused on the acquisition of knowledge and methodologies. However, this does not prevent students from being in the field on a regular basis (data collection, meetings with stakeholders, boat trips, etc.).
The second year (M2) is more professional, as it is based on numerous applications of knowledge and professional situations: workshops over several months, organisation of round tables, field trips, transplanted classes in the territories to meet the needs of stakeholders, etc.
The course allows students to validate a “research” or “professional” pathway, but the master’s degree is generally applied (especially in M2). At the end of the course, most students enter the job market. However, it should be noted that each year, some students decide to extend their studies by doing a PhD in one of the Institute’s research laboratories.
The professional opportunities at EGEL are very varied: protection and management of coastal and marine heritage; fishing and aquaculture; study, management, restoration of fauna/flora/habitats; management of protected areas (MPAs, reserves, etc.); cartography, geomatics, GIS, database; mediation, awareness-raising, scientific animation; coastal risks (study, prevention); management, coastal development; animation, coordination of sea and coastal public policies; study, management, monitoring of water; energy (especially sustainable energy sources); tourism and sports activities, pollution and waste, etc. (non-exhaustive list).
Applied Economics
The Master’s degree is carried out by two laboratories specialized in the fields of maritime economics (AMURE) and agricultural economics (SMART-LERECO), both dealing with the dimensions of sectors, markets, resources, environment and territory. The training course is linked to all the strategic axes of the two laboratories, which involve researchers from five supervisory bodies: UBO, l’Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, Ifremer, INRAE and CNRS, located in Brest, Rennes, Nantes and Angers. The speciality Applied Economics refers to the analysis of the organization and dynamics of the agricultural and maritime sectors, agri-food sectors and coastal territories to enable a sustainable exploitation of resources and environmental and risk management. It trains the skills required to meet the needs of direct employment opportunities such as engineering departments, professional structures, companies, local authorities or government departments in terms of economic analysis.
Training course
Agriculture, Sea, Environment
This speciality is composed of a unique training course, entitled Agriculture, Sea, Environment (E2AME). Fully co-habilitated with l’Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, the E2AME master’s degree focuses on the economic analysis of the agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture sectors, the agri-food sectors and the marine and coastal environment, with an objective of sustainable exploitation of resources and the environment.
Law of Maritime Spaces and Activities
The courses taught in the Master’s programme are based on the research activities of the AMURE laboratory, whose three research areas are:
- Blue Economy
- Appropriation and responsibility
- Socio-ecosystem and territory
The aim of the course is to train high-level lawyers specialized in the law of the sea, the coastline and maritime activities.
The second year of the course is open to work-study contracts or apprenticeship contracts. Most of the teaching takes place at the UFR Droit et sciences économiques 12 rue de Kergoat in Brest.
There are many professional opportunities after completing this course. Graduates can work in the fields of insurance, banking and the sectors of activity covered by all operators (private or public companies) in the maritime sector; in the field of legal advice, studies and expertise; in professional and trade union organisations, maritime social benefit organisations, maritime cooperatives; in the territorial or national internal administration and the Community administration.
They can work as company lawyers or consultants (experts, lawyers after passing competitive examinations); as lawyers in harbours, in the fields of marine renewable energy, maritime and harbour safety, maritime works, shipbuilders; as project or contract managers (risk management in companies, contract managers in insurance); as agents or brokers (insurance); as project managers or managers in representative or public bodies (e.g. regional fisheries committee, natural marine parks); as legal advisors in the maritime sector (e.g. in the maritime sector); administrative lawyer (after competitive examination) in the State or territorial civil service or in the European institutions.
Training course
DEAM – Law of Maritime Spaces and Activities
The Master’s degree DEAM is one of the eight Master’s degrees in the field of “Marine and Coastal Sciences” of IUEM.
The objective of the course is to train professionals who can be in charge of detecting, analysing and dealing with legal problems relating to the various fields of maritime activities and the law of the sea. They are able to draw up documents for litigation cases, following up on contentious cases, defining, designing and drafting useful documents, legal acts and regulations.
Created more than 40 years ago, this Master’s degree is today recognised as a training course of excellence in the field of maritime spaces and activities law. The course is supported by a large network of alumni who put their experience at the service of students (conferences, training). This network also facilitates the search for internships, work-study programmes and the professional integration of young graduates.
Marine Environmental Chemistry
Within IUEM, this Master’s degree is linked to the Laboratory of Environmental Marine Sciences (LEMAR/UBO-CNRS-IRD-Ifremer) and the Geo-Ocean Laboratory (GO/UBO-CNRS-Ifremer-UBS). Both laboratories include a lot of teachers-researchers and researchers likely to participate in teaching and/or offer internships to students.
This Master’s degree in Marine and Coastal Sciences prepares young scientists for a PhD with a strong background in marine and analytical chemistry. It also enables graduates to join an engineering school program or to work directly.
The professions targeted following the training are diverse: teacher-researcher in higher education, researcher in research organisms, senior environmental executive, expert for state services, project manager for local authorities…
The professional environments that welcome these new graduates are universities, research centres, chemical and/or environmental engineering departments, chemical analysis and quality control laboratories, and public service organizations.
Training course
Marine Environmental Chemistry
Following this course, the graduate:
- has a strong background in theoretical and applied chemistry and masters the fundamental concepts of marine chemistry.
- has specific knowledge in marine biology, physical oceanography and marine geosciences that enable to approach the plurality of mechanisms that govern the functioning of marine ecosystems.
- has the ability to use and interpret results from modern analytical techniques (Mass Spectrometry, ICP-MS, CPG, HPLC, spectroscopy, electrochemical techniques).
- is able to develop an autonomous scientific approach aimed to respond to an environmental problematic (state of an ecosystem, prediction of its evolution) by implementing on-site sampling techniques, experimental laboratory protocols and by interpreting the data obtained.
- has a capacity to synthesize written and oral scientific documents.
Biotechnologies
The Master’s degree ensures the coordination of the biotechnology training offer in Brittany, bringing the training offer closer to the current structure of research. The training is co-accredited by UBO and UBS and carried out in partnership with the Roscoff Marine Station and the University of Nantes. The multidisciplinary teaching team is based on a strong training-research link, an international visibility of the teacher-researchers involved, and the participation of professionals. The objective of courses 1 to 4 is immediate professional integration.
This Master’s degree brings the general knowledge and methodologies necessary for the biotechnological valorization of biological resources, while knowing the business world, the regulatory framework, but also the English necessary for commercial and professional exchanges.
Training courses
The Master’s degree includes 4 courses carried by the UBO (P1) and by the UBS (P2-4), with a local M1 UBS allowing access to the M2 P1-3 and a M1 UBS relocated to the Catholic University of West North Brittany (ICO BN) specific to P4 (annex 1). Students from the local M1 will have the opportunity to continue their Master’s degree in M2 P4 and, conversely, students from the relocated M1 will be able to apply to M2 P2 or P3.
P1 : International Master’s degree in marine biotechnologies
International course at IUEM (UBO) in Plouzané, with a M2 in English. This course is also open to 3rd year students of the École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs en Agroalimentaire de Bretagne Atlantique (ESIAB) as part of a specialisation course.
P2 : Master’s degree in Biomolecules, Micro-organisms and Bioprocesses
P3 :Master’s degree in Chemical Ecology
Fully distance learning, in continuing or initial training.
P4 : Master’s degree in Products and Process Engineering
Relocated course at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest-Bretagne Nord (Guingamp), in initial or continuing training.
Possibility of professionalization contracts in M1 and M2.
Biology
The Master’s degree is carried out in co-accreditation between the UBO and l’Institut Agro Rennes-Angers (Rennes site). It is is attached to IUEM – Université de Bretagne Occidentale and mainly to the Laboratory of Marine Environmental Sciences (LEMAR/UBO-CNRS-IRD-IFREMER) and the Biology and Ecology of Deep Marine Ecosystems Laboratory (BEEP/UBO-CNRS-IFREMER). The specialization also refers to the multidisciplinary centre of competence in the field of marine and coastal sciences existing in Brest and especially at Ifremer, which is a key partner in the training offer.
The diploma responds to a strong request for excellence in training through fundamental and applied research in the fields of marine ecosystems (course 1) and in the field of management through an ecosystemic approach of fisheries resources and aquatic environments (course 2).
The aim is to prepare young doctoral scientists, representing 2/3 of the students, with a specialization in marine biological sciences and to connect with environmental issues related to the evolution of the oceans. The training also leads 1/3 of the students to research careers related to the professional fields of marine biology, to which are added for the third course new professional opportunities within the organizations in charge of the upstream part of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Training courses
Marine biological sciences
Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences
This course trains future scientists in the ecosystem-based management of living resources and marine environments.
They will have a high level of expertise in their scientific fields of reference, enabling them to carry out diagnostics and take appropriate decisions in complex situations and systems, both scientifically and in terms of the methods to be used and the diversity of interactions to be taken into account.
They are at the heart of scientific research, but are also capable of translating this knowledge into advice and project support. They implement relevant and innovative techniques in complex environments to act on territories and environments according to the analysis of the context and demand. They carry out experimental work.
International Master of science in Marine Biological Resources (IMBRSea)
The International Master in Marine Biological Resources (IMBRSea) is a joint Master’s programme organised by ten leading European universities in the field of marine sciences. IMBRSea covers a wide range of topics related to the sustainable use of marine living resources. By focusing on marine biological and ecological processes, the programme links the biology of marine organisms to environmental studies and marine policy and planning topics:
- University of Ghent (BE)
- Sorbonne University (FR)
- University of Algarve (PT)
- University of Oviedo (ES)
- Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (IE)
- University of the Basque Country (ES)
- Marche Polytechnic University (IT)
- University of Bergen (NO)
- Université Bretagne Occidentale (FR)
- Université de Côte d’Azur (FR) (NEW)
The program is also supported by fourteen marine research institutes belonging to the European Centre for Marine Biological Resources (EMBRC) and other associated partners.
Contacts
Master’s coordinator
- Grégory CHARRIER
Send an e-mail
Marine Biological Sciences course
- Grégory CHARRIER
Send an e-mail
Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences course
- Didier GASCUEL
Send an e-mail
IMBRSea course
- Olivier Gauthier
Send an e-mail
European Institute for Marine Studies – 2018
The IUEM is member of the Interdisciplinary graduate School for the Blue planet ISblue
