Master Forests and their environment - Parcours de la mention Agrosciences, Environnement, Territoire, Paysage, Forêt (AETPF)

Concept and objectives: This MSc major (M2) offers a broad perspective and in-depth training on the functioning and dynamics of European forests, providing a basis to address challenges arising from environmental constraints and forest management. The objective is to prepare for i) professional careers in R&D or expert positions in the environmental diagnosis and management of forest ecosystems in private/public, national/international institutions, ii) scientific careers in research institutions conducting programs in forest ecology and management. An introductory session gives an overview of European forests and the major issues related to their management. The core of the major provides fundamental and applied knowledge on the functioning and dynamics of forest ecosystems and communities, including tree physiology, biogeochemistry and ecology. A “tools & methods” session provides knowledge and training on the main quantitative tools used in ecosystem diagnosis and experiment analysis, including GIS, statistics, and modelling. Institutional framework and connection to research: The MSc major program provides a research-driven approach to the understanding and management of forest ecosystems. The teaching staff includes more than 30 professors and senior scientists from 9 research labs at AgroParisTech, Université de Lorraine (UL) and INRAE (inrae.fr/centres/grand-est-nancy). In addition to the balance between fundamental and practical knowledge, practitioners from organizations involved in forest management and R&D will also provide a connection to forest management issues, and ensure both a professional and academic education.

Aimed skills :
• Knowledge and understanding of the organization and functioning of forest ecosystems,
• Ability to analyze observations and experiments on forest ecosystems using appropriate quantitative tools,
• Understanding and development of modeling approaches to forest ecosystems,
• Ability to use major research tools and methods : identification and formalization of a research issue, literature analysis, oral and written scientific communication, in an English-speaking environment.