Autumn Semester
Are you a student with with a strong interest in sustainable agricultural production systems?
Join the programme in Agroecology exclusively taught in English as an exchange student for one semester and obtain 30 ECTS.
Our 's Agricultural Engineering MSc in AGROECOLOGY is based on a transdisciplinary approach of agroecosystems with a focus on agronomical, ecological, environmental, economic and social issues. Emphasis is given to the integration of disciplines focusing on crop-livestock integrated systems that value and preserve biodiversity.
Venue: Rennes, France
Period: From September to JanuaryRequirements:
• Bachelor’s degree with a background in agronomy, crop science, animal science, soil science, ecology, economic and social sciences
• B2 level English proficiencyApplication deadline: June 15th
How to apply ?
Objectives
Our programme prepares students for a wide range of mission:
- Emphasise positive interactions within agroecosystems in order to propose agroecological practices which encourage functional biodiversity, appropriate crop rotations and help the natural regulation of populations and the management of bioagressors
- Manage soil fertility and complete biogeochemical cycles by developing synergies between livestock farming and crops
- Develop a systemic vision of agroecosystems to support, improve and increase farm sustainability
- Evaluate farm sustainability through multicriteria assessment including biodiversity, natural resources and the society
- Help farmers evaluate the relevance of their practices and com-pare them with those of other farmers, and encourage them to create possible changes
- Reflect and open up to new ideas while considering the goals, needs and interests of the stakeholders
- Contribute to the development of transdisciplinary research in agroecology.
Programme Features
- Individual and group-based learning
- Short projects on experimental sites and a transdisciplinary project on a real farm
- Active participation of professionals and scientific partners
- All courses in English
Support offered by l'Institut Agro Rennes-Angers
- Single Welcome Desk
- Free French Language Courses
- Housing Support
Courses content
TU | Code | ECTS Credits | |
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TU 1 : The challenges of Agroecology | RM2E-1 | 2 | More
TU1 : The challenges of AgroecologyCompulsory Course Units (CU)CU Introduction to Agroecology & Bibliographical Report - RM2E-1
Course volume in hours:20.00 hours Coordinator(s):S. Menasseri, G. Pérès, M. Plantegenest Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: Create a cohesive group, grasp the stakes of specialization, and share an agro-ecological culture. Course description:
- Courses: 9 hours Assessment pattern: To be defined
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TU 2 : Global socio-economical analysis | RM2E-2 | 3 | More
TU2 : Global socio-economical analysisCompulsory Course Units (CU)CU Social movements and scientific concepts - RM2E-21
Course volume in hours:22.00 hours Coordinator(s):C. Darrot, PH. Boudes Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course:
Course description: Measures to be discussed as CM, participative student work, presentations, workshops, reading materials, and external speakers (in relation with specialty). Four themes of 6 h which take up this part - therefore 8h CM, 8h TD, 8h Ext / works.
- Courses: 8 hours Assessment pattern: Presentation from personal and reading works (to be defined according to the balance of the evaluation models in the specialty). CU Agroecology: economic approach and public policies - RM2E-22
Course volume in hours:20.00 hours Coordinator(s):A. Carpentier, A. Ridier Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: The aim is to present: (i) The economic issues of the agro-ecological transition for the society (examination of the views of the different types of actors, discussion of the notion of locking), (ii) An overview of the types of public intervention possible (how to intervene, which actors to target, how to interfere at what pace, presentation of innovation mechanisms induced, economic incentives: advantages and limitations, why and how to combine different intervention instruments public), (iii) The possible objectives and possible forms of a policy for agro-ecological transition will be discussed here. Course description:
- Courses: 20 hours Assessment pattern: To be defined
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TU 3 : Theoretical bases of agroecosystem functioning | RM2E-3 | 6 | More
TU3 : Theoretical bases of agroecosystem functioningCompulsory Course Units (CU)CU Biodiversity in agroecosystems - RM2E-31
Course volume in hours:28.00 hours Coordinator(s):G. Pérès, M. Plantegenest Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: The main objectives of this UC is to improve the knowledge (theory, practice) on the biodiversity of agroecosystems. Based on lab and field approaches, this UC will assess the plant diversity (cultivated or natural) and the fauna diversity (invertebrates). Course description:
- Courses: 9 hours Assessment pattern: To be defined CU Soil quality and ecosystem services - RM2E-32
Course volume in hours:24.00 hours Coordinator(s):E. Le Cadre Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: Soils are a non-renewable resource, and essential for crop development. It is necessary to understand how agricultural practices can modify their functioning in order to adopt sustainable practices. During this course, students will complete their knowledge on soil functioning to embrace the concept of soil quality in its various meanings. At the end of the course, students will be able to discuss about the integration of soil quality into the actual discussions on the benefits provided by Ecosystems (and Agro ecosystems) to Humankind. Course description: Course description: 1) Introduction 2) Analysis of soil functions and contributions to ecosystem services 2.1 Comparative analysis of the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) cycle and specific issues addressed by each element (fertilization & environment) 2.3 Roles of microbes in Ecosystem functioning 2.4 Soil organic matter turnover and water/air quality regulation services 3) Soil natural capita and monetary evaluation of soil ecosystems services Tutorials on case studies dealing with impact analysis of agricultural practices on soil quality Practical exercises: soil profile analysis to understand the limitation of crop performances (root development, soil compaction, ...) Documents resources - Courses: 14 hours
CU Landscape management and biogeochemical flows - RM2E-33
Course volume in hours:25.00 hours Coordinator(s):O. Godinot Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course:
Course description:
- Courses: 13 hours Assessment pattern: Evaluation of the group oral restitution CU Basics on animal science and livestock farming - RM2E-34
Course volume in hours:7.00 hours Coordinator(s):Y. Le Cozler, A.L. Jaquot Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course:
Course description: - What is Livestock farming systems? - Basics principles of farm animal physiology, health and behavior:
- Farmer’s objectives and jobs:
- Animal production chains and their concerns:
- General and global discussion: (To go further: General course on Precision Livestock)
CU Ecological theories and biodiversity measurement - RM2E-35
Course volume in hours:24.00 hours Coordinator(s):M. Plantegenest, G. Pérès Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: This UC aims at providing concepts, theory and methods to help understanding and studying the role of biodiversity in the functioning of agroecosystems at the functional scale of interaction networks and at various spatial scales from the field to the landscape. Course description:
- Courses: 20 hours Assessment pattern: To be defined
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TU 4 : Sustainability of agroecological systems | RM2E-4 | 2 | More
TU4 : Sustainability of agroecological systemsCompulsory Course Units (CU)CU Farming systems sustainability assessment - RM2E-41
Course volume in hours:32.00 hours Coordinator(s):O. Godinot, C. Darrot Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course:
Course description:
- Courses: 4 hours
Assessment pattern: Oral presentation of sustainability assessment method, evaluation of posters and oral presentation
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TU 5 : Agroecosystem Management Levers in Agroecology | RM2E-5 | 6 | More
TU5 : Agroecosystem Management Levers in AgroecologyCompulsory Course Units (CU)CU Agroecological management of forage resources - RM2E-51
Course volume in hours:23.00 hours Coordinator(s):J. Flament Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: The objectives of this course are to deepen students' knowledge of forage systems management, with a particular focus on grassland and grazing management. The aim is to help students to understand the need in decision tool development taking into account grazing specificities (needs to foresee, anticipate, decide, and analyze). Course description: Lectures:
Visit: grass-based dairy farms. - Courses: 16 hours
Assessment pattern: Oral presentation of visits CU Agroecological management of soil quality - RM2E-52
Course volume in hours:25.00 hours Coordinator(s):G. Pérès Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: Within this fundamental unit, based on the ecosystem services provided by the soil, it is necessary to identify agronomic levers allowing the agro-ecological management of soil fertility. In this UC, we mean agro-ecological management of soil fertility, agricultural management methods to ensure the supply of food and fiber (ecosystem service of supply) while preserving the environmental quality (quality of water, air, soil). This UC will be organized in two stages: based on concrete cases (intervention of a professional, combination of CM and TD), this stage will decline a set of agronomic levers allowing the agro-ecological management of fertility; the second step, through the implementation of an integrator tool, will enable us to evaluate the implementation of these levers. Course description: Step 1: agro-ecological levers
Step 2: Implementation Evaluation by multicriteria analysis (physical, chemical and biological) of the implementation of agro-ecological management methods. This exercise will be based on concrete cases, either by using data previously acquired in different agrosystems, or by using data acquired during field trips. GP, SM, AJ Field trip The field trip will be the opportunity to either (i) combine a visit to a farm using an agro-ecological management method and measures of certain parameters, or (ii) visit two types of farms implementing modes different agro-ecological management systems. - Courses: 11 hours Assessment pattern: To be defined CU Agroecological management of plant health - RM2E-53
Course volume in hours:24.00 hours Coordinator(s):M. Plantegenest, C. Le May Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: This UC aims at providing a large overview of the lever that can be used to design an agroecological plant protection strategy against animal pests, diseases and weeds. It will present how those levers can be combined to produce a relevant agroecological system. Course description:
- Courses: 15 hours Assessment pattern: Oral presentation CU Plant breeding in agroecology - RM2E-54
Course volume in hours:24.00 hours Coordinator(s):A. Laperche, E. Le Cadre Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: Students should be able to consider the contribution of plant breeding to agroecological systems. This contribution relies both on the remobilization of concepts and knowledge already applied in breeding, but also integrate the cutting edges concepts dealing with plant functioning in complex environments. Different points should be clearly identified: Course description: A set of lectures will draw an overview of the points presented in the « Objectives » parts; conferences/practical exercises will illustrate those approaches.
Global discussion and conclusions. - Courses: 20 hours Assessment pattern: Oral presentation
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TU 6 : Plant, Soil, Animal interactions | RM2E-6 | 4 | More
TU6 : Plant, Soil, Animal interactionsCompulsory Course Units (CU)CU Plant, soil, animals interactions analysis - RM2E-61
Course volume in hours:21.00 hours Coordinator(s):E. Le Cadre, A. Jaffrézic Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: This module presents the ecological principles unifying above and below ground relationships of an agro-ecosystem. The aim of the module is to complete knowledge of agro ecosystems functioning taking explicitly account of the roles of animals including vertebrates in Ecosystem Services at different scales (plot to landscape – annual to pluriannual). The students will be encouraged to describe Course description: A) General introduction to the module B) Theoretical backgrounds
C) Conceptualization
- Courses: 13 hours Assessment pattern: Final examination on table (or during student restitution) CU Pasture model and scenarisation - RM2C-62
Course volume in hours:19.00 hours Coordinator(s):E. Le Cadre, A.-L. Jacquot Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: In this course, students will interview farmers who have a particular questioning about agroecology transition. As an issue of the visit, the students will propose strategies taking into account the objectives of the farmers and the agroecological processes detailed previously in this module. To help students in this activity, methodology dealing with consultancy will be used. Course description: A) Conceptualization of the pasture agrosystem Introductive lecture on model conceptualization in a grass based farm B) Utilization of the conceptual model and feedback tutored by lecturers
*Extra thematic questions can be addressed in function of group size C) Report redaction and oral presentation - Courses: 7 hours
Assessment pattern: Report CU Agroecology consultancy - RM2E-63
Course volume in hours:24.00 hours Coordinator(s):E. Le Cadre, A.-L. Jacquot Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: In this course, students will interview farmers who have a particular questioning about agroecology transition. As an issue of the visit, the students will propose strategies taking into account the objectives of the farmers and the agroecological processes detailed previously in this module. To help students in this activity, methodology dealing with consultancy will be used. Course description: Introduction to consultancy: The introduction of the module will be focused on farming consultancy (the main issues for consultancy, presentation of the different way to advise farmers, different aspects of being farm consultants...) : discussion with consultants on their daily job aspects) Methods developed to conceptualize the farmer strategies: theory and practise : the student will also prepare an interview be presented to the students in order to prepare a farm survey - On site evaluation : the students will the interview of the farmers, in order to collect any information needed to realize the conceptual functioning of this farm Back to the campus, the student will prepare an oral presentation. - Courses: 7;30 hours Bibliography: Report
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TU 7 : Statistical, modelling and spatial engineering tools | RM2E-7 | 3 | More
TU7 : Statistical, modelling and spatial engineering toolsCompulsory Course Units (CU)CU Statistical tools for data processing - RM2E-71
Course volume in hours:21.00 hours Coordinator(s):M. Emily, M. Plantegenest Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: One challenge in agroecology is to put heterogeneous data in a single pipeline of analysis. Course description: The module aims at introducing the various steps of a statistical approach in AgroEcology starting from simple linear models to more complex extensions such as generalized linear models and linear mixed models. Based on a large amount of illustrations, courses aim at providing the mathematical basics of the statistical models. - Courses: 15 hours Assessment pattern: UC 71 will be evaluated based on a report of a project CU Spatial analysis and GIS - RM2E-72
Course volume in hours:18.00 hours Coordinator(s):C. Walter 1 P. Pichelin, B. Lemercier Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: This course focuses on the proper use of GIS techniques within projects where geo-information plays an important role. Course description: The course will be based solely on practical teaching and supposes prerequisites on general concepts on spatial analysis and GIS. Teaching intends first to make students familiar with Geographical information Systems (GIS) techniques and progressively, through problem solving approaches, to make them able to plan and implement spatial analysis tools to real-world problems linked to agroecology. Day 1. Introduction to GIS techniques
Day 2. Interpolation and spatial modelling: spatial analysis of soil biodiversity data
Day 3. Data combination and decision support: land suitability for agricultural production
- Tutorials: 19 hours
Assessment pattern: Evaluation is based on the exercise resolved in day 3. CU Modeling applied to agroecology - RM2E-73
Course volume in hours:20.00 hours Coordinator(s):M. Plantegenest, S. Menasseri Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: This course aims at evidencing, based on several examples drawn from various fields, the interest of modelling for the analysis of agroecological problems. Students will learn how translating an agroecological question into a mathematical model and the various ways that can be applied to study it. An analysis of literature will be carried out to present the diversity of approaches and questions that can be addressed by modelling. Course description:
- Tutorials: 12 hours Assessment pattern: Analysis of scientific article will be orally presented by small groups (2-3 students). This will the basis for student evaluation.
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TU 8 : Professional Project | RM2E-8 | 2 | More
TU8 : Professional ProjectCompulsory Course Units (CU)CU Professional project - RM2E-8
Course volume in hours:75.00 hours Coordinator(s):S. Menasseri, G. Pérès Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: Implementation of the knowledge acquired on the 4 components (production, society, resource-environments, biodiversity) in order to setup a culture system conducted in agroecology:
Course description: This project is organized around an agroecological issue on the scale of a territory and in connection with agriculture, - Project: 75 hours Assessment pattern: Report, oral presentation
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TU 9 : Languages | RM2E-9 | 2 | More
TU9 : LanguagesCompulsory Course Units (CU)CU English - RM2C-anglais
Coordinator(s):J. Uebel Language of instruction:English Purpose of the course: Ability to communicate orally and in writing in general and professional fields in an international context. Course description: According to the level of the student: A , B, C, … Assessment pattern:
Electives Courses1 CU to choose from 3CU German - RM2C-alleman
Language of instruction:French CU Spanish - RM2C-espagnol
Language of instruction:French CU UC French - RM2C-français
Language of instruction:French
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Teaching Staff
The staff is composed of permanent researchers and teachers from l'Institut Agro Rennes-Angers and a team of experts and professionnals.