Master in Biology and Ecology for the Forest Agronomy and Environment – track Forests and their environments (FEN) Université de Lorraine

The MSc program in “Forests and their environments (FEN)” is a research-driven approach to the understanding and management of forest ecosystems, providing fundamental and applied knowledge on the organization, functioning, and dynamics of forest ecosystems and communities (including tree physiology, biogeochemistry, ecology, genetics) and on the major quantitative tools of ecosystem observation and experiment analysis (GIS, statistics, modeling). Specific emphasis is placed on the interaction between forest ecosystems and their environment, including global change issues.

A 2nd-year international MSc major in Nancy, France

Decipher the functioning and dynamics of temperate forest ecosystems and develop quantitative tools for their sustainable management in the context of global environmental changes.

Joint MSc program of Université de Lorraine & AgroParisTech

Want to study abroad in Europe? Come to Nancy!

• An urban area of 400 000 inhabitants and 50 000 students (Université de Lorraine and 10 Engineering schools).
• Easy access from Paris by TGV (high-speed train), and close to Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
• Nancy has a great architectural history (part of the UNESCO World Heritage) including the Art Nouveau period and is surrounded by forests and hills ideal for recreational activities.
• Many cultural and entertainment events all year round (e.g. NJP Jazz festival, le Livre sur la Place book fair).

Support research departments

• Silva, UL-INRAE-AgroParisTech
• Bureau d’Economie Théorique et Appliquée, INRAE-CNRSAgroParisTech-UL-UniStra
• Biogéochimie des Ecosystèmes Forestiers, INRAE
• Laboratoire d'Inventaire Forestier, I.G.N.

European/International partnerships

• Université de Lorraine, AgroParisTech and INRAE are members of the NFZ forest network (Nancy–Freiburg– Zürich) for higher education and research.
• AgroParisTech belongs to the consortium Erasmus Mundus MSc European Forestry and offers the major Forests and their Environment as educational support for the 2nd year
• INRAE and AgroParisTech are members of the European Forest Institute (EFI).
• International network opportunities further arise from international research collaborations at Université de Lorraine, AgroParisTech, and INRAE.

Institutional Framework and Connection to Research

The MSc 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 Université de Lorraine (UL), AgroParisTech and Institut National de Recherche Agronomique.

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.

Master curriculum

The first semester (S9) includes 9 training units for a total of

30 ECTS credits. Training units are as follows:

Fundamental and applied knowledge

• European forests, sustainable forest management, certification
• Understanding tree structure and functions
• Biogeochemical cycles in forest ecosystems
• Dynamics of forest plant and tree communities
• Forests and forestry in a context of global change

Tools and methodology

• Project in forest management
• Advanced statistics or GIS for forest science and forest ecology
• Models in forest management
• Forestry wood-chain tour

The second semester (S10) consists of an internship of a duration of >20 weeks evaluated through a written dissertation and an oral defense for 30 ECTS credits. The internship takes place either in a research laboratory or in institutions, companies, or associations of relevant fields of application. Internships can be proposed by students.

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 1) professional careers in R&D or expert positions in the environmental diagnosis and management of forest ecosystems in private/public national/international institutions, 2) 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 experiments analysis, including GIS, statistics, and modeling.

All disciplines of M.S. FAGE offer students the possibility to continue their education to the PhD level.