The Master 2 Water, Human, Environment aims to train professionals who will be equipped to understand surface environments (rivers, soils, groundwater) in their entirety (critical zone principle), focusing in particular on the physical-chemical, hydrological, and biological interactions at their interfaces, all under the influence of increasing human activity and a changing climate.
The M2 Water, Human, Environment program has been designed to train high-level specialists in understanding the complex functioning of continental surface environments through approaches combining physical chemistry, hydrology, biogeochemistry, and geophysics. Ideally sized to follow on from the M1 Geosciences: Basins, Water, Soils, the first semester is dedicated to teaching, which takes various forms and aims to provide the latest skills required, as well as the scientific maturity and beyond that students will need at the end of their studies (see M2 model below). To this end, a significant proportion of supervised or independent projects have been introduced. The academic year ends with a field internship, applying all the technical and scientific skills learned during the year. Starting in February, students undertake internships in companies or research laboratories.
Information
Skills
- Master and apply in-depth specialized knowledge of geosciences, particularly in the fields of water sciences, the physicochemistry of surface environments, and the assessment of anthropogenic impacts on the natural environment
- Mobilize methodological, technical, and practical skills useful for solving problems in geosciences, particularly in the context of critical water resources in environments marked by increasing and diverse human activities, all within the context of climate change.
- Conceptualize, structure, and lead a project in geosciences and conduct a critical analysis of the results.
- Learn and act independently. Develop the critical thinking skills expected of a Master's 2 student.
- Work in a team and collaborate to achieve common goals.
- Synthesize and communicate effectively in French and English in a manner appropriate to the target audience.
Objectives
The Master 2 Water, Human, Environment program aims to train high-level specialists in understanding the complex functioning of continental surface environments through approaches combining physical chemistry, hydrology, biogeochemistry, and geophysics. The integrative vision sought within this Master's program, which is quite innovative in the Paris region and France, will enable students to describe and interpret the effects of natural and anthropogenic forces on the evolution of these environments. This Master's program will also focus on the evolution of major biogeochemical cycles in the Anthropocene era. The water cycle and the quantification and qualification of water resources remain important topics covered in this M2 program. Particular emphasis will be placed on issues relating to the environmental management (particularly legal and regulatory) of these environments.
The career opportunities envisaged are:
- further study in a PhD program on topics such as water resources (qualification, quantification, or management), the physicochemistry of surface environments, the characterization of near-surface environments, major cycles (carbon or elemental), or the diagnosis, tracing, or remediation of contaminated or anthropized sites.
-recruitment by consulting firms in the fields of environmental management or consulting, water quality diagnosis or hydrology/hydrogeology, and polluted sites and soils.
-recruitment within water agencies, local authorities, or public industrial and commercial establishments (INRAe, BRGM).
Career Opportunities
Career prospects
Administration territoriale
Après un master : Chargé(e) d’études
Après Master + Doctorat : chercheur ou enseignant-chercheur
Bureaux d'études spécialisés dans l'évaluation des impacts environnementaux
Chargé de mission / Chargé d’études biodiversité, développement durable
Chargé de mission environnement / biodiversité
Chargé d'études environnement
Chef de projet environnement / biodiversité
ingénieur chimie-environnement
Ingénieur d’études dans les domaines de la recherche
ingénieur en santé-environnement
Ingénieur.e recherche & développement
métiers de la recherche
Responsable de laboratoire
Further Study Opportunities
Chercheur/chercheuse en R&D ou expert·e en modélisation et analyse de données dans des entreprises ou laboratoires de pointe.
Doctorat
Ingénierie études, recherche et développement
Fees and scholarships
The amounts may vary depending on the programme and your personal circumstances.
Admission Route
Capacity
Available Places
Target Audience and Entry Requirements
The M2 EHM will welcome students with a solid background in fundamental sciences, particularly in geosciences, physics-chemistry, and/or data processing. Applications from students with a background in biogeochemistry, physical geography, or physics will also be considered.
The selection of candidates will take into account (1) degrees already obtained, which must demonstrate a solid foundation in Earth sciences, physics-chemistry, hydrogeology, or (bio)geochemistry, (2) excellent results, (3) strong motivation, and, if possible, (4) practical experience in a laboratory or company in the field.
Application Period(s)
From 01/04/2026 to 15/06/2026
Supporting documents
Compulsory supporting documents
Motivation letter.
All transcripts of the years / semesters validated since the high school diploma at the date of application.
Certificate of French (compulsory for non-French speakers).
Curriculum Vitae.
Detailed description and hourly volume of courses taken since the beginning of the university program.
Additional supporting documents
VAP file (obligatory for all persons requesting a valuation of the assets to enter the diploma).
Document indicating the list of local M2 choices available here : https://urlz.fr/i3Lo.
Supporting documents :
- Residence permit stating the country of residence of the first country
- Or receipt of request stating the country of first asylum
- Or document from the UNHCR granting refugee status
- Or receipt of refugee status request delivered in France
- Or residence permit stating the refugee status delivered in France
- Or document stating subsidiary protection in France or abroad
- Or document stating temporary protection in France or abroad.