Launch of the Master's Degree in Wood Sciences
The first class of the Master's in Wood Sciences will begin in September 2021 at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Montpellier to train executives, engineers, and future researchers who will be a driving force for development and innovation in companies in the forestry and wood industry and in research laboratories.
This master's program is supported by MUSE as part of its Support program for the creation of new degrees Take 0ff #3.
Training for professions that respond to current environmental challenges
The material wood is addressed from its formation in trees to its uses as materials or molecules. Particular attention is paid to cross-disciplinary skills that provide a comprehensive overview and understanding of the sector (upstream/downstream, resources, markets, and value creation), thereby enabling the design of innovative and competitive wood products or services in line with sustainable development principles. "In the face of climate and environmental challenges, a transition is needed in our modes of production and consumption. What is true for energy and food is also true for materials. Wood clearly responds to these major challenges and its uses will develop significantly in the coming years," says Bruno Clair, Director of Research at the CNRS and co-founder of the master's program.
An innovative approach to learning
The master's program is based on active teaching methods such as problem-based learning (PBL), business and laboratory case studies, a common thread project, and the development of autonomy and personal projects. Sandrine Bardet, Associate Professor and co-founder of the program, explains: "We designed this master's degree to be interdisciplinary and based on active learning methods that develop each student's personal project in a spirit of cooperation."
Internships and apprenticeships for hands-on immersion
The master's degree is available as an initial training program or through an apprenticeship. For all students, the program begins with a week-long "Everything starts in the forest" course, which provides an immersion in the world of wood through visits to forests accompanied by environmental experts and forestry professionals, as well as visits to companies.
Finally, students will complete internships lasting at least four months each year, one in a company and one in academic research.
Applications will be open from March 15, 2021, to create a class of 20 students.
To find out about admission requirements, visit the master's program website: