Master 2 Interdisciplinary - Integrated Watershed Sciences

The second year of this specialisation track is focused on theory and practives to tackle complex water challenges. The program provides a research-driven approach combining teaching methods, such as lectures, practicals, group exercises, field-based work, student presentations as well as completion of an independent research project (Master thesis).

You will learn theory of trans and inter-disciplinary, apply these knowledge to complex issues in water sciences, develop your skills through various technics for solving water-related problems, and professional tools, such as scientific communication and project management.

Year-2 Teaching Units (UE)

• Challenges in water sciences 3
• Inter and transdisciplinarity 3
• Disciplinary basis 6
• Cross-disciplinary issues 3
• Supervised project 3
• Technics and methods 6
• Communication and application 6
• Master thesis 30

Total Year 2 60

Master thesis and topics

Students will carry out a supervised final research project as their Master's thesis. The purpose of the thesis is to demonstrate the student’s capacity to design, conduct and analyze a scientific study based on the skills obtained during the first three semesters. Students from different disciplines will form clusters around trans-disciplinary research questions to address complex real-world issues that go well beyond their individual expertise. Each student will work on facets of the question that are related to its specific discipline while collaborating with other students in its cluster.

Students will present their individual projects, results, and relevant background literature in an independent Master thesis and a Master seminar that follows the procedures of scientific meetings. In addition, students from each cluster will generate a short report describing the collective effort to solve the real-world issue of their project.

Master theses will be carried out in one of the research units of the H2O'Lyon network, in collaboration with external organizations involved in watershed management and water sciences.

Examples of suitable Master thesis topics:

• Climate change and water resource
• Environmental risks and freshwater pollution
• Restoration and freshwater biodiversity
• Sustainable urban water management
• River health assessment and integrated diagnosis

Students are being prepared for a career in fundamental or applied research, water conservation, management, and policy at different regional, national, and international levels that are associated with their own areas of expertise (e.g., ecology, geomatics, water, environment, and risk management, engineering sciences). Possible employment will include positions such as Project Manager, Research Scientist, and Policy Analyst.

In contrast to traditional water-sciences programs, the H2O’Lyon IWS program has a strong emphasis on inter-, cross- and trans-disciplinarity and the development of communication tools. Freshwater issues are no longer subject-specific. Therefore, knowledge and understanding of related disciplines will not only be crucial for finding innovative, holistic solutions to current and future threats but will also increase professional skills, employability, and job satisfaction.

Ph.D. Studies

In addition to pursuing a career as a water professional (see above), this Master's degree specialization track makes you eligible for scientific postgraduate degree studies.

As a Ph.D. student, you are part of a research group and will conduct your own independent scientific project.

Degrees can be completed at the University of Lyon in one of the H2O’Lyon research units (or anywhere else in the World).

Students can do either a regular Ph.D. or pursue a program within the CIFRE program (a French partnership program to conduct doctoral studies while being employed by a company).

The H2O’Lyon team will assist IWS students to identify a suitable Ph.D. project and research partners as well as potential funding sources.