Geotechnics

Core Courses

The Geotechnical specialty of the Civil Engineering program focuses on the study of soil and rock mechanics; hydrogeology; geophysics and natural hazards (landslides, swelling, etc.). As well as addressing concerns related to modeling soil behavior and the interaction between the subsoil and the structure, it also studies soil stabilization using various techniques (chemical, mechanical, physical, and thermal) and slope stability.

The Master's degree is composed of four semesters, or two years of study. This specialty particularly focuses on training students in the field of soil stability, soil reinforcement, analysis of their bearing capacity, and the study of static and dynamic soil-structure interaction. In more detail:

• Soil Investigation: This includes surveys, in situ tests, and laboratory analyses to characterize soils. • Soil mechanics: This analyzes the behavior of soils under load, particularly to determine their shear strength and permeability.

• Foundation design: This allows the selection of the appropriate foundation type for the soil and loads, as well as determining its dimensions.

• Stability analysis: This evaluates the stability of slopes, dikes, and other geotechnical structures.

• Soil reinforcement: This improves soil properties to make them more resistant or stable.

The courses offered are organized into lectures, tutorials, and practical work. They are organized into semester-long teaching units (TUs) covering fundamental, methodological, cross-curricular, and introductory subjects. Each teaching unit may include several "subjects." Semester 4 is reserved for an internship or introductory research project, assessed by a final dissertation and a public presentation.

Advanced Topics

This program aims to train skilled senior managers for the civil engineering sector in the four specialties listed above. This aptitude provides:

Future Master's in Geotechnical Engineering graduates have a wide range of options, including working in specialized technical design offices, civil engineering firms, and public works and hydraulics companies. They can become site managers, design office engineers, project managers, or even project owners. Entrepreneurship and business management are also important. They can also work in technical inspection and construction monitoring offices in major application areas such as roads, embankments, buildings, civil engineering structures, the environment, and soil treatment.

Geotechnicians are often employed by:

• Geotechnical design offices: They conduct geotechnical studies for various construction projects.

•   Civil engineering and public works companies: They are involved in the construction of geotechnical structures.

•  Local authorities: They may be involved in natural hazard management. By holding a Master's degree in Civil Engineering in one of the specialties, the student has acquired the possibility of accessing applications for a LMD Doctorate in the Geotechnical specialty.