The objective of this Earth Sciences training is to provide students, over 3 years, with the foundations in all areas related to geosciences from both an academic and applied point of view.

Graduates of the Earth Sciences degree at the University of Reunion Island will receive multidisciplinary training in geosciences, beginning in their first year (L1) with general knowledge of Earth history, cartography, geodynamics, environmental chemistry, natural energies, and key aspects of career development. In their second year (L2), the curriculum will continue with courses in geochemistry, sedimentology, soil characterization, tectonics, introduction to field geology, magmatic and metamorphic petrology, hydrogeology and hydrochemistry, geophysics 1 (including seismology), geological mapping, applied mathematics for geosciences, and multidisciplinary field geology in the Cirque de Salazie. In the third year of the Bachelor's degree (L3), the teaching will be finalized with Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry, Geomatics, Programming in Geosciences, Geodynamics 2, Field Geology 3 with geological mapping, experience in a professional environment, Field Geology 4 with a mapping project in the west of Reunion Island, Geotechnics, Geophysics 2 with gravimetry and geomagnetism, Geodynamics 3 with Regional Geology, Volcanology and Geo-engineering.

Furthermore, the University of Reunion has forged privileged links with four European universities, including the University of Reykjavik in Iceland. Some Earth Sciences students from the University of Reunion take advantage of the Erasmus program to complete a semester in Iceland, generally in their third year of undergraduate studies, to validate their Earth Sciences degree.

Training aims :

Success in the first year of a Bachelor of Science degree requires mastery of knowledge and skills acquired in high school, a good understanding of the career opportunities offered by each university program, and a commitment from the prospective student to their chosen field of study. Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences are expected to:

• Possessing scientific skills: This qualification implies having the ability to analyze, formulate a problem and conduct reasoning, an ability to abstract, logical and modeling, and mastery of a foundation of disciplinary knowledge and associated experimental methods.

• Possessing communication skills: cThis qualification requires, in fact, the ability to communicate rigorously and appropriately in writing and orally, the ability to research in at least one foreign language, primarily English, and the ability to write and speak it at a B level.
• Possessing methodological and behavioral skills: This qualification requires intellectual curiosity, the ability to organize and manage one's learning, and finally, the aptitude to plan one's personal work and stick to it over time.

Upon completion of the three-year Bachelor's degree in Earth Sciences, students will be able to implement scientific methodologies to understand and solve diverse problems in the multidisciplinary field of Geosciences. The fundamental training in Earth Sciences allows for professional integration at the technician/assistant engineer level (technical management or assistant engineering positions in small, medium, and large private companies, government agencies and local authorities, or university research laboratories). Pursuing a Master's degree allows for professional integration at the manager/engineer level or access to engineering schools (via parallel admissions). The single-discipline curriculum can be supplemented by a University Diploma in Life Sciences (DU CAPES) for students intending to pursue a Master's degree in Education, Training, and Teaching (MEEF) specializing in Life and Earth Sciences for secondary school teachers.

Training opportunities:

Earth Science encompass all disciplines that aim to study the evolution and dynamics of the Earth from its formation to the present day, at various scales of space and time.

The study of the Earth draws on a wide range of disciplines such as field geology coupled with laboratory analyses, physics, chemistry, computer science and mathematics.

Historically, Earth Sciences have focused on studying the dynamics of the Earth's internal and external layers. The formation of mountain ranges, the origin of volcanism, and the causes of mass extinctions have all been topics addressed for decades. More recently, and in line with climate concerns, Earth Sciences have expanded into environmental fields such as the study of paleoclimates and the effects of climate change.

The location of the University of Reunion Island on a volcanic island with the second most active volcano in the world, frequently swept by major atmospheric phenomena, has motivated the Department of Earth Sciences to add specificities of our island to the teaching content.

The Earth Sciences major offers a generalist education that allows students to acquire broad knowledge in geology: tectonics, geodynamics, sedimentology, magmatology, metamorphism, geophysics, and geochemistry, while also integrating the use of computer tools. In addition to the traditional disciplines, the undergraduate curriculum also covers topics in volcanology, hydrogeology, and meteorology – atmospheric physics. The synthesis of Earth Sciences coursework naturally takes place during field days and internships, during which each student observes rocks and geological processes discussed in class.

Alongside this mandatory coursework, students can also participate in missions carried out by faculty members on the Piton de la Fournaise or the Piton des Neiges volcanoes, or even in more remote locations. Learning geophysical and/or geodetic methods in situ is a unique opportunity made possible by the exceptional geographical location of the University of Reunion Island.

Small group training that makes it easier to:

• with teachers: effective communication, a particular knowledge of students and their difficulties and expectations, individualized educational interactions for individualized progress, the carrying out of educational interviews (at least two per year) for obtaining and monitoring internships, as well as for determining further studies and/or professional integration;
• for students: easier communication, a sense of class;
• From an administrative point of view: easy management of timetables, teachers and reception facilities.

The proximity of the training to the laboratory and the Volcanological Observatory of Piton de la Fournaise allows for the completion of interesting internships.

Half-day training, enabling the completion of University Diplomas (DU) and double degree programs.

A well-established digital learning environment for students and usable both on campus and remotely.

Architecture of the teaching units separating the theoretical modules (Lectures – Tutorials) and practices (practical work including fieldwork) allowing for modularity in the training program.

Courses are taught exclusively in person and according to the principles of the competency-based approach., implementing educational innovations and respecting a educational progression.

Continuous and final assessments (written, oral, projects, learning and assessment situations).

For the most motivated students, optional exchange and sharing activities are available within the University.open to all but given preference for Earth science students, several Saturdays throughout the year.

Total hours worked: 1628 hours

The Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences is a three-year program that provides theoretical, practical, and applied training in the multidisciplinary field of Earth Sciences. The main objective of the curriculum is to acquire a solid foundation in geology and related disciplines, progressing and specializing from year 1 to year 3 in various course units such as geodynamics, geophysics, field geology, and hydrogeology, in line with professional opportunities in Réunion.

Mathematical and methodological tools as well as mandatory field placements, in addition to transversal teachings complete the disciplinary program: Foreign Language (English) essential in a scientific context, Opening Teaching Units (UEO), digital culture, pre-professional modules.

In the first year, the courses at the beginning of the semester are common with the Physics and Chemistry majors, included in a shared integration program in Bachelor's degree, with placement tests and remediation.

Students preparing for secondary school teaching competitions, in particular the Professional Aptitude Certificate for Secondary Education (CAPES) in Life and Earth Sciences, will need to acquire a bi-disciplinarity in Life Sciences (SV) and Earth Sciences, by supplementing their main training with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences.

The skills acquired during this training are in line with those of the RNCP record

In L2:

an immersive one-week field internship in the Cirque de Salazie, during the second semester of the first year of the Bachelor's degree.

In L3:

• An immersive one-week field internship in Les Makes, during the first semester of the second year of the Bachelor's degree.
• A field placement with partial autonomy spread over the second semester of the third year of the Bachelor's degree.

Registration fees are set annually by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space and are available on our institution's website: Register at the University of Reunion

To begin a first year (L1) Bachelor's degree in Earth Sciences at the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies : it is advisable to have obtained a general baccalaureate and to have followed the following specialization(s) in high school: Mathematics and Physics-Chemistry, in addition to having an affinity for Earth Sciences.

• Grades from the first and final years of high school
• Quality of written expression in a foreign language
• Quality of written and oral expression in French
• Autonomy
• Motivation and interest in training

For admission to the second year of a Bachelor's degree in Earth Sciences:

One of the following three conditions is possible:

• validation of the L1 Earth Sciences degree from the University of Reunion Island (60 credits – ECTS)
• Prior studies are validated on a case-by-case basis for those who have completed their first year of higher education: 60 ECTS credits, for example, another bachelor's degree, preparatory classes for the Grandes Écoles (CPGE), Bachelor of Technology (BUT), Higher Technician's Certificate (BTS), etc. Direct admission pathways exist depending on the type of CPGE.
• validation of prior learning.

For admission to the second year of a Bachelor's degree in Earth Sciences:

• validation of the L2 Earth Sciences degree from the University of Reunion Island (120 credits – ECTS)
• Prior studies are validated on a case-by-case basis for those who have completed their first year of higher education: 120 ECTS credits, for example, another bachelor's degree, preparatory classes for the Grandes Écoles (CPGE), Bachelor of Technology (BUT), Higher Technician's Certificate (BTS), etc. Direct admission pathways exist depending on the type of CPGE.
• validation of prior learning.

Generally, a minimum B2 level of English proficiency is expected for entry into a Bachelor's degree program. Furthermore, a minimum B2 level of French is required for international students.

• Grades in scientific subjects
• Grades for the First Modern Language (LM1) in the penultimate and final years of secondary school
• French grades in the penultimate and final years of secondary school
• Future Profile
• Motivated training project

To hold a general baccalaureate and to have followed the following specialization(s) in high school: Mathematics and Physics-Chemistry, in addition to having an affinity for Earth Sciences.

Depending on the student's situation, applications to enter the first year of Bachelor's degree (L1) take place according to two specific procedures (the national platform Parcoursup, Études en France).

Admission to the second and third years takes place on the platform admission.univ-reunion.fr and on Studies in France for foreign students.

For more information, you can consult the university's student services page: https://www.univ-reunion.fr/choisir-sa-formation/inscriptions/etudiants-en-reinscription/

Baccalaureate + 2 or equivalent

The Earth Sciences degree is primarily aimed at students with a general baccalaureate degree and a scientific background.

40 seats.

The admission dates for the first year of the Bachelor's degree (L1) are set nationally each year and are available on the Parcoursup platform

For admission to the second and third years of the Bachelor's degree (L2 and L3), the schedule is determined by the institution. It is available on the student services page of the university website: Students re-registering

Validation of the observed Bachelor's degree year (varies depending on the academic year).

Over the period from 2023 to 2025:

L1: 42%

L2: 80%

L3: 90%

The low success rate in L1 is mainly due to students' orientation errors (choice of the default field of study and/or lack of scientific background).

Upon completion of the three-year Bachelor's degree, students will be able to implement scientific methodologies to understand and solve diverse problems in the fields of Earth Sciences and at the interface with other disciplines.

Further studies after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Earth Sciences

Master: lGraduate students, holding a degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Reunion Island, can access, on application and/or interview and subject to availability, any Master's degree in Earth Sciences at the University of Reunion Island or in another French or European university.

Engineering schools: lStudents can choose the parallel admissions route to become engineers without going through the preparatory classes for the Grandes Écoles (CPGE). Undergraduate students (L2 or L3) can enter a post-baccalaureate school offering a 3- or 5-year program, either at certain generalist (Écoles Normales Supérieures) or specialized institutions. However, Earth Sciences students rarely pursue this type of path.

The sectors of activity and types of employment targeted by this training correspond to those listed in the RNCP record

Fundamental training in Earth Sciences allows for professional integration at the technician/assistant engineer level: technical management positions as assistant engineers for small, medium and large private companies, state services and communities, or university research laboratories.

Studies in Earth Sciences can lead to many promising careers related to the environment:

• Geologist, engineer or technician employed in laboratory, design office, environmental or construction companies (government agencies, local, departmental or regional authorities), in large water or energy management companies (mining resources and petroleum geology), in construction companies (quarries, special foundations, surveys, drilling, buried networks, underground works, sanitation, water supply and hydraulic works, sanitation, earthworks, road works), in the fields of hydrogeology or hydrology, environmental consulting, natural resources, natural risks, geotechnics and civil engineering.
• Technical geologist in environmental observatories (Earth, water, atmosphere) and natural hazard prevention.
• Facilitator in natural environment management organizations (national or regional parks) and in museology related to natural environments.
• Geoscience researcher.
• Professor of Life and Earth Sciences.