Department of Geography and Planning

It is the organization of space and territories.

• Understanding the spatial organization of nearby and more distant societies

What Geographies?

• Human geography studies populations in all their dimensions (rural, urban, cultural, social, quantitative, risks, etc.).
• Physical geography studies the components of the natural environment (geomorphology, climatology, hydrology, biogeography, etc.).
• Regional geography analyzes portions of the Earth's surface of varying sizes (city, "country," administrative region, state, group of states, continent, etc.).

What is the point of geography?

• A discipline that interacts strongly with others (geology, history, sociology, economics, biology, psychology, archaeology, etc.)
• A discipline characterized by numerous practical applications in everyday life

• Specialization in mountain environments and territories—particularly from the^third year of the bachelor's degree program onwards, then in the Master's program in Geography and Mountains.
• Practical training backed up by numerous field trips (day trips, internships, study trips)
• Close ties with professional circles:
  • Interventions by professionals in teaching from the^third year of the bachelor's degree and in the master's degree
  • Internships, supervised projects, etc. with public/private partners
• A privileged setting:
  • Small class sizes
  • Regular supervision and monitoring
  • Campus between lake and mountains
• Strong synergy with research laboratories (EDYTEM and partner research units)
• Events for students: Géo’rizon© study days, Professional meetings of Savoie geographers, GéoSavoieSphère

Teaching Professions

• • School Teacher (CRPE competitive examination)
  • Middle school and high school teacher (CAPES and Agrégation competitive examinations)

Research Careers

• • Higher education teacher-researcher (PhD)
  • Researcher at CNRS / University / INRAE
  • Research Engineer, CNRS / University

Land Use Planning Professions

• • Land use planning and environmental professions: Development officer, Service manager, Technician, Design engineer, Project manager, Project leader, Urban planner, etc.
  • Business sectors:
    • Private organizations: Urban planning firms, consulting firms, design offices, commercial companies (tourism, etc.), tourist resorts, etc.
    • Local authorities: Town halls, Departments, Regions, Parks and Nature Reserves, etc.
    • Public institutions: Equipment, ONF (French National Forestry Office), Chambers of Agriculture, Water Agency, etc.

Examples of jobs/positions held by former students

Fabien
Class of 2018-2019

I studied geography at USMB from my first year onwards without any specific career plans. So, for my master's degree, I was looking for a professional training program that would allow me to clarify my plans. The M2 GAM was a decisive year for my career path and enabled me to access the job I have today in a field that I am passionate about, hiking. I particularly appreciated the large number of guest speakers from the professional world in the first semester's classes, as well as the work on a development workshop with two other students. These experiences were enriching from a professional standpoint, allowing me to explore the diversity of careers in mountain development and to put myself in the shoes of a future professional by responding to concrete needs, particularly in the context of the development workshop. In the second semester, the six-month internship I did at the Sainte-Baume Regional Nature Park on the creation of long-distance hiking trails allowed me to discover the hiking environment and subsequently gain access to the position of Hiking and Interpretation Project Manager at the Aubrac Regional Nature Park. Now working at the Savoie Departmental Council, still in the field of hiking, I owe a lot to my training and use the tools and knowledge I acquired this year on a daily basis.

Typhaine
Class of 2019-2020

The GEOSPHERES Master's program offers a wide range of elective courses, which take place over a full week at partner educational institutions. It's an ideal format for completing your studies while developing and nurturing a professional or research project in complete autonomy. For example, I chose courses that provided me with knowledge and tools related to the environment and agriculture. The weeks of classes that bring the whole class together allow you to structure and consolidate your research thesis, with the support of the faculty and other students. The second semester is devoted to writing the thesis and/or a professional internship. This Master's program allows for a great deal of freedom, which requires having a minimally defined project in order to make the most of this year. The diversity of student profiles, the support of the faculty, and the convivial moments shared during field weeks or in other cities are remarkable assets of this Master's program, promoting mutual aid, discussion, and curiosity about subjects that are still unknown.

Le Monde – September 2, 2022 – Tiphaine Thuillier – In Savoie, when students imagine the mountains of tomorrow

France Info – February 19, 2022 – Boris Hallier – Ski resorts call on Savoyard students to reflect on the future of the mountains

Géo’rizon, study days organized by the Geography Department

Géo’rizon is a tool for disseminating and expanding geographical culture to different audiences. The aim is to observe how geographers approach research, whether on a particular field (such as Latin America) or on a geographical object (the street, the island, etc.). These sessions take place in the city center, in the Decottignies Amphitheater (Rue Marcoz) of the Presidency of the University of Savoie Mont Blanc, and are open to the general public.

Objectives

• A cultural and scientific opening towards various fields of geography for students
• An exceptional event for students, with non-"usual" teachers
• An event that brings together all years and, like field trips, helps students bond.
• A way to structure the year and keep students motivated
• The development of links between teachers in Chambéry and those at other universities
• The possibility of media coverage of the event, with support from the University of Savoie Mont Blanc's communications department.
• A showcase for the Department's geography and activities for the general public

Next edition

32nd edition: Autochtonie(s)

December 14, 2023

The day will be dedicated to indigenous peoples.

The complete program

Previous editions (reports)

• 2022: Oasis
• 2022: Oceania
• 2021: Cheers!
• 2020: [cancellations due to the health crisis]
• 2019: Migrate. A Geography of Wandering – Brazil
• 2018: Sports venues – Major cities in the United States
• 2017: Six years after the "Arab Spring" – Polar World
• 2016: Geography of celebrations, celebrating geography – Geography of poverty
• 2015: A world of waste – Geographers and climate change
• 2014: Geography of Crises – The Indian World
• 2013: Getting lost in the forest – Southern Mountains

Professional meetings of Savoie geographers

Bi-annual event in the spring of the academic year

These meetings aim to provide our current and future students with practical information about the career paths, opportunities, doubts, and successes encountered by various speakers, who are former geography students. They take the form of small stands and informal meetings. The Student Union will be present, with the guidance counselor and the career advisor.

Objectives

• bring together former and current geography students
• enable students to discuss their transition into working life with their predecessors
• present to high school students (as an extension of the information and guidance work carried out for them during the year) who are potentially interested in geography the actual career opportunities available in this field
• make the job opportunities a reality and show that you can succeed with a degree in geography
• go against the prevailing opinion

Next edition

10th professional meeting of geographers from Savoie

March 9, 2023, 1:00 p.m. – March 9, 2023, 6:00 p.m. – Pôle Montagne – Savoie Technolac Campus

More than 70 urban planning professionals will be at Savoie Mont Blanc University to present their careers and backgrounds to undergraduate and master's students. This event is free and open to all upon registration.

Program and detailed list of speakers

Participate

Registration is required. Please contact Lionel Laslaz, head of professional meetings for geographers in Savoie: lionel.laslaz@univ-smb.fr / +33 (0)4 79 75 86 87

Event organized by the Geography and Planning Department of the Faculty of Science and Mountain Studies, with the participation of the Savoie Geography Students' Association (AGS).

Previous editions

Download speaker details:

2021 Edition
2019 edition
2017 edition