Programme

A comprehensive training to master the entire cycle of an SSP project

The Advance Master programme in Contaminated Sites and Soils Project Management offers a curriculum structured around 5 complementary modules, covering all stages of contaminated site management: regulations, diagnostics, risk assessment, depollution geoprocesses, and project management.
The entire programme aims to train engineers capable of understanding the scientific, technical, regulatory, and organizational aspects of an SSP project, from the initial phase to final delivery.

General Structure of the Programme

  • 450 hours of training
  • 75 ECTS
  • Thematic Modules (GP1 to GP5)
  • Projects and practical case studies
  • Company Placement / Work-Study
  • Professional Thesis
  • Expert interventions from the SSP sector
    Module 1

    Territorial development projects and regulatory, social, societal, and economic approaches

    Understanding the global framework of a depollution project

    This module lays the essential foundations for approaching an SSP project.

    • Information organisation (pollutions, risks, uses, vulnerabilities).
    • Reading and interpretation of environmental diagnostics.
    • SSP regulations, national standards and methodologies.
    • Consideration of social, societal, health, and territorial issues.
    • Funding: public aid, calls for projects, support schemes.
    • Economic and strategic management of a rehabilitation project.

    Objective

    Ability to integrate all regulatory and territorial constraints into the design of an SSP project.

    Module 2

    SSP characterisation methods and pollution diagnostics

    Mastering analysis and monitoring tools for polluted soils and environments

    This module develops the necessary skills for analysing the state of environments.

    • Fundamental principles: pedogeochemistry, geophysics, soils & mineral matrices.
    • Sampling techniques and measurement campaigns.
    • Detection and monitoring of pollutants (physico-chemical, biological, etc.).
    • Diagnosis of exposure pathways according to current and future uses.
    • Characterisation, quantification, and sorting of soils.
    • Choice of management channels (reuse, treatment, evacuation).

    Objective

    Establishing comprehensive diagnostics to define the most suitable management options.

    Module 3

    Depollution and valorisation geoprocesses

    Choosing and sizing soil and groundwater treatment processes

    This module offers an operational overview of the main depollution technologies:

    • Depollution in situ (venting, bioventing, biodegradation, stripping, leaching, etc.).
    • Depollution on site after excavation (soil washing, thermal desorption, etc.).
    • Depollution ex situ (landfilling, biological, thermal treatment, incineration, etc.).
    • Containment techniques (geomembranes, impermeable barriers, etc.).
    • Selection criteria based on soil type, pollutant, site constraints, and development project.

    Objective

    Ability to select the optimal technical solution for a given site, considering costs, deadlines, and environmental constraints.

    Module 4

    Study of associated risks

    Understanding, modelling, and preventing pollutant transfers

    This module addresses the scientific and analytical dimensions of risks.

    • Pollutant transfers in soils and aquifers.
    • Experimental modelling and simulations.
    • Identification of elementary transfers.
    • Quantification of health and environmental risks.
    • Mass balances and vulnerability scenarios.
    • Understanding dispersion mechanisms.

    Objective

    Mastering risk analysis tools to ensure the health and environmental safety of a site.

    Module 5

    Project Management

    Managing an SSP project end-to-end

    This cross-cutting module is applied throughout the training:

    • Phases of an SSP project (upstream → diagnosis → works → monitoring → feedback).
    • Coordination of stakeholders (project owners, consulting firms, companies, etc.).
    • Operational monitoring of construction sites.
    • Management tools, planning, costs, indicators.
    • Professional communication and study reporting.
    • Contractual management and guarantee of results.

    Objective

    Training project managers capable of effectively coordinating all dimensions of an SSP project.

    Case studies, capstone project, and simulations

    Each module integrates:

    • Real case studies from SSP operations.
    • Simulations of depollution techniques.
    • Practical workshops supervised by experts.
    • Application on a cross-cutting capstone project.

    Objective

    Develop a concrete, operational, and immediately applicable approach in business.

    Professional Thesis & Company Placement

    At the end of the programme, each student completes:

    • a professional thesis:
      • applied research on a real depollution issue,
      • academic supervision by Mines Saint-Étienne,
      • defence before a jury composed of industry professionals and research professors,
      • development of scientific, technical, methodological, and decision-making aspects;
    • a 6-month company placement:
      • This placement allows for complete immersion in an SSP project and often serves as a stepping stone to employment.
    Download the application form

    Contacts

    Company and student

    ms-ssp@mines-stetienne.fr

    Academic coordinator

    Fernando PEREIRA

    Research Engineer in Hydrometallurgical Processes
    Phone number
    +33 4 77 42 02 45
    Send an email