Overview

Overview

International Master in Advanced Clay Science (IMACS) offered by Université de Poitiers is the first multi-disciplinary programme that brings together the widely-distributed knowledge of clays.

IMACS is an integrated 2 years master programme delivered by four Universities : the University of Poitiers (France), the Technical University of Crete (Chania – Greece), the University of Aveiro (Portugal) and the Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul (Porto Alegre – Brazil), and is supported by the French Clay Group (GFA) and AIPEA (International Association for the Study of Clay Minerals) which are associated members of IMACS. This programme approved by the European Commission under a very competitive application scheme as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programme in July 2009.

During the first year, basic knowledge on clays, recent developments in clays and analytical techniques are provided, followed by a first specialization in Environment, soil and geological systems. After this training period, a master project completes the first year programme. The second year incorporates two specializations 1) Geomaterials and civil engineering, and 2) Advanced clay – nanomaterials, and Healing minerals. The master thesis (4 to 6 months) completes this second year and can be carried out at any of the partner research laboratories which constitute a network of more than 20 labelled research laboratories and numerous private companies.