Training structure
Faculty of Science
Presentation
In the Chemical Sciences of Matter (CSM) program, a contemporary approach will allow students to discover materials and understand their importance in today's major themes (energy, water and agri-food, health, etc.). This course is aimed at students wishing to acquire scientific knowledge and skills in both synthesis and understanding the properties of materials. This year (L3) of progressive specialization will allow the implementation of theoretical and experimental knowledge in the field of materials chemistry by mixing scientific and technological approaches.
The SCM course starts in semester 5 and continues in semester 6 of the Chemistry License in order to allow a very progressive specialization towards certain specialties of chemistry (materials, physical chemistry...) which will then be developed at the Master level.
The common core of knowledge is ensured by 50% of common UE between the different courses of the chemistry degree.
Semester 5 (S5) covers the fundamentals of chemistry with courses in thermodynamics, coordination chemistry, organic chemistry and macromolecular chemistry. The beginning of the specialization is done through a dedicated UE of structure and properties of materials which includes, in addition to the courses and tutorials, practical work allowing to apply concretely the acquired knowledge. Indeed, the S5 course relies on an important experimental training at the level of knowledge and skills by including 20% of practical teaching approaching the methods of synthesis (microwave synthesis, hydrothermal, mechanosynthesis...) and advanced analysis techniques (X-ray diffraction, scanning microscope and energy analysis, X-ray fluorescence, thermal analysis...) available at the Balard Teaching Hall. This hall allows students to have access to very high level equipment similar to that found in industry or in research laboratories. Finally, an English course, an indispensable language in the scientific world, whether industrial or academic, is also offered to improve language skills.
In semester 6 (S6), the course specializes further in organic, polymeric and inorganic materials, while including the theoretical bases necessary for understanding their properties and bridging the gap to industry by including specific processes. The particularity of this semester is to set up a tutored project where students develop a research project supervised by the department's teachers to develop new materials or new syntheses. For this, they have access to the teaching hall for several days where they can use, almost independently, the state-of-the-art equipment to carry out their project.
Open course in Health Access (L.AS).
Objectives
Materials are at the heart of the major societal challenges that await us in the 21st century (energy, climate change, health, water, environment, etc.) and the SCM course will provide students with a foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, both scientific and technological, in the field of materials science, which can be reused either for immediate professional integration or for further study in a master's degree or engineering school.
Know-how and skills
- Mastering synthesis methods (inorganic chemistry/inorganic chemistry/solid state chemistry/polymers).
- To understand the structure of matter.
- Know how to observe and interpret physico-chemical behaviors (corrosion, stability, adsorption, catalysis...).
- To know how to choose the characterization techniques (spectroscopic analysis, thermal analysis, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction...) adapted to the synthesized materials or to the properties to be highlighted.
- Master the principle and use the techniques of shaping materials (metals/alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites) - Know how to study the correlations between structures/microstructures and properties (optical, electrical, magnetic, mechanical) of materials.
- Be autonomous, take initiative and know how to organize your work in the laboratory.
- Work as a team.
- Respect and know how to implement health, safety and environment (HSE) actions and standards
Organization
Program
Thermodynamics micro and macroscopic aspects
4 creditsEnglish S5
2 creditsCoordination chemistry: symmetry and reactivity
4 creditsExperimental chemistry
6 creditsOrganic chemistry
4 creditsInorganic materials synthesis and characterization Part 2
3 creditsInorganic materials - Synthesis and characterization part 1
3 creditsMacromolecular chemistry
4 credits
Inorganic materials: structure and properties
4 creditsProcesses and materials
4 creditsTheoretical bases in spectroscopies
4 creditsOrganic chemistry
2 creditsTutored projects
6 creditsPolymeric materials
4 creditsAdvanced coordination chemistry
6 credits
Admission
Conditions of access
Target audience
Students of L2 Chemistry or Physics-Chemistry, of IUT chemistry and of preparatory class (PCSI, TPC...)
Necessary pre-requisites
L2 in chemistry or physical chemistry or IUT in chemistry or preparatory class
Recommended prerequisites
L2 in chemistry or physical chemistry or IUT in chemistry or preparatory class
And then
Further studies
The SCM course is particularly adapted to the continuation in Master of Chemistry on courses materials, theoretical, separative chemistry... or in Master energy that it is in the University of Montpellier or in other French or foreign Universities. The SCM program also allows students to enter other chemistry, chemistry-physics, and teaching programs (MEEF), as well as engineering schools through a competitive examination. Moreover, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in chemistry also allows students to take the administrative exams corresponding to this level of study, particularly in the technical bodies (scientific police, police, firefighters ....).
Continuing your studies abroad
The quality of Montpellier's training is internationally recognized, and it is possible for students in this program to pursue a master's degree in a foreign university. Many exchange agreements exist between the University of Montpellier and foreign universities
The students of the course will also have the opportunity to continue their studies in a European master's program such as the MaMaSelf master's program (Master in materials science exploring large scale facilities), part of which is taught in Montpellier, or the mesc+ master's program (Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion).
Bridges and reorientation
The specialization is very important in obtaining the degree because it will determine the limits of the students' areas of knowledge and skills. However, the fact that it only comes at the end of the Bachelor's degree (starting in S5 with a lot of common core with the other courses, before really taking effect in S6) allows students to bounce back on their L2 of general chemistry in case they want to reorient themselves at the end of the year. In this case, it will be possible to integrate for one year only one of the two other courses of the Chemistry license of the University of Montpellier (DNO or SCV).
The knowledge and skills base in materials chemistry could allow students who do not wish to continue their studies in a master's degree to apply for one of the many professional licenses in the field of chemistry in order to integrate, for example, a professional training program by alternation. A reorientation towards L3pro (L3pro color of Montpellier for example) is thus possible with a direct integration in the professional environment.
Professional integration
At the end of the university course (M2/doctorate), the training followed in materials chemistry allows for excellent professional integration in positions directly related to the skills acquired and at the associated salary level. A very good placement of students who have followed the Materials Chemistry specialization has been noted both in industry (engineering and design offices, R&D engineering, etc.) and in teaching and academic research. The placement rate of Montpellier students graduating from a Master's degree in Chemistry is over 80% after three months.