Training Structure
College of Sciences
Overview
In the Chemical Sciences of Materials (SCM) track, a contemporary approach will enable students to explore materials and understand their importance in major current issues (energy, water and agri-food, health, etc.). This track is designed for students who wish to acquire scientific knowledge and skills in both the synthesis and understanding of material properties. This year (L3) of progressive specialization will allow students to apply theoretical and experimental knowledge in the field of materials chemistry, combining scientific and technological approaches.
The SCM track begins in the 5th semester and continues into the 6th semester of the Bachelor’s program in Chemistry, allowing for a gradual specialization in certain areas of chemistry (materials, physical chemistry, etc.), which will then be further developed at the Master’s level.
The core curriculum consists of 50% of the course units that are common to the various tracks within the bachelor’s degree program in chemistry.
Semester 5 (S5) covers the fundamentals of chemistry with course units on thermodynamics, coordination chemistry, organic chemistry, and macromolecular chemistry. Students begin their specialization with a dedicated course unit on the structure and properties of materials, which includes—in addition to lectures and tutorials—laboratory work that allows them to apply their acquired knowledge in a practical setting. Indeed, S5 relies heavily on hands-on training to develop knowledge and skills, with 20% of instruction devoted to practical work covering synthesis methods (microwave synthesis, hydrothermal synthesis, mechanosynthesis, etc.) and advanced analytical techniques (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive analysis, X-ray fluorescence, thermal analysis, etc.) available at the Balard Teaching Hall. This facility provides students with access to state-of-the-art equipment similar to that found in industry or research laboratories. Finally, a course in English—an essential language in the scientific world, whether industrial or academic—is also offered to improve students’ language skills.
In Semester 6 (S6), the program delves deeper into organic, polymer, and inorganic materials, while covering the theoretical foundations necessary to understand their properties and bridging the gap to industry by incorporating specific processes. A key feature of this semester is a supervised project in which students develop a research project under the guidance of faculty members from the department to create new materials or new synthesis methods. To this end, they have access to the Teaching Lab for several days, where they can use state-of-the-art equipment with a high degree of autonomy to carry out their project.
Program available through Accès Santé (L.AS).
Objectives
Materials are at the heart of the major societal challenges facing us in the 21st century (energy, climate change, health, water, the environment, etc.), and the SCM program will provide students with a solid foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills—both scientific and technological—in materials science that can be applied either to immediate entry into the workforce or to further study in a master’s program or at an engineering school.
Expertise and Skills
- Master synthetic methods (inorganic chemistry/mineral chemistry/solid-state chemistry/polymers).
- Understand the structure of matter.
- Be able to observe and interpret physicochemical behaviors (corrosion, stability, adsorption, catalysis, etc.).
- Know how to select characterization techniques (spectroscopic analyses, thermal analyses, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, etc.) appropriate for the synthesized materials or the properties to be identified.
- Understand the principles and apply techniques for shaping materials (metals/alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites).- Be able to analyze the correlations between the structures/microstructures and properties (optical, electrical, magnetic, mechanical, etc.) of materials.
- Be self-reliant, take initiative, and know how to organize your work in the lab.
- Work as a team.
- Comply with and know how to implement Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policies and standards
Organization
Program
Thermodynamics: Microscopic 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 Foundations of Spectroscopy
4 creditsOrganic Chemistry
2 creditsMentored Projects
6 creditsPolymer Materials
4 creditsAdvanced Coordination Chemistry
6 credits
Admission
Admission Requirements
Applications can be submitted through the following platforms:
- French and European students: Follow the application process on the University of Montpellier's e-candidat portal
- International students from outside the EU: Follow the “ Études en France ” procedure
Target Audience
Students in their second year of a chemistry or physics-chemistry degree program, students at a university institute of technology (IUT) studying chemistry, and students in preparatory classes (PCSI, TPC, etc.)
Mandatory Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree (L2) in chemistry or physical chemistry, or a degree from a university of technology (IUT) in chemistry, or a preparatory class
Recommended Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree (L2) in chemistry or physical chemistry, or a degree from a university of technology (IUT) in chemistry, or a preparatory class
And then
Continuing Education
The SCM track is particularly well-suited for students wishing to pursue a master’s degree in chemistry—with specializations in materials, theoretical chemistry, or separative chemistry—or a master’s degree in energy, whether at the University of Montpellier or at other French or international universities. The SCM track also allows students to pursue other fields within chemistry, such as physical chemistry and teaching (MEEF), as well as to enter engineering schools through application-based admissions. Furthermore, earning a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry qualifies students to take civil service exams corresponding to this level of study, particularly in technical fields (forensic science, law enforcement, firefighting, etc.).
Continuing Your Education Abroad
Since the quality of education in Montpellier is internationally recognized, students in this program can consider continuing their studies in a master’s program at a foreign university. There are numerous exchange agreements between the University of Montpellier and foreign universities.
Students in the program 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).
Transition Programs and Reorientation
Specialization is very important for earning a degree because it determines the scope of students’ knowledge and skills. However, the fact that specialization does not begin until the end of the bachelor’s program (it starts in the fifth semester with a significant amount of core curriculum shared with the other tracks, before truly taking effect in the sixth semester) allows students to build on their second-year general chemistry coursework should they wish to change tracks at the end of the year. In this case, it will be possible to enroll for just one year in one of the other two tracks of the University of Montpellier’s Bachelor’s in Chemistry program (DNO or SCV).
The foundation of knowledge and skills in materials chemistry could enable students who do not wish to pursue a master’s degree to apply to one of the many professional bachelor’s degree programs in chemistry in order to enroll, for example, in a work-study program. A transition to a professional bachelor’s degree program (such as the “L3pro couleur de Montpellier” program) is thus possible, with direct entry into the workforce upon graduation.
Employment Placement
Upon completion of the university program (Master’s/Ph.D.), the Materials Chemistry track provides excellent career prospects in positions directly related to the skills acquired, with corresponding salary levels. In fact, students who have specialized in Materials Chemistry enjoy very strong employment outcomes, both in industry (engineering and design firms, R&D engineering, etc.) and in teaching and academic research. The employment rate for students in Montpellier who have completed a Master’s in Chemistry exceeds 80% within three months of graduation.