L3- Chemical Sciences of Matter (SCM)

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Science

Presentation

In the Chemical Sciences of Matter (CSM) course, a contemporary approach will enable 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 the scientific knowledge and skills needed to both synthesize and understand the properties of materials. This year (L3) of progressive specialization will enable the application of theoretical and experimental knowledge in the field of materials chemistry, combining a scientific and technological approach.

The SCM pathway begins in semester 5 and continues in semester 6 of the Chemistry degree, enabling very gradual specialization in certain chemistry specialties (materials, physical chemistry, etc.) which will then be developed at Master's level.

The common core of knowledge is provided by 50% of UEs common to the different Chemistry degree courses.

Semester 5 (S5) covers the fundamentals of chemistry, with courses in thermodynamics, coordination chemistry, organic chemistry and macromolecular chemistry. Specialization begins with a dedicated course on the structure and properties of materials, which, in addition to lectures and tutorials, includes practical work to put the knowledge acquired into practice. In fact, S5 met is based on extensive experimental training in terms of knowledge and skills, with 20% of practical teaching covering synthesis methods (microwave synthesis, hydrothermal synthesis, mechanosynthesis, etc.) and advanced analysis techniques (X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy and energy analysis, X-ray fluorescence, thermal analysis, etc.) available in the Balard teaching hall. This hall gives students access to top-level equipment similar to that found in industry or research laboratories. Finally, an English language 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 focuses more closely on organic, polymeric and inorganic materials, while including the theoretical foundations needed to understand their properties, and bridging the gap to industry by including specific processes. The special feature of this semester is the introduction of a tutored project in which students develop a research project supervised by the department's teaching staff to develop new materials or new syntheses. For several days, they are given access to the teaching hall, where they can use state-of-the-art equipment to carry out their project.

Open Health Access course (L.AS).

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Objectives

Materials are at the heart of the major societal challenges facing us in the 21st century (energy, climate change, health, water, environment, etc.), and the SCM pathway will provide students with a foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, both scientific and technological, in materials science that can be reused either for immediate professional integration, or for further study in a Master's degree or engineering school.

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Know-how and skills

- Master synthesis methods (inorganic chemistry/inorganic chemistry/solid state chemistry/polymers).

- Understanding the structure of matter.

- Observe and interpret physico-chemical behavior (corrosion, stability, adsorption, catalysis, etc.).

- Choose the characterization techniques (spectroscopic analysis, thermal analysis, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, etc.) best suited to the materials being synthesized or the properties to be demonstrated.

- Master the principles and use the techniques of materials shaping (metals/alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites) - Study the correlations between structures/microstructures and properties (optical, electrical, magnetic, mechanical...) of materials.

- Be autonomous, take initiative and know how to organize laboratory work.

- Working as part of a team.

- Respect and implement health, safety and environment (HSE) standards and actions.

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Organization

Program

  • Thermodynamics - micro and macroscopic aspects

    4 credits
  • English S5

    2 credits
  • Coordination chemistry: symmetry and reactivity

    4 credits
  • Experimental chemistry

    6 credits
  • Organic chemistry

    4 credits
  • Inorganic materials synthesis and characterization Part 2

    3 credits
  • Inorganic Materials - Synthesis and Characterization Part 1

    3 credits
  • Macromolecular chemistry

    4 credits
  • Inorganic materials: structure and properties

    4 credits
  • Processes and materials

    4 credits
  • Theoretical bases in spectroscopy

    4 credits
  • Organic chemistry

    2 credits
  • Tutored projects

    6 credits
  • Polymer materials

    4 credits
  • Advanced coordination chemistry

    6 credits

Admission

Access conditions

Target audience

Students in L2 Chemistry or Physics-Chemistry, IUT Chemistry and preparatory classes (PCSI, TPC...)

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Necessary prerequisites

L2 in chemistry or physical chemistry or IUT in chemistry or preparatory class

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Recommended prerequisites

L2 in chemistry or physical chemistry or IUT in chemistry or preparatory class

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And then

Further studies

The SCM course is particularly well-suited to the continuation of a Chemistry Master's in materials, theoretical or separative chemistry, or an Energy Master's at the University of Montpellier or other French or foreign universities. The SCM pathway also enables students to enter other chemistry, chemistry-physics or teaching courses (MEEF), as well as engineering schools, via a competitive entrance examination. A Bachelor's degree in Chemistry is also a prerequisite for taking the administrative examinations corresponding to this level of study, particularly in the technical professions (forensic science, police, firefighters ....).

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Studying abroad

As the quality of Montpellier's training is internationally recognized, it is possible for students in this program to pursue a Master's degree at a foreign university. Numerous exchange agreements exist between the University of Montpellier and foreign universities

 

Students on the course will also have the opportunity to continue their studies in a European master's program, such as MaMaSelf (Master in materials science exploring large scale facilities), part of which is taught in Montpellier, or mesc+ (Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion).

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Bridges and reorientation

Specialization is very important for graduation, as it determines the limits of students' areas of knowledge and skills. However, the fact that it only comes at the end of the Licence (starting in S5 with a lot of common ground with the other courses, before really taking effect in S6) means that students can bounce back on their L2 in General Chemistry if they want to change direction at the end of the year. In this case, it will be possible to join one of the other two Chemistry degree courses at the University of Montpellier (DNO or SCV) for one year only.

The knowledge and skills base in materials chemistry could enable students who do not wish to continue their studies in a Master's program to apply for one of the many professional licenses in the chemistry field, in order to integrate, for example, a work-study professional training program. This would enable students who do not wish to pursue their studies in a Master's program to apply for one of the many professional licenses in the field of chemistry, for example, to join a work-study program.

 

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Professional integration

At the end of the university course (M2/doctorate), training in materials chemistry enables excellent professional integration in positions directly related to the skills acquired and the associated level of remuneration. Students who have completed the Materials Chemistry specialization have been very well placed, both in industry (engineering and design departments, R&D engineering, etc.) and in teaching and academic research. The placement rate for Montpellier students graduating from a Master's degree in Chemistry is over 80% three months after graduation.

 

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