Science, Engineering

L2-L3 Bachelor's Degree in Physics

Physics
  • Target level of study

    Bachelor's degree

  • ECTS

    180 credits

  • Duration

    3 years

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Science

  • Language(s) of instruction

    French

Presentation

Physics major: L1 in the PCSI (Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Sciences) program

The Bachelor's Degree in Physics is a three-year program open to students with a high school diploma in science, constituting the first stage of higher education. It allows students to acquire fundamental knowledge in general, theoretical, and experimental physics, ranging from classical physics to modern physics, as well as mathematics and computer programming, with a progressive specialization in the third year toward Fundamental Physics or Physics and its Applications. The CUPGE Physics and Mathematics program (University Preparatory Cycle for Grandes Écoles) from L1 to L3 offers in-depth training in two disciplines. A brief presentation of the different paths available in the Bachelor's Degree in Physics can be found on the Bachelor's Degree in Physics website.

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Objectives

The program enables students to gradually master the basic concepts of physics and the use of mathematical and numerical tools to analyze, describe, and model physical systems. They develop critical thinking skills and the ability to independently conduct experimental projects and communicate their results in writing and orally, in French and English. These are the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to pursue studies in the Master's program in Fundamental Physics and Applications in Montpellier or, more generally, any Master's program in Physics or related fields, in France or abroad. The program also allows students to continue their studies at engineering schools on the basis of their qualifications or competitive entrance exams, or to enter the workforce directly at the end of their third year, for example through competitive civil service exams. At the end of the second year, it is also possible to pursue a short vocational program by enrolling in a professional bachelor's degree program in the third year, such as the L3 Pro Couleur in Montpellier.

The Physics Bachelor's Degree offers three complementary tracks:

  • Fundamental Physics in L3 (PF) designed to provide a solid grounding in physics in preparation (though not exclusively) for Master's degrees in fundamental physics.
  • Physics and Applications in L3 (PA) designed to provide the basic knowledge of physics necessary to tackle technological fields derived from applications of physics.
  • CUPGE Physics and Mathematics (University Preparatory Cycle for Grandes Écoles) from L1 to L3, designed to offer in-depth training in two disciplines, enabling students to pursue a Master's degree in Fundamental Physics under the best conditions or to prepare for certain competitive entrance exams for engineering schools in L3.
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Know-how and skills

Students in the Fundamental Physics program learn to master all concepts of classical physics (mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, etc.) and modern physics (quantum mechanics, special relativity, particle physics, etc.), as well as the theoretical formalization of a physical system. In the Physics and Applications program, the deepening of knowledge in the third year is mainly focused on the major fields of applied physics (electronics, energy, optics, nuclear physics, acoustics, etc.) and related technologies. Finally, the CUPGE Physics and Mathematics track allows students to acquire additional disciplinary skills in mathematics and mechanics, which are necessary to pass the entrance exams for certain prestigious engineering schools at the end of L3.

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Program

In their first year (L1), students enrolled in the Bachelor's degree program in Physics are part of the PCSI portal, which includes Physics, Mechanics, EEA, Physics-Chemistry, and Chemistry. Students enter the Physics program in their second year (L2) and then specialize in their third year (L3) by choosing either Fundamental Physics or Physics and Applications.

The CUPGE Physics and Mathematics program is part of the Mathematics and its Applications portal in the first year, after which students enter the Physics major in the second year.

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Select a program

Bachelor's degree

In L2 Physics, two paths are possible: L2 Physics and L2 CUPGE Physics and Mathematics, which is a path with a stronger focus on mathematics.

See the full page for this route

Bachelor's degree

The Bachelor's degree in Physics is a three-year program that constitutes the first stage of higher education. It is open to students with a high school diploma in science and allows them to acquire fundamental knowledge in general, theoretical, and experimental physics, ranging from classical physics to modern physics, as well as in mathematics and computer programming, with a progressive specialization in the third year in Fundamental Physics or Physics and its Applications. The CUPGE Physics and Mathematics program (University Preparatory Cycle for Grandes Écoles) from L1 to L3 offers in-depth training in two disciplines. A brief presentation of the different paths available in the Bachelor's Degree in Physics can be downloaded here: Presentation of the Bachelor's Degree in Physics.

See the full page for this route

Admission

Admission requirements

Admission requirements depend on the year in which you wish to enroll in the bachelor's degree program: please refer to the information for L1, L2, or L3.

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Capacity