Science, Engineering

L2-L3 BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PHYSICS

Physics

  • Intended Level of Study

    Bachelor's degree (BAC +3)

  • ECTS

    180 credits

  • Duration

    3 years

  • Training Structure

    College of Sciences

  • Language(s) of Instruction

    French

Overview

Physics Track: L1 in the PCSI Portal (Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Sciences)

The Bachelor’s Degree in Physics is a three-year program open to high school graduates with a science track, serving as the first step in higher education. It enables students to acquire fundamental knowledge in general, theoretical, and experimental physics—ranging from classical to modern physics—as well as in mathematics and computer programming, with a progressive specialization in the third year (L3) toward Fundamental Physics or Physics and Its Applications. The CUPGE Physics and Mathematics track (University Preparatory Cycle for the Grandes Écoles) from the first to the third year offers an in-depth interdisciplinary education. A brief overview of the various tracks within the Bachelor’s Degree in Physics is available on the program’s website.

Read more

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 a physical system. In doing so, they develop their critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to independently conduct experimental projects and communicate their results in writing and orally, in both French and English. These are the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to pursue further study in the Master’s program in Fundamental Physics and Applications at Montpellier or, more generally, in any Master’s program in physics or interdisciplinary fields, both in France and abroad. The program also prepares students for further study at engineering schools—either through direct admission or by passing an entrance exam—or for direct entry into the workforce at the end of the third year (L3), such as through civil service exams. At the end of the second year, students may also opt for a short, career-oriented track by enrolling in a professional bachelor’s degree program (Licence Pro) in their third year (L3), such as the L3 Pro Couleur program in Montpellier.

The Bachelor's Degree in Physics offers three complementary tracks:

  • Fundamental Physics in the third year of undergraduate studies (PF), designed to provide a solid foundation in physics to prepare students (though not exclusively) for master’s programs in fundamental physics.
  • Physics and Applications (PA) in the third year of undergraduate studies (L3), designed to provide the basic knowledge of physics necessary to tackle technological fields arising from the applications of physics.
  • CUPGE Physics and Mathematics (University Preparatory Program for the Grandes Écoles) from L1 to L3, designed to provide an in-depth interdisciplinary education that enables students to pursue a master’s degree in fundamental physics under the best possible conditions or to prepare for certain entrance exams for engineering Grandes Écoles in L3.
Read more

Expertise and Skills

Students in the Fundamental Physics track learn to master all the 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 track, the in-depth study in the third year (L3) focuses primarily 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 take the entrance exams for certain prestigious engineering schools at the end of the third year (L3).

Read more

Program

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

The CUPGE Physics and Mathematics track is part of the Mathematics and Its Applications program in the first year (L1), and students then enter the Physics track in the second year (L2).

Read more

Select a program

Second Year of the Bachelor's Degree Program

In the L2 Physics program, there are two tracks available: L2 Physics and L2 CUPGE Physics and Mathematics, which is a track with an emphasis on mathematics.

View the full page for this itinerary

Junior Year

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 science-track high school diploma and enables them to acquire fundamental knowledge in general, theoretical, and experimental physics—ranging from classical to modern physics—as well as in mathematics and computer programming, with a progressive specialization in the third year (L3) toward Fundamental Physics or Physics and Its Applications. The CUPGE Physics and Mathematics track (University Preparatory Cycle for the Grandes Écoles) from the first to the third year offers an in-depth interdisciplinary education. A brief overview of the various tracks within the Bachelor’s Degree in Physics can be downloaded here: Bachelor’s Degree in Physics Overview.

View the full page for this itinerary

Admission

Admission Requirements

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

Read more

Capacity

80

Read more