ECTS
60 credits
Duration
1 year
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Overview
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.
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 entrance exams—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, such as the L3 Pro Couleur program in Montpellier.
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 L3 year.
Generally speaking, the jobs held by our students span many areas of the public and private economic and industrial sectors (research, development, design, quality control, production, and teaching). They hold positions as managers, senior managers, and engineers.
Program
The Bachelor's Degree in Physics offers three complementary tracks:
- Fundamental Physics (PF)
- Physics and Applications (PA)
- CUPGE Physics and Mathematics (CUPGE)
Students in the PF and PA tracks enter the PCSI portal—which includes the Physics, Mechanics, EEA, Physics-Chemistry, and Chemistry tracks—in their first year (L1), continue into the second year of the Bachelor’s in Physics (L2P), and then specialize in their third year by choosing either the Fundamental Physics track (L3PF) or the Physics and Applications track (L3PA). The CUPGE Physics and Mathematics track is part of the Mathematics and Its Applications track in L1 and then aligns with the PF track of the Bachelor’s in Physics in the second and third years.
Select a program
L3 - Fundamental Physics (PF)
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.
Program available through Accès Santé (L.AS).
S5L3PHYCHOIX
4 creditsChoose 2 out of 4
The Origin of the Elements: A Cosmic Journey
2 credits18hNanosciences and Nanotechnologies
2 credits18hPhysics and Computer Science
2 credits18hBiophysics
2 credits18h
English S5
2 creditsMath Tools S5
6 credits54hAnalytical and Quantum Mechanics
7 credits63hWave Optics and Electrodynamics
7 credits63hExperimental Physics S5
4 credits36h
Statistical Physics
5 credits45hRelativity and Subatomic Physics
6 credits54hExperimental Physics S6
4 credits36hHydrodynamics
3 credits27hSupervised Projects, Semester 6
4 credits36hSimulation Tools
3 credits27hQuantum Mechanics
5 credits45h
L3 - Physics and Applications (PA)
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.
Program available through Accès Santé (L.AS).
Experimental Physics S5 PA
5 credits45hS5L3PHYAPPCHOIX
4 creditsChoose 2 out of 4
The Origin of the Elements: A Cosmic Journey
2 credits18hNanosciences and Nanotechnologies
2 credits18hPhysics and Computer Science
2 credits18hBiophysics
2 credits18h
English S5
2 creditsElements of Electronics
4 credits36hApplied Optics
4 credits36hIntroduction to Quantum Physics
4 credits36hIntroduction to Statistical Physics
3 credits27hAcoustics - Thermal
4 credits36h
Programming for Physics
3 credits27hElasticity and Hydrodynamics
4 credits36hSupervised Projects, Semester 6
4 credits36hElements of Quantum Solid-State Theory
6 credits54hStructure and Properties of Matter
4 credits36hRadioactivity, Nuclear Energy
3 credits27hExperimental Physics S6 PA
6 credits54h
L3 - CUPGE - Physics and Mathematics
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.
The University Preparatory Program for the Grandes Écoles (CUPGE) in Physics and Mathematics is an ambitious track within the Bachelor’s degree in Physics designed for motivated students who plan to gain admission to engineering schools based on their academic record at the end of their second year (L2) or through competitive entrance exams at the end of their third year (L3), or who wish to pursue further study in a demanding program in fundamental physics. This selective track includes one additional course unit each semester (approximately 50 hours of instruction) and therefore requires a more intensive workload.
The CUPGE Physics and Mathematics track is linked to two other CUPGE tracks—one under the Bachelor’s in Mathematics (CUPGE Mathematics and Physics) and the other under the Bachelor’s in Mechanics (CUPGE Mechanics)—to cover the possible major/minor combinations required for certain entrance exams. These programs therefore provide a solid foundation in three major scientific disciplines—Mathematics, Physics, and Mechanics—which serve as a fundamental basis for continued learning, analysis, and innovation throughout students’ academic and professional careers.
S5L3PHYCHOIX
4 creditsChoose 2 out of 4
The Origin of the Elements: A Cosmic Journey
2 credits18hNanosciences and Nanotechnologies
2 credits18hPhysics and Computer Science
2 credits18hBiophysics
2 credits18h
English S5
2 creditsAnalytical and Quantum Mechanics
7 credits63hDifferential Calculus and Differential Equations
6 creditsWave Optics and Electrodynamics
7 credits63hExperimental Physics S5
4 credits36hFluid Mechanics
5 credits
Statistical Physics
5 credits45hRelativity and Subatomic Physics
6 credits54hExperimental Physics S6
4 credits36hHydrodynamics
3 credits27hSupervised Projects, Semester 6
4 credits36hSimulation Tools
3 credits27hQuantum Mechanics
5 credits45hComplex Analysis
6 credits