ECTS
60 credits
Duration
1 year
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Language(s) of Instruction
French
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.
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.
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 to continue their studies at engineering schools—either through direct admission or by passing an entrance exam—or to enter the workforce directly upon completing their third year of undergraduate studies, for example by taking civil service exams.
CUPGE-Specific:
- Benefit from an in-depth, interdisciplinary education integrated into the internationally recognized LMD program, with the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics, supplemented by courses in mathematics and mechanics, in order to pursue a master’s degree in physics under the best possible conditions;
- Better prepare for the entrance exams of engineering schools that recruit through exams reserved for university students in their third year (GEI Exam Schools: Polytechnique, Mines ParisTech, Ponts ParisTech, Telecom ParisTech, Arts & Métiers ParisTech, SupAéro, ESPCI, other Mines schools, etc.; schools in the Centrale/Supelec group).
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. 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 of undergraduate studies.
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
Courses are delivered in the form of lectures (CM), tutorials (TD), and lab sessions (TP). The lectures are shared with those in the Bachelor’s programs in Physics, Mechanics, or Mathematics, depending on the discipline. In tutorials (TD), students from the three CUPGE tracks are grouped together in both the first and second years of the bachelor’s program, forming a group of about thirty students. Practical sessions (TP) are held in groups of 20 students.
The program is taught by faculty members who are also researchers, and they incorporate the latest developments in their fields into their teaching. Students are therefore in direct contact with the world of research and can benefit from the presence of research laboratories: the L2C and the LUPM in Physics,the IMAG in Mathematics, and the LMGC in Mechanics.
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
Admission
Admission Requirements
Admission to the third year is based on application review for candidates who have earned 120 credits toward a Bachelor’s degree in Physics or a dual Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics, or who have completed a degree in a related field, such as CPGE programs specializing in MP or PSI. Students with other degrees may also apply. Their applications will be reviewed by the Academic Admissions Committee.
Registration Procedures
Applications for admission must be submitted through the eCandidat online application system . For non-EU international students, depending on their country of origin, the application may be processed through the CampusFrance program.