Materials chemistry (MAT P1)

  • ECTS

    120 credits

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Science

  • Language(s) of instruction

    French

Presentation

The "Chemistry of Materials" pathway offers students the opportunity to specialize or acquire new skills in the chemistry of materials and their interfaces for research or industrial sectors involved in sustainable development, energy, health and the environment. The course introduces students to the concepts and tools used in the design and development of various types of materials, their characterization and applications in the above-mentioned fields. The training received enables integration into both academic and industrial research.  

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  • M1: 93% and M2: 95%.

    Success rates

Objectives

Graduates will be trained for industrial and research careers in materials and process chemistry in the sustainable development, health and environment sectors. The Chemistry of Materials program offers a wide range of courses over the two years, with a progressive and chronological acquisition of knowledge including inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, polymer chemistry, materials and nanomaterials, enabling high-level, multidisciplinary specialized training. Teaching will be given by experts in the field (fundamental and applied) of chemistry and materials, to provide an understanding of fundamental principles and experimental concepts, and to acquire scientific and technical knowledge, working methods and communication tools. It is also about acquiring cutting-edge practical experience thanks to the wide variety and personalization of the study projects on offer.

To personalize your expertise, you can choose between the following two specializations:

  • Materials for sustainable development and the environment

This specialization places particular emphasis on the study of materials used in activities that meet current societal demands and environmental constraints: storage, conversion and clean production of energy, environmental control and depollution, green chemical production: materials derived from renewable resources. Students will acquire the knowledge they need to develop materials with the greatest possible respect for mankind and the environment, thanks to a sustainable chemistry approach.

  • (Nano)materials for health

This specialization focuses on the development, design and characterization of inorganic, organic and bio-based materials and nanomaterials, and the study of their properties and uses, including implants, contrast agents for various types of imaging, and therapeutic agents for a wide range of pathologies. Students will acquire knowledge of issues in the healthcare sector, giving them a complete picture of materials on the market and in development, as well as learning the tools for innovation and design of new (nano)materials and the prerequisites needed for their applications.    

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Know-how and skills

On completion of this course, graduates will have the scientific and technical skills to :

  • have a solid understanding of the essential concepts, theories and experimental methods of materials and nanomaterials research and development;
  • know the different types of materials and nanomaterials and be able to apply and adapt theories and experimental methods to new problems in all three fields (sustainable development, health and membranes) and critically evaluate the work of other scientists;
  • be able to communicate information in all three areas (sustainable development, health and membranes) to expert colleagues and the general public.

Graduates will also gain an in-depth understanding of :

  • modern methods for synthesizing and characterizing materials (inorganic, polymeric or hybrid) from the nanometric to the macroscopic scale;
  • modification, structure and properties of materials and nanomaterials (inorganic, polymers, hybrids);
  • industrial applications of materials and nanomaterials research;
  • the prerequisites for applying these materials and nanomaterials in the fields of sustainable development, healthcare and membranes.

Depending on the specialization, more specific skills will be acquired. 

Objectives specific to the Materials for Sustainable Development and the Environment specialization: 

  • Acquire a solid understanding of the development, characterization and application of organic and inorganic materials.
  • Design, synthesize and characterize materials with a view to developing products with finite properties for use in the fields of the environment, energy storage and conversion.
  • Design, develop and characterize new materials and nanomaterials to create products with defined properties.
  • Acquire new skills to design and synthesize materials cleanly and sustainably.
  • A general understanding of sustainable development issues such as eco-design and life cycle analysis.

Objectives specific to the (Nano)Materials for Health specialization :

  • An understanding of health-related issues and the prerequisites for (nano)materials in this field.
  • Design, develop and characterize new materials and nanomaterials for healthcare (implants, imaging contrast agents, therapeutic agents, therapeutics, etc.).
  • Innovate by proposing ways to improve functionality (e.g. improved physical, mechanical or pharmacokinetic properties, reduced toxicity, addition of another functionality), leading to the development of new materials and (nano)materials for healthcare applications.
  • To be able to propose new complex functional and multifunctional materials and nanomaterials applicable to the healthcare field.
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Organization

Internships, tutored projects

Internship

Mandatory

M1 - Semester 1: Professional projects - Project follow-up (8 ECTS)

M1 - Semester 2: Communication and professional integration (2 ECTS)

M1 - Semester 2: 2-4 month internship in a laboratory or company, preceded by a bibliographical report (10 ECTS)

M2 - Semester 3: Project management - Corporate law - Innovation and intellectual property (4 ECTS)

M2 - Semester 3: Thematic study

M2 - Semester 4: 5-6 month internship in a laboratory or company (28 ECTS)

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Program

Teaching takes place over 4 semesters of 30 ECTS each, in accordance with the European system. Each teaching unit (UE) is assessed either by written final exam, continuous assessment, or by manuscript and oral presentation for internship UEs. In each semester, teaching units are compensable, and an average of at least 10/20 for the whole semester is required for validation. Semesters cannot be offset against each other.

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Select a program

  • Thermodynamics and phase equilibria

    2 credits
  • CHOICE 1

    4 credits
    • Choice of 2 out of 3

      • Solution chemistry supplements

        2 credits
      • Crystallography I

        2 credits
      • Analysis of biomolecules by mass spectrometry

        2 credits
  • Polymers

    2 credits
  • Advanced inorganic materials

    2 credits
  • Solutions, colloids, interfaces

    2 credits
  • Liquid NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

    2 credits
  • Chemometrics, statistical data analysis, experimental design

    2 credits
  • Organometallic and hetero-element chemistry

    2 credits
  • Material characterization methodology

    2 credits
  • Coordination and organic chemistry

    2 credits
  • Professional projects - project follow-up

    8 credits
  • 2-4 month M1 internship with presentation/report in English

    10 credits
  • CHOICE 2

    4 credits
    • Choice of 2 out of 4

      • Process Engineering Fundamentals

        2 credits
      • Biosourced chemistry

        2 credits
      • Liquid-liquid extraction: kinetics and thermodynamics

        2 credits
      • Medicinal chemistry

        2 credits
  • Innovative synthesis and extraction processes

    2 credits
  • Thermal and mechanical properties of materials

    3 credits20h
  • Introduction to modeling

    2 credits
  • Nanomaterials

    2 credits
  • Communication and professional integration

    2 credits
  • Electronic and optical properties

    2 credits
  • Hybrid and structured materials

    2 credits
  • Dispersed systems

    2 credits

M2 - Materials chemistry (MAT P1)

See the complete page of this course

Admission

Access conditions

Applications can be submitted on the following platforms: 

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Target audience

Access to M1: selection based on portfolio. Holders of a bachelor's degree (L3) in chemistry, physical chemistry or equivalent. Validation of prior experience by a jury for other scientific bachelor's degrees.

Access to M2: selection based on portfolio. Holders of a Master 1 in chemistry, physical chemistry or equivalent. Validation of prior experience by a jury for other scientific masters.

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Capacity

35 in M1 and M2

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Necessary prerequisites

Chemistry or physical chemistry skills.

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Recommended prerequisites

Solution chemistry and materials chemistry skills.

Fluency in French and English is an additional asset.

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And then

Further studies

Doctoral thesis or another master's degree to acquire dual skills.

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Studying abroad

Doctoral thesis or other master's degree.

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Bridges and reorientation

Passerelles: admission to Master 2 by application for candidates with a Master 1 degree in chemistry or equivalent.

Reorientation: reorientation possible at the end of the Master 1 year.

 

 

 

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Professional integration

Sectors of activity:

Graduates can perform their duties in companies with a wide range of structures and sectors involved in the design, synthesis and development of materials and nanomaterials used in the sustainable development, health, environment and energy sectors. They can work as managers in all research activities in large companies, SMEs or public research organizations.

They can also take on research assignments (fixed-term contracts, thesis contracts, etc.) in public or private laboratories.

Alternatively, they can opt for a career in secondary education in a private school.

 

Types of jobs available:

- Chemical engineer, materials chemist or process chemist in charge of production, analysis, quality control or project management.

- R&D engineer in a design office or in the chemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare, recycling, environmental or medical device industries, contrast agents, etc.

- Researcher / R&D or research engineer (after a doctorate, for which this course provides preparation): conduct scientific studies and set up technological projects.

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