ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training Structure
College of Sciences
Language(s) of Instruction
French
Overview
The “Materials Chemistry” track offers training that allows students to specialize or acquire new skills in the fields of materials chemistry and its interfaces, whether for research or in industrial sectors related to sustainable development, energy, health, and the environment. The program introduces students to the concepts and tools used in the design and development of various types of materials, as well as their characterization and applications in the aforementioned fields. The training received enables students to engage in both academic research and research conducted in industrial settings.
M1: 93% and M2: 95%
Success Rate
Objectives
Graduates are prepared for careers in industry and research related to materials and process chemistry in the fields of sustainable development, health, and the environment. The Materials Chemistry track offers a wide range of courses over the two years, with a progressive and chronological acquisition of knowledge, including in inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, polymer chemistry, materials, and nanomaterials, providing a high-level, multidisciplinary specialized education. Courses will be taught by experts in the field (both fundamental and applied) of chemistry and materials science to provide an understanding of fundamental principles and experimental concepts, as well as to develop scientific and technical knowledge, working methods, and communication skills. The program also aims to provide cutting-edge practical experience through a wide variety of customized study projects.
To tailor 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 address current societal needs and environmental constraints: energy storage, conversion, and clean energy production; environmental monitoring and remediation; and green chemical production—specifically, materials derived from renewable resources. Students will thus acquire the knowledge needed to develop materials that are as respectful as possible of people and the environment through a sustainable chemistry approach.
- (Nano)materials for Health
This specialization allows students to focus on the health sector through the development, design, and characterization of inorganic, organic, and biologically derived materials and nanomaterials, as well as the study of their properties and applications, including implants, contrast agents for various types of imaging, and therapeutic agents for a range of medical conditions. Students will gain an understanding of the challenges facing the healthcare sector, enabling them to develop a comprehensive understanding of materials currently on the market and those under development. They will also learn about the tools for innovation and the design of new (nano)materials, as well as the prerequisites necessary for their applications.
Expertise and Skills
Upon completion of this program, graduates will have acquired the scientific and technical skills necessary to:
- to have a solid understanding of the essential concepts, theories, and experimental methods used in research and development on materials and nanomaterials;
- to understand the different types of materials and nanomaterials and be able to apply and adapt theories and experimental methods to new problems in the three fields (sustainable development, health, and membranes) and to critically evaluate the work of other scientists;
- to be able to communicate information in the three areas (sustainable development, health, and membranes) to expert colleagues as well as to the general public.
Graduates will also gain an in-depth understanding of:
- modern methods for the synthesis and characterization of materials (inorganic, polymeric, or hybrid) ranging from the nanoscale to the macroscopic scale;
- the modification, structure, and properties of materials and nanomaterials (inorganic, polymeric, hybrid);
- industrial applications of research on materials and nanomaterials;
- the prerequisites for applying these materials and nanomaterials in the fields of sustainable development, health, and membranes.
Depending on the specialization, students will acquire more specific skills.
Specific Objectives for the "Materials for Sustainable Development and the Environment" Specialization:
- Gain a solid understanding of the development, characterization, and application of organic and inorganic materials.
- Design, synthesize, and characterize materials for the development of products with specific properties that can be used in the fields of the environment, energy storage, and energy conversion.
- Design, develop, and characterize new materials and nanomaterials for the purpose of creating products with specific properties.
- Acquire new skills to design and synthesize materials in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.
- Have a general understanding of issues in the field of sustainable development: eco-design, life cycle analysis.
Specific Objectives for the (Nano)materials for Health Specialization:
- Gain an understanding of health-related issues and the requirements for (nano)materials in this field.
- Design, develop, and characterize new materials and nanomaterials for healthcare (implants, contrast agents for imaging, therapeutic agents, theragnostics, etc.).
- Innovate by proposing ways to improve performance (for example, improved physical, mechanical, or pharmacokinetic properties; reduced toxicity; or the addition of another functionality), leading to the development of new materials and (nano)materials for healthcare applications.
- Be able to propose new, complex, functional, and multifunctional materials and nanomaterials that can be applied in the healthcare field.
Organization
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Required |
|---|
M1 – Semester 1: Professional Projects – Project Supervision (8 ECTS)
M1 – Semester 2: Communication and Career Preparation (2 ECTS)
M1 – Semester 2: A 2- to 4-month laboratory or industry internship preceded by a literature review (10 ECTS)
M2 – Semester 3: Project Management – Business Law – Innovation and Intellectual Property (4 ECTS)
M2 – Semester 3: Thematic Study
M2 – Semester 4: 5- to 6-month internship in a laboratory or company (28 ECTS)
Program
The program spans 4 semesters of 30 ECTS credits each, in accordance with the European system. Assessment is conducted for each course unit (UE), either in the form of a final written exam, continuous assessment, or a written paper and an oral presentation for internship course units. Within each semester, course units can be averaged, and an average grade of 10/20 or higher for the entire semester is required for validation. Grades from different semesters cannot be averaged.
Select a program
M1 - Materials Chemistry (MAT P1)
Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria
2 creditsCHOICE 1
4 creditsChoose 2 out of 3
Supplementary Material on Solution Chemistry
2 creditsCrystallography I
2 creditsAnalysis of Biomolecules by Mass Spectrometry
2 credits
Polymers
2 creditsAdvanced Inorganic Materials
2 creditsSolutions, Colloids, Interfaces
2 creditsLiquid NMR Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction
2 creditsChemometrics, statistical data analysis, experimental design
2 creditsOrganometallic Chemistry and Heterelement Chemistry
2 creditsMethodology for Characterizing Materials
2 creditsCoordination Chemistry and Organic Chemistry
2 creditsProfessional Projects – Project Management
8 credits
2- to 4-month M1 internship with a defense and report in English
10 creditsOPTION 2
4 creditsChoose 2 out of 4
Fundamentals of Process Engineering
2 creditsBio-based Chemistry
2 creditsLiquid-Liquid Extraction: Kinetics and Thermodynamics
2 creditsMedicinal Chemistry
2 credits
Innovative Synthesis and Extraction Processes
2 creditsThermal and Mechanical Properties of Materials
3 credits20hIntroduction to Modeling
2 creditsNanomaterials
2 creditsCommunication and Career Integration
2 creditsElectronic and Optical Properties
2 creditsHybrid and Structured Materials
2 creditsDistributed Systems
2 credits
M2 - Materials Chemistry (MAT P1)
Admission
Admission Requirements
Applications can be submitted through the following platforms:
- French and European students: Follow the “Mon Master” procedure on the website:https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/
- For the M2 program, students must submit their application through the e-candidat application on the University of Montpellier’s Faculty of Sciences website:
- International students from outside the EU: Follow the “Études en France” procedure:https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html
Target Audience
Admission to the M1 program: selection based on application materials. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (L3) in chemistry, physical chemistry, or an equivalent field. For other science-related bachelor’s degrees, prior learning will be evaluated by a review committee.
Admission to the M2 program: selection based on application materials. Applicants must hold a Master’s 1 degree in chemistry, physical chemistry, or an equivalent field. For other science-related master’s degrees, prior learning will be evaluated by a review committee.
Capacity
35 in M1 and M2
Mandatory Prerequisites
Skills in chemistry or physical chemistry.
Recommended Prerequisites
Expertise in solution chemistry and materials chemistry.
Proficiency in French and English is an added asset.
And then
Continuing Education
A doctoral dissertation or another master’s degree to acquire dual expertise.
Continuing Your Education Abroad
Doctoral dissertation or other master's thesis.
Transition Programs and Reorientation
Transfer Programs: Admission to the second year of the Master’s program is based on application review for candidates who have completed the first year of a Master’s program in chemistry or have equivalent training.
Program Changes: Students may change their program of study at the end of the first year of the Master’s program.
Employment Placement
Business Sectors:
Graduates can work in companies of various structures and across a range of industries involved in the design, synthesis, and development of materials and nanomaterials used in the fields of sustainable development, health, the environment, and energy. They can serve as managers in all research activities within a large corporation, a small or medium-sized enterprise, or a public research organization.
He may also undertake research assignments (fixed-term contracts, thesis contracts, etc.) at public or private laboratories.
In addition, he may also choose to pursue a career in secondary education at a private school.
Types of jobs available:
- Chemical engineer, materials chemist, or process chemist responsible for production, analysis, quality control, or project management.
- R&D engineer in a design office or in the chemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare, recycling, environmental, medical device, or contrast agent industries, etc.
- Researcher / R&D or research engineer (upon completion of a Ph.D., for which this program prepares students): conducting scientific studies and implementing technological projects

