• Target level of study

    Master's degree

  • ECTS

    120 credits

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Science

  • Language(s) of instruction

    French

Presentation

The Master's degree in Fundamental Physics and Applications (PFA) at the University of Montpellier offers a highly diversified program covering various fields of physics—from astrophysics to particle physics, nanotechnology, and quantum technologies—and its interfaces with materials chemistry, biology, and computer science.

For more information on applications: https://master-physique.edu.umontpellier.fr/presentation/candidatures/

 

 

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Objectives

The numerous career opportunities offered by the master's degree ensure excellent professional integration for its students.

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Organization

Knowledge assessment

MCC Consultation

https://mcc.umontpellier.fr/ lists all teaching units (UE) and their assessment methods.

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Program

Select a program

Physics and Materials Engineering for Microelectronics and Nanotechnologies (PHYMATECH)

Become an expert in the materials and technologies used in the fields of micro-, nano- and optoelectronics!

The Phymatech program offers a broad education in physics, focusing on the fields of micro, nano, and optoelectronics. In this context, skills in quantum mechanics, condensed matter, electromagnetism, and micro and nanofabrication are developed in order to understand, model, and simulate the various processes involved in the manufacture and operation of micro and nanometric components and devices.

This program is open to second-year (M2) students who wish to enroll.

The work-study schedule and examples of companies that have taken on apprentices are available on the "Apprenticeships and work-study programs" page of the master's program website: https://master-physique.edu.umontpellier.fr/apprentissage-et-alternance/

In addition, the Phymatech program offers the possibility of a dual degree in "Technology and Systems Management" in partnership with IAE, within the University of Montpellier.

 

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Cosmos, Fields, and Particles (CCP)

The CCP program lies at the intersection ofastrophysics, cosmology, and particle physics, commonly referred to as astroparticle physics. Cosmic ray sources and their detection techniques, the accelerated expansion of the Universe, the cosmic microwave background, future large-field cosmological surveys, gravitational waves, dark matter and dark energy, and the study of the standard model of particle physics and its extensions in colliders are all facets of this rapidly expanding international research program, which is opening new windows onto our universe. Recent discoveries in particle physics, astroparticle physics, and cosmology are generating a significant number of theses in laboratories in France and abroad. Students in this program are destined for careers as university professors and researchers in major national (CNRS, CEA, CNAP) or international (CERN) organizations. The skills acquired during this program are also particularly valued by the business world, particularly in the fields of research and development and IT (big data, artificial intelligence, etc.).

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Physics and Engineering of Living Matter (PhIMV)

Become a researcher in Living Matter Physics!

Biological phenomena and systems represent a new paradigm of complex, active, self-regulating matter, governed by laws that remain largely unknown. To study them, we must draw on the most innovative physical principles, methods, and techniques. The PhIMV program will prepare you for fundamental and applied research in the physics of living matter.

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Computational Physics (PhysNum)

The Master's program in Computational Physics/Computational Physics is unique in France. It offers:

  • Dual expertise in Physics and Computer Science
  • Aspecialization inComputational Physics.

This program is designed for students with a background in physics who wish to acquire dual skills that will open up career opportunities after completing a five-year degree program. Graduates are specialists in "Computational Physics," which deals with modeling and simulation in physics and is a specialty developed in many Anglo-Saxon master's programs. This branch of physics covers all applications that use computers for scientific computing, design, and optimization of physical systems.

With the development of computer performance, the field of simulation has experienced growing growth in both businesses and research organizations. Digital simulation allows experiments to be carried out on computers, which accelerates the development of new concepts and devices and ensures significant savings by avoiding long and costly manufacturing and experimentation stages.

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ASTROPHYSICS

This program allows students who have completed a bachelor's degree in physics to specialize in astrophysics over two years, with a view to subsequently pursuing a doctoral degree.

This program offers comprehensive and innovative training in astrophysics, in the form of a joint program between the Master's in Physics at Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University and the Master's in Fundamental Physics and Applications at the University of Montpellier.

The first year is specific to each master's program and provides advanced knowledge in fundamental physics as well as an introduction to specialization in astrophysics. The second year is common to both sites and is entirely dedicated to astrophysics.

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Nanoscience and Quantum Technologies (NanoQuant)

The NanoQuant program offers high-level fundamental training in the field of nanoscience and quantum technologies.

After completing the program, students can pursue doctoral studies in academic research laboratories in France and abroad.

Although the NanoQuant program is primarily intended for students wishing to pursue a PhD, students may also choose to branch out from academia and pursue a career as a research and development engineer in industry.

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General Physics (PhysGen)

The purpose of this program, which is only available in Master 1, is to prepare students to enter a Master 2 Agrégation (i.e., preparation for the Agrégation in Physics-Chemistry with a physics option) at another university or an École Normale Supérieure.

From an educational perspective, this course is structured around the fundamentals of modern physics, like the other courses. It covers quantum mechanics, radiation-matter interaction, second quantization, statistical physics, condensed matter, experimental training, fluid dynamics, and the fundamentals of astrophysics (see program below). It also includes a refresher course in chemistry.

The main difference compared to other programs is that "General Physics" encompasses all of the generalist course units in the master's degree and provides a relatively comprehensive grounding in modern physics. It therefore enables students to acquire the necessary foundations to prepare for a physics teaching qualification. Instead of the specialized course units offered in other programs, it offers an experimental physics course unit from the MEEF master's degree (preparation for experiments) in which students learn how to conduct and present experiments. It also offers a chemistry course unit from the MEEF-Physics-Chemistry master's degree to help students refresh their knowledge in preparation for the competitive examination.

 

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Physics of Complex and Disordered Matter (SoftMat)

Become an expert in complex and disordered matter: foams, gels, liquid crystals, glass, plastics, slurries, paints, cosmetics, food, adhesives, rubber, biological matter, etc.

Despite their diversity, these materials share common physicochemical properties such as a multiscale organization governed by weak interactions. They are likely to undergo significant reorganization under the effect of weak environmental stresses (temperature, pressure, concentration, mechanical stress, pH, electric field, etc.).

The physics involved, known as soft matter physics, is therefore intermediate between the physics of liquids and the physics of solids. The relevant size scales are mesoscopic (between nanometers and micrometers), and interfaces play a fundamental role.

This program will enable you to pursue an academic or industrial thesis with potential career opportunities in major research organizations, universities, and companies (cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, etc.).

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IDIL - Modeling Biological and Environmental Systems - PHYSICS major

The Master's program in "Modeling of Environmental and Biological Systems" (MoBiEn) aims to train its students in quantitative and theoretical research on complex phenomena in living systems emerging at multiple scales: from single molecules to living organisms, as well as their interaction with their environment.

The MoBiEn Master's program brings together scientists from various laboratories as well as professors from our four departments: Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science. In this sense, it offers a coherent multidisciplinary program that makes MoBiEn a unique course of study whose core disciplines are Statistical Physics, Stochastic Processes, Biomechanics, Numerical Simulations, Statistical Methods, Advanced Data Analysis Techniques, and Artificial Intelligence.

Examples of teaching units:

- Stochastic process
- Biological physics
- Finite element simulation

 

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Admission

Admission requirements

Applications can be submitted on the following platforms:

French & European students:

International students from outside the EU: follow the "Études en France" procedure:https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html

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