Sciences

General Physics (PhysGen)

  • ECTS

    60 credits

  • Duration

    1 year

  • Training structure

    Faculty of Science

  • Language(s) of instruction

    French

Presentation

The aim of this course, which only exists in Master 1, is to prepare students to enter a M2 Agrégation (i.e. preparation for the Physics-Chemistry Agrégation, physics option) at another university, or a Ecole Normale Supérieure.

From a pedagogical point of view, this course, like the others, is built around the fundamentals of modern physics. It covers quantum mechanics, radiation-matter interaction, second quantization, statistical physics, condensed matter, experimental training, fluid dynamics and the basics of astrophysics (see program below). It also includes a refresher course in chemistry.

The major difference with other courses is that "General Physics" encompasses all the generalist UEs in the master's program, and provides a relatively comprehensive grounding in modern physics. It therefore provides the foundations needed to prepare for the agrégation in physics. Instead of the specialized UEs of the other courses, it offers an experimental UE in Physics from the MEEF master's program (preparation for setups), in which students learn to set up experiments and present them. It also offers a Chemistry UE from the MEEF-Physics-Chemistry master's program, to bring students up to speed in preparation for the competitive examination.

 

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  • Around 80%. 50% of graduates went on to prepare for the agrégation. 25% of graduates went on to prepare for the CAPES.

    Success rates

Objectives

The objectives of the master's degree are as follows:

  • broaden the scope of physics knowledge.
  • develop experimentation skills.
  • guarantee a minimum level of chemistry.
  • to enable each student to assess his or her own performance before embarking on the competitive examination for the agrégation in physics.
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Know-how and skills

At the end of a successful Master 1, students have the following skills and competencies:

  • Set up an experiment to illustrate a physical phenomenon.
  • Know how to carry out a physical measurement with uncertainty in all areas of classical physics (electricity, optics, mechanics, thermodynamics, etc.), at undergraduate level.
  • Present an experience orally.
  • Know how to handle modern measuring equipment (laser interferometer, electron microscope, AFM, advanced electronics, ellipsometry).
  • Formally solve a physics problem using mathematics.
  • Know and be able to talk about the major physics theories: quantum physics, statistics, condensed matter, fluid physics, relativity.
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Organization

Knowledge control

https://mcc.umontpellier.fr/ groups together all the teaching units (UE) and their assessment procedures.

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Special features

The Chemistry UE "Teaching Chemistry" in semester 1 is a major UE in the Physics-Chemistry MEEF master's program. It cannot be taken in its entirety, as the timetable is too full. This is not a problem, however, since the agrégation exam is only taken the following year, after a year of specific preparation. On the other hand, the assessment - for this UE - of "General Physics" students only covers the part of the program they have actually followed.

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Internships, tutored projects

There are no internships or tutored projects in this program. The aim is not research, but the competitive teaching examination (agrégation or Capes).

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Program

This course only exists in Master 1, divided into 2 semesters.

Each semester comprises 30 ECTS and must be taken independently (there is no inter-semester compensation).

Students in this pathway share research training with students in the Physics master's program, and they share teaching training with students in the MEEF master's program.

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Select a program

  • Teaching chemistry PFA

    6 credits
  • Astrophysics

    3 credits24h
  • Hydrodynamics

    4 credits33h
  • English M1 PFA

    2 credits21h
  • Atoms, Molecules and Radiation

    5 credits42h
  • Experimental physics

    5 credits42h
  • Condensed matter physics 1

    5 credits42h
  • Advanced quantum physics

    6 credits49,5h
  • Statistical physics

    6 credits49,5h
  • Condensed Matter Physics 2

    5 credits42h
  • Preparing for PFA physics fixtures

    13 credits36h

Admission

How to register

Applications for M1 are made via the :

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Target audience

The target audience is good physics and physics-chemistry undergraduates who want to pursue a career in teaching.

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Necessary prerequisites

A very good level of Physics or Physics-Chemistry is required.

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Recommended prerequisites

Average grade above 12 in L3 and motivation for teaching.

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And then

Further studies

Master's 2 courses prepare students for the agrégation in physics or the CAPES in physics and chemistry.

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Bridges and reorientation

Reorientation possible in the Physics-Chemistry MEEF master's program and other courses in the Fundamental Physics and Applications master's program.

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