Year 3
The second part of scientific teaching at Ecole Polytechnique turns from basic to more specialized subjects: the third year is subdivided in three trimesters, Periods 1 and 2 and the subsequent research project (Period 3).
The physics department proposes a catalogue of courses which contains mainly courses in physics but also courses on subjects relating physics to other sciences such as biology, (technical) mechanics, informatics, mathematics and applied mathematics. In addition, there are courses proposed by other departments which give insight into subjects of physical interest from a different point of view.
For those students who have a precise idea on the field of activity they want to study in industry, technology or research (such as energy, environment, theoretical physics, biophysics, electrical engineering etc.), the physics department proposes courses covering the third and fourth years (Master 1 and Master 2). They carry the name of “scientific specialization program” (PA) which themselves is subdivided into different tracks.
This will help students to find out the courses, research projects and orientation of their fourth years studies which are most adapted to their fields of interest. (If the number of courses recommended in the first or second periods of Master 1 is smaller than the minimal number of courses required, the student will be free to choose courses from other themes related to his field of interest.
The three thematics and the one international track (PHE) of the program “Physics” proposed are described in the website.
Some students could not have completely fixed their personnel and professional orientation, or could have a project which is not fully aligned with any of the existing programs/themes. Others would like to discover the methods of modelling or instruments of modern physics in order to use them in some other domain which is their principal field of interest. For all those students, the department of physics makes an offer allowing them to learn what is required for their specialization in the fourth year (Master 2), and to deepen their knowledge of certain fields of modern physics at the same time.
The physics department has organized its teaching program in such a way that the students can follow the courses of the Master 1 program just over one trimester, or over two trimesters, and such that they can choose their research project according to their personal projects.
Most courses proposed are based on the fundamental concepts of microscopic physics taught in the first and second year courses in physics.
The teaching program of Period 1 permits to get acquainted with the great fields of modern physics: quantum optics and lasers, solid state physics, elementary particles, astrophysics and nuclear physics, physics of biological objects, physical origin of mechanical properties, soft matter. In Period 2, students are prepared more specifically to the specialization during the fourth year: Master courses in physics oriented towards research in fundamental physics, material science, optics, geophysics, astrophysics, biophysics, introduction to the physical basis of electronics and industrial optics.
All those tracks comprise also some individual work (in-depth study) on a subject of interest in modern physics. This personal work can be theoretical or experimental. In any case it gives rise to a written report and an oral communication.