Master's in Chemistry

Materials Chemistry

Overview

This program 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 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.

Objectives

You will be trained 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 sequential acquisition of knowledge, including 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 acquire scientific and technical knowledge, working methods, and communication tools. The program also aims to provide cutting-edge practical experience through a wide variety of study projects that can be tailored to individual needs. To tailor your expertise, you can choose between 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 healthcare

This specialization allows students to focus on the healthcare sector through the development, design, and characterization of inorganic, organic, and bio-based materials and nanomaterials, as well as the study of their properties and applications, including implants, contrast agents for various imaging modalities, and therapeutic agents for a wide range of medical conditions. Students will gain an understanding of the challenges in the healthcare sector, enabling them to develop a comprehensive understanding of materials currently on the market and those under development, as well as learn the tools for innovation and the design of new (nano)materials and the prerequisites necessary for their applications.

Expertise and skills

Upon completion of this training, you will have acquired the scientific and technical skills necessary to:

  • Have a solid understanding of the key concepts, theories, and experimental methods used in research and development related to materials and nanomaterials.
  • Understand the different types of materials and nanomaterials, and be able to apply and adapt theories and experimental methods to new problems in both fields (sustainable development and health), as well as critically evaluate the work of other scientists.
  • Be able to communicate information in both fields (sustainable development and health) to expert colleagues as well as to the general public.

You will also gain a thorough 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, and hybrid).
  • Industrial applications of research on materials and nanomaterials.
  • Prerequisites for applying these materials and nanomaterials in the fields of sustainable development and health.

Depending on the specialization, students will acquire more specific skills.

Materials for Sustainable Development and the Environment

  • Gain a solid understanding of the development, characterization, and application of organic and inorganic materials
  • Design, synthesize, and characterize materials for the development of end-use products with specific properties applicable in the fields of environmental science, energy storage, and energy conversion
  • Design, develop, and characterize new materials and nanomaterials for the creation of 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

(Nano)materials for healthcare

  • Have 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, theranostics, etc.)
  • Innovate by proposing ways to improve performance (e.g., enhanced physical, mechanical, or pharmacokinetic properties; reduced toxicity; or the addition of new 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 applicable in the healthcare sector

Organization

The program consists of four semesters, each worth 30 ECTS credits, in accordance with the European system. Assessment is conducted for each course unit (TU) in the form of a final written exam, continuous assessment, or a written report and an oral presentation for internship course units. Within each semester, course units can be averaged, and an average of 10/20 or higher for the entire semester is required for validation. Semesters cannot be averaged across different semesters.

Program

List of UEs here

Internships and supervised projects

  • M1 – Semester 1: Professional Projects – Project Supervision (8 ECTS)
  • M1 – Semester 2: Communication and Career Development (2 ECTS)
  • M1 – Semester 2: 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 4: Bibliographic Project / Scientific Information (3 ECTS)
  • M2 – Semester 4: 4- to 6-month internship in a laboratory or company (25 ECTS)

TARGET AUDIENCE AND PREREQUISITES

  • Eligibility requirements for admission to the M1 program: Holders of a bachelor’s degree (L3) in chemistry, physical chemistry, or an equivalent field. For holders of other science-related bachelor’s degrees, prior learning will be assessed by a review committee.
  • Target audience for admission to the M2 program: Selection based on application materials; holders of a Master’s 1 degree in chemistry, physical chemistry, or an equivalent field. Recognition of prior learning by a review committee for holders of other science-related Master’s degrees.
  • Required prerequisites: Knowledge of chemistry or physical chemistry
  • Recommended prerequisites: Knowledge of solution chemistry and materials chemistry / Fluency in French and English is a plus

Further education

  • Continuing your education in France: A doctoral dissertation or another master’s degree to gain dual expertise
  • Further studies abroad: Doctoral dissertation or another master’s degree
  • Transfer pathways: Admission to the second year of the Master’s program based on application for candidates who have completed the first year of a Master’s program in Chemistry or an equivalent program
  • Changes of major: Students may change their major after completing the first year of the Master’s program

Employment placement

You will be able to hold positions within companies of various structures and sectors involved in the design, synthesis, and development of materials and nanomaterials used in the fields of sustainable development, health, the environment, and energy. You will be able to serve as a manager in all research activities within a large corporation, an SME, or a public research organization. You may also undertake research assignments (fixed-term contracts, thesis contracts, etc.) in public or private laboratories. Additionally, you may pursue a career in secondary education at a private school. The types of jobs available include:

  • 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
  • Researcher / R&D or research engineer (upon completion of a Ph.D. program for which this course is designed): conducting scientific studies and implementing technological projects