Materials chemistry

Presentation

This pathway offers training to enable students to specialize or acquire new skills in the chemistry of materials and their interfaces, for research or industrial sectors involved in sustainable development, energy, health and the environment. The course introduces the concepts and tools used in the design and development of various types of materials, their characterization and applications in the above-mentioned fields. The training received enables integration into both academic and industrial research.

Objectives

You will be trained for industrial and research careers in materials and process chemistry in the sustainable development, health and environment sectors. The Materials Chemistry pathway offers a wide range of courses over the two years, with a progressive and chronological acquisition of knowledge including inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, polymer chemistry, materials and nanomaterials, enabling high-level, multidisciplinary specialized training. Teaching will be given by experts in the field (fundamental and applied) of chemistry and materials, to provide an understanding of fundamental principles and experimental concepts, and to acquire scientific and technical knowledge, working methods and communication tools. It is also about acquiring cutting-edge practical experience thanks to the wide variety and personalization of study projects on offer. To personalize 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 meet current societal demands and environmental constraints: storage, conversion and clean production of energy, environmental control and depollution, green chemical production: materials derived from renewable resources. Students will acquire the knowledge they need to develop materials with the greatest respect for mankind and the environment, thanks to a sustainable chemistry approach.

(Nano)materials for health

This specialization focuses on the development, design and characterization of inorganic, organic and bio-based materials and nanomaterials, and the study of their properties and uses, including implants, contrast agents for various types of imaging, and therapeutic agents for a wide range of pathologies. Students will acquire knowledge of issues in the healthcare sector, giving them a complete picture of materials on the market and in development, as well as learning the tools for innovation and design of new (nano)materials and the prerequisites for their applications.

Know-how and skills

On completion of this course, you will have the scientific and technical skills to :

• Have a solid understanding of the essential concepts, theories and experimental methods of materials and nanomaterials research and development.
• Know 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) and critically evaluate the work of other scientists.
• Be able to communicate information in both fields (sustainable development and health) to expert colleagues and the general public.

You will also gain an in-depth understanding of :

• Modern methods for synthesizing and characterizing materials (inorganic, polymeric or hybrid) from the nanometric to the macroscopic scale.
• Modification, structure and properties of materials and nanomaterials (inorganic, polymers, hybrids).
• Industrial applications of materials and nanomaterials research.
• Prerequisites for applying these materials and nanomaterials in the fields of sustainable development and health.

Depending on the specialization, more specific skills will be acquired.

Materials for sustainable development and the environment

• Acquire sound knowledge of the development, characterization and application of organic and inorganic materials
• Design, synthesize and characterize materials with a view to developing products with finite properties for use in the fields of the environment, energy storage and conversion.
• Design, develop and characterize new materials and nanomaterials to create products with defined properties
• Acquire new skills to design and synthesize materials cleanly and sustainably
• Have a general understanding of sustainable development issues: eco-design, life cycle analysis, etc.

(Nano)materials for health

• An understanding of health-related issues and the prerequisites for (nano)materials in this field
• Design, develop and characterize new materials and nanomaterials for healthcare (implants, imaging contrast agents, therapeutic agents, theragnostics, etc.).
• Innovate by proposing ways to improve functionality (e.g. improved physical, mechanical or pharmacokinetic properties, reduced toxicity, 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 applicable to the healthcare field

Organization

Teaching takes place over 4 semesters of 30 ECTS in accordance with the European system. Each teaching unit (TU) is assessed by a written final exam, or by continuous assessment, or by a manuscript and oral presentation for internship units. In each semester, teaching units are compensable, and an average of at least 10/20 for the whole semester is required for validation. Semesters cannot be offset against each other.

Program

EU lists here

Internships and tutored projects

• M1 - Semester 1: Professional projects - Project follow-up (8 ECTS)
• M1 - Semester 2: Communication and professional integration (2 ECTS)
• M1 - Semester 2: 2-4 month internship in a laboratory or company, preceded by a bibliographical report (10 ECTS)
• M2 - Semester 3: Project management - Corporate law - Innovation and intellectual property (4 ECTS)
• M2 - Semester 4: Bibliographic project / Scientific information (3 ECTS)
• M2 - Semester 4: 4-6 month internship in a laboratory or company (25 ECTS)

target audience and prerequisites

• Target group for access to M1: Holders of a lcence (L3) in chemistry, physical chemistry or equivalent. Validation of acquired experience by a jury for other scientific licenses.
• Target group for access to M2: Selection based on portfolio; holders of a Master 1 in chemistry, physical chemistry or equivalent. Validation of prior experience by a jury for other scientific masters.
• Prerequisites: Chemistry or physical chemistry skills
• Recommended prerequisites : Proficiency in solution chemistry and materials chemistry / Fluency in French and English is an added advantage

Further studies

Professional integration

You'll be able to work in companies with a wide range of structures and sectors involved in the design, synthesis and development of materials and nanomaterials used in the sustainable development, health, environment and energy sectors. You will be able to work as a manager in all research activities in a large company, SME or public research organization. You can also take on research assignments (fixed-term contracts, thesis contracts, etc.) in public or private laboratories. You could also choose to work in secondary education in a private establishment. The types of jobs open to you are :

• Chemical engineer, materials chemist or process chemist in charge of production, analysis, quality control or project management
• R&D engineer in a design office or in the chemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare, recycling, environmental or medical device industries.
• Researcher / R&D or research engineer (after a doctorate, for which this course provides preparation): conduct scientific studies and set up technological projects.