Objectives of Programme's Learning Outcomes

• Master expertise.
• Have developed the knowledge and skills acquired in the previous cycle to a level that extends beyond the Bachelor's course in Physics, and which provides the basis for the development and implementation of original ideas in a professional context.
• Have acquired knowledge and a thorough understanding of specialist areas of physics in connection with mathematics and/or advanced laboratory practices required for these sectors.
• Have reached a level of knowledge and skill giving them access to the third cycle of the study programme / doctoral studies (only for two-year Master courses).
• Provide clear and accurate information.
• Share their knowledge and findings clearly and back them up rationally to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Collaborate and work in a team.
• Have developed practical skills in physics through practical sessions in the laboratory and sessions during which they have worked individually and in groups.
• Grow personally and professionally.
• Present the appropriate knowledge and skills to the teaching profession in upper secondary school (for students in the teaching sector); present the appropriate knowledge and skills for professions using the skills of physicists (and other) in different sectors of society (for everyone).
• Have developed the skills that will enable them to continue to acquire knowledge independently.
• Have a creative and rigorous scientific approach
• Gather and interpret relevant scientific data and critically analyse it, distinguising working hypotheses of proven facts.
• Apply their knowledge, understanding and ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments and in multidisciplinary contexts related to physical sciences.

Learning Outcomes of UE

In materials science, it is essential to understand a material to characterize it, that is to say, to analyze its physical and chemical properties. There are many characterization techniques that are based on different basic physical principles derived from mechanics, thermodynamics, and interactions with radiation. As part of this learning, students will discuss characterization techniques through 10 (4-hour sessions each) practical works that will allow them to use some of them available at the University (Institut Matériaux) or in (international) research centers (Materia Nova, ORNL, NIST, CEA, ...). For more complex techniques not directly accessible, seminars, video conferences or visits to large instruments will be offered.
Among these techniques, we will find :
- Mechanical tests
- Contact angle measurements
- Ellipsometry (in collaboration with the Laboratoire de Physique des Matériaux et Optique)
- X-ray spectroscopy and spectrometry (XPS, AES, UPS, EELS, EDX,...)
- X-ray diffraction
- X-ray scattering (SAXS, WAXS, ...)
- Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Neutron diffusion and diffraction
- Mass spectrometry (SIMS)
- Thermal analyses (DSC, TGA, DMA, ...)
- Local probe microscopy techniques (STM, AFM, ...)
- Electronic microscopy (TEM, SEM, ...)
- Super-high-resolution optical microscopy (STED, PALM, SIM, ...)
- ...

UE Content: description and pedagogical relevance

During this course, students will conduct experiments (alone or in small groups) and/or attend demonstration sessions (possibly via video conferencing) using different experimental techniques (vide supra). At the end of these sessions, reports will be requested and will serve as the basis for the final evaluation.

Prior Experience

Not applicable