World-Class Education

école supérieure de physique et de chimie industrielles
de la ville de Paris
World-Class Education
The ESPCI ParisTech Master of Science Degree
Studying on the Shoulders of Giants
130 years of Scientific Excellence
ESPCI ParisTech is a world-renowned French Grande École training scientists and engineers
at the graduate level, as well as a research institution with a distinguished history.
A Prestigious Scientific heritage
ESPCI ParisTech counts among its current and
former faculty Pierre & Marie Curie, Pierre-Gilles
de Gennes, Georges Charpak and other notable Nobel laureates. Founded in 1882, ESPCI
ParisTech has been under the ægis of the City
of Paris for 130 years. Paul Langevin, Director of
­ESPCI from 1925 to 1946, embodies one of the
key values of the School: while a brilliant theoretical physicist, he was at the same time a very
creative inventor.
1 publication
per day
by ESPCI ParisTech
Scientists
Research across disciplines
is a trademark of ESPCI
ParisTech, as exemplified
by Marie Curie, the only
human being awarded the
Nobel Prize both in Physics
Research Across Disciplines
ESPCI ParisTech is home to 18 high-profile
laboratories advancing scientific knowledge
and pioneering technical know-how in a variety
of research areas, ranging from polymers
to telecommunications, from nanobiophysics
to organic synthesis, from environmental science
to biomedical imaging, from neurobiology
to microfluidics, from soft matter to quantum
physics, from colloids to prototyping for industry.
a strong relationship with industry
Research at ESPCI ParisTech lies ahead of the
industry R&D curve. It focuses on anticipating needs that will arise in the short to distant
­future, and on inventing the adequate solutions.
Scientists use these real-world opportunities to
explore and understand fundamental aspects of
nature and matter.
and in Chemistry.
1 patent
per week
130 years of inventions,
from the lab to industrial applications
1898
Discovery of radium
and polonium
Pierre Curie, ESPCI Professor,
and Marie Curie, PhD Student
then Research Scientist
For their work on radioactivity,
Pierre and Marie Curie receive
the Physics Nobel Prize in 1903.
Marie Curie receives the Chemistry Nobel Prize in 1911.
1914
The sonar
1990
time reversal mirrors
2011
vitrimers
Paul Langevin, ESPCI Graduate
(1893) then ESPCI D
­ irector
(1925–1946)
The device invented by Paul
Langevin during World War I
detects submarines using the
reflexion of waves.
Mathias Fink, ESPCI Professor
Time-reversal signal processing and time-reversal mirrors
make it possible to use waves
(especially ultrasound waves)
to probe, diagnose (medical
imaging) or even treat the
­human body in a painless,
non-invasive manner.
Ludwik Leibler, CNRS Research
Director at ESPCI ParisTech
Vitrimers are a new class
of materials endowed with
properties that are totally
unusual: light and unbreakable
like plastics, they are shapeable
and recyclable like glass.
Physics, Chemistry & Biology
Education Across Disciplines
The core paradigm at the heart of ESPCI ParisTech academic programs may be best described by
Paul Langevin’s motto: “understanding goes beyond knowledge”. It favors the fundamentals
of science over the accumulation of technical details, promotes the hands-on practice of research
through actual laboratory experiments and values the ability to think across disciplines.
The ESPCI ParisTech education program endows
students with the ability to think and perform
across disciplinary barriers (namely between
physics, chemistry and bio­logy), as well as to
build bridges between the realm of fundamental research and the world of practical applications. Specifically, it provides students with:
• a broad and robust scientific education which
enables them to tackle complex issues;
• a hands-on experimental practice of science,
rooted in actual research situations;
• a unique culture of innovation that values
technological leaps;
• a good knowledge of industry, its inner workings, where it is heading and the technological
and economical challenges it faces;
• international experience and perspectives.
ORIGINAL TEACHING METHODS
The teaching methods implemented throughout
the academic programs seek to promote students
autonomy and creative thinking. To this aim:
• over half of the teaching time is devoted to
hands-on practice at the bench on stateof-the-art research equipment, within the
research laboratories on campus;
• students attend, in groups of 4, weekly tutoring sessions where actual research topics are
explored at a deeper level. They are coached
by a scientist performing his/her research on
campus or in one of the nearby research institutions. They learn to develop their own approach to the scientific issue at hand, beyond
the strict framework of the course syllabus.
Real life experiences
in an international context
In the course of the four years cursus, students
do several internships both in industry and in
research institutions. At the end of the curriculum, they all have had at least one internship
experience abroad. Around 60% of all students
do their industry internship abroad and 20% are
hosted by a foreign academic partner during
their research internship (Princeton University,
Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, the University of
Cambridge, Imperial College London, ETH Zürich,
Hokkaido University, Doshisha University, etc.).
ESPCI ParisTech promotes
the hands-on practice of
research through actual
laboratory experiments.
Students typically spend
half of their time in
laboratories.
© Romain Osi
Academic Curriculum
Lectures and Hands-On Lab Practice
The academic program at ESPCI ParisTech extends over four years. The first two years are devoted to providing students
with a core education in physics, chemistry and biology. Once in command of this solid background, students may then
dwell deeper on a particular subject according to their skills and personal interest.
1st year
2nd year
This single, 2-year track is common to all students. It provides them with multiple viewpoints of the current scientific landscape,
so that they can select their career path through a real, fully informed choice.
Biology
Biology
Biology
Physiology
Chemistry
Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Methods for Chemistry
Physico-Chemical Thermodynamics
Physics
Physics
Mathematics & numerical methods
Mathematics
Linear Systems and Signal Analysis
Computer Programming
0
Lectures English
Communication and Social Relations
Intellectual Property
Seminars: Social Studies
Seminars: Introduction to Law and Economy
50 h
Quantum Physics
Waves and Acoustics
Optics
Mechanics of Solids
Fluid Mechanics
Mathematics & numerical methods
Foreign languages, communication and economy
Cristalline Materials
Molecular Characterisation Techniques
Chemistry of Inorganic Materials
Colloidal Liquids
Analytical and Bioanalytical Sciences
Macromolecular Materials
Quantum Physics and Solid State Physics
Statistical Thermodynamics
Electromagnetism
Applied Mechanics
Electronics and Process Control
Mathematics
Computer Programming
Foreign languages, communication and economy
English
Seminars: Innovation and Project Management
Professional Development
Communication and Social Relations
100 h
Lab sessions lor
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1st year
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Ad aste
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2nd year
3rd year
ESPCI ParisTech
Engineering Degree
D
Ph
4th year
ESPCI ParisTech Students are strongly encouraged to follow-up with a PhD,
Advanced Master
which 60% of ESPCI graduates actually do,
of Science and
either in France or abroad. 80% of these PhD
Engineering
students are financially supported by a company.
3rd year
Students elect a major between physics, chemistry or physical chemistry. The year starts with a 4 to 6-month internship in industry, followed by 3 months of specialized courses and then by a 3-month research internship in an academic institution.
physics major
Physical chemistry major
Solid state physics
Physics of Measurement
Statistics and Learning
Soft Matter and Development
English
Fundamentals of Corporate Finance
Optional specialized courses
Biophysics
Waves in complex media
0
50 h
Lectures Solid State Physics
Statistics and Learning
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Soft Matter and Development
English
Fundamentals of Corporate Finance
Optional specialized courses
Biochemistry
Biophysics
Chimiometrics
Polymer Chemistry
Physics of Measurement
Waves in complex media
Rheology
Reactivity
Advanced Organic Synthesis
Chemistry major
Polymer Chemistry
Organic Synthesis
Reactivity
Statistics and Learning
Soft Matter and Development
English
Fundamentals of Corporate Finance
Optional specialized courses
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Advanced Organic Synthesis
Rheology
Biochemistry
Biophysics
Chimiometrics
“Science and technology” option
for all majors (choose 1 among this list)
Biotransformation and Chemical Eng.
Environment / Sustainable Growth
Colloids and Biomolecules
Microfluidics
Telecommunications / Phys. Microsystems
Nuclear engineering
Optional course for all majors
(choose 1 among this list)
Instrumentation / Biomedical Imaging
Systems of Energy Production
Relativity and Electromagnetism
Fine chemistry and Biology
Physico-Chemistry of Surfaces
100 h
Lab sessions 4th year
This final year turns students into true professionals, with an advanced expertise in their elected field. Students enroll directly in
the second year of a master degree in science, engineering or business. This final year may be performed in a university abroad.
Graduate as a French Ingénieur
Jobs and Careers
Most of ESPCI ParisTech Graduates launch their career in R&D in industry; eventually 15 % of
them choose Academic Research.
8 %
5 %
4 %
4 %
15 %
13 %
4 %
ESPCI ParisTech
Graduates may launch
their career in any
industry sector
15 %
15 %
17 %
Energy
Chemical Industry
Academic Research
Electronics, Informatics
Pharmaceutical Industry
Services
Aerospace, Military
Materials
Other Industry Sectors (Food,
Transportation, Biotech, etc.)
Other Services
On the Record: International Students Speak of their Experience
“I was looking for a curriculum truly integrated across disciplines”
Leandro Silva Pimenta, ESPCI ParisTech 2nd-year Student — from São Paulo (Brazil)
My primary motivation for joining ESPCI ParisTech was an education“ al concern — even before projecting myself into my future international
career. I studied for 4 years at the São Carlos Institute of Physics (IFSC), at
the University of São Paulo, Brazil; I also performed 2 academic research
projects in Physics — which were excellent to my scientific curriculum,
albeit quite theoretical. I was missing something more hands-on and more
in touch with industry, as I am not sure yet whether I want to work for
Academic or Industrial Research. I want to have a wide range of opportunities for my future. For this reason, I was looking for an education truly
balanced across disciplines: not only “Physics applied to Chemistry” (for
instance), but a same-level education in both Physics and Chemistry. I want
to be able to lead research programs with a broad perspective, without
being restricted to one specific field, in order to freely choose the area in
which I will launch my career. ”
“Keeping the doors open to launch my career in any field”
Naji Massa’ad, ESPCI ParisTech 4th-year Student, Master of International Energy at Sciences-Po
Paris, also engaged in a double-degree with ESSEC Business School — from Beirut (Lebanon)
“ I chose to join ESPCI ParisTech for its unique, wide-ranging education:
I wanted to make sure that I gain a significant scientific background while
keeping all the doors open to launch my career in any field that I may
eventually choose. Additionally, ESPCI ParisTech partners with a number of
institutions abroad, and I had the opportunity to complete a full-fledged
research project at MIT. At the same time, ESPCI ParisTech provided me
with a genuine interest in innovation and creative ways to connect research
with industry. I am currently pursuing a double-degree with ESSEC Business
School, as my ambition is now to launch my career at the junction of my
technical engineering skills and a strong drive to develop a business and
marketing profile, with a global, energy-leader corporation. ”
© Michel Denancé
Being a Student in the Heart of Paris
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Networks of Excellence
ESPCI ParisTech is a founding member of:
• ParisTech (Paris Institute of Technology),
together with École polytechnique, HEC Paris,
Arts et Métiers ParisTech, etc.;
• Paris Sciences & Lettres Research University
(PSL), together with Collège de France, École
normale supérieure, etc.
Paris: a urban campus
1 mi
1 km
Collège de France
École normale supérieure
In the Heart of Paris
ESPCI ParisTech is located in the “Quartier Latin”,
i.e. the student and science district of Paris.
Most students live in a dedicated housing
­complex, 30 minutes from the School.
Scholarships
Mines ParisTech
Institut Curie
Chimie ParisTech
ESPCI ParisTech
Observatoire de Paris
Students residence
Arts et Métiers ParisTech
Scholarships are awarded at the beginning of each academic year, and may be renewed for two additional years. Although the actual cost of the three-year curriculum at ESPCI ParisTech may be as high
as € 18,000, international students may only have to pay a fraction of it (around € 850 a year).
• Eiffel Scholarships: funded by the French
Ministry of Foreign Affairs; applications must
be filed through ESPCI ParisTech;
• ESPCI ParisTech scholarships: funded and
managed either by partner companies, by the
ESPCI Alumni Organization or by the ESPCI
Foundation;
• Cooperation Scholarships: awarded by
the Cooperation and Cultural Services of
the French Embassy in the student’s home
country; application are to be filed directly by
the student through this channel;
• “Major” Scholarships (Bourses d’excellence):
funded by the Agency for French Education
Abroad (Agence pour l’enseignement français
à l’étranger – AEFE), for Students in French
Highschools abroad, depending on their financial resources. Managed by CROUS;
• Georges-Besse Foundation Scholarships.
Studying at ESPCI ParisTech
Numerous Opportunities to Learn and Graduate
Applying to the ESPCI Engineering Degree
Prospective students with a Bachelor degree in
physics, chemistry or materials science may apply
to the ESPCI Engineering program.
The ”Diplôme d’Ingénieur” degree, delivered
­after three years, is equivalent to a Master
degree. It is recognized and highly regarded
internationally, both in industry and in academia.
The Advanced Master of Science and Tech­
nology degree, delivered after four years, is the
most prestigious degree from ESPCI ParisTech.
It warrants that graduates have acquired the
sharpest, most up-to-date expertise in their field.
admission process
Admission is opened to a limited number of
international students who have the required
background of excellence coupled with a strong
motivation.
The international admission process is organized
jointly with other ParisTech schools for Brazil,
China and Russia. For other countries, the admission program is organized with École polytechnique. Students of any country who wish to
apply should contact the Deans of Studies at:
[email protected]
Language
Since most courses are taught in French, we provide intensive language courses for international
students, before the start of the school year.
Other Opportunities to Learn
4 masters in chemistry
• Chemical engineering
• Molecular chemistry
• Chemistry and physical chemistry of materials
• Analytical, physical and theoretical chemistry
Short research programs
The laboratories at ESPCI ParisTech welcome
students with at least a Bachelor degree in
Science who are interested to perform research
projects: www.espci.fr/en/international-105/
research-internships
5 masters in physics & materials science
• Science of materials and nano-objets
• Sensors, measurements and instrumentation
• Nuclear engineering
• Optics, matter, plasmas
• Complex systems
1 master in biomedical engineering
Students who wish to apply may contact the
Deans of Studies at [email protected]
Students who are interested should take a look
at the research topics of the various laboratories:
www.espci.fr/en/research/laboratories – and
send a statement of interest, together with a
resume to the Deans of Studies at:
[email protected]
More information at:
www.espcially.com
Application at:
admissions.espci.fr/home/
© Romain Osi
Master programs
In addition to its engineering curriculum, ESPCI
ParisTech is in charge of 10 research master
programs in collaboration with other institutions
of higher education in the Paris area:
10, rue Vauquelin
75 005 Paris | France
+ 33 1 40 79 44 00
www.espci-paristech.fr
ESPCI ParisTech – Codit – April 2013 – photo © Romain Osi
École supérieure
de physique et de chimie industrielles
de la ville de Paris