Master 1 courses in Physics - Paris Physics Master track
Paris Physics Master is a new Master track in Physics taught in English. It is supported by two universities in Paris: Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité. The first year proposes a demanding and broad formation in fundamental, experimental and numerical physics. All the main topics of physics are addressed during the first year.
These courses are accessible to 4th year undergraduate exchange students provided they have the necessary prerequisites.
1st year Master courses (M1) taught in English
Semester 1
1st year Master - 1st Semester - 6 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Brief Description
Acquire the basics of advanced mechanics (symmetries, group theory applied to quantum mechanics, angular momentum, spin, systems of identical particles, perturbation theory, scattering) with a twist towards modern topics such as quantum computation, or alternative approaches, such as path integrals.
Prerequisites
At least an introductory BSc level course in Quantum Mechanics covering the postulates, the basics of Hilbert spaces algebra, Schrödinger’s equation for simple systems, and in particular in simple potential and in the harmonic oscillator.
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)
1st year Master - 1st Semester - 6 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Brief Description
Basic conceptual aspects of statistical physics and applications from solid state physics to high energy physics and cosmology.
Prerequisites
Mandatory: Calculus (integral, differential, multidimensional), Newtonian mechanics, Basics of thermodynamics
Useful (not mandatory): Basics of analytical mechanics (Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, phase space), Elements of probability theory, Basics of quantum mechanics.
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)
1st year Master - 1st Semester - 6 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Brief Description
Acquire a basic knowledge of computational methods to solve physics problems.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of computer programming, some knowledge of Python would be useful.
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)
1st year Master - 1st Semester - 6 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Brief Description
This course is designed as an opening towards the study of complex fluids. It is based on two complementary points of view: on the one hand, the microscopic point of view, in which we will approach the bases of inter-molecular interactions and then focus on increasingly complex objects such as polymers, colloids, electrolytes and liquid crystals; on the other hand, the macroscopic point of view of continuous media, which will allow us to describe the larger scale effects of microscopic interactions on the mechanical behavior and the rheology of simple to complex fluids, up to active matter.
Prerequisites
Calculus (integral, differential), Vector operators, Newtonian mechanics, Basics of electrostatics.
Useful: Basics of statistical thermodynamics (statistical entropy, thermodynamic potentials, equipartition theorem, Boltzmann factor).
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)
1st year Master - 1st Semester - 3 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)
Semester 2
1st year Master - 2nd Semester - 6 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Brief Description
Acquiring introductory and basic knowledge of the theory of nuclear and particle physics, and of the experimental tools at play in these domains.
Prerequisites
Good level in quantum mechanics; in particular (but not only): composition of angular momenta, time-dependent perturbations and identical particles.
Special relativity.
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)
1st year Master - 2nd Semester - 6 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Brief Description
This course offers an introduction to astrophysics and cosmology. The main observational methods for detecting the stars and other astrophysical systems and for measuring their physical properties are presented. The emphasis is then put on the physical interpretation of these observations by taking advantage of the different fields of physics studied up to Master 1.
Prerequisites
General Physics: classical mechanics, thermodynamics, basic fluid mechanics, quantum physics, statistical physics.
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)
1st year Master - 2nd Semester - 6 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Brief Description
Bring the basic knowledge for understanding the structure and properties of isolated atoms and molecules and their interaction with electromagnetic radiation treated classically.
Prerequisites
Quantum Mechanics : Hamiltonien, Eigenvalues and Eigenstates, Angular Momentum Coupling, Particle in a central Field, Time-Independent Perturbation Theory, Identical Particles.
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)
1st year Master - 2nd Semester - 6 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Brief Description
The course has two objectives: (1) making a link between microscopic properties of solids and macroscopic physical phenomena, (2) becoming familiar with the models used for the interpretation of the latter. Different fields of application of the physics of materials will be presented.
Prerequisites
Quantum physics: Schrödinger equation, vector spaces, harmonic oscillator.
Statistical physics: Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions.
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)
1st year Master - 2nd Semester - 3 ECTS - English Level: B2 (no test required)
Contact
Nicolas Rodriguez (nicolas.rodriguez@sorbonne-universite.fr)