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Programme Bachelor 

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

Présentation : The M1-level courses offered by the Physics Department are aimed at students in the École Polytechnique engineering program as well as students enrolled in the IP Paris Master’s program in Physics. Regarding the engineering program, our teaching pursues four main objectives:

  • To provide students with a fundamental scientific background in modern physics
  • To introduce them to experimental practice and research
  • To prepare them for advanced specialized scientific programs (research Master’s degrees) or technical programs (engineering schools or professional Master’s degrees)
  • To show students of the School that current and emerging developments in many technological fields rely on recent advances in fundamental and applied physics

Physics teaching is delivered in two phases. The first, during the first two years of the program, is an introduction to the major theories and methods that form the foundations of modern physics: quantum mechanics, statistical physics, special relativity, variational principles, electromagnetic waves, as well as the simplest applications of these theories. It also includes introductory experimental courses covering a wide range of fields in physics, materials science, and electronics. Finally, it provides the opportunity to carry out, under the supervision of a tutor, a collective scientific project related to physics or electronics.

The third year, organized into two teaching periods and a research internship, offers a deeper introduction to most major areas of modern physics and its industrial applications. It has a dual purpose. On the one hand, it is part of the four-year training program of École Polytechnique engineers, and on the other, it corresponds to the M1 year of the IP Paris Master’s program in Physics. The third year is taught in English.

Regarding the engineering curriculum, the first two years at the School aim to provide students with a solid scientific foundation in physics. The third year (M1) prepares them for specialized scientific (M2, international Master’s programs) and engineering (French engineering schools, international engineering programs) training in their fourth year.

 

1st YEAR

   April 9, 2026 : Amphi 0 - Conference by Alain Aspect

2nd YEAR

1st term (September to November)

2nd term (december to february)

3rd term (march to may)

 
The MODALS 
of Physics : Guilhem Gallot, Gaël Grissonnanche, Alexandra Zabi 

3rd YEAR

The Physics Department is responsible for the Physics Advanced Program (PA), which is structured into 3 thematic tracks and 2 cross-disciplinary tracks:

  • From Particles to Stars, Christoph Kopper, Cédric Lorcé
  • Photons and Atoms, Fabien Bretenaker, François Hache
  • From the Atom to Materials, Michel Ferrero, Thierry Gacoin
  • Quantum Sciences and Technologies, Thomas Ayral
  • Computational Physics, Michel Ferrero and Filippo Vicentini

It also oversees the Electrical Engineering Advanced Program (EE), in coordination with the Computer Science and Applied Mathematics departments.

The Space Science and Challenges Advanced Program (SDS), by nature multidisciplinary, is based on courses offered by four departments: Physics, Mechanics, Applied Mathematics, and Computer Science.

Together with the Mechanics Department, the Physics Department co-organizes the Energy Advanced Program.

1st term (September to December)

2nd term (January to March)

4th YEAR

The 4th-year specialization can be pursued either in France (for example within the IP Paris Master’s in Physics) or abroad, and depending on the chosen pathway consists of:

  • training provided by a French State Corps,
  • an engineering program,
  • a Master’s-type specialization, potentially followed by research training (PhD).

This specialization program is an integral part of the École Polytechnique curriculum and is carried out under the administrative and academic supervision of the School, except for students joining a State Corps, for whom the training is conducted under the status and supervision of the recruiting body.

The general structure of the specialization program consists of three semesters: two semesters of academic coursework leading to a degree, and one semester of internship or project work in a company or research laboratory.

List of 4th-year program coordinators in the department by theme:

https://gargantua.polytechnique.fr/siatel-web/app/linkto/mICYYYScz)YK 

MASTER 1 

Le Département de Physique offre deux parcours de Master : Master of Physics et Master of High Energy Physics. Les cours au niveau M1 correspondent à l'année 3 du cycle ingénieur polytechnicien. 

 

MASTER 2