M- MATERIALS SCIENCE

Since the Stone Age, materials have been part of the daily life and history of Man.ince the Stone Age, materials have been part of the daily life and history of Mann response to his needs and to the societal challenges of each era. Over time materials have become effective and efficient, with multiple facets able to endow objects which surround us with new functions.
In the Major “Materials”, the aspects and challenges of new materials are identified and analysed:

Materials which are more respectful of the environment
- Re-using: giving a second life to products and materials (recycling, re-using, reparability …)
- Renewing: using bio-sourced materials and renewable resources (bio-plastics, wood …)
- Reducing the quantity of resources liable to finish as waste products (increasing the life cycle, reducing quantities of materials necessary …)

Materials for health care
- Obtaining a good adaptation of the organism to the introduction of bio-materials (implants, prostheses …)
- Obtaining appropriate responses in relation to deficient functions to be restored (bone reconstruction, cell development …)

Materials for energy
- Attaining performance levels in terms of safety and durability of current energy resources
- Increasing conversion yields of materials for alternative energy

Materials for information and communication technologies
- Improving performance
- Multiplying functions

The teaching approach adopted for the Major “Materials”, relies on a balance between the understanding of physical mechanisms and operational pragmatism in the R&D study office. These challenges of novel materials will analysed through 4 teaching units linked to the nature of materials and their use by Man.

Each teaching unit includes lectures, supervised and practical courses. 

The Major “Materials” provides:
- basic fundamental knowledge to understand material behaviour at each step of its life cycle (extraction, elaboration, shaping, use and end of life). Students will become familiar with the different types of material (metal, polymers, ceramics, and composites, natural or naturally produced materials) and associated concepts (elaboration, properties, processing, performance, availability, limitations, life cycles …).
- the capacity to identify levers for improvement and functional performance optimisation (mechanical, durability, optical, electrical …) but also in terms of perceived quality and sustainable development.
- a critical look at the use of materials in the 21st century, in different industrial sectors, such as aeronautics, architecture, new technologies, health care, manufactured products, energy and the luxury sector.

The major "materials" is relevant in a student profile oriented towards jobs in consultancy, study offices, R & D, production and design in various industrial sectors such as energy, transport, manufactured products, health ... In this case, the major will be supplemented by disciplinary educational groups in line with professional skills or knowledge related to the sector of activity.

The major "materials" is relevant in a generalist profile because it offers a complementary vision of the different aspects (technological, geopolitical, economic, environmental, societal ...). Indeed, materials constitute a strategic resource of which it is interesting to know the stakes.