Programme content
FROM PURE SCIENCE TO ENGINEERING: A BROAD-BASED TRAINING
The Master's in Engineering Physics is a generalist course which builds a bridge between fundamental physics and its applications in engineering. Technological innovation is born at the intersection between disciplines.
This course is thus aimed at students who wish to acquire a solid grounding in several domains of science and technology, such as fluid and solid mechanics, heat transfers, physical chemistry and the electrical and magnetic properties of materials. Students learn how to solve problems involving complex interactions between these domains, on multiple temporal and spatial scales. Significant emphasis is placed on advanced techniques in mathematical modelling and digital simulation, which constitute multidisciplinary tools essential for these problems.
THE MASTER'S
The 1st part is shared by all students. It covers all of the general classes required for a potential specialism. It includes a multiphysics simulation group project and a personal project to design and carry out an experiment.
In the 2nd part, a Master's thesis must be submitted.
Research Focus
This is comprised of highly specialised classes. The University of Liège can offer you, through this course, the chance to specialise by choosing a module from the following 3:
- fluid mechanics,
- solid mechanics,
- materials and electronics.
This programme allows you to become highly specialised in one of these subjects or to build a more multidisciplinary profile by choosing certain credits from a large set of courses. It is also possible to complete an internship in a company or research centre. This freedom will make your course a unique and customised combination of know-how at the intersection of the engineering disciplines.
Learning outcomes
Applying physics to engineering: a course bestowing a multitude of opportunities
The Master's in Engineering Physics provides a solid training in applied physics. It combines the basic study of physical phenomena and their practical use in the field of engineering. The common core classes are concerned with physical properties and processes on different scales, from the microscopic world of electronics and nanosystems, to the macroscopic scales of continuum mechanics. This programme allows students to familiarise themselves with advanced methods in theory, digital simulation and experimental methods.
With this multidisciplinary approach, students learn how to solve problems in very different domains (physical chemistry, mechanics and electricity), as well as so-called "multiphysics" problems, meaning those characterised by a complex interaction between various physical mechanisms.
The Master's programme
The Master's programme includes three focuses :
- fluid physics, at spatial scales ranging from blood capillaries to oceans, with an emphasis on the properties of fluids and turbulent flows;
- solid-state physics, with an emphasis on the links between constituent laws at the microscopic scale and the corresponding macroscopic properties (plasticity, fracture);
- electric and magnetic properties of materials and their many applications in micro-/nanoelectronics, in the storage and transportation of electrical energy, etc.
Career opportunities
This multidisciplinary programme enables students to prepare for an extensive range of professional activities: from cutting edge research in a university or in industry, to the design and improvements of industrial products and processes. Most of our former graduates are working on high technology projects, as project leaders in multidisciplinary groups or as engineers highly specialised in simulation or prototype development. Career opportunities exist in many domains, like for example materials science, instrumentation and sensors, microelectronics, solid and fluid mechanics, heat transfers, physical chemistry, multiphysics modelling and energy technologies.
Profile
A large number of research and development projects require engineers who understand different physical phenomena and who are able to develop technologies in new directions. An engineering physicist typically works in a multidisciplinary environment, in a team made up of specialists in very different fields, on high technology projects. Passionate about science and engineering, they can solve complex multiphysics problems, implement digital simulations, conduct experiments and design prototypes.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, the student will have acquired:
- a solid grounding in the physical properties of materials;
- an understanding of the way in which the macroscopic performances of materials depend on their physical structure at microscopic scales;
- the ability, in an engineering application, to identify various physical phenomena and their potential linkage;
- the skills required to solve physical problems while taking account of the practical constraints;
- a solid understanding of digital technologies and scientific calculation techniques in order to solve problems relating to diffusion, propagation or transportation;
- the ability to design prototypes or small scale experiments;
- the ability to lead a multidisciplinary project and establish links between specialists in different domains;
- the ability to take account of technical and economic constraints;
- the ability to innovate, to apply new technologies, and take advantage of recent scientific discoveries to develop cutting edge industrial applications;
- the ability to present their results in a clear and structured manner, orally or in writing.
- the ability to work effectively as part of a group.