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Baccalauréat en sciences physiques (Bachelor of Physical Sciences ) [PHYS1BA]
>> Study objectives
>> General presentation of the programme
>> Evaluation
>> Admission to the programme
>> Positioning of the programme
>> Useful contacts

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Study objectives

The programme aims at the acquisition of :

  • Mastery of the basic concepts and fundamental laws of physics
  • The specific approach of the physicist, namely that of comprehension, critical analysis and modelling the physical phenomena of nature, with the help of mathematical and numerical tools and experimental techniques proper to physics
  • Professional qualities such as the capacity to analyse problems related to physics, abstraction and modelling; rigour in reasoning and expression; a critical mind; self-evaluation capacities and communication skills.

General presentation of the programme

Available as a single programme in itself with minors, or as a reinforcement module in Physics, it comprises theoretical courses, exercices sessions, laboratory work and/or supervised study, and the accomplishment of a personal piece of work (project).

The first year is entirely in common with the bachelor's programme of Mathematical Science.

The possible choice of a minor is made as from the 3rd quadrimester. The minors on offer, at this stage, are : the minor in Mathematics (SC/MATH) and in Applied Sciences and Engineering : Applied Chemistry and Physics (FSA/MAPR).

The student may also choose another minor from the University programme list, on the basis of a project to be elaborated together with the study advisor.

Instead of doing a minor, the student may complete his programme with a complementary training programme in Physics for 30 credits, equally spread over the 2nd and 3rd years. This module comprises both compulsory and optional courses.

Language courses accompany the programme and are aimed at mastering scientific English.

Principal Subjects

The major in Physics comprises the elements listed below and totals 150 credits. The courses numbered must be followed in order ; the details of the prerequisites feature in the specifications of each of the courses.

General Physics (1-2-3) : 37 credits

  • Actualities in Mathematics and Physics (2 credits)
  • General Physics 1 (8 credits)
  • General Physics 2 (8 credits)
  • General Physics 3 (4 credits)
  • Classical and Optical Electromagnetism (4 credits)
  • Integrated Exercises (4 credits)
  • Supervised tasks and personal project (7 credits)

Theorical and Mathematical Physics (22 credits)

  • Quantum Mechanics 1 (5 credits)
  • Quantum Mechanics 2 (5 credits)
  • Mathematical Methods in Physics (4 credits)
  • Limited Relativity (4 credits)
  • General Relativity (4 credits)

Atoms and Molecules, Nuclei, Particules (6 credits)

  • Atoms and Molecules (3 credits)
  • Elementary Nuclei and particules (3 credits)

Macroscopic and Statistical Physics (12 credits)

  • Statistical and Thermodynamic Physics 1 (4 credits, including 1 credit in Chemistry)
  • Statistical and Thermodynamic Physics 2 (4 credits, including 1 credit in Chemistry)
  • Physics of fluids 1 (3 credits)
  • Physics of fluids 2 (3 credits)

Astronomy and Geophysics (2 credits)

Experimental and Numerical Physics (15 credits)

  • Numerical Calculations: Methods and Software Tools (7 credits)
  • Computing and Numerical Methods (4 credits)
  • Numerical Simulation in Physics (4 credits)

Mathematics (43 credits)

  • Mathematical Analysis 1 (5 credits)
  • Mathematical Analysis 2 (5 credits)
  • Linear Algebra (8 credits)
  • Geometry 1 (7 credits)
  • Mathematical Methods in Classical Mechanics 1 (5 credits)
  • Complex Analysis (4 credits)
  • Mathematical Methods in Classical Mechanics 2 (4 credits)
  • Probability Calculations and Statistical Analysis (5 credits)

Chemistry (2 credits, c.f. Statistical and Thermodynamic Physics 1 et 2)

Optional courses, including Chemistry (3 credits)

English (6 credits)

Philosophy (2 credits)

Minors or other available options

In addition to the major in Physics, the students have three other possibilities :

  • either to opt for more in-depth studies in Physics (30 credits), with complements in the different sub-disciplines of Physics
  • or to opt for a minor in Mathematics, Geography or Applied Sciences and Engineering : Applied Physics and Chemistry
  • or to opt for another minor from the University programme list, on the basis of a project to be elabored together with the study advisor.

Evaluation

Admission to the programme

Conditions of admission

The conditions and regular admission requirements are specified on the web page : http://www.ucl.ac.be/etudes/libres/en/acces.html

Special admission conditions

Programme re-orientation is possible from the bachelor programmes in Sciences or Applied sciences.

Admission requests, special rules and regulations

In the case of programme re-orientation, admission requests must be addressed to the Academic Secretary

Address : Place des sciences 2 - 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve

Positioning of the programme

Positioning of the programme within the University cursus

The bachelor's degree in Physical Sciences entitles automatic access to the master's of Physical Sciences, orientated towards the domains of their applications (Medical Physics, Industrial Physics, Meteorology, Simulation Methods, etc.), towards research (doctorate) or towards teaching ("agrégation"), or towards the master's of Spatial Sciences ( not organised at UCL).

Other studies accessible upon completion of the programme

Subject to the completion of an appropriate minor, the bachelor's degree entitles direct access to certain orientations of the master's of Mathematical Science and Applied Sciences and Engineering-Physical Engineering (possibly by means of an adapted programme).

Useful contacts

Programme management

PHYS Département de physique

Contact : Nathalie Micha

and the Department of Physics

Study Advisor

B. Piraux et Ph. Ruelle

Exam Juries

1st year

President : Jean Mawhin

Secretary : Jan Govaerts

2nd year

President : Still to be determined

Secretary : Still to be determined

3nd year

President : Still to be determined

Secretary : Still to be determined

List of accessible minors

  • Minor in Theology
  • Minor in Philosophy
  • Minor in Law
  • Minor in Criminology
  • Minor in Information and Communication (*)
  • Minor in Political Sciences
  • Minor in Sociology and Anthropology
  • Minor in Human and Social Sciences
  • Minor in Economics
  • Minor in Business Studies
  • Minor in Linguistics
  • Minor in Hispanic Studies (*)
  • Minor in Italian Studies (*)
  • Minor in French Studies (*)
  • Minor in Latin Studies
  • Minor in Greek Studies
  • Minor in Oriental Studies
  • Minor in Literature Studies
  • Minor in History
  • Minor in Medieval Studies
  • Minor in History of Art and Archaeology (*)
  • Minor in Musicology
  • Minor in Psychology and Education (*)
  • Minor in Human Nutrition
  • Minor in General Biomedical Sciences
  • Minor in Medication Sciences (*)
  • Minor in Physical Activity, Health and Culture of Movement (*)
  • Minor in Mathematics
  • Minor in Geography
  • Minor in Statistics
  • Minor in Engineering Sciences : Applied Chemistry and Physics
  • Minor in Engineering Sciences : Construction
  • Minor in Engineering Sciences : Electricity
  • Minor in Engineering Sciences : Applied Mathematics
  • Minor in Engineering Sciences : Mechanics
  • Minor in Urban Architecture
  • Minor in Computing Science (*)
  • Minor in Biomedical Engineering
  • Minor in Gender Studies
  • Minor in Culture and Creation
  • Minor in European Studies

(*) Minor with access criteria.



This site was created in collaboration with ADCP, ADEF, CIO et SGSI
Person in charge : Jean-Louis Marchand - Information : info@sc.ucl.ac.be
Last update :02/08/2006