M2 Fundamental concepts of physics

Master's degree

Specialisation Physique fondamentale et applications

Full-time academic programmes

Life-long learning

English

The programme of the 2nd year Master's Concepts in Fundamendal Physics offers a comprehensive, diversified curriculum in general physics, both theoretical and experimental.

The iCFP program consists of four sub-programs: Soft Matter and Biophysics, Theoretical Physics, Quantum Physics, and Condensed Matter. The year is divided into two semesters. The second part of the second semester is devoted to an internship.

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Université Paris-Saclay / Christophe Peus

Information

Présentation

Skills

Master the general physics of a research field.

Objectives

The second year of the Master is organized around four different programs : Condensed Matter Physics, Soft Matter and biological physics, Quantum Physics and Theoretical Physics.The first semester is dedicated to courses (30 ECTS). Each student enrolls in a program in wich he/she follows compulsory and optional courses. In exceptional cases, the student can include in his/her program one optional course from another area of study, in agreement with his/her head of studies.In second semester, four optional courses will be chosen from any program (4x3 ECTS). These optional courses must be approved by the head of the studies.Students are expected to complete an internship relevant to their course of study (18 ECTS) April to june, in France or abroad.

Career Opportunities

Further Study Opportunities

R&D researcher or data modelling and analysis expert in leading-edge companies or laboratories.

Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Ingénieur·e en Machine Learning dans des secteurs innovants (tech, finance, santé, énergie, etc.) ;

PhD

Interdisciplinary PhD in Sustainability Science (many disciplines possible)

train international specialists, producing competitive work within reputable teams from public scientific and technological institutions (EPST), in particular the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and French National Centre

Admission

Capacity

Available Places

Target Audience and Entry Requirements

Excellent broad-based foundation in physics. Good command of mathematical tools. Proficiency in English.

Application Period(s)

Inception Platform

From 17/02/2026 to 30/04/2026

Supporting documents

Compulsory supporting documents

Motivation letter.

All transcripts of the years / semesters validated since the high school diploma at the date of application.

Curriculum Vitae.

Selection sheet completed.

It is mandatory to order the different track you apply to => https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/sites/default/files/media/2020-02/additional_document_concepts_fondamentaux_de_la_physique_0.pdf

Additional supporting documents

VAP file (obligatory for all persons requesting a valuation of the assets to enter the diploma).

Document indicating the list of local M2 choices available here : https://urlz.fr/i3Lo.

Supporting documents :
- Residence permit stating the country of residence of the first country
- Or receipt of request stating the country of first asylum
- Or document from the UNHCR granting refugee status
- Or receipt of refugee status request delivered in France
- Or residence permit stating the refugee status delivered in France
- Or document stating subsidiary protection in France or abroad
- Or document stating temporary protection in France or abroad.

Programme

Subjects	ECTS	Semester	Lecture	directed study
UE obligatoires pour le sous-parcours Soft matter and biological physics
Advanced Statistical physics	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Advanced Statistical physics ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
UE au choix pour le sous-parcours Soft matter and biological physics
UE au choix pour le sous-parcours Soft matter and biological physics Remote teaching non

Subjects	ECTS	Semester	Lecture	directed study	practical class
UE obligatoires pour le sous-parcours Quantum physics
Advanced quantum mechanics	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Advanced quantum mechanics ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
UE au choix pour le sous-parcours Quantum physics
Statistical physics : advanced and new applications	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Statistical physics : advanced and new applications ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Good knowledge of statistical ensembles (canonical, micro-canonical and grand-canonical) and their use to compute thermodynamic properties of equilibrium systems Basic notions and examples of phase transitions are also required Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Light-Matter interaction in Quantum Nanostructures	6	Semestre 1	18	14	16
Light-Matter interaction in Quantum Nanostructures ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 18 Practical study : 16 Directed study: 14 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Methods for Data-Driven Modelling	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Methods for Data-Driven Modelling ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english The program language that we use is Python 3. No previous experience in programming is required. Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Electronic Transport and Superconductivity	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Electronic Transport and Superconductivity ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge of english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Condensed matter theory	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Condensed matter theory ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Basic quantum mechanics, and first course in Solid state physics Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Atoms and photons	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Atoms and photons ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Excellent command of basic quantum physics A working knowledge of density operator and a good knowledge of classical electromagnetism Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Algorithms and Computation	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Algorithms and Computation ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Terminale
General relativity	6	Semestre 1	26	26
General relativity ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Special relativity and basics of general relativity : elements of differential geometry, Schwarzschild solution, tests of Einstein’s theory of gravity. This can be found in any modern textbook – see bibliography. Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Quantum Information	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Quantum Information ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Détail renseigné au niveau Élément Constitutif
Quantum Optics	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Quantum Optics ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Détail renseigné au niveau Élément Constitutif

Subjects	ECTS	Semester	Lecture	directed study	practical class
UE obligatoires pour le sous-parcours Condensed matter physics
Electrons in Solids: Fundamentals and Experiments	6	Semestre 1	24	22	16
Electrons in Solids: Fundamentals and Experiments ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 24 Practical study : 16 Directed study: 22 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Advanced Statistical physics	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Advanced Statistical physics ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Condensed matter theory	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Condensed matter theory ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Basic quantum mechanics, and first course in Solid state physics Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
UE au choix pour le sous-parcours Condensed matter physics
Light-Matter interaction in Quantum Nanostructures	6	Semestre 1	18	14	16
Light-Matter interaction in Quantum Nanostructures ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 18 Practical study : 16 Directed study: 14 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge of english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale

Subjects	ECTS	Semester	Lecture	directed study
UE obligatoires pour le sous-parcours Theoretical physics
Quantum field theory	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Quantum field theory ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Quantum mechanics, including perturbation theory Special relativity, in particular the Lorentz transformation and relativistic kinematics The relation between the S-matrix and cross-sections and decay rates, at the level of an introductory particle physics course Analytical mechanics Complex analysis Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
UE au choix pour le sous-parcours Theoretical physics
Lie groups, lie algebras and representations	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Lie groups, lie algebras and representations ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Statistical field theory and applications	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Statistical field theory and applications ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Equilibrium statistical physics for classical systems : statistical ensembles, Boltzmann weights, thermodynamic functions, correlation functions, phase transitions, mean field theory, Landau theory for second order phase transitions. Mathematical tools : elements of probability theory, probability measures, conditioned probabilities, generating functions, integration and distributions, Fourier transform, analytic functions, Green functions of differential operators. Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
General relativity	6	Semestre 1	26	26
General relativity ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Special relativity and basics of general relativity : elements of differential geometry, Schwarzschild solution, tests of Einstein’s theory of gravity. This can be found in any modern textbook – see bibliography. Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Advanced Statistical Physics and New Applications	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Advanced Statistical Physics and New Applications ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Terminale
Algorithms and Computation	6	Semestre 1	26	26
Algorithms and Computation ECTS : 6 Semester: Semestre 1 Detail Lecture: 26 Directed study: 26 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Terminale

Subjects	ECTS	Semester	Lecture	directed study
UE au choix pour tous les sous-parcours
Soft or Slender : mechanics of Nature-inspired, highly deformable bodies	3	Semestre 2	27
Soft or Slender : mechanics of Nature-inspired, highly deformable bodies ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Conformal Field Theory	3	Semestre 2	27
Conformal Field Theory ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Physics of 2D materials	3	Semestre 2	27
Physics of 2D materials ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Statistical physics concepts and tools for complex systems	3	Semestre 2	27
Statistical physics concepts and tools for complex systems ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Topological theory in condensed matter	3	Semestre 2	27	0
Topological theory in condensed matter ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Directed study: 0 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Introduction to AdS/CFT	3	Semestre 2	27
Introduction to AdS/CFT ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
From statistical physics to machine learning and back	3	Semestre 2	27
From statistical physics to machine learning and back ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Physics of Multicellular Sytems	3	Semestre 2	27
Physics of Multicellular Sytems ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Ecology, evolution and epidemiology	3	Semestre 2	27
Ecology, evolution and epidemiology ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Ultra cold atoms	3	Semestre 2	27
Ultra cold atoms ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Turbulence	3	Semestre 2	27
Turbulence ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Random geometry and non-unitary quantum field theories	3	Semestre 2	27
Random geometry and non-unitary quantum field theories ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Particles in the dark universe	3	Semestre 2	27
Particles in the dark universe ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
String theory	3	Semestre 2	27
String theory ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Quantum field theory II	3	Semestre 2	27
Quantum field theory II ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Quantum Field Theory I, basics of Feynman diagram computations (see e.g. Schwartz or Peskin & Schroeder) basics of representations of Lie groups (see e.g. Schwartz Section 25.1, or Peskin & Schroeder pp. 495-502) Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Circuits and network dynamics in synthetic biology and neuroscience	3	Semestre 2	27
Circuits and network dynamics in synthetic biology and neuroscience ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Phenomenology of the standard model and beyond	3	Semestre 2	27
Phenomenology of the standard model and beyond ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Reservoir-controlled quantum materials	3	Semestre 2	27
Reservoir-controlled quantum materials ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Differential geometry and gauge theory	3	Semestre 2	27
Differential geometry and gauge theory ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Cosmology	3	Semestre 2	27
Cosmology ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Confined Flows and transfers in complex fluids	3	Semestre 2	27
Confined Flows and transfers in complex fluids ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Quantum Physics out of Equilibrium	3	Semestre 2	27
Quantum Physics out of Equilibrium ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Quantum Physics and condensed matter in advanced technology	3	Semestre 2	27
Quantum Physics and condensed matter in advanced technology ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Cavity and circuit QED	3	Semestre 2	27
Cavity and circuit QED ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Quantum computing	3	Semestre 2	27
Quantum computing ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Statistical physics of disordered systems	3	Semestre 2	27
Statistical physics of disordered systems ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Détail renseigné au niveau Élément Constitutif
Active Matter and Collective Behaviour	3	Semestre 2	27
Active Matter and Collective Behaviour ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 27 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Prerequisites Excellent M1 level in physics Good knowledge in english Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale
Heat Transport	3	Semestre 2	13.5	13.5
Heat Transport ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Detail Lecture: 13.5 Directed study: 13.5 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Terminale
Quantum metrology	3	Semestre 2
Quantum metrology ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Terminale
Localization phenomena in quantum disordered systems	3	Semestre 2
Localization phenomena in quantum disordered systems ECTS : 3 Semester: Semestre 2 Language(s) of instruction Anglais Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Terminale
Stage de recherche M2 iCFP
Internship	18	Semestre 2
Internship ECTS : 18 Semester: Semestre 2 Language(s) of instruction Français Remote teaching non Type of assessment Evaluation Continue non Intégrale

Teaching Location(s)

PARIS 05

Academic Partner(s)

Sorbonne Université, Paris Cité, PSL, IPP

Contact

Carine DOUARCHE