Tout au long de la deuxième année, les élèves polytechniciens doivent mener un Projet Scientifique Collectif. Pendant une demi-journée par semaine, ils travaillent en groupes de quatre à cinq personnes sur l’identification et la résolution d’un problème majeur, ou sur la conception et la réalisation d’un démonstrateur technologique innovant. Les élèves doivent mettre en œuvre, de façon autonome sur une longue durée, une ou plusieurs disciplines scientifiques ainsi qu’une méthode et une organisation appropriées.
Les sujets peuvent aller de la recherche à l’ingénierie. Ils peuvent relever de l’étude en profondeur d’une discipline ou de la mise en œuvre de connaissances issues de plusieurs disciplines et doivent présenter un enjeu scientifique et/ou technologique intéressant. Les sujets choisis par les étudiants peuvent être en liaison avec un laboratoire de l’École, un organisme de recherche tiers, une entreprise – qui est parfois une start-up – ou un acteur public.
Le Projet Scientifique Collectif implique des acteurs de l’ensemble de l’École polytechnique, ainsi que ses partenaires proches, notamment la Fondation de l’École polytechnique.
Various social issues, such as energy transition, health, environment and new technologies, raise scientific questions directly related to chemistry. For that reason, chemistry is a field, that should, at the very least, be part of the general culture of a future polytechnician executive.
This course is made to address all students interested, without additional prerequisites compared to common courses of CPGE (MP/PC). Students who consider doing chemistry for their 3rd year will find in this course new notions, which are fundamental for the further learning of molecular and materials chemistry. Other students will broaden their scientific general culture which will be useful in other fields such as biology or molecular physics.
By relying on the basic notions of quantum mechanics, seen in the common course, the molecular orbital theory will be presented. It will then be used as the backbone of this course to build the tools needed for the understanding of the electronic structure of molecules and one dimensional solids. It will be illustrated by focusing on the place and importance of small molecules, such as N2, CO2 or CH4, in energy transition.
Experimentation plays a crucial role in chemical research, as it allows scientists to validate and deepen the theories developed in the laboratory. By handling reagents under controlled conditions, researchers can observe outcomes and understand the molecular mechanisms underlying chemical reactions, thereby confirming or disproving theoretical hypotheses and contributing to scientific progress. Experimentation enables the exploration of new synthetic pathways, the optimization of existing chemical processes, and the discovery of new materials with unique properties, with practical applications in fields such as medicine, the pharmaceutical industry, energy, and the environment.
Through projects that reflect the research conducted at École Polytechnique, students will put into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired in class. The proposed projects are diverse and span various fields, including organic synthesis and its interfaces with biology, coordination chemistry, and the development of new materials.
The course covers molecular synthesis, starting with basic reactivity concepts and moving on to the many applications of today's synthetic chemistry. Throughout the course, a series of mini-conferences give a perspective on a variety of highly contemporary aspects of research and industry in molecular chemistry.
Required level: This course is dedicated to PC and BCPST students, or those who have already studied chemistry. It is also accessible for students who have taken the CHI431 course, after discussion with the teacher. Prerequisite for PA Molecular Chemistry.
Experimentation plays a crucial role in chemical research, as it allows scientists to validate and deepen the theories developed in the laboratory. By handling reagents under controlled conditions, researchers can observe outcomes and understand the molecular mechanisms underlying chemical reactions, thereby confirming or disproving theoretical hypotheses and contributing to scientific progress. Experimentation enables the exploration of new synthetic pathways, the optimization of existing chemical processes, and the discovery of new materials with unique properties, with practical applications in fields such as medicine, the pharmaceutical industry, energy, and the environment.
Through projects that reflect the research conducted at École Polytechnique, students will put into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired in class. The proposed projects are diverse and span various fields, including organic synthesis and its interfaces with biology, coordination chemistry, and the development of new materials.
Le Tournoi Français des Chimistes (TFC), créé en 2020, permet à des étudiants de différents établissements de l'enseignement supérieur de se rencontrer lors de joutes scientifiques. Huit problèmes ouverts de chimie sont choisis chaque année pour lesquels il faudra proposer et développer des solutions originales et innovantes.
This course serves as an introduction to materials science, a major field of innovation with numerous applications: mobility and transportation, energy conversion and storage, information technologies, health and biotechnologies, the environment, and more.
The objectives are to describe the current challenges in the field and, on a more fundamental level, to demonstrate the relationship between the chemical structure of materials and their optimized properties for targeted applications. The implementation of materials relies on understanding synthesis mechanisms and mastering manufacturing processes, which will be extensively illustrated.
The course is divided into two equally important parts, focusing on inorganic solids (particularly oxides with remarkable properties) and functional polymers. The course is illustrated with numerous examples to help understand the significance of materials science in today's world and to address the challenges of tomorrow.
Are you interested in the major challenges of the energy transition, health and the environment? Do you wonder about the sovereignty of technologies and materials? Then the “Chemistry for future leaders” course is for you! Why should you take it? Because chemistry is essential in all these areas, both for arbitration and for action.
In order to offer you the most relevant course possible, we have called on key players from the worlds of business, politics and senior civil servants. We asked them to share their experience and their needs in the field of chemistry. Drawing on our expertise as teachers and the testimonies of ministerial advisors, senior executives from major groups and members of the French government, we have designed a course that will put you in the shoes of decision-makers. You'll learn how to position yourself and arbitrate on complex issues involving chemistry.
The aim of this course is to provide you with a “survival kit for arbitration and action”. We'll teach you the fundamental concepts you need to know, without getting bogged down in details. And we'll give you the keys and tools you need to make informed decisions on major societal and industrial challenges.
The course runs over 10 weeks and includes lectures and tutorials. It is open to all and has no prerequisites. Our aim is to teach you a pragmatic and operational approach to chemistry.
Each lecture is built around a major social issue. These topical issues enable us to draw on the theoretical concepts needed to understand the subject in detail and provide answers to the case study. For each course, we will define a list of skills to be developed and assessed at the end of the period.
For example, the first courses deal with energy, and aim to develop a critical eye for the contribution of chemistry to the energy transition:
- Why have we become “fossil fuel addicts”?
- What are the possible alternatives? Solar, nuclear?
- Why does the ideal battery - one that is durable, light, safe and quick to charge - still not exist?
Of course, we won't stop at energy issues, because chemistry is everywhere. We'll also be looking at how to deal with critical metals and the impact of plastic waste on the environment and health.
In lectures, we'll be doing practical exercises and role-playing. You'll be put in the position of decision-makers through practical case studies and serious games. You'll adopt different points of view and roles. For example, you'll have to assess an energy scenario, evaluating the risks and opportunities associated with materials or resources. To do this, you'll combine concepts learned in class.
Assessment will be continuous, with a final exam. Skill acquisition will be assessed through individual assignments and group analysis.
This course is without precedent at X or in the network of engineering schools. It provides a minimum knowledge base in chemistry, essential for your future career. This may be your last chemistry course, but it's one you won't want to miss!
