The Faculty of Physics and Engineering offers a broad spectrum of programs in physics and engineering sciences, covering topics ranging from elementary particles to applications in mechanics and electronics, as well as condensed matter, materials, and nanosciences. The Faculty is located across three sites: the historic campus, the Cronenbourg campus, and the Illkirch campus.
Our training portfolio consists of around twenty degree programs, including 10 programs in work-study formats or open to work-study (apprenticeship and professionalization contracts), 8 programs in international partnership, and 5 co-accredited programs with engineering schools. More than 200 organizations host our students for internships each year. This diverse and extensive training offer is strongly supported by laboratories recognized nationally and internationally, giving the Faculty high visibility.
The number of students enrolled in our Faculty remains stable, with 1,448 registrations in 2023-2024 (1,436 in 2022-2023), including 1,244 primary registrations (1,246 in 2022-2023) and 202 secondary registrations (188 in 2022-2023). Among the 1,244 primary enrollees, 26.8% were women, and 38.1% were international students. The student body is evenly distributed between bachelor's programs, professional bachelor's programs (52.9%), and master's programs (47.1%).
For the academic year 2024-2025, the Faculty will introduce a new training offer approved by the ministry, as part of the five-year cycle. This includes the addition of two new programs: the "Sciences de la matière" track in the Physics bachelor's program and the "Quantum Technologies – European Program" track in the Physics master's program. Additionally, the "Mechanical Modeling for Energy and the Environment" track in the Applied Physics and Physical Engineering master's program will offer its first year in a work-study format.
Our international exchange programs allow us to host excellent foreign students in both master's and bachelor's programs. We will continue to strengthen these relationships, providing students eager for an international experience with mobility opportunities. The Faculty’s international relations office is here to guide them. In response to the needs of our industrial partners, the Faculty offers several work-study programs (5 professional bachelor's programs and 6 master's tracks). After significant growth in recent years, the number of apprentices has stabilized at 316 students under apprenticeship contracts in 2023-2024. This variety of programs and these statistics reflect the Faculty's dynamic nature.
For several years, the Faculty has been developing excellence tracks closely integrated with standard university pathways. In this context, we have strong ties with the "Mathematics and Advanced Physics" bachelor’s track offered by the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, preparing students for the Magistère in Fundamental Physics. This excellence track, dedicated to research, is also closely linked to teacher training for high schools through preparation for the Physics Agrégation. This preparation, the only one in the Grand Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions, attracts students from various backgrounds to our University. It has not only brought in high-caliber students but also fostered a stimulating environment for other bachelor’s and master’s students.
During our traditional diploma ceremony in late 2023, 558 diplomas were awarded out of 606 students enrolled in the final year of their bachelor's or master's programs in 2022-2023. The breakdown is as follows:
- 156 bachelor's degrees (80.8% success rate),
- 132 professional bachelor's degrees (95.5%),
- 306 master's degrees (96.1%), including DU Magistère and CMI programs.
These stable success rates motivate us to continue striving for improvement.
The Faculty of Physics and Engineering comprises over 200 faculty members, half of whom are permanent. Its strategy focuses on a strong synergy between education, research, and industry partnerships. This is reflected in the robust presence of research at the master's level and close ties with industry in professional bachelor's and master's programs related to engineering sciences. Nearly all faculty members are affiliated with CNRS-recognized laboratories, including the four main ones: IPCMS, ICS, IPHC, and ICube.
The Faculty is also closely associated with two Interdisciplinary Thematic Institutes (ITI):
- ITI QMat (Quantum Science and Nanomaterials), whose M1 and M2 curriculum is based on the Magistère in Fundamental Physics,
- ITI HiFunMat (Hierarchical and Functional Materials for Health, Environment, and Energy), supported by the Materials Science and Engineering master's program.
Physics and Engineering inherently lie at the intersection of several disciplines: mathematics, astrophysics, earth sciences, chemistry, and biology. Accordingly, we maintain strong ties with various components of the University of Strasbourg and the INSA, through joint tracks (e.g., MPA bachelor's programs, excellence tracks like ST) and shared courses in bachelor's and master's programs (with the Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, EOST, TPS, ECPM, INSPE, INSA). The Faculty is also associated with two doctoral schools—Mathematics, Information Science, and Engineering, and Physics and Physical Chemistry—encompassing around 250 doctoral students.
Conclusion
The programs offered by the Faculty strike a virtuous balance between fundamental and professional training.
In the past five years, with the support of the University, the Faculty has made significant financial investments to enhance students' working conditions. Nearly all practical workrooms have been renovated with high-quality equipment. New IT rooms have been created, and secure remote access has been implemented. Project rooms have been established, and the FabLab, L’Atelier, opened in the fall of 2022. We will continue this policy with a primary short-term goal: thermal renovation of the historic building and the creation of a large co-working and social space for students.
Finally, on behalf of my colleagues, both faculty and administrative staff at the Faculty of Physics and Engineering, I wish all our students a successful and fulfilling academic year 2024-2025.
Luc HEBRARD, Directeur