Chemistry

Integrated Research for Advanced Chemistry and Materials

Objectives :

The Master degree IRACM (Integrated Research for Advanced Chemistry and Materials) provides an advanced 2-year programme dealing with chemistry fields which are representative of present research interests in 5 laboratories of Lille University.  The main objective of IRACM is to obtain a better orientation of undergraduate students toward funded 3 year PhD programs within research laboratories of our University.

The originality of IRACM relies on the pedagogical approach to research training : apart from classical classes devoted to the main fields of chemistry, the student will be gradually immersed in our laboratories. From Semester 1 to Semester 4, students will have « integrated research classes »  with a special focus on :

• Physical Chemistry for Nanosciences (colloids, surfaces)
• Smart Macromolecular Systems (organic materials)
• Chemical Strategies for sustainability (catalysis)
• Organic photochemistry (photosciences)

Furthermore, the student’s autonomy and initiative will be encouraged through MOOC classes, challenge projects (both bibliographic and experimental) and two internship into our laboratories.  Finally, high-level classes and seminars will be given by worldwide experts, introducing subjects like Artificial Intelligence for Chemistry and other  21st-century hot topics (nanomedecine, chemical reactors in industry…)

International perspective :

The IRACM Master’s program is internationally oriented, welcoming both French and international students who seek a truly global learning environment. It offers courses taught entirely in English, fosters multicultural teamwork, and includes cutting-edge classes led by internationally renowned researchers — even Nobel Prize winners! The diversity of nationalities represented since 2021 (USA, Mexico, France, Greece, Russia, Japan, India, Vietnam, Lebanon, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and more) clearly reflects our strong international outlook.

Socio-economic and industrial sectors concerned :

The socio-economic sectors targeted by IRACM are broadly related to both fundamental and applied research, since the primary objective is to guide students toward doctoral studies. All branches of chemistry are covered by our Master’s program — ranging from fine synthetic chemistry to foams, surfaces, and smart materials, as well as applications in photosciences. Industrial partners are involved in teaching within the Master’s program, which fosters strong interactions with the socio-economic world.

Programme

Master 1

Master 2

Professional opportunities

Graduates of the IRACM Master program are ideally prepared to pursue doctoral studies in top academic institutions worldwide. The program’s strong emphasis on hands-on research, interdisciplinary projects, and international collaboration provides students with the skills and scientific maturity required for competitive PhD programs in chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, and related fields. In addition to academic careers, graduates are also well-equipped for research and development positions within the chemical, pharmaceutical, and materials industries, where innovation, autonomy, and advanced analytical expertise are highly val.

Research framework

The MASTER IRACM gather the efforts of 5 laboratories of our campus:

• LASIRE -spectroscopy, water treatment,  environmental chemistry
• UCCS -organic chemistry, catalysis and solid chemistry
• PC2A -Combustion and atmospheric chemistry
• UMET -Supramolecular Chemistry and Materials
• IEMN -Nanomedecine, Chemistry on Surface

It represents more than 400 researchers and an extended network worldwide.

Description and organisation of the major

Minimum requirements :

Students must hold (or be about to complete) a Bachelor’s degree (Licence for French students) or an equivalent qualification in chemistry, chemical physics, or chemical engineering. As mentioned above, the Master’s program is multidisciplinary. Applicants with alternative backgrounds may also be considered, particularly those in biotechnology, nanotechnology, or physics.

Pedagogical contents :

The novelty of this Master’s program lies in its innovative pedagogical approach to research training. In addition to traditional courses covering the main fields of chemistry (organic, inorganic, spectroscopy, etc.), students will progressively be immersed in laboratory environments from Semester 1 to Semester 4 through “integrated research classes.” These will place special emphasis on smart functional materials, colloids/foams, smart surfaces, catalysis for sustainability, organic photochemistry….

Moreover, autonomy and resourcefulness will be encouraged through MOOC-based learning and Challenge Projects combining bibliographic research and laboratory work. The program will also feature modern seminar-style classes led by world-renowned experts, addressing cutting-edge 21st-century research topics—such as Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry—spanning both academic and industrial perspectives.

Assessment methods will vary, including traditional written exams as well as oral presentations, posters, and video projects.

Teaching team

The teaching team is mainly composed of professors from the University of Lille, Centrale Lille, and researchers from CNRS/INRAE. Professionals from industry will also contribute to the program. In addition, “Hot Topics” lectures will be delivered by internationally renowned scientists.

Competencies

Besides broad theoretical and technical skills related to Chemsitry, special « researchers » skills will be with given through Graduate Programms lectures.

CHEMISTRY SKILLS.        organic, inorganic, supramolecular chemistry, polymers, surface chemistry, colloids/foams, catalysis, computational chemistry, molecular spectroscopy, photochemistry

TECHNICAL SKILLS.         NMR, MASS SPECTROSCOPY, HP-LC, Material Science characterization technics (AFM, Optical microscopy, X-ray…etc) , Emission spectroscopy, ultrafast spectroscopies, DFT, Molecular Dynamic

SOFT SKILLS:

• • Acquiring the experimental skills necessary for laboratory activity
  • Analyze, understand and communicate clearly by mastering the current tools of communication.
  • Connect knowledge from different fields and formulate rigorous reasoning
  • Working independently in setting priorities, managing time and self-evaluating
  • Search and produce a summary note from bibliographical documents
  • Assessing the quality (reliability and validity) of the information and its source

Prerequisites and admission conditions

Access to Master 1

Students must hold (or be about to complete) a Bachelor’s degree (Licence for French students) or an equivalent qualification in chemistry, chemical physics, or chemical engineering. As mentioned above, the Master’s program is multidisciplinary. Applicants with alternative backgrounds may also be considered, particularly those in biotechnology, nanotechnology, or physics.

Candidature sur Trouver mon Master ou Etude en France

Access to Master 2

Direct admission to the second year (Master 2) is granted to students who have successfully completed the corresponding first year (Master 1) at the University of Lille.

Candidates coming from another major, another track within the same major, or another higher education institution must submit an application

Candidature dossier Centrale Lille ou Etude en France