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Master Thesis of Science

Overview

Program at a glance

Why choose this program?

You will experience academic research work in a research laboratory – The project is entrusted to Icam by a research center or as part of a collaborative research project (EU-wide, inter-continent, etc.) and carried out by teams of students-researchers.
You will acquire real expertise in a scientific field while mastering a rigorous scientific approach.
You may discern and prepare a future as a Researcher: The Master Thesis of Science is a springboard to the PhD.

The topics are normally for master-level thesis work, but can also be adapted for students working on their bachelor-level thesis.

TIP: Make the most of your time in France and stay for 2 years and get an Icam general engineering diploma! Invest a whole year at Icam with the first semester taught in English of French, and a second Master’s level concentration semester at one of the 4 possible locations. Top this off with a second year of R&D and an internship. It will let you truly experience French culture, gain valuable foreign language skills and be exposed to French companies.

Program Highlights

18-week full-time research work defined within the framework of a contract with a Research center.
You will tackle a problem with real scientific issue, while using a rigorous scientific method.
You will work in a stimulating environment with colleagues and researchers in multi-disciplinary domains, and will work with another student as a direct research partner.
You will benefit from a support according to Icam’s Decision-Making approach.

Location

In the laboratories of one of the 4 Icam campuses in France (Lille, Paris-Sénart, Nantes, Toulouse) according to their research themes.

Language

A mix English / French both for oral communication and written documents and resources. Working alongside a French-speaking colleague will make it possible for you to pick up French quickly.

Resources

Icam ensures that all the resources required for project success are within reach.

Icam experts and researchers
Proven methodological supports
Documentary base of numerous previous studies
Cutting-edge tools
- CAD, modelling and calculations (design)
- workflow modelling
- plastic recycling (injection, extrusion, 3D printing)
- measuring equipment (material characterization, NDT, etc.)
- electronics and connected objects
- custom-made test benches
- assembly – prototyping

Program structure

Methodology Deliverables & Assessment List of topics

Project workflow

Problem Formulation	Explore the Background and Context for the Study Identify the scientific and technical key issues
State of art	Bibliography: Establish the state-of-the-art using conference and journal articles, doctoral theses, internet, patents, contacts …
Formulation of the Hypothesis	Scientific locks related to the study Formalization of assumptions
Experimentation	Define the scientific approach: experimental approach [test protocol, experimental design …], analytical or numerical approach. Conducting the experiment Synthesis of results
Observation	Questioning and analyzing reality Verify the consistency between the assumptions or model and the real world Synthesis of observations
Modeling	Build the model [parameters, laws, limits, initial conditions, loads, etc…].
Results	Demonstrate the validity of the model, its limits of application and its adequacy to the real world. Comparative Study Report
Synthesis and writing	To carry out a critical analysis of the approach, hypotheses, models used, and experimental means. If the results obtained permit, write a paper (French or English) for submission to a national or international congress.

	Modalities	Criteria – What is required to be assessed?	Weight
1st Project Review (additional reviews may be planned during the course of the project)	Objectives: Problem contextualization Ensure good ownership of the research project and scientific question Elaborate on the scientific process and progression Deliverables: The student reports to the Icam research adviser on the project he is working on. The project file is presented in a synthetic form (simplified Powerpoint).	Clarity of the project context and stakes, the scientific constraints to be dealt with Clarity of the objectives to be achieved (technical and scientific) Path taken to reach these objectives, intermediate validation points, mastery of the scientific approach	0%
State of the art assessment (T0 + 2 months)	Objectives: Perform a bibliographical analysis of the scientific approach, stimulate and reframe, if necessary. Write a bibliographical report in English Deliverables: A state-of-the-art scientific paper in English will be submitted presented to the jury. Jury: Icam research advisor + 2 specialists in the subject matter [researchers from Icam and/or a partner laboratory].	Relevance and completeness of the bibliographical study Identified scientific and technological constraints Risks and difficulties are addressed precisely	20%
Scientific Research Dissertation Report	Objectives: Develop the scientific approach and knowledge as well as the solutions to the scientific constraints identified. Deliverables: Document written in English to be submitted to the research advisor.	Ownership exhibited for the development of the whole research project Scientific study results Formulation of the hypothesis Modeling formulation and completeness Experiment setup and results Synthesis and analysis of results obtained	40%
Academic Defense with hindsight	Objective : Allow each student to explore the areas covered in the scientific dissertation report in-depth. Deliverables: PowerPoint presentation in English A summary in English (major issues and objectives of the project, results achieved, technical and scientific advances) A poster (one-page A4 or A3) in English to visually present the context of the project, the work carried out and the main results obtained. Report on the scientific approach, in-depth knowledge and skills acquired on different media. The documents are to be submitted to the research advisor. The presentation will be delivered in front of the jury: Icam research advisor + at least 2 researchers specialized in the research theme [researchers from Icam and/or a partner laboratory].	Ability to present a consolidated knowledge of the topic Ability to show the competencies acquired during the dissertation Quality of the summary Poster quality	40%
			100%

Icam’s key strategic areas are as follows:

ENERGY (PRODUCTION – STORAGE – MANAGEMENT)
INNOVATIVE STRUCTURES & MATERIALS
SOCIETAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSITION

View the open research topics here

Admission & fees

Application schedule:
- Fall Semester: April 1 – May 30
- Spring Semester: September 1 – October 30
Important dates: Consult the important dates in the Academic Section here.
Admission criteria
- The complexity of the scientific thesis can be adapted to two levels:
  - for students in Engineering Master’s program
  - for students in the last year of their Scientific/Engineering Bachelor’s program. Juniors may already start applying if their universities already start thesis preparation in their junior year.
- Personal motivation
- Eager to gain exposure to the different engineering fields, and management practices
- Keen to work with research experts
- Language requirement: A B1 level in English and French is recommended.
Tuition fees
- Students from Partner Institutions: Students are bound by the general terms and conditions of registration at their home institution. Student exchange contracts stipulate that students will pay tuition and other administrative fees at the home institution.
- Students from non-Partner Institutions: N/A – This program is currently open to students coming from partner institutions.

All students are expected to cover the cost of their travel to and from the host university and their living expenses. To estimate your other essential expenditures, please refer to our sample budget. You can also check if you may benefit from scholarships and grants, details of which are shown in this link.

How to apply

Please refer to the procedures proposed by your internationationalization department or your program advisor. Should you have any other questions, feel free to contact us below:

Contact our International Office