Mooc AtlasUniversity-level self-study
FREN
Bachelor-style curricula

General Science

From mathematical foundations to quantum physics, physical chemistry and systems biology. ≈ 10 h a week over 40 weeks.

The curriculum at a glance

Year 1Foundations418 h
Year 2Core sciences433 h
Year 3Advanced sciences400 h
  1. S1Refresher and first languages192 h
    Algebra: Elementary to Advanced25 hPrecalculus through Data and Modelling31 hPython for Everybody79 hIntroduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios18 hIntroduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions17 hBiology Everywhere22 h
  2. S2Calculus, linear algebra and mechanics226 h
    Differential Calculus through Data and Modeling33 hIntegral Calculus through Data and Modeling25 hLinear Algebra from Elementary to Advanced34 hIntroduction to Mechanics81 hIntroduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity53 h
  3. S3Mathematical tools, electromagnetism and general chemistry237 h
    Mathematics for Engineers127 hIntroduction to Electricity and Magnetism88 hGeneral Chemistry: Concept Development and Application22 h
  4. S4Statistics, waves, physical chemistry and physiology196 h
    Statistics with Python57 hPhysics of Waves and Optics57 hIntroduction to Physical Chemistry19 hIntroduction to Molecular Spectroscopy12 hHuman Anatomy & Physiology I31 hChemical Biology20 h
  5. S5Quantum physics and matter198 h
    Understanding Modern Physics29 hQuantum Mechanics for Engineers54 hElectrodynamics55 hThe Physics of Emergence: Introduction to Condensed Matter39 hStatistical Molecular Thermodynamics21 h
  6. S6The universe, quantum chemistry and systems biology202 h
    Astronomy and Cosmology: Exploring the Universe28 hDensity Functional Theory26 hGenomic Data Science56 hSystems Biology and Biotechnology92 h

The six semesters

S1 · 192 h

Refresher and first languages

Consolidate algebra and functions, learn to program in Python, and discover general chemistry and biology.

Project: A chemistry calculator in Python: it reads a periodic table from a CSV file, computes molar masses, balances amounts of substance and plans dilutions.

Open the semesterS2 · 226 h

Calculus, linear algebra and mechanics

Master differential and integral calculus and linear algebra, then apply them to Newtonian mechanics; broaden biology to ecology and evolution.

Project: Simulate in Python the trajectory of a projectile with air drag using Euler's method, compare it with the drag-free solution and plot both curves.

Open the semesterS3 · 237 h

Mathematical tools, electromagnetism and general chemistry

Acquire differential equations, vector calculus and numerical methods, then apply them to electricity and magnetism; deepen general chemistry.

Project: The Mathematics for Engineers capstone: numerical computation of the flow past a cylinder (Kármán vortex street).

Open the semesterS4 · 196 h

Statistics, waves, physical chemistry and physiology

Learn to analyse experimental data, study waves and optics, enter physical chemistry and spectroscopy, and connect biology with chemistry.

Project: A statistical study in Python on real laboratory data (spectra or physiological measurements): description, confidence intervals, regression and a two-page report.

Open the semesterS5 · 198 h

Quantum physics and matter

Move from classical to modern physics: relativity, quantum mechanics, advanced electrodynamics, condensed matter and statistical thermodynamics.

Project: Solve the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation numerically in Python (finite well, harmonic oscillator) by finite differences, and compare the energy levels with theory.

Open the semesterS6 · 202 h

The universe, quantum chemistry and systems biology

Apply the tools of physics, chemistry and statistics at three great scales: the universe, the molecule and living systems.

Project: The final project: the Systems Biology capstone, extended with a dynamical model of a biological network (differential equations) fitted to public data.

Open the semester

Plan and sheets to download

General Science

From mathematical foundations to quantum physics, physical chemistry and systems biology.

1,251 hhours of coursework
86courses
24textbooks
Year 1Foundations418 h
  • S1 · Refresher and first languages
  • S2 · Calculus, linear algebra and mechanics
Year 2Core sciences433 h
  • S3 · Mathematical tools, electromagnetism and general chemistry
  • S4 · Statistics, waves, physical chemistry and physiology
Year 3Advanced sciences400 h
  • S5 · Quantum physics and matter
  • S6 · The universe, quantum chemistry and systems biology
Curriculum planPDF · 2.0 MBWeekly sheetsPDF · 3.3 MB

What the PDFs contain

  • Plan: overview and workload per semester
  • Plan: course-by-course programme with links, lengths, levels and ratings
  • Plan: skills, project and things to watch per semester, bibliography
  • Sheets: one overview page per semester with the course calendar
  • Sheets: 120 weekly sheets with tasks, self-assessment, time log and notes

Shorter paths in Physics & maths

Maths & Physical Science TeacherTheoretical PhysicistComputational PhysicistAmateur Astronomer & Science CommunicatorQuantum Computing EngineerPhotonics & Semiconductor EngineerOperations Research & OptimisationScientific Computing SpecialistPre-University Science PreparationGeneral Science Literacy