Proud of our teachers
Chemistry Textbook for First-Year Undergraduates: I Make Mistakes, So I Learn!
Béatrice Roy and Jean-Yves Winum, faculty members in the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Sciences, have co-authored the book *Chemistry L1: I Make Mistakes, Therefore I Learn!* with Stéphane Perrio (faculty member, University of Caen-Normandy).
Methods, tips, and pitfalls to avoid, published by DUNOD.
Published in August 2020, this chemistry textbook is intended for first-year students in the Plurisciences, PASS, and DUT/BTS programs. The goal of this book is to help students practice avoiding common pitfalls while reinforcing their understanding of fundamental chemistry concepts. It was featured in an article published in the Dunod newsletter on educational innovation in February 2021. https://www.dunod.com/apprentissage-par-erreur
Emilien Azema: Recipient of the 2020 award from the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF)
He is one of the school’s six honorees for the class of 2020
The graduates of the IUF’s Class of 2020 are:
Émilien Azema
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Science –Laboratory of Mechanics and Civil Engineering (LMGC)
Junior MemberCherine Bechara
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Sciences –Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF)
Junior MemberLuca Cipelletti
University Professor
Faculty of Science –Charles Coulomb Laboratory (L2C)
Senior MemberOlivier Fontaine
Associate Professor
IUT Montpellier-Sète – Charles Gerhardt Institute, Montpellier (ICGM)
Junior MemberBenoit Nabholz
Associate Professor
Faculty of Sciences –Montpellier Institute of Evolutionary Sciences (ISEM)
Junior MemberFlorence Perrin
University Professor
Faculty of Sciences –Molecular Mechanisms in Neurodegenerative Dementias (MMDN)
Senior MemberDrawing on a group of faculty members selected by an international jury for the exceptional quality of their research, the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) is dedicated to promoting the development of high-level research in universities and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration.
Portrait of Émilien Azema
Emilien Azéma, 40, conducts research on the physics and mechanics of discrete (granular) media with realistic and evolving compositions and serves as the International Relations Coordinator at the FdS. He is also passionate about discovery and intercultural exchange. He earned his HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) in mechanics at the University of Montpellier in 2016. Through advanced Discrete Element modeling, his pioneering work has systematically highlighted the nonlinear effects induced by particles with complex shapes (shape polydispersity) and wide size ranges (size polydispersity) on the behavior (from quasi-static to rapid flow) of granular systems.Detailed micromechanical analyses supported by scale-change methods made it possible to trace the origin of these behaviors back to the properties of the particles and their interactions.Gradually, he turned his attention to so-called “evolving” granular materials, incorporating into numerical models changes in particle shape resulting either from grain fragmentation (brittle materials) or from grain deformation (soft materials). This work has benefited from strong international collaborations with, for example, Colombia (Univ. Los Andes), Thailand (Univ. Chiang Mai), Australia (Univ. Newcastle), or more recently the United States (Univ. Colorado), as well as through various collaborations with industry partners.
Presentation of the project that caught the attention of the IUF:
The world is made up of grains. More than 80% of the raw materials used in human industry—such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and mining—consist of grains. Rocks, sand, and soil have been used for millennia by human civilizations to build structures, buildings, bridges, roads…Against a backdrop of accelerating degradation of natural resources, new granular structures composed of potentially deformable non-convex grains are emerging. Through advanced Discrete Element Modeling, the goal is to advance this emerging field of engineering and demonstrate how particles with “highly exotic” characteristics could lead to intelligent grain-based structures.
UNISCIEL: The Faculty of Sciences Online …
Educational materials to support teaching, the promotion of digital technology in education, the dissemination ofscientific culture, Francophone and international projects, and information on career guidance and professions.
Marc Rolland, a faculty member and researcher in the Faculty of Sciences, has been actively involved for many years in educational innovation, the use of information and communication technologies in education (ICT), and the development of high-quality digital resources for educational purposes.
Marc Rolland has been appointed by the Unisciel Executive Board as National Editorial Director for Chemistry.
Access to these resources is completely free and open to all students at partner universities, such as the University of Montpellier and its Faculty of Sciences.
For more information on how to use these resources for your cours:marc.rolland@umontpellier.fr
UniSciel has … 4,000 resources, including modules and chapters; nearly 8 million visits per year; 15 million page views per year; and more than 45 members, including universities and other higher education and research institutions.
It works to … support resource development, support the implementation of schools’ digital policies (instructional methods), combat academic failure, and promote career readiness.
Publication of the children's book *Terre des Géants* (Larousse, 2019)
https://www.editions-larousse.fr/livre/terre-des-geants-9782035952752
Scientific Advisor: Pierre-Olivier Antoine (FdS / ISEM)
Academic Palms
Anne Heaps Di Costanzo, certified professor and former Chair of the Department of Languages in the Faculty of Science
And
– Alain Hoffmann, University Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences
The following are appointed KNIGHTS of the Order of Academic Palms.
Recipient of the Pierre Fabre Foundation Award
Frank Mennechet and his team at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Montpellier (Montpellier, Hérault) have been awarded a grant by the Pierre Fabre Foundation for their project titled “Collaborative epidemiological and basic research on adenoviruses in Chad and Burkina Faso, within a global vaccination context.”
Sonia Chalbi, English teacher – From science to writing
Sonia Chalbi is an English professor in the Department of Languages (DDL) at the Faculty of Sciences. However, in recent years, her passion for writing and her desire to inspire a love of language have led her to take on two TU at the Faculty of Sciences.
First, Geneviève Degols and now Richard Arinero have entrusted him with a creative writing module for second-year biology students. Since 2016, students have been able to acquire writing skills and improve their spelling in a fun way by exploring current topics. It is also an opportunity to practice taking the initiativeTell me ten words from French Language and Francophonie Week. Every year, off-site workshops are held at cultural venues such asLa Panacée, the Photo Barorthe Halle Tropismein order to encourage students to write about artistic media.
Since 2017, she has been responsible for a literature course within the Bachelor’s program in Science and Technology, jointly directed by Nicolas Saby (Faculty of Science) and Valérie Munier (Faculty of Education). The aim of this year is to enable non-science students to apply for the CRPE (Competitive Examination for Primary School Teachers) with a set of skills relevant to both the scientific and educational fields. General education is provided, and the French course is therefore part of this approach.
What a wonderful opportunity for science students to hone their critical thinking skills and discuss classic works of French literature! The University of Marseille’s participation in the France Culture Télérama Student Novel Prize gave third-year students the chance to get involved in this initiative, which is now an integral part of the course and also includes an introduction to reading aloud and creating a Booktube[1][1].
It was precisely in their capacity as students in the academic community that they were invited by France Culture to participate in one of the five national events highlighting the 2020 award, which were streamed on the website and social media. Usually conducted in the Radio France studios, the interview was exceptionally held via video conference this year and can beviewed HERE. Four student jurors (Maelis Bejaud, Cynthia Chhun, Arthur Doustaly, and Caroline Gruet) worked with Sonia Chalbi to prepare a one-hour interview with author Celia Levi about her novel*La Tannerie*, whose highly relevant themes—exploring the precarious lives of young people struggling to find their bearings—particularly resonated with them.
By their own admission, it was an experience rich in emotion and discovery: the writer, accustomed to questions focused more on form than substance, appreciated the pragmatism of their inquiries. Celia Levi and Adrien Landivier (France Culture) were keen to highlight the relevance of the students’ contributions, and the students felt they had earned their place in a role typically reserved for the literary world. Beyond this wonderful experience, it was also a personal victory for Sonia Chalbi, who succeeded in instilling in them a love of reading.
This passionate teacher leads writing workshops at Papier de Soi, an organization she founded after completing the introductory module for Writing Workshop Facilitators at Paul Valéry in 2014. She skillfully combines visits to art exhibitions with an introduction to short story writing in a supportive, intergenerational setting. Students, working professionals, and retirees come together there for their mutual enrichment and discover unique worlds during a photography festival (Les Boutographies, Images Singulières), at a post-work writing session at Halle Tropisme, or during an immersive visit to an artist’s studio or gallery.
References:
Dis-moi dix mots 2020–2021 (culture.gouv.fr)
Home | MO.CO.
Exhibition gallery and association in Montpellier – Le Bar à Photo (baraphoto.fr)
La Halle Tropisme – Montpellier
(20+) Papier de Soi – Writing workshops in Montpellier | Facebook
[1][1] Filmed literary criticism
"Prerequisites for success – Bachelor of Science (Mathematics for the Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Life Sciences)"
Release of a comprehensive guide to help students meet the requirements for admission to a bachelor’s degree program in science and support them in their transition from high school to college
"Prerequisites for success – Bachelor of Science (Mathematics for the Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Life Sciences)"
Written by nine authors, all of whom are associate professors or full professors at the Faculty of Science
Thibaud ETIENNE (Department of Chemistry)
Jean-Luc AYMERIC (BioMV Department)Rodolphe CATTIN (TEE Department)Anne-Laure DALVERNY (Department of Chemistry)Jérôme DORIGNAC (Department of Physics)Laila GANNOUN (BioMV Department)Frédéric LEMOIGNO (Department of Chemistry)Fleurice PARAT (TEE Department)Nicolas SABY (Department of Mathematics)Coralie WEIGEL (Department of Physics)https://www.dunod.com/sciences-techniques/prerequis-pour-reussir-licence-sciences-maths-pour-sciences-physique-chimie
The Gamification of Teaching in the Department of Chemistry, School of Science
Béatrice Roy and Jean-Yves Winum of the Department of Chemistry Educationcollaborated on the creation of the serious game “Reactions” with the team led by Prof. José Nunes da Silva Jr. at the Educational Software Design Laboratory (LDSE) at the Federal University of Ceará, Brazil.
“Reactions” isa hybrid organic chemistry game (smartphone app + game board + cards) available in four languages (French, English, Spanish, Portuguese). Students (2 to 6 players) can choose up to 6 topics from the following: 1) Alkenes and alkynes, 2) Nucleophilic substitutions and eliminations, 3) Aromatic substitutions, 4) Alcohols, phenols, and ethers, 5) Aldehydes and ketones, 6) Carboxylic acids and derivatives.
The game involves answering true or false questions on selected topics. The questions and dice rolls are managed by the mobile app. Players who answer correctly can move forward on the game board; the first player to complete the entire circuit wins the game.
The game is available on the following download platforms:
=> Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.LDSE.reactions&hl=fret
=>Apple Storehttps://apps.apple.com/us/app/reactions/id1481371737
New Chemistry Book: Visual Guide to General Chemistry
Jean-Sébastien Filhol, Frédéric Lemoigno, and Jean-Yves Winum, faculty members in the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Sciences, are co-authors—along with Isabelle Bonnamour and Nathalie Pérol (faculty members at the University of Lyon)—of the book *Mémo Visuel de Chimie Générale*, published by DUNOD.
ZOOM
Immunology
Jean-Luc Aymeric, Gérard Lefranc, Franck Mennechet
(Faculty members at the University of Montpellier)
Understand and master immunology with study guides that combine course summaries and practice exercises.
This book provides an up-to-date overview of immunology instruction at the sophomore and junior college levels. The worksheets, consisting of lecture summaries, exercise problems, and detailed answer keys, provide the essential foundations that students must master to pass their exams (or entrance exams).
Each worksheet covers key concepts and their applications.
Essential knowledge: fundamental theoretical concepts illustrated with examples:
=> Tips and study advice
=> Practical applications, with exercises and solutions.
=> Multiple-choice questions with answers