A Progressive and Career-Oriented Program
The ISMIN program spans three years, featuring solid theoretical courses, applied projects, and regular immersion in companies. It is based on a unique model: learning by doing, through 45% projects, workshops, and internships.
Each year combines:
- scientific and technical courses,
- innovation projects,
- entrepreneurial and international opportunities,
- and supervised professional experience.
📘 Skill Progression by Year
| Year | Main Objectives | Credits Earned | Key Elements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | Acquire scientific foundations and discover the corporate world | 60 ECTS | Core curriculum, robotics project, civic project, discovery internship |
| 2nd Year | Integrate the systems approach and develop creativity | 60 ECTS | IoT Project, Entrepreneurship Program, technical internship |
| 3rd Year | Specialize and enter the professional world | 60 ECTS | Major, technological challenge, Innov’Actions, final internship |
The Three Years of the Program
First Year – Engineering Fundamentals
🎯 Objective
Acquire the essential scientific and technical foundations for the engineering profession and discover the areas of excellence of the Aix Marseille-Provence campus.
Main Teachings
- Applied mathematics for engineers, physics, and electronics
- Introduction to computer science, algorithms, databases
- Systems architecture, programming, materials science
- Management, communication, English, and a second modern language
- Discovery of engineering professions and corporate culture
Projects and Internships
- Project “Engineers in Solidarity in Action”: civic engagement in projects with humanitarian, social, or educational aims.
- Discovery Internship (S6): one month of immersion to observe company operations and discover engineering professions.
They also discover the campus’s areas of excellence and carry out their first collective projects.
Second Year – The Systems Approach and Autonomy
🎯 Objective
Transition from a disciplinary logic to an integrated system vision and strengthen innovation capacity and project management.
Main Teachings
- Advanced electronics, embedded systems, and sensors
- Object-oriented design and programming
- Industrial computing, operating systems, and networks
- Industrial engineering and production optimization
- Project management, professional communication, English
Projects and Internships
- IoT Capstone Project: design of a connected system integrating hardware, sensors, and software development.
- Entrepreneurial Project: introduction to business creation via a challenge or thematic hackathon.
- School Project: addressing a concrete need for a company or a laboratory.
- Or technical internship: 3 to 4 months, in a company or laboratory, to consolidate acquired knowledge and prepare for specialization.
Third Year – Specialization and Professionalization
🎯 Objective
Deepen knowledge in a technological field and lead complex engineering or research projects.
Each student builds an individualized path focused on:
Specialization Tracks
Each student builds an individualized path composed of:
An Elective Major
- Computer science
- Embedded Systems
- Microelectronic Design
An Elective Technological Challenge
- Biomedical Devices
- Mobility and Security
- Computer Science, Technologies, and Supply Chain
- Electronics for Autonomous Systems
A Research Project
Carried out in conjunction with a laboratory or company, it implements acquired technical and scientific skills, leading to the design of an innovative prototype or model.
A Workshop
Immerse yourself for a week in a technical deepening experience focused on cutting-edge topics.
🧪 Capstone Projects: Learning by Doing
The Capstone Projects accompany the three years of the curriculum and serve as the backbone of the program.
Each semester, students apply their knowledge to an increasingly complex project, linking theory and practice.
| Project | Main Objective |
|---|---|
| ISA Project (S6) | Give meaning to scientific training and the engineer’s role in society. |
| IoT Project (S7) | Design a complete connected system |
| Entrepreneurial Project (S7) | Understand the business creation process and experience the transformation of an idea into an innovative solution |
| Research Project (S10) | Design of an innovative prototype or model in conjunction with a company or laboratory. |
| Workshop (S10) | Strengthen autonomy and the engineering mindset. |
| Innov’action (S10) | Design an innovative solution and present it before a jury of professionals. |
These projects develop autonomy, project management, and technical creativity.
Collaborate with Our Students
At Mines Saint-Étienne, student projects are central to the training of future engineers. These projects allow companies to benefit from a fresh, innovative, and pragmatic perspective on their challenges while offering students concrete immersion in the professional world. As true “win-win” collaborations, they combine academic expertise, student creativity, and quality support to meet the specific needs of organizations.
A Possible Gap Year
Students can, if they wish, take a gap year between two years of the program.
This period, validated by the school, enables them to undertake:
- a long-term company internship,
- a personal or entrepreneurial project,
- or an international experience.
This flexibility promotes the construction of a coherent and personalized professional path.
🌍 International Opportunities
- Two compulsory modern languages for all students.
- Mandatory International Experience: academic semester, a research project in international collaboration, internship, or double degree.
- The school has more than 140 partners in 50 countries and 37 Erasmus agreements.
- 100% of students undertake international mobility before the end of the program.
In Summary
| Duration | 3 Years – 6 Semesters |
|---|---|
| Structure | Courses, Projects, Internships, International Opportunities |
| Projects | ISA, IoT, Entrepreneurial Project, Innov’Actions, Research Project, Workshop |
| Internships | Observation and Analysis (1 month), Technical (3–4 months), Final (6 months) |
| Study Paths | Major + Technological Challenge + Research Project + Workshop |
| Openness | Mandatory International |
| Mobility | Erasmus+, Double Degrees, Internships Abroad |
🔗 Discover the Rest of the Curriculum
FAQ
The ISMIN curriculum lasts three years and takes place on the Aix-Marseille-Provence campus in Gardanne.
The first two years combine courses in electronics, computer science, and management.
The third year allows for specialization (majors, double degrees, co-accredited master’s degrees).
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The ISMIN program is structured but offers customization in the 3rd year through majors, electives, and dual degrees.
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Female students represent approximately 20% of the ISMIN program’s enrollment.
This percentage is steadily increasing year after year, reflecting the growing presence of women in scientific and technological fields.
The school actively encourages gender diversity and the promotion of women engineers.
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Two hours of English classes per week, supplemented by bi-weekly oral tutoring.
A second modern language is mandatory (German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, or Portuguese).
Some 3rd-year courses and projects are delivered in English.
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Approximately:
- 1/3 computer science,
- 1/3 electronics,
- 1/3 management and general education.
The content of the computer science and electronics courses is quite technical. While largely accessible, studying these subjects if they do not interest you can quickly become tedious. For more details: in computer science, the first year is primarily dedicated to learning C; the electronics programme covers the technical and physical fundamentals of electronics (e.g., physical properties of semiconductors, electronic components made of semiconductors) as well as an initial approach to embedded systems through the design of a robot.
Learning takes place through projects, workshops, hackathons, and internships, providing a curriculum that is both scientific and practical.
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Lyon District for all programs, except for the Engineering specialization in microelectronics and computer science and an M2 in Nanosciences/Nanotechnologies (Hybrid electronics) (Aix-Marseille District).
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