D'un infini à l'autre (Coursera)

Offered by École Polytechnique,
D'un infini à l'autre (Coursera)

Partez à la découverte de l'infiniment petit et de l'infiniment grand, en compagnie de physiciens et de physiciennes qui vont vous faire découvrir les liens entre la structure de la matière aux distances les plus petites et l'organisation de l'Univers aux distances les plus grandes ce jour, et entre les outils scientifiques utilisés pour les étudier. Vous découvrirez que de nombreux messagers venus de notre Univers (le photon, les neutrinos, ou encore les rayons cosmiques) sont aussi des objets d'intérêt pour les physiciens qui étudient la matière aux échelles les plus petites.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Vous verrez aussi que l'histoire de l'Univers (comme la formation de la matière et la disparition de l'antimatière) peut être comprise grâce aux progrès de l'infiniment petit. Notre compréhension des deux infinis peut ainsi progresser harmonieusement, chaque infini s'appuyant sur les avancées et les outils de l'autre.

Course 3 of 4 in the Voyages de l'infiniment grand à l'infiniment petit Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Les notions de base
Ce module introduit les aspects par lesquels l'infiniment petit et l'infiniment grand, bien que très différents, se ressemblent, tant par les concepts que par les techniques. Il s'intéresse ensuite à l'un des phénomènes les plus courants des deux infinis, à savoir la lumière.

WEEK 2
Des messagers de l'infiniment petit venus du cosmos
Ce module présente différents phénomènes qui nous renseignent sur des phénomènes astrophysiques, mais qui ont aussi leur intérêt propre du point de vue de l'infiniment petit : ce sont les neutrinos, les rayons cosmiques et les noyaux atomiques.

WEEK 3
Les particules élémentaires et l'évolution de l'Univers
Ce module décrit différents aspects de la matière et le rôle qu'ils ont joué au cours de l'évolution de l'Univers depuis le Big Bang, que ce soit la matière ordinaire (faite de protons et de neutrons), l'antimatière ou bien encore la matière noire.

WEEK 4
Comprendre les deux infinis
Ce module s'intéresse aux aspects communs de l'infiniment grand et de l'infiniment petit, en termes de concepts théoriques mais aussi de techniques expérimentales, illustrant ainsi les convergences entre ces deux infinis.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change (Coursera) Coursera
University of Chicago

Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change (Coursera)

This class describes the science of global warming and the forecast for humans’ impact on Earth’s climate. Intended for an audience without much scientific background but a healthy sense of curiosity, the class brings together insights and perspectives from physics, chemistry, biology, earth and atmospheric sciences, and even some economics—all based on a foundation of simple mathematics (algebra).

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds (Coursera) Coursera
University of Arizona

Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds (Coursera)

How are astronomers approaching their search for life in the universe? What have we learned from the surge of exoplanets discoveries? How likely is it that Earth does not host the only life in the Universe? In this course we explore the field of astrobiology, an emerging multidisciplinary field. Progress in astrobiology is driven by telescopes on the ground and in space, and by new insights on how life emerged on Earth and its diversity.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Physics of silicon solar cells (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Physics of silicon solar cells (Coursera)

The first MOOC “Photovoltaic solar energy” is a general presentation of the solar photovoltaics technologies in the global energetic context, without extensive details. In particular the description of the solar cell operation is restricted to the ideal case. In contrast this second MOOC allows a deep understanding of the properties of solar cells based on crystalline semiconductors.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Science & Religion 101 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Alberta

Science & Religion 101 (Coursera)

This course examines the nature of both science and religion and attempts to explore the possible relationships between them. The primary purpose is to dispel the popular myth that science and religion are entrenched in a never-ending conflict. As a result, this course argues that if the limits of both science and religion are respected, then their relationship can be complementary.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Magic in the Middle Ages (Coursera) Coursera
University of Barcelona

Magic in the Middle Ages (Coursera)

Magical thought has always attracted human imagination. In this course we will introduce you to the Middle Ages through a wide conception of magic. Students will have an approach to medieval culture, beliefs and practices from the perspective of History and History of Science. Popular magic, as well as learned magic (alchemy, geomancy and necromancy) will be addressed. Moreover, we will also deal with how eastern practices and texts influenced western culture. In July 2016, the course will contain a brand-new module devoted to astrology. Magic in the Middle Ages offers a captivating overview of medieval society and promotes reflection about certain stereotypes associated with this period.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Density Functional Theory (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Density Functional Theory (Coursera)

The aim of this course is to give a thorough introduction to Density Functional Theory (DFT). DFT is today the most widely used method to study interacting electrons, and its applicability ranges from atoms to solid systems, from nuclei to quantum fluids. In this course, we introduce the most important concepts underlying DFT, its foundation, and basic ideas. We will in particular stress the features and reasons that lead DFT to become the dominant method for simulating quantum mechanical systems.

Nov 16th 2026
3 Weeks
The Worldview of Thomas Berry: The Flourishing of the Earth Community (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

The Worldview of Thomas Berry: The Flourishing of the Earth Community (Coursera)

Thomas Berry (1914-2009) was a historian of world religions and an early voice awakening moral sensibilities to the environmental crisis. He is known for articulating a “new story” of the universe that explores the implications of the evolutionary sciences and cultural traditions for creating a flourishing future. This course investigates Berry’s life and thought in relation to the Journey of the Universe project.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Physical Sciences (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Physical Sciences (Coursera)

What is the origin of our universe? What are dark matter and dark energy? This is the first part of the course 'Philosophy and the Sciences', dedicated to Philosophy of the Physical Sciences. Scientific research across the physical sciences has raised pressing questions for philosophers. The goal of this course is to introduce you to some of the main areas and topics at the key juncture between philosophy and the physical sciences.

Nov 16th 2026
4 Weeks
The Discovery of the Higgs Boson (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

The Discovery of the Higgs Boson (Coursera)

The discovery of a new fundamental particle at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), CERN is the latest step in a long quest seeking to answer one of physics’ most enduring questions: why do particles have mass? The experiments’ much anticipated success confirms predictions made decades earlier by Peter Higgs and others, and offers a glimpse into a universe of physics beyond the Standard Model.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There (Coursera)

This course provides an introduction to the most powerful engineering principles you will ever learn - Thermodynamics: the science of transferring energy from one place or form to another place or form. We will introduce the tools you need to analyze energy systems from solar panels, to engines, to insulated coffee mugs. More specifically, we will cover the topics of mass and energy conservation principles; first law analysis of control mass and control volume systems; properties and behavior of pure substances; and applications to thermodynamic systems operating at steady state conditions.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks