École polytechnique facts for kids
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Other name
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l'X |
|---|---|
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Former name
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École centrale des Travaux publics (Central School of Public Works) |
| Motto | Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire |
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Motto in English
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For the Homeland, Science, and Glory |
| Type | Grande école |
| Established | 1794 |
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Parent institution
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Polytechnic Institute of Paris |
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Academic affiliations
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CGE, CDEFI |
| President | Laura Chaubard (by interim) |
| Director | Laura Chaubard |
| Students | 3,370 |
| Undergraduates | 480 |
| Postgraduates | 2,000 engineer candidates 500 masters |
| 390 | |
| Location |
Palaiseau
,
France
48°42′45″N 2°12′36″E / 48.7125°N 2.2100°E |
| Colors | Red & yellow |
| Battalion of École polytechnique | |
|---|---|
| Bataillon de l'École polytechnique | |
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| Founded | September 28, 1794 |
| Country | France |
| Allegiance | France |
| Type | Public research university |
| Part of | French Armed Forces |
| Motto(s) | Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire |
| Wars | Sixth Coalition World War II |
| Battle honours | Legion of Honour
Croix de guerre 1914–1918 Croix de guerre 1939–1945 citation to the order of the army |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Senior General Armament Engineer François Bouchet |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Thibault Capdeville head of corps and director of human and military training |
École polytechnique is a famous French school. It is often called Polytechnique or l'X. This school is known for its strong focus on science and engineering. It is a main part of the Polytechnic Institute of Paris.
The school started in 1794 during the French Revolution. A mathematician named Gaspard Monge helped create it. In 1804, Napoleon I made it a military school. Today, the French Ministry of Armed Forces still oversees it. The school was first in central Paris. In 1976, it moved to Palaiseau, which is a science and technology area.
Students who study engineering here are like officer cadets. They even get paid! The school also offers master's and doctoral degrees. Many graduates become important leaders. They work as top managers, government officials, military officers, or researchers.
Many famous people have studied at Polytechnique. These include Nobel Prize winners and a Fields Medalist. Three Presidents of France also went to this school. Famous scientists like Cauchy and Henri Poincaré were students. So were physicists like Ampère.
Contents
History of École Polytechnique
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How the School Started
After the French Revolution, many old schools closed. In 1794, a new school was created. It was first called the "Central School of Public Works." Its goal was to train engineers for both civilian and military jobs. About 400 students joined quickly.
A year later, the school changed its name to "École polytechnique". "Polytechnique" means "many techniques." This new name showed that the school taught many different skills. It prepared students for other special engineering schools. The courses lasted three years.
In 1805, Napoleon moved the school to central Paris. He made it a military academy. He also gave it its motto: "For the Nation, Science, and Glory." This made the school more strict. Napoleon admired the students who helped in his campaigns.
In 1814, students helped defend Paris in a battle. Later, the school's military status changed a few times. But by 1832, it was back under the Ministry of War. Students often supported new ideas. They took part in the revolutions of 1830 and 1848.
The World Wars and Beyond
During World War I, students joined the army. The school building became a hospital. More than 800 students died in the war. In 1921, students from other countries could take the entrance exam.
During World War II, the school moved to Lyon. It lost its military status for a while. Its Paris buildings were used by the Red Cross. Over 400 students died in this war.
In 1970, the school became a civilian institution. It was still overseen by the Ministry of Defence. In 1972, the first female students were allowed to join. One woman, Anne Chopinet, was the top student. In 1976, the school moved to its current campus in Palaiseau. It started offering doctoral degrees in 1985.
Where the School Is
Old Locations
École polytechnique first started in the Palais Bourbon in 1794. A year later, it moved to another building in Paris.
Paris Campus (1805–1976)
From 1805 to 1976, the school was in the Latin Quarter of central Paris. It was near the Panthéon. Students called this campus "Carva."
Palaiseau Campus (from 1976)
Today, École polytechnique is on a large campus in Palaiseau. This is a suburb about 9 miles (14 km) from Paris. The campus has classrooms, student homes, dining halls, and sports fields. About 4,600 people live and study here.
The campus is easy to reach by train and bus. It is also near other science places. These include research centers and universities.
How the School Works
École polytechnique is a special school. It is overseen by the French Ministry of Defence. It trains both civilian engineers and scientists. But it also trains officers for the French military. The goal is to create smart leaders for France.
However, fewer students choose a military career now. Most go into research, engineering, or management. French students start with military training. They are called cadets. They wear a special uniform for important events. This uniform includes a bicorne hat.
What Students Learn
École polytechnique offers different study programs. These include engineering, master's, and doctoral degrees. The school has many teachers and researchers. They come from the school's own labs and other top science places. This creates a great learning environment.
What You Can Study
The Polytechnicien Engineer Program
This is a very famous and hard-to-get degree. It is called the diplôme d'ingénieur. Students learn a wide range of subjects. This helps them connect different fields of study. About 2,000 students are in this program.
How to Get In
There are two main ways to join this program. One way is through a very tough exam. Students usually prepare for two years after high school. The other way is to study at another university first. About 400 French students are accepted each year. Around 100 foreign students also get in.
What You Study
The engineering degree takes four years.
- First year
French students start with eight months of military or civil service. They get military training for a month. Then they are assigned to a military unit or a civilian service. They learn about teamwork and leadership. After this, all students take courses in math, physics, computer science, and economics.
- Second year
This year is about studying many different subjects. Students choose courses from science fields like biology and chemistry. They also study languages and humanities.
- Third year
Students choose a special area to focus on. This could be a specific science or a mix of subjects. This year ends with a research project.
- Fourth year
Students go on to more specialized studies. They might join another top school or start a master's or doctoral program. This helps them get ready for a real engineering job.
After Graduation
Students are ranked based on their grades. This ranking can help French students get jobs in government. Many graduates work in the private sector. A large number work in the Paris area. Many also work outside France.
Costs
French students in the engineering program do not pay tuition. They even get a salary! They share some of this money with foreign students.
Bachelor Program
The Bachelor program started in 2017. It lasts three years and is taught in English. Both French and international students can apply. Students apply in their last year of high school. They are chosen based on their application and an interview. The first year focuses on mathematics.
Master's Program
École polytechnique offers many master's programs. These are more specialized than the engineering program. They cover topics like AI, computer vision, economics, and energy.
Doctoral Program
The school also has a doctoral program. This is for students who already have a master's degree. Doctoral students do research in the school's labs. About 40% of these students come from other countries.
Research Centers
École polytechnique has many research labs. They study different areas like physics, math, and biology. These labs often work with other big science groups in France.
Student Life
Students have a board of 16 students called "la Kès." They are elected every year. This group works with teachers, staff, and alumni. They also publish a weekly student newspaper.
Sports
Sports are a big part of student life. All students must play 6 hours of sports each week. There are many sports to choose from. These include skydiving, judo, and horse riding. The campus has swimming pools, dojos, and an equestrian center. The school also hosts an international horse jumping competition.
Famous People
Many graduates from École polytechnique become very important. They hold top jobs in government, business, and research in France. The school has produced three Nobel Prize winners. It also has three former presidents of France among its alumni. Many leaders of big companies also studied here.
School Rankings
École polytechnique is often ranked among the top schools. In international rankings, it is part of the Polytechnic Institute of Paris.
In 2015, Times Higher Education ranked it third among small universities. It was behind Caltech and École normale supérieure (Paris). Another ranking in 2011 placed it seventh in the world for training CEOs of large companies.
Challenges
Some people criticize French grandes écoles, including École polytechnique. They say these schools are "elitist." This means they might not have enough students from different backgrounds. Studies have shown that children from wealthier families are more likely to get in. This is a challenge the school is working on.
Images for kids
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The Arms of the École polytechnique
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The main hall seen from the lake
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Cadets of Polytechnique at the Bastille Day Military Parade
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The bicorne hat of Polytechnique
See also
In Spanish: École polytechnique para niños
- Grandes écoles
- Higher education in France
