Mines Paris – PSL facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paris School of Mines

École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris
Motto	Théorie et Pratique
Motto in English	Theory and Practice
Type	Grande école d'ingénieurs (public research university Engineering school)
Established	1783; 242 years ago (1783)
Academic staff	286 permanent research professors
Students	1,281 students 37% international
Location	Paris , France
Campus	Paris, Fontainebleau, Évry, Sophia Antipolis
Language	English-only & French-only instruction
Affiliations	Conférence des Grandes écoles Université PSL Institut Mines-Télécom ParisTech Carnot M.I.N.E.S Armines Groupe des Écoles des mines

Mines Paris – PSL, also known as the Paris School of Mines, is a famous French engineering school. It's part of PSL Research University. King Louis XVI started this school way back in 1783.

Mines Paris is known for its excellent research and its partnerships with top universities around the world. These include places like Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

The school also creates a special world university ranking. This ranking looks at how many former students become CEOs of the world's 500 largest companies. Mines Paris is also a member of the ParisTech group, which brings together several leading engineering schools in Paris.

History of Mines Paris – PSL

A classroom at the school during the 1800s

How the School Started

The idea for a mining school first came up in 1765. But it was a chemist named Balthazar-Georges Sage who convinced Jacques Necker that teaching about minerals was important for training miners. Sage used his own large collection of minerals to help teach.

On July 11, 1778, a special teaching position for mineralogy was created. The school of mines officially began on March 19, 1783, at the Hôtel de la Monnaie in Paris. This was ordered by the French King's Counsel.

Changes During Revolutions

The school closed down when the French Revolution began. But it was reopened in 1794 by the Committee of Public Safety. Later, in 1802, it moved to Savoie.

After the Bourbon kings returned to power in France in 1814, the school moved to the Hôtel de Vendôme in Paris. This building is near the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Modern Expansion

Starting in the 1960s, the school opened new research labs. These labs are located in different cities like Fontainebleau, Évry, and Sophia Antipolis near Nice.

What Students Learn at Mines Paris – PSL

The Hôtel de Vendôme, the main building of Mines Paris – PSL

Understanding Grandes Écoles

École des mines de Paris is part of the Groupe des écoles des mines (GEM). These are special engineering schools in France called Grandes Écoles. They are different from regular public universities.

Grandes Écoles are very selective. Students get in through a tough competition. Many graduates from these schools go on to hold important jobs in government and big companies in France.

Goals of the School

The school's first goal was to train top mining engineers. Over time, this goal changed to fit new technologies and changes in society. Today, Mines Paris – PSL is one of France's most respected engineering schools. It offers many different subjects.

Students are trained for leadership roles, research and development, or operations jobs. They get a well-rounded education. This includes subjects like Mathematics and Physics, but also economics, social sciences, and even art. This helps them handle complex management and engineering problems.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students can join exchange programs in their third semester. They can study at famous universities worldwide. Some of these include Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and National University of Singapore (NUS).

Types of Degrees Offered

Mines Paris – PSL offers several types of degrees:

• The Ingénieurs civils degree: This is like a Master of Science and Executive Engineering. It's one of the best engineering degrees in France.
• The Corps of Mines: This is a special three-year program for top students. It includes long internships in public and private organizations.
• Mastère Spécialisé degree: These are post-graduate programs for specialized studies. They cover areas like Energy, Environment, and Materials engineering.
• Doctoral and Master studies: The school also offers many PhD and Master's programs in various fields.

How to Get In

For French students who have completed a special two-year program called Classe Préparatoire aux Grandes Ecoles, admission to the Civil Engineer program is through a national exam. Each year, ten students from around the world are also accepted based on their school achievements.

Admission to the Corps of Mines is very competitive. Only the best French students from top schools like École Polytechnique can apply.

School Rankings

National Rankings

Here's how Mines Paris ranks in France for its Master of Sciences in Engineering:

International Rankings

Here's how PSL University (which includes Mines Paris) ranks globally:

Student Life and Activities

Students at Mines Paris – PSL are very active. They have many clubs and organizations.

Student Union

Every year, students elect a Student Union. This group helps students connect with companies that support the school. They also organize fun events for students.

Other Student Groups

There are many other groups students can join:

• The Students' Sport Committee (BDS)
• The Junior Enterprise (JUMP)
• The Arts' Office (BDA)
• Cahier Vert (a group for social outreach and tutoring)
• CAV (a wine-tasting club)
• A Catholic community
• A fanfare band
• An entrepreneur club (Mines Genius)
• Humanitarian organizations (Heliotopia, Ceres, Zanbinou)
• A photography club
• A sailing club

Famous People Who Attended Mines Paris – PSL

Many successful people have studied at Mines Paris – PSL.

Nobel Prize Winners from Mines Paris – PSL

Georges Charpak, Physics, 1992

Maurice Allais, Economics, 1988

Academics and Scientists

• Maurice Allais (1911–2010): Won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1988.
• Georges Charpak (1924–2010): Won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1992.
• Henri Poincaré (1854-1912): A famous mathematician and physicist.
• Jean-Baptiste Élie de Beaumont (1798–1874): Known as a founder of geology.
• Auguste Laurent (1808–1853): A chemist who helped create modern Organic Chemistry.
• Jean-Jacques Favier (1949–): An astronaut.

From left to right and top to bottom: Jacques Attali (author, economist), Henri Poincaré (mathematician, physicist), Anne Lauvergeon (business executive), Maurice Allais (Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences), Patrick Kron (business executive) and Albert Lebrun (President of France).

Business Leaders

Many alumni have become leaders in big companies:

• Anne Rigail: CEO of Air France since 2018.
• Patrick Pouyanné: CEO of TotalEnergies since 2014.
• Jean-Laurent Bonnafé: CEO of BNP Paribas since 2011.
• Carlos Ghosn: Former CEO of Nissan and Renault-Nissan.
• Anne Lauvergeon: Former CEO of Areva.

Politicians

Some alumni have also become important political figures:

• Alain Poher (1909–1996): A politician who was interim president of the French Republic.
• Albert François Lebrun (1871–1950): A former President of France.
• Najla Bouden Romdhane (1958–): Became Prime Minister of Tunisia in 2021.

Research Centers at Mines Paris – PSL

The school has many research centers that focus on different areas.

Energy and Processes Research

• CES (Energy efficiency of Systems Center): Studies how to make energy use more efficient.
• PERSEE (Processes, Renewable Energies and Energy Systems Center): Focuses on renewable energy and energy systems.

Mathematics and Systems Research

• CAOR (Robotics Center): Works on robotics.
• CMA (Applied Mathematics Center): Focuses on using mathematics to solve real-world problems.
• CRI (Computer Science Center): Deals with computer science research.

Earth Science and Environment Research

• Geosciences (Geosciences and Geoengineering Center): Located in Fontainebleau, this center studies Earth and environmental sciences.
• ISIGE (Environmental Engineering and Management Center): Focuses on managing environmental issues.

Economics, Management, Society Research

• CERNA (Industrial Economics Center): Studies economics in industries.
• CGS (Scientific Management Center): Focuses on how to manage things scientifically.
• CSI (Sociology of Innovation Center): Looks at how new ideas and technologies affect society.

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Research

• CEMEF (Material Forming Center): Studies how materials are shaped and formed.
• Materials Center: Focuses on different types of materials.

Other Schools of Mines in France

• Mines Albi-Carmaux
• Mines Alès
• Mines Douai
• École nationale supérieure des Mines de Nancy
• Mines Nantes
• Mines Saint-Étienne

Other Schools of Mines in the UK

• Royal School of Mines
• Camborne School of Mines

Other Schools of Mines in Africa

• Mines Rabat

Other Schools of Mines in the USA

• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia School of Mines

See also

In Spanish: Escuela Nacional Superior de Minas de París para niños

• PSL Research University
• ParisTech
• Institut Mines-Télécom
• Musée de Minéralogie
• Mines ParisTech: Professional Ranking of World Universities