Département des sciences de matières

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles governing the structure of solid materials. It begins with an overview of the different types of solids—crystalline, amorphous, and polycrystalline—highlighting how atomic arrangement influences material properties. The course then explores the basics of crystallography, including unit cells, symmetry, and Miller indices, providing tools to describe and analyze crystal structures. Metallic structures are studied through common atomic packings such as FCC, BCC, and HCP, emphasizing the link between structure and mechanical properties. Ionic structures are addressed through classic lattices like NaCl and CsCl, with attention to coordination numbers and electrostatic interactions. Finally, the module covers covalent solids such as diamond and graphite, focusing on bonding directionality and physical characteristics. This course forms the foundation for understanding the relationship between atomic structure and the macroscopic behavior of inorganic materials.