Training in modelling

Every year, the Western Pole organises a two-weeks training on modelling (in Chemistry, Physics and Biology).

Syllabus and objectives:

This training aims at providing the attendees with an ensemble of concepts in modern theoretical chemistry, physics and biology. Initially devised for master 2 students from Rennes University (from various curricula), it is also open to PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and any researcher willing to get a solid training in modelling.

The training is divided in two sessions, corresponding to two levels. The first level principally consists in lectures on the fundamentals of molecular and solid state modelling, both static and dynamic, and in application sessions.

The second level principally consists in practical sessions on more advanced topics (see the program from more details). A short introduction to python programming is also included in this session.

This training is strongly linked to the French national network of theoretical chemistry (RFCT), and allows student to obtain the « Label de Chimie Théorique » (nationally acknowledged). PhD students may also validate it in their doctoral training (details to be checked with your doctoral school).

Lectures and practicals are provided by specialists, coming from associated Western Pole laboratories. Industrial partners and external researchers are also invited.

Practical Informations

Duration: 2 weeks.

Location: École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes

Date: February 28th to March 11th 2022

Registrations are closed

The schedule of the training is the following :

The sessions are usually from 9 to 12 am in the morning and from 2 to 5 pm in the afternoon. A more detailed schedule with practical informations is available here.

General description of the modeling school:

  • Quantum Physics and Chemistry for molecules and solids.
  • Simulation of optical and electronic properties of solids and molecules  (excited states, photovoltaïc).
  • Molecular Dynamics methods, ChemoInformatics and BioInformatics/ Docking to model biological systems.
  • Introduction to scientific calculations and to Python coding language.
  • Introduction to Machine Learning and application to molecules description.

All sessions are in english, if not specified otherwise.

Important: Please note that the practical sessions require a minimal knowledge in unix terminal commands to be able to manipulate the modelling codes. These notions will not be taught during the practical sessions. If you register to the practical sessions, it means that you are already familiar with basic unix commands, or you will read beforehand the documents (click here) describing them.

In addition you can practice those commands in this web-based Unix environment.