“It starts with an interest in physics and mathematics, then a curiosity by looking up at the sky and wondering how it works…” These words are those of Julien Lavergne Roberge, 22, student at Polytechnique Montreal in the baccalaureate- integrated master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Objective: a scientific career in the field of telecommunications. Portrait.
The Polytechnique program offers a four-year training focused on practice, and allows students to specialize in advanced aerodynamics, in the field of propulsion, or more simply to focus on aerospace as such.
Admissions are subject to quotas: when Julien was accepted in 2019, we asked for a minimum R score of 34 at CEGEP. “It’s not for everyone,” he remarks over the phone.
“Towards the end of the baccalaureate, after three and a half years, I discovered an interest in telecommunications by radio frequencies. I would like to do a master’s degree, continue my studies at the graduate level. Polytechnique offers an accelerated course, where you have 15 credits that count for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree. »
What I like the most is to understand the complex phenomena by which one can transport signal, which is generally a little uncertain or a little fuzzy, and to use it for scientific purposes.
Julien Lavergne Roberge, aerospace engineering student
Concordia also offers a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, and the University of Sherbrooke offers a master’s degree in the subject. Why did you choose Polytechnique? “It’s in French, there’s the school’s reputation, and it’s the only place where you do aerospace from year 1. Otherwise, it’s a mechanical engineering concentration. »
Concrete training
The students, who are 50 to 60 per cohort, have to carry out two integrative projects during their training. Still in small teams, they will first work on the design of a drone, and then on that of a remote-controlled glider.
“The courses are given by people who work in the industry, indicates Julien Lavergne Roberge. They are the best who can give lessons because they experience the problems on a daily basis. »
“There are also a lot of technical groups to work on engineering projects that will participate in international competitions,” he adds. After having taken part in it himself in 2021, he underlines that we can notably build remote-controlled aircraft, rockets or astromobiles (rover) for this kind of competition.
The course requires at least one work placement, but it is possible to add more. Julien, by doing them during the summer, has already accomplished three: at Lincora, which manufactures lockers, at MDA, an aerospace technology company, and at Bell Textron, which specializes in helicopters.
“There is currently a big trend in the market towards the space sector, and the program is still considered aeronautical. But we are in discussion to add an introductory course on satellite systems. We also have a committee to bring more aerospace into the bin,” he concludes.