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1 year at University of Michigan for Valentin
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A year ago, Valentin decided to apply to the University of Michigan. He was awarded a mobility grant from the Foundation to study for a Master of Science in Climate and Space Sciences.
He tells you all about his stay!
Why did you choose the University of Michigan?
I decided to apply to the University of Michigan for a number of reasons. My studies at ISAE-SUPAERO gave me a solid grounding in space engineering, but I also wanted to complement my training with more research-oriented courses. I also wanted to focus my studies on both planetary sciences and climate physics. With this in mind, I became interested in the Master of Science in Climate and Space Sciences at the University of Michigan, because it fitted in perfectly with the fields in which I wanted to specialize. This research-oriented Master’s degree would also provide me with a solid foundation on which to pursue a doctorate, and ultimately contribute to planetary exploration missions.
I also chose this Master’s degree because I was attracted by its original program, which combines scientific research and technological innovation. You can study different areas of applied research, including planetary atmospheres, solar wind characteristics, magnetic fields, the Earth’s climate and geophysics. These courses, which focus on fundamental physics, mechanics and fluid mechanics, are complemented by other classes focusing more on space engineering, often in the form of projects linked to the American space industry, for the concrete application of the concepts studied. For example, as part of one class, I had the opportunity to work on the Uranus Orbiter and Probe project with NASA!
Finally, my project was also motivated by more personal reasons. I had always wanted to spend a year abroad as part of my studies, to discover a culture and academic environment different from my own. I was particularly attracted to North American countries, especially the United States, for their cultural diversity, academic dynamism and prestigious universities. I was keen to discover another way of life, meet new people and experience a different education system. The experience really broadened my horizons, both intellectually and in human terms.
How did your year go academically?
Valentin Oncle
My year at Ann Arbor was intense, demanding, but above all incredibly rewarding. I chose to take this Master’s degree in just two semesters, whereas it is normally planned for three or even more. This meant a heavy workload, which I’ve taken on in full. Alongside my coursework, I also worked as a research assistant in the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, under the supervision of Professor Xianzhe Jia, a specialist in planetary magnetospheres. Specifically, I worked on a simulation code for solar wind in the solar system.
Academically, the program was very stimulating, with a variety of courses covering a wide range of topics. I took a course in planetology, the one I was most attracted to. It covered the formation of planets, their evolution, internal and atmospheric dynamics, as well as the study of exoplanets. I did a project on the dynamics of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. I also took a comprehensive course on geophysical fluid dynamics, and another devoted to the Earth’s magnetic field, as well as studying the Sun and the impact of solar flares on the Earth.
Finally, a more engineering-oriented course taught us how to design a space mission from A to Z, in particular an interplanetary mission. The final exam consisted in completing the mission of an Earth observation satellite in less than 100 hours: everything had to be designed, from the drafting of a mission order describing the scientific objectives of the mission to the precise components of the satellite’s electronics or cooling system! It was also in this context that I had the opportunity to work with NASA on the Uranus Orbiter and Probe project. In the second semester, I continued with a course on atmospheric fluid dynamics, which was a continuation of those of the previous semester, but which also introduced notions of ocean dynamics. We also studied certain climatic phenomena, such as cyclones, the Jet Stream and cloud physics.
In this Master’s program, you also had to take a few courses outside the main department. The further I got into the program, the more I realized that, although I was very interested in the topics covered, what really attracted me was mathematics and artificial intelligence. Through discussions with certain professors and personal research, I discovered a rapidly expanding field: the application of maths and AI to planetary sciences and climate physics. On the other hand, I realized that designing space missions was less attractive to me than I had expected. Too engineering-oriented for my taste (I’m more on the scientific side).
During the second semester, I therefore chose to add various courses from the mathematics department to my training: complex analysis, stochastic processes, dynamical systems… In particular, I led a project entitled “Can a volcano turn the Earth into a snowball?!”, in which I demonstrated, using mathematical tools applied to climate physics, that a (very) large volcanic eruption could theoretically plunge the Earth into a super ice age!
Finally, and more generally, I really appreciated the American-style pedagogy: few hours of classes, but lots of concrete projects and DM, and a real desire to give meaning to what we learn.
So, academically, everything went very well. One time was when I attended lectures by researchers and doctoral students in planetology from various American universities, dealing with subjects I find fascinating: the study of the geology and atmosphere of Mars, asteroids, and even the search for exolunes (moons around exoplanets). I was most interested in the one on Mars, where I was able to discuss it in more detail with the doctoral student from the University of Colorado at Boulder who presented it.
How would you sum up your stay on a personal level?
On a personal level, this year has also been rich in discoveries. The university is located in Ann Arbor, a small university town on a human scale, very pleasant to live in, with a strong student life and international atmosphere. At times, the campus reminded me of English universities, with its imposing modern buildings. The huge stadium (110,000 seats!) made a particular impression on me. One of the first highlights of the year was when, a few days after the start of the school year, I attended the opening game of the American soccer season. The stadium was full, the atmosphere electric, and the team had just won the national championship.
Two other highlights of my stay, this time outside the university context, were a visit from my girlfriend at the end of October, when I introduced her to Ann Arbor, and, at the very end of my year, a visit from a friend on an internship at Harvard, who introduced me to Harvard and Boston.
I’ve gained a lot from my stay, on so many levels. Academically, I have been able to train in depth in a variety of fields, including planetology, atmospheric dynamics and solar wind physics, as well as in complex analysis and stochastic processes. I have carried out several projects as part of my coursework, which has enabled me to explore concrete applications of the new knowledge I have acquired. This year also helped me make the link between my engineering training and the requirements of a research project, whether applied or fundamental.
My work as a research assistant to Xianzhe Jia was also very formative. I learned what it means to work in research, how projects are carried out and what a long-term scientific approach involves.
This year also gave me a better understanding of certain cultural and pedagogical differences between French and American training. I realized that, unlike us, American students often follow very specialized paths: some focus solely on mechanics, others on electronics, mathematics or physics, but rarely on all of these disciplines. Conversely, our training at ISAE-SUPAERO gives us a broad, interdisciplinary vision: we touch on many scientific and technical fields, which gives us a solid general scientific culture.
That said, I’ve also found that American students are often better trained than we are in the practical aspects of running projects, whether scientific or engineering. They have a better grasp of organizational methods, team management and planning, and are more at ease with the dynamics of collaborative research projects. It’s not something I was fully aware of before, but this year has enabled me to see it in a very concrete way.
Looking back, I’m convinced that combining an engineering degree from a top French school with an American Master’s degree in science is a real asset. This enables us to combine a broad, rigorous scientific base with a more applied, structured and often team-oriented approach.
Has this stay helped you confirm your professional aspirations?
On a professional level, this year has enabled me to clarify and refine my objectives. I now want to specialize in the application of mathematics and artificial intelligence to climate physics and planetology. These are themes that I’ve gradually discovered over the course of courses, exchanges with teachers and projects in which I’ve taken part.
I’m going to continue in this direction this summer, with a research internship at CNES in Toulouse, more specifically at LEGOS (Laboratoire d’Études en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiale). This internship will focus on the study of ocean warming, a key phenomenon in climate change. To do this, I’ll be using tools derived from applied mathematics.
For me, it’s an excellent way to round off the year. I’m delighted that this internship has enabled me both to deepen my scientific skills and to contribute, however modestly, to a better understanding of such a fundamental issue as climate change. .
Next year, I’ll be finishing my training at ISAE-SUPAERO. A year ago, I was still hesitating whether to take the OTSU (Earth Observation and Sciences of the Universe) or the SDD (AI and Data Sciences) stream as a specialization for this final year, but this year’s reflections on my professional future finally led me to choose SDD. It was also the fact that my MSc in Climate and Space Sciences already covered a good deal of what is covered in the OTSU course that consolidated my choice. In my final year at Supaéro, we also have to choose a field of application, for which I chose applied mathematics with the SXS field. At the same time, I’m going to take the Master 2 in Applied Mathematics at the Université Paul Sabatier, to further consolidate my theoretical grounding in mathematics.
Finally, I’m preparing to pursue a PhD. I’d like it to be focused on mathematics, but with a strong applied dimension in climate physics or planetology. I haven’t yet decided on a precise subject: I hope that my last year at ISAE-SUPAERO will help me to see things more clearly. I’m also not ruling out going abroad again for this PhD – perhaps to Europe, or elsewhere – even if the current political context makes me more hesitant about the United States. For this particular PhD project, I’m convinced that the MSc in Climate and Space Sciences I’ve just completed at the University of Michigan will also be a real plus, because a number of students have backgrounds in mathematics or climate sciences, but rarely in both at the same time.
How would you sum up your year in the United States?
In conclusion, my year at the University of Michigan was an exceptional experience, during which I learned a great deal, both academically and personally.
It gave me a clearer idea of what I was really interested in studying, while providing me with a solid and enriching training. But the program is also a real added value for my future career, not only in terms of the knowledge I’ve acquired in the field of research, but also in terms of the scientific lessons I’ve learned.
Any final words?
I’d like to say a huge thank you to the Foundation for granting me this funding, which has enabled me to go on a trip that will have a significant impact on my life.
To our donors, I would like to thank you for believing in young students by giving them financial support, which is often invaluable.
One day, I too hope to be a donor to the Foundation, helping students realize their dreams.