Academic
Programs
This training concerns students who wish to
follow up their studies for the third cycle in
view of the Doctorate Programme in Matter and
Radiation Physics organized at the Centre of
Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics. All
complementary information can be got from the
Director of CEPAMOQ, responsible for this
doctorate training programme.
The Doctorate Training Programme in Matter and
Radiation Physics is run by the Centre of Atomic
Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics of the
University of Douala. The first year of this
doctorate programme prepares, thanks to high
level teaching, the student in theoretical and
applied research in a large spectrum of domains
in physics. This double approach of fundamental
and applied physics allows the generation of
knowledge and know-how adapted to african
developmental problems. The training it proposes
centres around two axes:
Molecules, Atoms, Photons and
their Interactions
Modern Applications of Optics
It is destined to students wishing to acquire
solid and very diversified knowledge in the
different branches mentioned above in which they
are working on their doctoral thesis. That is why
in the first year, there are no optional courses,
but the study of a specific subject in the form
of a training course. Seminars and research
training courses complete education at the base
by concretely preparing the student for research
by allowing him to chose his thesis topic at his
convenience.
The first year constitutes the first stage of
a complete doctorate training programme which
should normally lead the successful student, to
defend a doctorate thesis on an original research
work. The objective of this training as concerns
notably the applied domain, is to develop the
aptitude of the student to use high level
scientific results to solve developmental
problems in Africa.

a) Pre-registration
The first year doctoral level is open to
students who are holders of a "Maîtrise"
in Physics or all other equivalent diploma (at
least 8 semesters) comprising indispensable
fundamental courses such as quantum mechanics,
statistical physics, optical physics and
mathematics. In case of doubt, the student is
expected to sit for a probatory examination based
on the "Maîtrise" programme in these
courses. A good knowledge of French and English
is necessary. Candidates are admitted after a
rigorous selection of documents organized by the
Management Committee of CEPAMOQ.
The pre-registration documents which must
reach the co-ordinator of the Doctorate Degree
Programme latest July 31st should consist of:
a hand written application, not
more than 2 pages, indicating the motivations
of the candidate;
a detailed curriculum vitae with
two passport-size photographs not more than
three months old;
certified true copies of
university qualification (from GCE A/levels);
transcripts of the eight
semesters;
a detailed programme of studies
of the eight semesters certified by
university authorities of the canditates
institution of origin;
two typed letters of confidential
appreciation from lecturers of the students
university of origin;
four international answer coupons
and two self-addressed envelops (small and
big);
a medical certificate of fitness
not more than three months old.
This file could be completed with results of
the previous year latest 15 September. The
candidates will be officially informed on the
rejection or acceptance of their applications
latest 30 September. It is noteworthy that an
additional list will be established in case of a
decline.
b) Registration
Candidates admitted in the first year of the
doctorate programme shall fulfill the
registration requirements at the Admissions
Office of the University of Douala. The dateline
for registration is 30 November.

The doctorate programme which lasts for four
to five years consists of three stages:
The first stage which lasts for
two years takes place at CEPAMOQ. After the
first year, the candidate obtains a DEA. The
second year is one of initiation into
research. This involves taught courses,
seminars and a research visit to one of the
national laboratories or research groups
working in (or in collaboration with) CEPAMOQ.
The second stage (12 to 18 months)
takes place either in an ICTP Affliliated
Centre or in a university (or a research
centre) in a country with advanced technology
affiliated with CEPAMOQ. The research student
remains registered with CEPAMOQ. This is a
research stage.
The third stage which goes from
12 to 18 months takes place at CEPAMOQ. It
serves as the completion of research work and
the defence of a doctorate thesis.
Studies in the first year of the doctorate are
organized as follows:
a) Theoretical
Courses
This is ensured by permanent research
lecturers of CEPAMOQ and those of the
laboratories or research groups associated with
the Institute. The first year of the doctorate in
Matter and Radiation Physics is organized in two
semesters. Theoretical courses take place from 15
October to 30 April. This comprises eleven
lectures that the students must follow. These
courses whose duration is 525 hours are divided
in the following manner:
Theoretical courses for each of the subject
end with an oral or written examination, the
choice is left to the lecturer. The average mark
for the eleven units constitutes the mark "T"
for theoretical courses.
b) Training course
report
Dissertation topics are proposed to students
during the first fifteen days of March. Students
are send into research groups of diverse national
laboratories for this course. It runs for 11
weeks (from 1st May to 21st July). The goal here
is to initiate the students to the research
profession by offering them the basic
apprenticeship, while testing their capacity to
carry out research. The result of the training
course is concretized by a written of a
dissertation on a chosen topic. This dissertation
does not necessarily constitute an original work,
but a first structured account in the area of
study. Note will be taken on the form,
bibliography and clarity of the work. This
dissertation must be submitted in six copies, two
weeks before the day of the defence. This will be
presented by the student in the form of an oral
exposé for 30 minutes behind a jury in the
second week of August.
c) Seminars
A series of seminars will be organized from
November to April on topics suggested by the
Management Committee. The objective here is to
give students the opportunity to manifest their
dynamism and research interest by a 45 minutes
exposé. The organization of each seminar will be
in the hands of a binom of students who will show
proof of initiative vis-à-vis the presentation
questioning exercise. As soon as classes resume,
students will be convened to establish a time
table and share the work of organising these
seminars. All students are called upon to be
present. The lecturers in charge of this activity
will have the responsibility of evaluating the
capacities of initiative of each student having
participated in the preparation and in the
running of the seminars. The mark obtained will
be added to the mark of the training course (practical).
d) Obtenaing of DEA
The obtenaing of the DEA is pronounced after
the student has scored a mark above or equal to
10/20 in each theoretical subject and a mark
seminar above or equal to 10/20 in the training
course (practical). It is important to point out
that a mark in the training course and seminar
less than 10/20 disqualifies the canditate for
the September session and leads to his exclusion
from the Centre. After the final mark have been
calculated (75% for theoretical course T and 25%
for training courses and seminars S) students
will be classed in order of merit.
e) September Session
If the student has not obtained a mark at
least equal to 10/20 in each subject in the first
session examination, he/she could be authorized,
after deliberation by the Managment Committee, to
undertake in mid September another examination in
the subject value units in which he did not
obtain a pass mark (10/20). The mark obtained
will then replace the failed mark results
declared, depending on previously defined
modalities. Repeating the course is not
authorized except in Obtention
cases examined by the Management Committee.
f) Acceptance for
Thesis Project
The obtenaing of DEA is evidently a necessary
condition for accpetance into the Thesis Project.
It is noteworthy that because of the very limited
absorption capacity in laboratories and the
obligation of results by CEPAMOQ, students will
have to face very high competition. Authorization
for registration, according to places available,
will only be for those who on the one hand, had
better results in the previous year and on the
other, have manifested their dynamism and
interest in research. Nevertheless, the obtenaing
of a good mark T and a mediocre mark S in the
average can lead the refusal of the Management
Committe to accept the student for the Thesis
Project.
Exceptionally, candidates holders of DEA or M.Sc.
obtained in a ICTP Affliated Centre shall be
directely selected for the thesis (second year of
the programme).
Each student registered for the Thesis Project
will have a scholarship to enable him consecrate
his time on the thesis work. Students will find
at CEPAMOQ, information concerning the defence of
thesis.
In the hope of maintaining quality thesis
defences at CEPAMOQ, the Management Committee is
charged among other things with the follow up of
doctorate degree students and the study of each
thesis defence file.
Contact
Information
CEPAMOQ,
University of Douala, POBox , Douala, Cameroon
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