PhD in Physics

Course Objectives

The aim of the proposed doctoral course is to educate research scientists able to perform at the level of the highest international standards in the field of theoretical physics and astrophysics while using the most efficient computational methods. The course will address topical problems of relativistic and particle physics and their astrophysical applications, which are a part of the research project of UF FPF SU and cooperating local and international institutions.

Prospective employment for the graduate:

The graduate can use his/her attained knowledge and skills as a research scientist and a lecturer at a University and in research institutes in the field of theoretical physics, both in the Czech Republic and abroad. It is expected the graduate may be recruited as a post-doctoral researcher by one of the associated international institutions (SISSA in Trieste, Goteborg University, University of Oxford, CERN and similar). The graduate can also efficiently offer the gained knowledge and skills to research institutes of industrial enterprises in the field of modeling of physical processes (for instance in the field of hydrodynamics, thermodynamics, elasticity). Competence in computer skills can be utilized anywhere in the industry, services or public service.

Requirements to be fulfilled by the student in the course of his/her studies and at its regular completion:

Individual study plan:

The course is governed by an individual study and research plan drawn by the supervisor and agreed by the professional board. The subjects of the doctoral course are divided into a block of obligatory subjects and a block of facultative (optional obligatory) subjects. The student must complete at least two of the facultative subjects. Facultative subjects are partly lectures and consultations and partly studied individually.

English language exam is also a part of the course programme. A doctoral student taking the full-time course also participates in the pedagogical activities at the faculty. The programme for this activity is agreed by the head of the educational institution and the supervisor. The research programme includes a proposal for treating the topic of the PhD thesis, the research process in the research facility and possibly the plan of placements or study visits to associated research facilities locally or abroad. In the course of the study, the doctoral student attends both the obligatory and the recommended forms of education, that is lectures, seminars, individual consultations and a seminar of theoretical physics in the research facility. At the same time, he/she is working on the topic of the PhD thesis and publishes the results of his/her research both in specialized magazines and by taking part in professional conferences. A record of attending both the obligatory and the recommended forms of study is kept throughout the duration of the course, as well as the record of exams, placements, and publications of the results of the research work of the doctoral student. At the end of an academic year, the supervisor prepares an annual assessment and specifies the study and research plan for the following year (the doctoral student has the right to comment on both the assessment and the specified future programme). Based on the annual assessment, the head of the educational institution suggests a continuation of studies, termination or a change of the supervisor.

The suggested programme is authorized by the Dean of the faculty. Positive annual assessment is a precondition to progressing to the next year of the study programme. (In justified cases the doctoral student can ask the Dean to change the supervisor.)

In the course of the study, the doctoral student is obliged to attend seminars of theoretical physics in the research facility. During the first three (full-time study) or four (part-time study) years, the doctoral student presents a specialized lecture on the topic of the PhD thesis in the English language. The professional and language standard of the lecture and discussion is judged by a panel appointed by the chairperson of the professional board. The lecture is assessed as ‘excellent pass’, ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. Positive assessment is recorded in the student’s record book. ‘Excellent pass’ serves at the same time as a passed exam from the English language.

Contents and scope of the state doctoral exam and requirements on the proof of attained knowledge:

The state doctoral examination takes a form of scientific debate with the doctoral student and includes three subjects of the individual study programme, proposed by the supervisor and agreed by the professional board. The subjects of the exam are chosen so as to reflect on the topic of the PhD thesis. The scope of individual subjects is determined by their syllabus. The examination assumes applicant’s orientation in basic methods and processes of theoretical physics within the field of relativistic physics, quantum field theory, and theory of kinetics.