PhD in Physics

The course is organised in both full time and part time form. Doctoral course can be undertaken by a University graduate with Masters Degree in physics or a related subject. The entrance examination will show specialised knowledge, the ability of the applicant for independent scientific research and verify the applicant’s competence in English language. During the examination, the applicant must show knowledge of the basic course in physics, theoretical mechanics, electrodynamics, special theory of relativity and quantum physics, as well as fundamentals of mathematical analysis and algebra. In the scope of the entrance examination the applicant will also show basic knowledge in the field of theoretical physics a part of which is the topic of his/her PhD thesis. The topic of the thesis will come under one of three fields of theoretical physics:

• relativistic physics and astrophysics
• theoretical nuclear and sub-nuclear physics
• quantum theory of multi particle systems

Other topics, such as topics dealing with astrophysical applications of nuclear and sub-nuclear physics or quantum theory of multi particle (molecules) systems, will be considered.

Standard duration of the course is four years. Doctoral students undertaking the part time course are assumed to take up to six years. Internal doctoral students will be granted scholarship based on current regulations.

Prerequisites:

• completed Masters degree
• successful pass of entrance examination
• knowledge of physics at the level of University course and a proven qualification for specialist work based on published, possibly unpublished results

Admission fee:

560,- CZK for the application filed to the classical form (A3 double-page printed form can be requested at the Department of Science and Foreign. Relations FPS)

470,- CZK for on-line application (in the information system STAG)

Fee study carried out in English

P1703 Physics - 120.483 CZK / academic year.

The fee is paid in EURO or the equivalent amount of CZK exchange rate announced by the Czech National Bank valid on the date of payment. The applicant accepted for studies realized in a foreign language is obliged to pay study fee in the day of enrollment at the latest in full amount for the whole academic year in advance.

Name of the bank: ČSOB Ostrava Account Number: 8010-0309706853/0300 Constant symbol: 558 (for payment in the bank) Constant symbol:: 179 (for the payment slip type A) Variable symbol: 1013 Specific symbol: birthcode of candidate/without slash (YYYYMMDD)

When filing the classical form (A3 double-page) the candidate sends it together with the application form mandatory annexes.

When filing electronically, candidate prints the application form (abridged version), signs it and sends it together with the application form mandatory annexes.

Mandatory annexes to the application:

• proof of fee payment, even in case of non-cash charge electronically or mobile phone payments. We also accept e-mail that is sent to the candidate in case of crediting an amount on account to the faculty,
• a copy of master´s degree, diploma supplement or certificate of final state exam officially certified by vidimation - not for graduates FPS SU; (Applicants who have not completed a master's degree are required to submit a copy of a master´s degree, diploma supplement or certificate of final state exam officially certified by vidimation during the entrance exam or study enrollment at the latest
• CV including an overview of current professional experience
• list of current publications activities

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 computer 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 modelling 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. 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 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 specialised 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 continuation of studies, termination or a change of the supervisor.

The suggested programme is authorised 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 specialised lecture on the topic of the PhD thesis in English language. The professional and language standard of the lecture and discussion is judged by a panel appointed by the chair person 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 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.