6 Physics PhD Degree Programs

The study program is focused on the problems of didactics of physics and general problems of physics. It stems from scientific disciplines such as physics, didactics of physics, pedagogy, and psychology. The main goal is to provide students with a complex overview of the didactics of physics, teach them independent scientific practice in this field and allow for a deeper understanding of some parts of physics. This program naturally follows the master’s program Physics Education for Secondary Schools which, out of the whole Charles University, can be studied solely at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. It is therefore natural that this faculty also has a doctorate program focused on didactics of physics and general problems of physics. This study program is unique by being the only one at our university to offer doctorate-level studies in the field of didactics of physics.

The goal of the doctoral study program (DSP) is to educate excellent experts in the physics of nanostructures and nanomaterials suited for the future carrier in basic and applied research in nanotechnologies. The main pillars of the DSP are the theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics and physics of surfaces, advanced experimental and theoretical methods for studying the nanostructures, and smart technologies for preparation of nanostructures and nanomaterials. The DSP is of highly interdisciplinary nature and fits the cutting-edge topics of current physical and material sciences like spintronics, nanoelectronics, nanomedicine, and quantum computing. It is the only DSP in the Faculty of mathematics and physics, which integrates various areas of physics and materials research with outreach to chemistry, biology, and medicine. In coherence with the tradition of the education, in the Faculty of mathematics and physics, the ultimate goal of the education in the DSP is to provide a deep theoretical background for understanding the key physical principles and phenomena underlying the unique properties of nanostructures and nanomaterials.

The study program provides advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of surface science, physics of interfaces and thin film physics, areas supporting contemporary nanotechnology. It includes the study of surface processes and structures at an atomic scale using a number of various experimental techniques for surface imaging and analysis. The study covers also borderline disciplines related to surface chemistry (surface catalysis, electrochemistry, on-surface synthesis). The program prepares professionals with a broad foundation in mathematics and physics and with deep knowledge in the area of surface science and physics of thin films.

The study program covers all aspects of plasma physics and with extensions to theoretical physics (elementary processes) and to some topics of astrophysics (interplanetary space plasma, dust/ice cloud problems in the solar system) and nuclear fusion. Studies include also borderline disciplines such as plasma chemistry, plasma interaction with solid surface and complex plasma. The program prepares professionals with a broad foundation in mathematics, physics, and computer modeling of physical processes and with deep knowledge of plasma physics.

The program is based on an interdisciplinary education at the interface of physics, chemistry, and biology from the physical point of view and is focused on physical experimental and theoretical approaches. The program prepares experts for independent scientific work in solving tasks of basic and applied research in the interdisciplinary fields between physics, chemistry, and, according to the theme of dissertation work, biology.

The aim of this program is to provide students with advanced experimental and theoretical knowledge and skills covering the full spectrum of condensed matter physics and material research and prepare them for the active and creative use of acquired knowledge in the modern directions of basic research and relevant applications.