Master in Nuclear and Particle Physics

Nuclear and Particle Physics

Guarantor: Dr. rer. nat. Mgr. Jaroslav Bielčík

Department: Department of Physics

Degree Course Characteristics

The course is oriented towards nuclear physics and elementary particle physics i.e. disciplines presenting fundamental facts about the structure of matter and principal interactions of the microworld. However, many findings have surpassed the realm of physics and found their place in many fields of human activities. The structure of the degree course comprises advanced topics of quantum field theory, particle physics, systems of detectors, and data processing. According to the needs of modern research into nuclear physics and physics of elementary particles, students may choose an even more specialized sub-program by registering for a cluster of core-elective courses on the theory, or experimental aspects, or accelerators.

The degree course is based on the cluster of common theoretical core courses on the Quantum field theory 1 and 2, Foundations of the theory of weak interactions, and Foundations of quantum chromodynamics, supplemented with courses on Modern types of detectors, Systems of detectors, and data acquisition 1 and 2, introducing students to up-to-date technologies and techniques of the field. Parts of the degree course are also tutorial classes 1 – 4, giving students a chance to present their research findings and the latest news in the field. A more detailed specialization is offered by choosing one out of three sets of core-elective courses. The experimentally oriented group E takes courses in Extreme states of matter and Physics of ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions; the theoretically oriented group T will take courses in the General theory of relativity, and the instruments-oriented group I will take courses in Particle accelerators 1 and 2.

The degree course lays stress on modern experimental data acquisition methods and their computational processing, on methods of machine learning, on the physical interpretation of experimental results, formulation of theoretical models as well as the possible practical applications of the findings obtained. Part of the degree course is also training in specialized laboratories, with a view to optional courses of students. Preference is given to on-to-one tutorials with the supervisor and specialized seminars. Students also join research teams and are given guidance on scientific teamwork in international teams. Therefore, their training takes place in close cooperation with out-of-the-faculty teams (e.g. Czech Academy of Sciences, CERN Geneva, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and GSID Darmstadt).

This is a complex interdisciplinary degree program preparing students for careers in industry or the academic sphere.

Graduate's Profile

• Knowledge:

Graduates will have acquired the most complex specialized knowledge of nuclear physics and particle physics, which enables them to be creative members of teams addressing new interdisciplinary issues of science and technology. They are familiar with all aspects of nuclear, particle, and quantum physics, detection methods, detectors of ionizing radiation, and accelerators. They can directly continue their academic training in the same or similar field of a doctoral program.

• Skills:

Graduates are skilled in applying methods of modern physics to tackle issues of nuclear and particle physics. The skills consist of performing experiments and processing and interpreting the measurement data, inclusive of a complex analysis of statistical and systematic errors of measurements. Graduates will also gain experience in teamwork on big international cooperation projects and skills in presenting, communicating, and defending their results obtained. Last but not least, they will be able to take part in the design and construction of accelerators.

• Competency:

Owing to consistent training in applying analytical and systematic approaches to what they do and skills in using up-to-date computers and machine learning, graduates are good candidates for positions in nuclear research institutions, health care, or the car industry. They are qualified physicists-researchers eligible for various posts in research (fundamental, applied, strategic) and engineering development. They are ready to address problems of physics, making use of up-to-date experimental facilities, process large volumes of data, and operate accelerators.

State Final Examination

• Particle physics – compulsory part of the examination
• Experimental methods - optional part of the examination
• General theory of relativity – optional part of the examination
• Physics of heavy ions – optional part of the examination
• Particle accelerators - optional part of the examination