Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
Wrocław, Poland
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
EUR 1,000 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
The Faculty comprises three institutes: the Institute of Experimental Physics, the Institute of Theoretical Physics and the Institute of Astronomy. They carry out research in surface physics of solids, physics of nanomaterials, dielectric physics, nuclear physics, mathematical methods of physics, field theory, theory of elementary particles and fundamental interactions, non-linear systems, astrophysics and solar physics.
The Faculty has an academic category A and educates students in bachelor’s, engineering, master’s and doctoral programmes. Three student research clubs are active here. Ongoing research projects are financed by national and European funds. Some research is carried out in cooperation with, among others, CERN, the Łukasiewicz Research Network – PORT Polish Technology Development Centre and the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
The Institute of Astronomy is the only institute in the country specialising in solar physics and also conducts research and teaching at the astronomical observatory in Białkowo. Studying physics, astronomy and engineering technical physics requires creative thinking, and a systematic approach and teaches problem-solving. A diploma from this Faculty is a guarantee of reliability and ease in taking up new challenges. Graduates are employed in scientific institutions, industry, computer companies, financial and insurance institutions and the health service.
Research is, next to teaching, the most important part of the Institute of Astronomy’s activities. In the Institute of Astronomy, this research is carried out by two departments: The Department of Astrophysics and Classical Astronomy (ZAiAK) and the Department of Heliophysics and Space Physics (ZHiFK). The object of research of the scientists from the ZHiFK, i.e. heliophysics, is, of course, the Sun, and in particular, the active phenomena occurring in its photosphere, chromosphere and corona. These investigations are carried out using specialised observational instruments, which include a 53-cm Large Coronagraph, a 15-cm Horizontal Telescope with a 30-cm Jensch coelostat and an MSDP spectrograph set up at the Observatory of Astronomy in Białkowo.
The scientists at the ZAiAK, or astrophysicists, are mainly concerned with variable stars, which they study using the methods of so-called asteroseismology, which allows a ‘peek’ into the interiors of stars to learn about their structure and evolution. The Wrocław astrophysicists also have at their disposal a 60-cm Cassegrain telescope equipped with a professional CCD camera, sets of photometric filters and an auto guider. This telescope is also located in the Observatory mentioned earlier. It is worth remembering that both astrophysicists and heliophysicists use satellite observations in their scientific work.
- asteroseismology of early spectral type pulsating stars;
- photometric variability of stars: identification of oscillaton modes, stellar atmosphere modelling;
- investigating star clusters (open and globular);
- seeking variable stars in own and satellite observations and mass photometric examinations;
- stellar spectroscopy and spectral synthesis;
- determination of binary star parameters.
Ideal Students
The candidate is expected to have knowledge and skills in academic mathematics and physics, supported by elementary competence in information technology. The admission requirements for this field of study include possession of a bachelor’s, engineer’s or master’s degree in science or engineering.
Admissions
Curriculum
Institute of Theoretical Physics
- study of interactions of neutrinos with nuclei and nucleons in the energy region of 1 GeV
- creation of a Monte Carlo NuWro generator
- the study of nucleon form factors
- statistical analysis of data
- transport in porous media, lattice Boltzmann gas, computational fluid mechanics
- econophysics, time series, random matrices, delayed feedback
- numerical models for statistical physics, percolation
- fundamentals of quantum mechanics
- entanglement theory
- Open systems
- decoherence
- foundations of statistical mechanics
- Deformations of algebraic structures
- Clifford Algebras in electrodynamics
- Riemann's hypothesis and physics
- deformations of space-time symmetries
- gravitational waves
- neutrino physics
- quantum groups and supergroups
- conformal field theories
- relativistic and quantum cosmology
- quantum gravity
- geometrical and algebraic methods in mechanics and field Theory
- twistor and supertwistor theory
- physics of ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions
- physics of degenerate stars and supernovae
Institute of Experimental Physics
- Investigating the properties of metal surfaces, semiconductors, oxides, and solid/solid, liquid/solid, molecular adsorbent/solid adsorption systems;
- Instigating chemical composition, atomic and electron structure using electron spectroscopic methods;
- Instigating condensed phase surface morphology in ultra-high vacuum, liquids, and air using scanning probe microscopy;
- Instigating the structural and thermodynamic properties of matter using the Mössbauer effect and positron annihilation;
- Iestigating the properties of dielectric materials using dielectric, optical, and spectroscopic methods;
- Investigating the surface reconstruction of solids, nucleation, crystal growth, epitaxy, phase transitions of the nanostructures of metals and bimetallic alloys, surface diffusion, segregation, and thymic desorption;
- Investigating the mechanism of adsorbates growth and self-organization, atom and molecule interactions on crystalline surfaces;
- Investigating the physical and chemical properties of the surfaces of materials with technological potential and model materials – modifying such properties through adsorption layers;
- Investigating the properties of low-dimensional systems;
- Theoretical studies of the electron and atomic structure of solid surfaces, surface processes (adsorption, oxidation, catalysis), and formation of metal/molecule/semiconductor nanocontacts;
- Studying physics learning and teaching processes. Computer-aided physics teaching.
Program Outcome
In the course of becoming an educated astrophysicist, you will gain expertise in mathematical modeling, computer simulations, and advanced data analysis. You will also develop universal research competencies, including analytical and critical thinking, rigorous evidence-based reasoning, creativity and complex problem solving, active learning, as well as communication and teamwork skills.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Job opportunities
The modern job market awaits people with your competencies! Upon graduation, you will be capable of working in academies, R&D institutes, and centers of education, as well as in various knowledge-based economy branches, including ICT, high-tech industry, or financial institutions. However, you will be particularly well-prepared to undertake Ph.D. studies and continue your scientific career.