Minimum curriculum requirements for Magister Programmes
in PHYSICS
  1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    2.

    Magister programmes in Physics should equip a physician with such a general and comprehensive knowledge that he/she should be able to undertake both core and application research and also to pursue the profession of teacher of physics after complying with additional requirements for teacher training studies.

    It is assumed that the total load is approx. 3700 hours, including 1800 hours covered by the minimum curriculum requirements.

  2. COURSE GROUPS AND MINIMUM HOUR LOAD
  1. GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

270 hours
  1. BASIC AND MAJOR COURSES

1530 hours

Total :

1800 hours

COURSES BY GROUPS AND MINIMUM HOUR LOAD

  1. GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

270

  1. Philosophy (History of Philosophy or Philosophy of Nature Including Methodology of Natural Sciences)

60

  1. Courses in the Humanities (facultative)

30

  1. Foreign Language (English)

120

  1. Physical Education

60

  1. BASIC AND MAJOR COURSES

1530

B1. MATHEMATICS

300

  1. Mathematical Analysis

150

  1. Linear Algebra and Geometry

60

  1. Mathematical Methods in Physics

90

B2. FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS

270

  1. Classical and Relativistic Mechanics

90

  1. Thermodynamics with Elements of Statistical Physics

45

  1. Electrodynamics and Optics

90

  1. Structure of Matter

45

B3. LABORATORY CLASSES IN PHYSICS

300

  1. Laboratory Classes in Physics I

90

  1. Laboratory Classes in Physics II

210

B4. THEORETICAL PHYSICS

300

  1. Newtonian Mechanics

60

  1. Quantum Mechanics

120

  1. Electrodynamics

75

  1. Statistical Physics

45

B5. SELECTED PROBLEMS OF MODERN PHYSICS

240

  1. Atomic and Particle Optics

60

  1. Nuclear Physics and High Energy Physics

90

  1. Physics of the Condensed Phase

90

B6. ASTROPHYSICS AND ELEMENTS OF COSMOLOGY

90

B7. COMPUTER SCIENCE AND COMPUTATION TECHNIQUES

90

NOTE: Changes in the name of courses and slightly different hour load within a course block (e.g., Mathematics, Fundamentals of Physics, etc) are deemed permissible.

  1. CURRICULUM CONTENTS

B1. MATHEMATICS

300 hours

Minimum required skills and knowledge:

Basic mathematical concepts and theorems, precise argumentation to prove selected theorems. Computation of derivatives and integrals, solving of simple ordinary differential equations, taking into consideration initial conditions, solving of linear systems of algebraic equations as related to their operator (matrix) interpretation, soling of selected partial differential equations.

  1. Mathematical Analysis

150 hours

Sets, relations, mappings, functions. Vicinity, continuity and limits of single real variable functions. Sequences and series of numbers and functions. Uniform convergence. Differential and integral calculus of single real variable functions. Expansion of a function into a power series. Ordinary differential equations. Analysis of a multivariate function. Multiple integrals. Differential forms. Integration of differential forms. Elements of vector and tensor analysis. Generalisation of the concept of integral. Fouries series and integrals.

  1. Linear Algebra and Geometry

60 hours

Algebraic structures. Groups, rings, and fields. Complex numbers field. Linear (vector)

Spaces, real and complex. Linear mappings., matrices, determinants, linear algebraic equation systems. Linear, bilinear, quadratic and Hermitian forms. Unitary spaces. Values and special vectors of Hermitian and unitary operators (matrices).

  1. Mathematical Methods in Physics

90 hours

Foundations of the theory of complex variable functions. Laurent series, residua, singular points. Special functions, orthogonal multinomials. Green functions and boundary value problems. Elements of the theory of groups.

B2. ELEMENTS OF PHYSICS

270 hours

Minimum required skills and knowledge:

Determination of basic physical dimensions in terms of measure (methods of measurement, units) and mathematics (precise specification of relevant “mathematical object”), general and mathematically correct formulation of basic laws along with their interpretation, drawing of conclusions with respect to the course of individual phenomena, ability to solve computational problems to the extent of specified curriculum items, familiarity with the methods used in physics: inductive and hypothetical-deductive, along with the understanding of the necessity to use models and simplifying assumptions as well as their application limits.

  1. Classical and Relativistic Mechanics

90 hours

Kinematics of a particle and the solid. Inertial and non-inertial systems. Newtonian principle of dynamics, laws of conservation, movement within the field of central forces. Gravitation and dual body problem. Movement of planets. Dynamic of solids.

Moments of inertia. Elements of description of deformations and tensions in elastic elongating medium, Hooke’s law, vibration and waves in elastic media. Elements of acoustics. Elements of special relativity theory.

  1. Thermodynamics with Elements of Statistical Physics

45 hours

Thermodynamic phenomena, phasal transitions, heat conduction, diffusion, osmosis. Thermodynamic equilibrium, reversible and non-reversible processes. Concepts of temperature, internal energy, entropy. Laws of thermodynamics. Elements of statistical description of the thermodynamic system. Statistical interpretation of the laws of thermodynamics and phasal transitions, statistical fluctuations.

  1. Electrodynamics and Optics

90 hours

Electrostatics, direct currents, magnetostatics. Variable currents, induction effects. Electromagnetic field varying in time. Maxwell laws. Electric and magnetic fields in matter. Vibrations of electric circuits and electromagnetic waves. Foundations of wave optics, optical properties of materials, double refraction, optical crystallography. Geometrical optics as the limit of wave optics. Basic optical instruments. Interferometry, photometry and spectrometry.

  1. Structure of Matter

45 hours

X-rays, radioactivity, quantum hypothesis – experiment derived facts, elements of quantum mechanics. Semi-qualitative information about spin, Pauli exclusion principle, structure of multi-electron atoms. Introductory information on atomic nuclei, elementary particles , and quantum statistics. Information on the properties of electron gas and microscopic bodies.

B3. LABORATORY CLASSES IN PHYSICS

300 hours

  1. Laboratory Classes in Physics

90 hours

Simple issues and measurement methods in classical physics with the use of simple electronic techniques and computer methods of experimental analysis (discussion on measurement uncertainties).

  1. Laboratory Classes in Physics II

210 hours

Examples of apparatus, equipment and experimental sets in contemporary physics, with the use of computer experiment analysis and advanced electronic technology.

B4. THEORETICAL PHYSICS

300 hours

  1. Newtonian Mechanics

60 hours

Galileo space-time continuum, Minkowski space-time continuum of special relativity theory. Kinematics and dynamics of particles and solids. Constraints, d’Alambert principle, Langranian equations. Variation principles and conservation laws. E. Noether theorem. Phasal space and Hamilton equations. Invariants of canonical transformations and motion integrals. Stability of phasal trajectories and elements of the theory of chaos. Elements of relativistic dynamics. Elements of the mechanics of elastic elongating media.

  1. Quantum Mechanics

120 hours

Basic concepts and statistical interpretation. Indeterminancy relations, analysis of measurements. Temporal evolution of the quantum system and steady states. Operator description. Complete systems of observables and their common eigenfunctions. The quantum theory of orbital and spin momentum. Oscillator and quasi-hydrogen atom. Relativistic generalisations. Dirac equation. Charge coupling and anti-particle. Elements of the disturbance method. Quantum transitions, rules of selection. Interaction between the quantum system and the electromagnetic field. Absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation. Elements of the diffusion theory. Born approximation, Fermions and bosons. Elements of the theory of multi-electron and particles. The superposition principle.

  1. Electrodynamics

75 hours

Maxwell equations. Electromagnetic potential (calibration). Selected of electro- and magneto- statics. Electromagnetic waves. Covariant ( four dimensional) formulation of the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation. Relativistic effects.

  1. Statistical Physics

45 hours

Basic concepts and principles of macroscopic thermodynamics. Classical statistical mechanics. Elements of quantum statistical mechanics. Exemplary applications of classical and quantum statistical mechanics in thermodynamics and physics of the condensed phase. Elements of nonequilibrum thermodynamics.

B6. ASTROPHYSICS AND ELEMENTS OF COSMOLOGY

90 hours

Methods of astronomical research, basic types of astronomical objects, evolution of matter in the universe.

B7. COMPUTER SCIENCE AND COMPUTATION TECHNIQUES

90 hours

A review of computer science methods applied in physics, programming, user knowledge of computer, selected examples of off-the shelf applications software.

  1. RECOMMENDATIONS

    2. At least 60% of the group B courses should be comprised of tutorials and laboratory classes. It is recommended that the core course group should include laboratory classes in chemistry.