The ITP organizes an annual Workshop intended for all students interested in theoretical physics.
Pedagogical Profile
The Institute conducts and coordinates the teaching of theoretical physics within the common core of bachelor's studies, participates in teaching for teacher training programs, physics courses for mathematics students, and courses for other physics specializations (astronomy, nuclear physics, and others).
The ITP is the guarantor of the study programs Theoretical Physics and Mathematical and Computer Modeling in Physics within master's studies. For these programs, it directly provides a wide range of courses and coordinates lectures by staff from other departments. Institute staff also regularly offer and supervise diploma theses for students in these master's programs.
Assoc. Prof. Semerák is the chair of the study program board of the doctoral study programme P4F1 - Theoretical Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Assoc. Prof. Čížek is the chair of the state rigorosum board for the field F-1 - Theoretical Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Prof. Podolský is the chair of the state final examination board of the bachelor's study programme Physics. Members of the Institute take part in lectures and seminars for doctoral students, which are also attended by students from other study programmes.
Courses provided directly by ITP staff for bachelor's, master's, or doctoral studies can be found in this list.
Bachelor's Studies
The ITP contributes significantly to teaching in the bachelor's study program in physics. Institute staff provide the following key lectures in particular:
- NOFY003 Theoretical Mechanics - Jiří Podolský
- NOFY126 Classical Electrodynamics - Tomáš Ledvinka, Pavel Krtouš
- NOFY023 Special Theory of Relativity - Oldřich Semerák, Otakar Svítek
- NOFY056 Programming for Physicists - Ladislav Hanyk, Tomáš Ledvinka
- NTMF043 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics I - Přemysl Kolorenč
- NPOZ007 Philosophical Problems of Physics - Pavel Krtouš
In addition, institute staff offer the following lectures within the bachelor's program focused on theoretical physics and mathematical methods in physics:
- NTMF111 General Theory of Relativity - Oldřich Semerák
- NOFY002 Proseminar on Mathematical Methods of Physics - Pavel Krtouš, Robert Švarc
- NOFY069 Proseminar on Theoretical Mechanics - Jiří Podolský
- NOFY070 Proseminar on Theoretical Physics - Pavel Krtouš, Otakar Svítek
Other courses provided by institute staff:
- NOFY047 Problems of Contemporary Physics I - David Heyrovský
- NOFY048 Problems of Contemporary Physics II - David Heyrovský
Master's Studies at ITP
The ITP is the guarantor of two study programs at the master's level: Theoretical Physics and Mathematical and Computer Modeling in Physics. The Mathematical and Computer Modeling in Physics program is coordinated in collaboration with the Mathematical Modeling in Physics and Technology program offered by the Mathematical Institute of Charles University.
Since both master's programs cover a fairly broad range of specializations – from quantum mechanics, through quantum field theory, statistical physics, general relativity, solid state physics, to mathematical physics and modeling – the ITP serves primarily as an umbrella and coordinating center for the study of these programs. Students choose their courses according to study plans; however, the wide spectrum of lectures is provided not only by institute staff but also by leading experts from other departments of both the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (FMP CU) and the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS).
Students gain their specific specialization at the workplace of their diploma thesis supervisor. This can be either the ITP itself or any other department of FMP CU or the CAS. ITP staff offer several diploma thesis topics each year; an idea of the range of topics supervised outside the ITP can be obtained from the overview of graduates of both programs in previous years.
If you are considering studying theoretical physics and looking for pros and cons, the following text may also help you.
Theoretical Physics
Guarantor of the study programme
prof. RNDr. Jiří Podolský, CSc., DSc.
Characteristics of the Study Program
The term theoretical physics refers to a specific approach to scientific inquiry, not a particular area of physical research. Methodologically, it is therefore applied in nearly all fields of physics and astronomy, in natural sciences, and in a number of advanced technological applications. A graduate of the Theoretical Physics program acquires a comprehensive and well-founded overview of the fundamental fields of physics as well as knowledge of the key directions in theoretical physics, particularly quantum theory, general theory of relativity, and statistical physics. Depending on the selection from a wide range of obligatory elective courses, the student further specializes in one of the specialized areas, such as plasma physics, astrophysics and cosmology, atomic and molecular physics, many-body physics, or particle and high-energy physics.
Goals of the Study
The goal of the study is to provide the graduate with a solid knowledge of fundamental mathematical methods and fundamental methods of theoretical physics, enabling rapid adaptation to research methods in a broad area of physical as well as non-physical applications.
Graduate Profile
The graduate has good knowledge of mathematical methods and a solid foundation in fundamental physical theories. The mode of study, based on considerable freedom in choosing courses, ensures high adaptability of the graduate and the ability to work not only in various areas of physics but also in other activities where mathematical methods are applied.
Mathematical and Computer Modeling in Physics
Guarantor of the study programme
prof. RNDr. Martin Čížek, Ph.D.
Characteristics of the Study Program
The study program Mathematical and Computer Modeling in Physics is an interdisciplinary program combining mathematics and physics. Students attend lectures in both general and specialized physics disciplines, particularly in continuum mechanics and thermodynamics, and quantum and statistical physics, thereby gaining an understanding of how physical models are created. In the mathematics portion, students acquire knowledge in modern areas of mathematics with an emphasis on differential equations and numerical methods. Physics courses are taught by physics specialists, while mathematics courses are presented by mathematics specialists. Both the physics and mathematics components are represented in a balanced manner. The study program is similar in content to the Mathematical Modeling in Science and Technology program in the Mathematics education area, but differs in that graduates of bachelor's physics studies enter the master's program with a deeper foundation in physics and instead supplement their mathematical knowledge more broadly. They then deepen their physics knowledge primarily in one chosen area of narrower specialization.
Goals of the Study
The goal is to prepare students who are capable of formulating problems from the real world, creating models, or modifying them in collaboration with non-mathematician specialists. At the same time, students acquire knowledge enabling them to analyze physical models, design numerical schemes for their approximation, and carry out computer simulations.
Graduate Profile
Very good knowledge of both mathematical and physical disciplines, high flexibility, and the ability to formulate, analyze, and subsequently numerically solve problems guarantee very good career prospects in many areas, both academic (not only in applied mathematics and physics but also in other scientific fields such as materials science, biology, medicine) and in the commercial sector (banking, software companies, industry, etc.).
- Study Plan 25/26
- Mathematical Modeling in Physics and Technology at the Mathematical Institute of Charles University
- Diploma thesis topics in Mathematical and Computer Modeling in Physics
- Syllabi of courses provided by ITP
