Nuclear and Particle Physics

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-programme 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 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 programme preparing students for careers in industry or the academic sphere.