University of Silesia in Katowice

Physics is one of the most crucial research area in modern science.  Discoveries of new phenomena, deepening of knowledge about the structure of matter and related interactions and understanding the consequences of natural laws and scientific theories lead to changes in the world around us.

Physics brings together advanced experiments, computations, and theoretical considerations to describe what is unknown. Experiments are carried out on highly sophisticated facilities/equipment, often as part of international collaborations. Developments in physics result in new technologies that are extensively used in a wide range of industries, including the health and environmental sectors. The computational aspects use machine learning and other advanced techniques in data science. Theoretical physics aims to predict physical systems’ behavior and interpret the experimental results in terms of mathematical models of the physical world’s structure and evolution.

The Physics Master’s degree program is closely related to the A. Chełkowski Institute of Physics’ scientific activities. Students will participate in the Institute’s activities, including regular seminars, colloquia, and workshops involving physicists worldwide. Students will also be involved in a research-level project as part of their dissertation.  The study program and scientific research will be carried out at the Chorzow campus of the Silesian University and partly within the framework of activities based on cooperation between the Institute of Physics and many prestigious institutions worldwide.

This program provides exposure to frontier physics activities and develops general transferable skills related to data analysis, research, and communication. The program leads to careers in research, teaching, and industry and develops very valued computing skills.

The education in Physics at the second-degree level (2-year master’s studies) is realized in English in two specializations: Fundamental and applied physics and Nanophysics and mesoscopic materials – modeling and application (Polish-French studies).

Education in both specializations is consistent with the 2020-2025 Development Strategy of the University of Silesia in Katowice and Poland’s development strategy (Poland 2030). It serves the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Due to each specialization’s curriculum’s specificity, the relationship of the field of study with the Development Strategy, including the University mission, has been described for each specialization separately.

Specialization: Fundamental and Applied Physics

The Master program in Physics at Fundamental and Applied Physics specialization offers a broad selection of courses, covering all the main topics of modern physics. The aim is to prepare graduates for various forms of a career in research institutes, R&D institutes and modern high-tech industry, as well as to continue their education at the PhD level. The study program includes a small number of basic compulsory subjects and a large group of diploma modules, chosen by a student with the advice of a supervisor. The offer of courses to be selected within the diploma modules is approved annually by the Teaching Council for Physics. The program’s backbone is a set of two blocks: Diploma courses I and Diploma courses II, complemented with master thesis laboratories and seminars, as well as a specialized lecture. Each of the Diploma course blocks is a collection of modules to choose from, including 120 hours of lectures and 120 hours of complementary classes such as conversations. The choice of thesis modules is motivated by the subject of the master’s thesis. Depending on the interests, a student can select modules from narrow specialization or covering a relatively wide range of topics. Proposed courses are closely related to scientific activities conducted at the Institute of Physics in theoretical physics, atomic and molecular physics, condensed phase physics, nuclear physics, elementary particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. They also address issues at the borderline of these branches of physics and physics applications in various fields. The Fundamental and Applied Physics specialization offer can be enlarged and adjusted yearly by lectures and classes proposed by foreign partners.

Nanophysics and Mesoscopic Materials – Modelling and Applications

Full-time second-cycle studies in Physics, specialization: Nanophysics and mesoscopic materials – modeling and application, conducted since the academic year 2007/2008 together with the University of Le Mans (France), lasts 4 semesters. They enjoy considerable popularity among both French and Polish students. Polish-French studies are implemented on the basis of the Agreement on International Academic Cooperation on the basis of a jointly agreed study program between partner universities completed with a double diploma: Master of Physics and Nanomaterials – University of Le Mans and Master of Physics, specialization: nanophysics and mesoscopic materials – modeling and application – University of Silesia in Katowice. The teaching process involves the staff of two partner universities, which conducts world-class scientific research on the synthesis and characterization of physical properties of low-dimensional systems, including nanoparticles and magnetic nanocomposites, thin layers, carbon based nanomaterials and other nano-sized objects. Master’s students are intensively involved in conducted experimental work and numerical simulations of low-dimensional objects, and the results of their work are often published in international cooperation between Institute of Physics of the University of Silesia and Le Mans University. The prerequisite for obtaining a double diploma is the completion of the Internship module at the partner university in the 4th semester (210 hours). For completing the internship the student receives 30 ECTS points. During the in France, the student conducts research as part of his/her master’s thesis on a selected topic under the guidance of the scientific supervisor from France (University of Le Mans) and Poland (University of Silesia). Additionally, in the 2nd semester students have the opportunity to pass the module Laboratory training at the University of Le Mans. During the course, students learn the research techniques of nano- and mesoscopic materials available in both partner units. Master’s thesis is prepared by students in English. Similarly, the defense and the MA examination carried out in the same language by the joint Polish-French commission. Internships are carried out by the students thanks to financial support, e.g. French Embassy in Poland and European funds (Erasmus + program). Graduates of the specialization Nanophysics and mesoscopic materials – modeling and application are educated extensively about physical processes occurring in nano- or mezoscopic objects, have professional knowledge of solid state physics, modern materials with industrial applications. They have the opportunity to continue scientific research at doctoral studies, including continuing cooperation with a Le Mans University as co-tutelle studies. Thanks to the dual study program, graduates not only acquire the necessary skills in their further academic career, but are also well prepared to work in innovative nanotechnology companies, which is highly demanded at the labour market.