Branch programme/details

The focus of this field lies at the interface between physics, biology, and chemistry. The course builds on the basic physics education that deepens in the fields of theoretical and experimental physics important for the description and investigation of molecules, biopolymers, supramolecular systems, and biological objects. The graduate gains knowledge of quantum theory and statistical physics of molecules and molecular systems, experimental methods of biophysics and chemical physics, especially optical and other spectroscopic methods, structural analysis, and imaging techniques. Students choose one of two specializations: theoretical or experimental biophysics and chemical physics. In the theoretical specialization they will gain deeper knowledge in the field of quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, or advanced theoretical spectroscopy; in the experimental specialization they will acquire knowledge in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology, biophysics of photosynthesis, or structural methods. Through regular seminars, diploma theses, and thematic lectures students get an idea of the current problems solved in individual fields and methods of scientific work. Thanks to a wide range of knowledge, graduates have the opportunity to apply in research and applied disciplines related to physics, biology, chemistry, medicine, material research, bio- and nano-technologies or pharmacy.

**Conditions for Admission**

The goal of the admissions review process is to select from the pool of applicants those individuals who have shown the capability and diligence expected of Charles University students. To apply for our Computer Science, Mathematics or Physics Master's programmes given in English you must
- hold or be working towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s diploma and provide a certified copy thereof,
- have sufficient academic background in the relevant fields,
- have sufficient command of the English language; this can be demonstrated by providing your results in one of the standardized English tests that we recognize (see below for details).

Please note that in the case of Computer Science programmes, the deadline for submitting the take-home assignment is May 31, 2023. All other required documents must be physically delivered to the Department of Student Affairs of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics preferably by June 30, 2023, and by September 30, 2023 at the latest. If you do not deliver them as required, you will be neither accepted nor enrolled for Bachelor's studies.

**Bachelor’s or Master’s Diploma**

Each applicant into a Master’s programme must deliver an officially authorized copy of a Bachelor’s or Master’s diploma, or a confirmation of a faculty or university concerning a successful completion of Bachelor’s or Master’s studies. This requirement does not apply to students and graduates of Bachelor’s or Master’s studies at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University.

The applicants who graduated from a higher education institution abroad must deliver one of the following documents in order to prove their previous education:
- a document about a general recognition of foreign higher education in the Czech Republic obtained according to § 89 and 90 of the higher education law of the Czech Republic (so called "nostrification"),
- or a foreign document about a foreign higher education if it is automatically recognized in the Czech Republic, according to its international agreements, without further official processing (diploma and diploma supplements from Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia),
- or a foreign document about completing higher education which will be assessed by the faculty itself (no fee is being charged).
- Detailed information on how the condition of obtaining a previous Bachelor’s or Master’s degree should be proven by the alumni of foreign higher education institutions, as well as additional information, may be found on faculty "webpages":https://www.mff.cuni.cz/en/students/general-rules/assessment-of-university-degrees-and-studies-for-applicants-to-master-s-and-doctoral-studies . The officially authorized documents must be physically sent to the Study Office of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics preferably by June 30, 2023, and by September 30, 2023, at the latest. If you do not deliver the document about a completed education, you will be neither accepted nor enrolled for Master’s studies.

**Academic background**

In this paragraph we summarize the minimum knowledge required for applicants in the various study programmes and study branches offered at our faculty.

**Master’s Degree in Physics**

You must have sufficient academic background in the relevant fields (see below for details); this can be demonstrated by providing transcripts (academic records) of your previous education accompanied by syllabi of the completed courses.

**Common requirements:** a sound background in physics, i.e., in mechanics, molecular physics, electricity and magnetism, electrodynamics, optics, theoretical mechanics, thermodynamics, statistical physics, atomic physics, and quantum theory. Appropriate knowledge of mathematical apparatus is expected.

Study programme **Particle and Nuclear Physics:** Common requirements + basic knowledge of nuclear and particle physics and intermediate knowledge of quantum mechanics.

Nuclear and particle physics: Knowledge on the level of an elementary course of nuclear and particle physics (main features and basic models of atomic nuclei, nuclear decays and reactions, elementary particles and their interactions, principles of modern particle experiments and accelerators).

Quantum mechanics: Knowledge on the level of an intermediate course of non-relativistic quantum mechanics (basic formalism based on the Hilbert space, stationary and nonstationary problems, perturbative approaches, theory of angular momentum, basic scattering theory, systems composed of identical particles and second-quantization formalism).

Study programme **Atmospheric Physics, Meteorology and Climatology:** Common requirements +

Hydrodynamics - ideal and real fluids motion, concepts of flow field, hydrodynamic equations, viscous fluid flow.

Meteorology and Climatology - basic characteristics of meteorological elements and physical interactions in the climate system.

Study programme **Surface and Plasma Physics:** Common requirements + fundamentals of condensed matter physics, kinetic theory of gases, and plasma physics.

Study programme **Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials:** Common requirements + Fundamentals of condensed matter physics - atomic and electronic structure of matter, basics of quantum physics, experimental methods in condensed matter physics.

Study programme **Optics and optoelectronics:** Common requirements + fundamentals of Fourier optics, gaussian beams, radiation detectors and methods of measurements of optical properties of matter.

Study programme **Biophysics and Chemical Physics:** Common requirements +

Quantum theory - formal scheme of quantum theory, angular momentum. approximate methods - variational and perturbation methods, structure of atomic spectral lines, many-body problem. Fundamentals of quantum electrodynamics (non- relativistic theory) and of scattering theory.

General chemistry -Atomic and molecular masses, isotopes, solutions, concentrations, state functions, partial molar quantities, chemical potential, phase and chemical equilibrium.


Academic records demonstrating the necessary background must show the dates of enrolment and the subjects or courses taken, together with the units of credit or time allotted to each subject. These records must also include a complete description of the institution’s grading scale or other standard of evaluation. Unless academic records and diplomas are routinely issued in English by the institution concerned, the official records in their original language must be submitted with an authorized, complete, and exact English translation.

**English Language Proficiency**

An applicant must have an adequate command of English in order to enroll on an English-taught programme at Charles University. Proficiency in English may be demonstrated by one of the standard language tests listed below; any language test results should not be older than two years. Students who have completed at least two years of their previous education with English as the sole language of instruction in Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, UK, Republic of South Africa or USA are exempt from this requirement. Applicants who provide us with comparable qualifications demonstrating proficiency in English also meet our requirements.

The table below lists the various tests of English that we recognize, and gives the minimum score that should be obtained

**Test: Minimum Score:**
TOEFL iBT: 85
TOEFL Essentials: 9 Pass
TOEIC Listening and Reading: 750
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
Cambridge B2 First (formerly FCE): 180 (Grade A)
Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly CAE): Pass
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE): Pass
The European Language Certificates (TELC) English C1: Pass
UNIcert English for Mathematicians Level C1: Pass
Duolingo: 105
Michigan English Test (MET): 64
Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE): Pass
General State Language Examination in English in the Czech Republic: Pass

**You are also welcome to accompany your application by:**

• a statement of purpose in which you describe your reasons for applying to the proposed programme, your study, and possibly also research interests and future career plans;

• letters of recommendation from professors and employers who can comment on your recent professional accomplishments and your qualifications for pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics, computer science or physics. You should arrange for letters of recommendation to be sent directly by your referees to the email address admission@mff.cuni.cz by May 31, 2023 at latest.

Please ask your referees to state “Recommendation letter for [your name], CS/Math/Physics programme” in the Subject of the email.

Admission to Master's studies is conditioned by completed secondary education confirmed by a school-leaving certificate. Admission to Post-Bachelor studies (Master's programme) is likewise conditioned by completed education in any type of study programme.

Verification method:	other form
Confirmation date (of entrance exam) from:		Until:
Alternative date (of entrance exam):

The graduate has knowledge of quantum theory and statistical physics of molecules and molecular systems, experimental methods of biophysics and chemical physics, especially optical and other spectroscopic methods, structural analysis, and imaging techniques. Graduates of theoretical specialization gain a deeper knowledge in the field of quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, or advanced theoretical spectroscopy. Graduates of experimental specialization acquire a deeper knowledge in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology, biophysics of photosynthesis, or structural methods. Through regular seminars the students will get an idea of the current problems solved in individual fields and methods of scientific work. They are proficient in communicating expertise in the form of presentations or written texts, also in English. Many graduates are expected to enter a career as a scientist. The acquired education offers graduates the opportunity to apply in interdisciplinary teams dealing with physics, biology, chemistry, medicine, material research, bio- and nano-technologies or pharmacy.