master study program in physics - aiknc

UNIVERSITY OF LATVIA Programme of academic studies
for getting a Master's of Science academic degree
Education programme of Master of Physics (code 46441) PHYSIC Programme's director
Dr. habil. phys., prof. Edv?ns
?ilters APPROVED In the meeting of the Council of Physics education programmes 30.03.2000.
Record N 14
Head of the Council
________________/Edv?ns ?ilters/ APPROVED In the meeting of the Council of the faculty of Physics and Mathematics
10.04.2000.
Record N 2/2000
Head of the Council
________________/Edv?ns ?ilters/ APPROVED In the meeting of the Education Council of the University of Latvia
23.03.94
Record N 3-7
Head of the Council
________________/ /
APPROVED In the meeting of the Senate of the University of Latvia Record N Head of the Senate
________________/ /
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I ABSTRACT 2
II PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION 2
1. Motivation 2
2. Organisation and capacity 2
3. Abstracts of subprograms 3 III REGULATIONS OF ENROLMENT 5 IV SCHEDULES OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PHYSICS 6
Structure of graduate studies curricula in physics
6
A Mandatory courses 6 B Optional courses 7 Material and Solid state physics
7 Astronomy and Astrophysics 7
Laser physics, spectroscopy and technology 8
Theoretical physics 8
Chemical physics 9
Didactics of physics 9
Physical oceanography 10
Solid mechanics 10
Physics of conteneous media 10
Biomedical optics 11 Physics and technology for sustainable development 11 V IMPLEMENTATION OF CURRICULA 12 1. Teaching staff and technical personnel 12
2. Material and technical basis 12 3. Financing 13 VI THE PROGRAM IN CONTEXT OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE AND 15
PHYSICS EDUCATION
Characteristics of physical science 15
International links of curricula of the UL department of physics
15
Self-evaluation of the graduate studies program in physics
18
Appraisal of physics courses by the audience 20
VII CV'S OF TEACHING STAFF 21
VIII MASTER STUDY COURSE DESCRIPTION 22
2
I ABSTRACT 1. The program of graduate studies in physics offers a higher education
degree in one of fundamental sciences. According to classification of
education of the Republic of Latvia the program corresponds to code
46.
2. The program includes experimental, theoretical, and physical
engineering studies and mastering of the skills related to academic
and applied research. The program is oriented to prospective branches
of science represented at the centres of fundamental and applied
research of the University of Latvia.
3. The program offers a wide spectrum of options in competitive
subdivisions traditional to physical science in Latvia (solid state
physics and material science, laser physics, laser technology,
spectroscopy, mechanics of rigid bodies, continuum physics a.o.), as
well as in new prospective specialities (oceanography and shoreline
research, biomedical optics, sustainable technologies a.o.).
4. Subdivisions of the program provide a basis to postgraduate studies in
physics and related fields, independent research, academic carrier in
the Latvian institutions for higher education of the corresponding
profile.
II PROGRAM SPECIFICATION
1. Motivation
The program is designed with account for the following circumstances:
1. The program is the only two-year program of academic studies in
Latvia representing the higher university education in physics.
2. The program is hereditary of the former five-year curriculum of
university physics, which was consistent with specific
characteristics of science and economy of Latvia established
during the previous decades and functioned until 1990-ies. The
basis of the laboratory and research equipment, development of a
graduate studies programme competitive at the international
level, to a considerable extent, are still determined by the
inheritance.
3. The program is oriented to predictable prospects of development
of science and economy in Latvia, mainly in branches of high
intellectual capacity requiring comprehensively educated
personnel familiar with modern science technologies.
2. Organisation and capacity 2.1. The graduate studies program in physics is divided in subprograms
curricula of which are executed autonomously. Subdivisions of the
physics studies program correspond to internationally recognised
fields of science and applied research developed in the country and at
the University of Latvia and are represented by the 3 boards for
promotion of postgraduate studies in physics. 2.2 Not all the accredited subprograms may be available at the annual
enrolment for graduate studies in physics. In some of the subprograms
the studies may be organised according to individual schedules
suggested by the supervisor of the subprogram and approved by the
Program Board. 3
Subprograms and supervisors.
1. Solid state physics and material science. Dr. hab. phys. Andris Kr?mi??
2. Astronomy and astrophysics, Dr. Phys. Juris ?agars
3. Laser physics, laser technology and spectroscopy, Dr. hab. phys. M?rcis
Auzi??
4. Theoretical physics, Dr. hab. phys Andrejs C?bers
5. Chemical physics, Dr. hab. phys. Boriss Zapols
6. Physics didactics, Dr. phys. Andris Broks
7. Physical oceanography and shoreline research, Dr. phys. Andris Jakovi?s
8. Mechanics of solids, Dr. hab. phys. Vitauts Tamu?s
9. Continuum physics, Dr. hab. phys Gun?rs Sermons
10. Biomedical optics, Dr. hab. pys J?nis Sp?gulis
11. Physics and technologies for sustainable development, Dr phys. Arnolds
?belis 2.3. Of the 80 credits of the UL standard program of physics 30 credits
are granted for the individual MSc. theses the student writes in the
second year of studies. The thesis is a mandatory theoretical or
applied research at the level of publishable report. Exception may be
a MSc. thesis in didactics of physics for which a practically
methodical quality is acceptable. 3. Abstracts of subprograms 3.1. Solid state physics and material science.
The program is oriented to studies of structure and properties of
solids with emphasis on correlation between structure and properties.
Theoretical basis of the program comprises the research of crystals,
disordered structures, glass, and ceramics developed at the Institute
of Solid State Physics of the UL.
3.2. Astronomy and astrophysics
The program is a program of individual studies in astronomy or in
astrophysics and didactics of astronomy related to astronomical and
cosmological concepts of comprehensive education curricula. Enrolment
for the subprogram is determined by demands of the Institute of
Astronomy of the UL and the Ventspils Centre for Space Research.
3.3. Laser physics, laser technology and spectroscopy
The program is related to laser physics and applications of its
techniques to chemistry, biology, medicine, environmental science,
optoelectronics, communication, and holography. The program offers
studies in laser spectroscopy, low-temperature plasma physics,
classical atomic and molecular physics, and in holography.
3.4. Theoretical physics
The program offers studies in theoretical hydrodynamics and nonlinear
phenomena in dissipative systems, kinetics of phase transitions. The
emphasis is put on application of numerical methods and mathematical
modelling techniques in theoretical research. Individual studies in
quantum physics are possible.
3.5. Chemical physics
Theoretical studies i