Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

Profession

The area of expertise of the graduates, who have completed theMaster’s course in “Physics”, is education and science including the scientific research of various physical systems and their functioning processes. Physicists are investigating the nature surrounding human beings, physical bodies and physical phenomena. They work on a broad variety of problems: from subatomic particles to the Universe behavior. Physical phenomena research offers an opportunity of discovering general laws, describing fundamental properties of the surrounding world. Theoretical Physics methodology selects the key physical concepts and explains laws of nature from mathematical point of view, ties these concepts and gives explanation of witnessed phenomena based on the laws of nature; and it foresees new natural phenomena that are yet to be discovered. Theoretical physics, as a primary method for exploring nature, uses mathematical modeling and its juxtaposition with reality. Theoretical physicists utilize mathematical methods for formulation of the fundamental physical principles and concepts, generation of corresponding methods of mathematical description of nature.

Educational Process

Master’s course provides training of highly qualified specialists in the field of “Physics” for working with theoretical physics and cosmology. The degree-granted Department of this program is the Research Institute of Physics and Technology of the Faculty of Science of the RUDN University. The language of instruction is English.
Compulsory Module consists of fundamental training in physics, mathematics and informatics, active research work. University Disciplines Module provides high-grade theoretical and practical training in combination with research work. During the learning process students are taught following disciplines:
First year:
— Computer technologies in science and education;
— History and Methodology of physics;
— Contemporary problems of physics;
— Mathematical methods in theoretical physics;
— Quantum field theory;
— Nuclear and particles theory;
— Foreign language in professional activity of master graduate.
Electives:
— Elementary particle theory;
— Functional integration;
— Additional chapters of statistical physics;
Second year:
— Physics of condensed matter;
— Mathematical methods in theoretical physics;
— String theory.
Electives:
— Electroweak interactions;
— Theory of gravity problems;
During the final year much time is dedicated to research work, contribution to the research team and work on the thesis.

Practice

Teaching and research internships, as well as scientific research are meaningful opportunities for postgraduate students to try themselves as teachers and research physicists. Internships included in the curriculum are held using research laboratories of the Research Institute of Physics and Technology, that has close ties with National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, a leading research institution in Russia in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion, nano- and convergent technologies. Also, students have an opportunity to do internships in laboratories of P.L. Kapitza Institute for Physical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Career

Master graduates in “Physics” will be able to apply their knowledge in solving physical problems at organizations and, in educational institutions of a different level – general, higher and vocational education. Physicists are teaching in schools and higher education institutions, work in research institutes and centers, joint ventures and offices of international companies associated with exploitation, support and implementation of physical devices. Many physicists are in demand in research departments of large companies – local and international, also, where physical methods of research and technologies are needed – engineering, biophysical, chemo-physical, medico-physical, environmental organizations.
Graduates are also capable of working in other fields within their professional competences and qualifications.