Plasma Physics

Profession

The area of expertise of the graduates, who have completed the postgraduate course in “Physics and Astronomy”, 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.
Plasma physics is the field of science that researches processes and phenomena involving charged particles in ionized and conducting media, in nature, and laboratory or industry equipment. Purpose of solving problems of plasma physics for science and technology development lies in expanding the knowledge of fundamental patterns of nature, development of controlled thermonuclear fusion, creation of new technologies and devices.

Educational Process

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:
— Foreign language;
— History and science philosophy;
— Research methodology;
— Priority directions of physical sciences development;
— Methodology of teaching in a higher education institution.
Much time is dedicated to research work, contribution to the research team and work on the thesis. Entire educational process and research are held in multimedia classrooms and scientific laboratories and centers of the Research Institute of Physics and Technology, computer classrooms equipped with modern hardware and software for conducting computational experiments.

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

“Physics and astronomy” postgraduates will be able to apply the knowledge in solving physical problems, 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.