Organization of doctoral studies at MFF

• Admission
• Field-of-study board
• Unique co-operation of institutions
• Advisors
• Course of study
• Language of instruction
• Fields of doctoral studies (field-of-study boards)
  • MATHEMATICS
  • COMPUTER SCIENCE (INFORMATICS)
  • PHYSICS
  • GENERAL PROBLEMS (GP's)
• Study and living expenses for foreign students

Field-of-study board

A body consisting of the experts in the field from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics and the cooperating institutions and named (appointed) by Dean of the faculty.. The Board sets the requirements, frames programs, determines the lectures, seminars etc., to be offered approves the themes of research and students plans, organizes examinations and defenses of dissertations and suggests the awarding of the doctoral degree.

Unique co-operation of institutions

The tradition of high-level post-graduate education has been developed not only at Charles University but also in a number of institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences. At present, they all have joined the doctoral study program of the Faculty. Their experts take part in all activities within the doctoral study program, their experimental equipment is open to the access of doctoral students.

Advisors

Simultaneously with choosing the dissertation theme, student chooses his/her Main Advisor and usually one or two other (specialized) advisors. The Main Advisor leads the student trough the whole time of study, helps him/her in preparing the individual plan of study and research, follows his/her progress and reports on it to the Field-of-Study Board.

Course of study

The study consists of course work concentrated mainly into the first two years and a research work that should begin as soon as possible and is the main duty since the third year of study.

Semesters begin at the beginning of October (Fall semester) and in the middle of February (Spring Summer semester). In the first semester, the student studies theory in his/her direction and broad introduction to the chosen field of study. If necessary, fills in gaps in education caused by differencies between universities. At the same time, he/she learns the research activity of the Faculty in his/her field of study and thinks out, with the help of an advisor, the broad theme of his/her future research. At last by the end of the semester, the theme has to be made clear and the student starts to study the published results relevant to the theme.

During the second or third semester, the student is demanded to defend publicly a Research Project of his/her future research work. By the end of the fourth or at the beginning of the fifth semester, he is supposed to pass the Rigorosum Examination. And, regularly, by the end of the sixth semester, he defends the Dissertation.

The above given scheme should be taken only as a tentative one, due to large differencies between the fields of study and the highly individualized style of doctoral studies at the Faculty.

Language of instruction

Teaching, consulting and other training activities in postgraduate doctoral studies are performed in Czech and in English on equal level and in all fields of study (see below).

The knowledge of Czech language brings a lower tuition fees for students who must pay these fees and a possibility to visit very great number of lectures and seminars who are given in Czech language (above all in master programs). The Institute of Language Education at Charles University provides Czech language and special academic preparatory courses for foreign postgraduates. Address: UJOP UK, Jindrisska 29, 100 00 Praha 1, phone: (+420-2) 24 22 97 14, fax: (+420-2) 24 22 94 97.

You can improve during the study your English knowledge (and eventually German or Russian) at the Department of Language Education MFF UK.

Fields of doctoral studies (field-of-study boards)

Commentary to older Czech academic titles and academic positions

The academic titles occurred in this booklet are widely used in Czech Republic and are corresponding in the subsequent way to newer titles (near to the Western European academic system).

"First degrees" (They were taking longer than the first degree normal in English-speaking countries):
RNDr. - Doctor of Natural Sciences. This corresponds to an MA or Msc. in Natural Sciences.
PhDr. - Doctor of Philosophy but not be confused with the Western Dphil. or PhD. Under the system being phased out, this title roughly corresponded to an MA in Humanities.
Ing. - Engineer. This corresponds to MA or Msc. in technical fields or Economics
PaeDr. - This corresponds to an MA or Med. in Pedagogic
JUDr. - Doctor of Law. A qualification involving full legal studies and completion of a legal dissertation.

"Higher degrees":
CSc. - Candidate of Science. This is in principle an equivalent to a Dphil. or PhD.
DrSc. - Doctor of Science. The highest academic award, a usual precondition for nomination to a professorship.

Some academic positions:
Odborny assistent / Senior Lecturer / Am. Associate Professor
Doc. - Docent / Reader/ Lecturer with near Professorial Status
Prof. - Profesor /Professor / Am. Full Professor

MATHEMATICS

m - 1 ALGEBRA, THEORY OF NUMBERS AND MATHEMATICAL LOGIC

Algebra

The area consists of the following subareas: Binary systems, groups and their representations, universal algebra, rings, modules and homological algebra, commutative algebra, lattices and Boolean algebras. Also applications, methodology and didactic problems belong to the area. All teachers are able to teach in English.

Theory of Numbers

There are following specializations: elementary and combinatorial theory of numbers, analytical theory of numbers, probabilistic theory of numbers, geometry of numbers, diophantine equations and approximations.

Mathematical logic

Mathematical logic, set theory, recursion theory, Peano arithmetic and complexity theory, applied mathematical logic and applied set theory, philosophy and history of mathematics.

Contact: Doc. RNDr. J. Trlifaj, CSc., KA MFF, Sokolovská 83, 186 00 Praha 8, tel: 22191-3230

m - 2 GEOMETRY, TOPOLOGY, GLOBAL ANALYSIS AND GENERAL STRUCTURES

Foundation of algebraic and differential topology, global analysis of manifolds, Riemannian geometry, Lie groups and Lie algebras and their representations, kinematics and robotics (geometrical foundations), differential operators and harmonic analysis, geometrical methods in physics.

Topological structures (combined with algebraic ones), their relation to set theory, analysis, computer science and combinatorics. Category theory related to algebras and topological spaces and to computer science (theory of automata)

Contact: Doc. RNDr. J. Bureš, CSc., MÚ UK, Sokolovská 83, 186 00 Praha 8, tel: 22191-3210

m - 3 MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS

Functions of real and complex variable, theory of measure integral, special functions, Fourier and harmonic analysis, topological vector spaces, Banach spaces, operator theory, calculus of variations and functional analysis.

Ordinary and partial differential equations and their applications in sciences. Qualitative properties of weak solutions of partial differential equations (both linear and non-linear) and their systems. Classical and modern potential theory and its applications. Some branches of calculus of variations and functional analysis connected with differential equations.

Contact: Doc. RNDr. O. John, CSc., KMA, Sokolovská 83, 186 00 Praha 8, tel: 22191-3256.

m - 4 PROBABILITY AND MATHEMATICAL STATISTICS

Probability theory, random processes, time series, robust methods, linear models, nonparametric methods, asymptotic statistics, sequential methods, change-point problem, bootstrap, stochastic analysis.

Contact: Prof. RNDr. V. Beneš, DrSc., KPMS MFF, Sokolovská 83, 186 00 Praha 8, tel: 22191-3278.

m - 5 ECONOMETRY AND OPERATIONAL RESEARCH

Deterministic and stochastic optimization, econometrics, mathematical economics, mathematical and stochastic modelling on economics, finance and insurance, applications of probability and mathematical statistics in economics and finance.

Operation research is studied as a mathematical discipline having its application in technical and economical practice. It uses a combination of methods of algebra, analysis, control theory, linear and non-linear optimization, theory of probability and mathematical statistics. Both deterministic and stochastic problems are studied.

Contact: Doc. RNDr. Z. Prášková, CSc., KPMS MFF, Sokolovská 83, 186 00 Praha 8, tel: 22191-3286.

m - 6 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CALCULATIONS

Discretization of boundary value and evolution problems, finite element techniques, solution of large scale algebraic systems, multi-level methods, optimization.

Contact: Doc. RNDr. V. Janovský, DrSc., KNM MFF, Malostranské náměstí 25, 118 00 Praha 1, tel: 22191-4220

m - 7 FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE MATHEMATICS

Mathematical modelling in finance and insurance. Risk theory. Statistical methods in insurance, baking and finance. Advanced financial software. Social insurance and pensions. Demography.

Contact: RNDr. L. Mazurová, PhD., KPMS MFF, Sokolovská 83, 186 00 Praha 8, tel: 22191-3282.

m - 8 GP´s OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

The study is aimed to the preperation of top-level secondary school teachers who aspire to writing textbooks or to play important role in education. It mostly consists of elementary mathematics, history of mathematics and of the theory of teaching of mathematics at secondary and specialized schools.

Contact: Doc. RNDr. J. Bečvář, CSc., MÚ UK, Sokolovská 83, 186 00 Praha 8, tel: 22191-3251.

COMPUTER SCIENCE (INFORMATICS)

I - 1: THEORETICAL COMPUTER SCIENCE

Theoretical computer science. The study includes the theory of computational complexity, formal languages, computer geometry, logic programming and artificial intelligence. Applications and problems of methodology and didactics are also included.

Assistant: RNDr. V. Koubek, CSc., KTI MFF (Dep. of Theoretical Computer Science), Malostranske nam.25, 11800 Praha 1, tel. 22191 4313
Deputy Assistant: Doc. RNDr. A. Kucera, CSc., KTI MFF, Malostranske nam.25, 11800 Praha 1, tel. 22191 4244

I - 2: SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Distributed systems, operating systems, software engineering, real-time systems, computer graphics, neural networks. Object-oriented paradigm in programming languages, distributed systems and databases. Programming languages (theory of translation, typing models, semantics models).

Assistant: RNDr. Antonin Riha, CSc., KSI MFF, Malostranske namesti 25, 11800 Praha 1, tel. 22191 4267

I - 3: MATHEMATICAL LINGUISTICS

Theoretical description of language as a formal system (generative procedures and declarative descriptions models of discourse patterns), computational processing, morphological and syntactic analysis.

Assistant: Doc. PhDr. J. Panevova, DrSc., UFAL MFF, Malostranske nam.25, 11800 Praha 1, tel. 22191 4254
Deputy Assistant: M.Platek, CSc., KTI MFF (Dep. of Theoretical Computer Science), Malostranske nam. 25, 11800 Praha 1, tel. 22191 4219

I - 4: Discrete Models and Algorithms

Discrete and combinatorial structures and their morphisms. Block designs, configurations, and coding theory. Algebraic combinatorics. Ramsey theory. Combinatorial enumeration. Graph theory, graph algorithms, geometric representations of graphs and partial orders.

Computational geometry. Combinatorial aspects of statistical physics. Computational complexity in discrete mathematics, analysis of graph, combinatorial and geometric algorithms and problems.

Prof. RNDr. Jaroslav Nešetřil, DrSc.

PHYSICS

F - 1: THEORETICAL PHYSICS, ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS

Research in various branches of theoretical physics and astrophysics, in particular in nuclear and atomic physics, statistical physics, solid state physics, plasma physics, mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics, classical general relativity, relativistic astrophysics, mathematical and physical cosmology, theoretical astronomy and astrophysics. Within observational astronomy the research is mainly concentrated on galactic astronomy, in particular on binary systems.

Assistant: Doc. RNDr. J. Langer, CSc., KTF MFF, V Holesovickach 2, 18000 Praha 8-Troja, tel. 22191 2502
Deputy Assistant 1: RNDr. L. Dvorak, CSc., KTF MFF, V Holesovickach 2, 18000 Praha 8-Troja, tel. 22191 2494
Deputy Assistant 2: Doc. RNDr. M. Solc, CSc., AU UK, Svedska 8, 15000 Praha 5, tel. 540 395, 535 764

F - 2: PHYSICS OF PLASMA AND IONIZED MEDIA

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the low- and high- temperature plasmas as well as the study of the space plasma processes. The study involves experimental technics, methodics and industrial applications of plasmas. A significant part of the study program is devoted to the interdisciplinary topics as the plasma chemistry of physics of ionized media.

Assistant: Doc. RNDr. M. Tichy, DrSc., KEVF MFF,V Holesovickach 2, 18000 Praha 8-Troja, tel. 22191 2305
Deputy Assistant: Doc. RNDr. V. Hrachova, CSc., KEVF MFF, V Holesovickach 2, 18000 Praha 8-Troja, tel. 22191 2306

F - 3: PHYSICS OF CONDENSED MATTER AND MATERIAL RESEARCH

Thesis of the whole spectrum of subjects characterized by the title. In the first three terms students are given advanced lectures on quantum mechanics, statistical physics, theory of solid state physics and modern experimental methods given by best experts in the field. In the scientific work for thesis supervision is given by specialists with excellent expertise in a particular field.

Assistant: RNDr. F. Chmelik, CSc., KFK MFF, Ke Karlovu 5, 12116 Praha 2, tel. 22191 1362
Deputy Assistant: RNDr. J. Masek, CSc., FzU AVCR, Na Slovance 2, 18040 Praha 8, tel. 6605 2153, 6605 2726

F - 4: PHYSICS OF MOLECULAR AND BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES

Physical processes in complex organic molecules, macromolecular and biological systems. Quantum theory of electronic structure, energy and electric charge transfer, molecular interactions and thermodynamics in molecular and supramolecular systems. Physical diagnostic methods for investigation of structure, function, dynamics and interactions in molecular and biological structures on level of molecules, polymers, membranes, cells, tissues and whole organisms. Influence of external physical fields.

Assistant: Doc. RNDr. J. Hala, CSc., KChFO (Dep. of Chemical Physics and Optics) MFF, Ke Karlovu 3, 12116 Praha 2, tel. 22191 1245, 22191 1306

F - 5: PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS AND VACUUM PHYSICS

Investigation of heteroepitaxial thin films growth, reconstruction of surfaces induced by absorbed molecules, study of the structure dependent reactivity of thin film model catalysts, study of electron interactions in the surface region of solids, study of charge transport in metal/insulator thin film systems, study of surfaces and thin film growth using scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy. In the field of vacuum physics processes governing the behaviour of ultra- and extra- high vacuum systems, especially mechanically stimulated desorption and thermal stimulated effusion of dissolved gases at very low concentration are investigated.

Assistant: RNDr. I. Ostadal, CSc., KEVF MFF, V Holesovickach 2, 18000 Praha 8, tel. 22191 2331

F - 6 : QUANTUM OPTICS AND OPTOELECTRONICS

Semiconductors optoelectronics, semiconducting materials for photon detectors, ultrafast processes in semiconductors and semiconductor nanostructures, picosecond and femtosecond spectroscopy, femto/pico-second non-linear optics, ultrafast optical nonlinearities in semiconductor nanostructures, porous silicon, semiconductor nanocrystals in glass, magneto-optical spectroscopy of low dimensional semiconductor quantum structures, magneto-optical spectroscopy and magnetometry for magnetic multilayers with resolution to a single atomic monolayer, theoretical investigation of guided wave, correlation induced changes of spectra, chiral media, optical sensors, photonic components.

Assistant: Doc.RNDr. P.Maly, CSc., KChFO MFF, Ke Karlovu 3, 12116 Praha 2, tel. 22191 1260
Deputy assistant: Ing. R.Vacek, CSc., KChFO MFF, Ke Karlovu 3, 12116 Praha 2, tel. 22191 1269

F - 7: GEOPHYSICS

All branches of Physics of the Earth. Seismology is oriented to new methods in the theory of seismic wave propagation, physics of earthquakes and ground motions, and structural studies (with possible applications to the oil and coal prospecting). Geodynamics and Physical Geodesy include studies of convective processes and physical parameters of the Globe, with a close relation to Gravimetry, Geotermics and Geomagnetism. Research in Physics of the Upper Atmosphere, Sun-Earth relations etc.

Assistant: RNDr. O.Cadek, CSc., KG, V Holesovickach 2, 18000 Praha 8, tel. 22191 2544
Deputy Assistant: RNDr. I. Cupal, CSc., GFU AVCR, Bocni II/1401g, Praha 4, tel. 67 103 111

F - 8: METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY

Dynamic and synoptic meteorology, boundary layer meteorology, micrometeorology, meteorological forecasts, atmospheric chemistry, air-pollution problems, atmospheric aerosols, stratospheric and tropospheric ozone, radiation in atmosphere, atmospheric optics, acoustics and electricity, statistical methods in climatology, modelling of climate, antropogenous effects on climatic conditions.

Assistant: Doc.. RNDr. J. Bednar, CSc., KMOP MFF, V Holesovickach_2, tel. 22191 2548

F - 9: SUBNUCLEAR PHYSICS

Subnuclear structure of matter. Quantum field theory. Theory and models of interactions of elementary particles. Standard model: electroweak interactions and quantum chromodynamics. Grand unification and physics beyond standard model. Particle physics at accelerators. Detectors and electronics. Data processing. Team collaboration in high-energy experiments.

Assistant: RNDr. J. Dolejsi, CSc., KJF MFF (Dep. of Nuclear Physics), V Holesovickach 2, tel. 221912469

F - 10: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Nuclear structure and spectroscopy - theoretical descriptions, experimental determination of nuclear properties, statistical aspects of fermion systems. Nuclear reactions - mechanism, cross sections. Subnuclear degrees of freedom - mesonic and quark degrees. Applied nuclear physics - nuclear material analysis methods, nuclear energy, nuclear therapy.

Assistant: Prof. RNDr. J.Kvasil, DrSc., KJF MFF, V Holesovickach 2, 18000 Praha 8, tel. 22191 2471

F - 11: MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTER MODELLING

Mathematical and computer modelling in science and technology with emphasizes on non-linear physics, mathematics and computational physics including corresponding numerical methods: non-linear differential equations, calculus of variation and control theory, non-linear continuum mechanics and thermodynamics of solids and fluids, particle modelling - Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics methods, calculations of molecules and solids, dynamics of excitations and corresponding visualization.

Assistant: Doc. RNDr. I. Barvik, DrSc., FUUK (Charles Universtiy Institute of physics), Ke Karlovu 3, 12116 Praha 2, tel. 22191 1342
Deputy Assistant: Prof. RNDr. M. Feistauer, DrSc., KNM (Dp. of Numerical Mathematics), Malostr. nam. 25, 11000 Praha 1, tel. 535 229, 22191 4223

GENERAL PROBLEMS (GP's)

D - 1: GP's OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

The study is aimed to the preparation of top-level secondary school teachers who aspire to writing textbooks or to play important role in education. It mostly consists of elementary mathematics, history of mathematics and of the theory of teaching of mathematics at secondary and specialized schools.

Assistant: Doc. RNDr. L. Bocek, CSc. KDM MFF (Dep. of Didactics in Mathematics), Sokolovska 83, 18600 Praha 8, tel. 22191 3222

D - 2: GP's OF PHYSICS

Research in three main branches: philosophy and methodology of physics, history of physics, teaching of physics. The research work in all these branches is supposed to be based on a good technical knowledge of the physics involved. Typical problems concerning the teaching of physics are developing of experimental equipment for demonstration of different physical phenomena, computer simulation for demonstrative purposes etc.

Assistant:RNDr. L. Dvorak, CSc., KTF MFF (Dep. of Theoretical Physics), V Holesovickach 2, 18000 Praha 8, tel. 22191 2494