Branch programme/details

The ‘Atmospheric Physics, Meteorology and Climatology’ program leads students to acquire knowledge and skills in the field of atmospheric properties and the related processes. Within the framework of Charles University, this program is unique in its comprehensive view of the Earth's atmosphere as a dynamical system of in a broad interdisciplinary context. Even within the Czech Republic this is the only program providing full-scale education in the field of atmospheric physics, meteorology and climatology. The program follows from the bachelor's study of physics, in which students acquire necessary knowledge of basic physical principles (mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics and others) as well as of proficiency in related mathematical methods. The elements of the study program are primarily focused on acquiring theoretical knowledge in the field of atmospheric physics (hydrodynamics and atmospheric thermodynamics), thus extending previously acquired expertise in this field. Furthermore, skills necessary for practical as well as scientific activities in the field of atmospheric physics are acquired during the study, especially in the field of numerical mathematics, mathematical statistics, data processing and visualization. Part of the course aims to prepare graduates for basic applications of the atmospheric physics, such as weather forecasting, air pollution analysis and climate research (including modelling and research of higher atmospheric layers). Other subjects of the program serve to deepen the student's focus in particular specialized topics or to expand knowledge in areas close to other physical disciplines (e.g., electrical, optical and acoustic phenomena in the atmosphere or the oceans). As a part of the study, a master-level diploma thesis is prepared and submitted, in which the application of competences acquired during the study is demonstrated, as well as ability to cooperate in solving the assigned scientific problem.

**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 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 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).

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 the 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 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, here: (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, 2021, and by September 30, 2021 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.

In addition to this, depending on the programme for which you are applying, you also must

• All Physics programmes: 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.
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 or computer science. 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, 2021 at latest. Please ask your referees to state “Recommendation letter for [your name], CS/Math/Physics programme” in the Subject of the email.

**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**

Common requirements: a sound background in physics: 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. An online interview with the candidate aimed to clarify or complete the submitted documents may be part of the admission process.

**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, Ireland, 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 Paper/Computer/Internet based 550/213/80
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.5
Cambridge ESOL FCE A level
Cambridge ESOL CPE, or Cambridge ESOL CAE Passed
City&Guilds International ESOL, or City&Guilds International Spoken ESOL Expert level
The European Language Certificates Level TELC English C1
UNIcert English for Mathematicians Level C1
Melab 77
Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) Pass
Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) 605
General State Language Examination in English in the Czech Republic Pass

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):

Graduates have broad knowledge of physics, especially with regard to atmospheric processes, and related mathematical methods. They are ready to engage in the tasks of basic and applied research as well as able to use their knowledge in practice. Content is is focused mainly on atmospheric dynamics, thermodynamics, energy and air circulation, with possible applications in the field of numerical diagnostic and prognostic models and in the hydrometeorological services. It also involves knowledge of transport, transformation and modelling of pollutants in the atmosphere as well as the climatology, including the structure and dynamics of the climate system, climate modelling, anthropogenic effects on climate, or climate changes in general.