Dept. Physics, POSTECH

Graduate
Curriculum

Curriculum

Outline of Curriculum

Graduate course in department of physics at POSTECH provides basic subjects which help to understand fundamental physical phenomena and advanced courses which handle latest concerns about various fields of study.

Graduate program in physics department is comprised of education which is balanced between establishing theoretical bases by attending various classes and increasing practical problem-solving abilities by conducting research under advises of supervisors. We are not only concentrating on the basic subjects, such as analytical mechanics, electrodynamics, and quantum mechanics, and advanced subjects, but also growing experiences of research for students by taking part in the projects of professor from early times. Furthermore, there are additional lectures for special topics which are directly related to the research fields for the projects of professors.

Requirements for Graduation

Compulsory Subjects	Analytical Mechanics (can be replaced by Advanced Mechanics)
	Analytical Mechanics (can be replaced by Advanced Mechanics)
	Electrodynamics Ⅰ
	Quantum Mechanics Ⅰ
	One of Electrodynamics Ⅱ, or Quantum Mechanics Ⅱ (can replace Quantum Mechanics Ⅰ, Ⅱ by Quantum Mechanics Ⅲ)
	Colloquium (2 units)
	Doctoral Dissertation Research (variable credits, can attend repeatedly)
Doctoral Dissertation Research (variable credits, can attend repeatedly)	PhD program: over total 32 credits including minimal 12credits by attending classes (except for credits in Master program)
	Masters and PhD combined program: total 60 credits including minimal 33credits by attending classes

Courses sorted by Major fields

Courses sorted by Major fields	Solid State Physics (Ⅰ, Ⅱ), Surface Physics, Magnetism, Vacuum Physics & Technology, Superconductivity, Physics of Soft Condensed Matter, Special Topics(SP/TP) in Material Science(Ⅰ, Ⅱ)
Optics	Advanced Optics, Laser Physics, Quantum Optics, SP/TP in Optics, Special Lectures for Advanced Physics
Biophysics /Complex systems	Biological Statistical Physics, Computational Biology, SP/TP in Biophysics, Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics
Plasma/Accelerator Physics	Plasma Physics (Ⅰ, Ⅱ), Particle Accelerator Physics (Ⅰ, Ⅱ), Plasma Diagnostics, Low Temperature Plasma Physics, Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation Applications, Accelerator Technology,
Plasma/Accelerator Physics	SP/TP in Plasma Physics, Special Lectures for Advanced Physics, Numerical. Modelling for Plasma Physics & Engineering
Theoretical Particle Physics	Particle Physics, Theory of Relativity, SP/TP in Modern Physics (Ⅰ, Ⅱ)

Ph.D. Qualification Examination (QE)

Qualification Examination(QE) is the exam to test whether graduate students have abilities required for conducting research with researchers, and writing their papers by themselves.
Every graduate student in physics department must go through this examination, which is a form of written test of four basic subjects; Analytical Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, and Statistical Mechanics.
QE is conducted twice a year (February, August) and presented by question bank type evaluating the extent of understanding overall comprehension in physics.

Outline of Curriculum

Outline of Curriculum
Category	Course No.	Course	Lec-Lab-Crt
Compulsory	PHYS501	Analytical Mechanics	3-0-3
Classification : Compulsory Course No. : PHYS501 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Lagrange-Hamiltonian in classical mechanics is treated. This includes Lagrange-Hamilton dynamics, Rigid body motion, non-inertial dynamics, special relativity and so forth.
Compulsory	PHYS503	ElectrodynamicsI	3-0-3
Classification : Compulsory Course No. : PHYS503 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Advanced electromagnetism is treated. Various techniques solving boundary-value problems in electromagnetism are introduced including Green's function method, separation of variables in two and three dimensions, orthogonal functions methods, etc. Method of solving Inhomogeneous wave equation is discussed. Maxwell equations and propagation of waves are examined.
Compulsory	PHYS505	Quantum MechanicsⅠ	3-0-3
Classification : Compulsory Course No. : PHYS505 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : As a quantum mechanics course at the graduate level, fundamental principles and applications of quantum physics are studied. This includes Principles in quantum mechanics, potential problems, angular momentum theory, symmetries, and so forth.
Compulsory	PHYS512	Statistical Mechanics	3-0-3
Classification : Compulsory Course No. : PHYS512 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : As a basis of material physics, theories and applications of statistical mechanics in equilibrium state are treated. This includes ensemble theory, basics of thermal mechanics, Fermi and Bose system, applications to interaction system, Random walk problem, classical theories on phase transitions and critical phenomena, scaling and concepts of renormalization group.
Compulsory	PHYS801	Colloquium	1-0-1
Classification : Compulsory Course No. : PHYS801 Credits : 1-0-1 Professor : Topics including diverse research fields are covered.
Elective	PHYS504	ElectrodynamicsⅡ	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS504 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : In this course, we study various applications for Maxwell equations: waveguide, resonant cavity,radiation and scattering, special relativity and its applicaiton to dynamics, and finally synchrotron radiation theory etc.
Elective	PHYS506	Quantum Mechanics Ⅱ	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS506 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : As a quantum mechanics course at the graduate level, fundamental principles and applications of quantum physics are studied. This includes Scatterings, Perturbations, radiations, spectrums of atoms and molecules, solids theory.
Elective	PHYS502	Advanced Mechanics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS502 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Including canonical transformation, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, continum mechanics, various application of classical mechanics to modern physics are treated.
Elective	PHYS513	Advanced Statistical Mechanics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS513 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Mainly non-equilibrium statistical mechanics theory and applications are treated. This includes linear response theory, transport, fluctuation phenomena, and so forth.
Elective	PHYS517	Computational Physics Lab.	2-2-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS517 Credits : 2-2-3 Professor : In this lecture, students will learn about numerical methods and applications which is needed for graduate physics research.
Elective	PHYS521	Solid State PhysicsI	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS521 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : The class is to establish basic knowledge on essential topics of condensed mater physics. Students expect to understand how to describe electrons/ions' motions in various environments such as under periodic Coulomb potentials, non-negligible interactions, external fields, etc
Elective	PHYS522	Solid State PhysicsⅡ	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS522 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Basic concepts of election interactions in solids will be introduced. Students expect to be exposed to various modern research topics of condensed matter systems after gaining knowledge on basic physics.
Elective	PHYS551	Advanced Physics Laboratory	0-6-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS551 Credits : 0-6-3 Professor : This subject provides chance to various experience by conducting experimental research out of laboratory where students belong to.
Elective	PHYS601	Quantum Mechanics Ⅲ	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS601 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : This is the introductory course for the relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory with the emphasis on the latter. This course is intended for various audiences with studying many examples of condensed matter physics. Topics to be covered include second quantization, relativistic scalar fields, perturbation theory, Schrodinger field theory, nonrelativistic bosons and electrons in solids.
Elective	PHYS606	Elementary Particle Physics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS606 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : The kinds and interactions of elementary particles which compose of nature are treated and the principles of interactions of them, such as gauge theory, standard model, and beyond standard model are introduced.
Elective	PHYS608	Plasma PhysicsI	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS608 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : A theoretical exposition of the plasma physics will be given based on the Hamilton-Lagrangian theory of a single charged particle and the Vlasov kinetic theory of interacting charged particles in combined magnetic and electric fields. This framework will be used to develop fluid models of plasmas as an electrically conducting fluid subject to combined magnetic and hydrodynamic forces. Practical problems will be examined such as instabilities, waves, and transport processes in both laboratory and space plasmas.
Elective	PHYS609	Plasma PhysicsⅡ	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS609 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Review of the kinetic and fluid descriptions of the plasma, building a strong framework to understand the wave phenomena in plasmas based on the classical physics, constructing basic skills to deal with wave-particle and wave-wave interactions are expected.
Elective	PHYS610	Many Body Theory	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS610 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Treating many bodies interatcing each other, this lecture includes quantum field theoretical method, Coulomb gas, incomplete Bose gas, Fermi fluid, magnetism, superconductivity, theory about nuclear particles.
Elective	PHYS611	Quantum Field Theory	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS611 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : In this lecture, modern theories of high energy physics, such as quantum electrodynamics(QED), quantum chromodynamics(QCD), renormalization theory, path integrals, gauge field theory are treated.
Elective	PHYS612	Computational Physics	2-2-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS612 Credits : 2-2-3 Professor : Using computers, advanced research methods solving physics problems are treated. This could include Monte-Carlo method, molecular dynamics method, numerical method for derivative equations.
Elective	PHYS613	Theory of Relativity	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS613 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : This is an introductory course for the general relativity. After reviewing the special relativity, we go through the equivalence principle, Einstein's field equation and the spacetime structure of black hole.
Elective	PHYS615	Particle Accelerator PhysicsI	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS615 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : General theory of beam optics, various particle accelerators such as cyclotron, synchrotron, linear accelerator, and storage ring, and particle beam sourses using ions, electrons, and positrons are treated.
Elective	PHYS616	Particle Accelerator PhysicsⅡ	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS616 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : General theory of beam optics, various particle accelerators such as cyclotron, synchrotron, linear accelerator, and storage ring, and particle beam sourses using ions, electrons, and positrons are treated.
Elective	PHYS650	Surface Physics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS650 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Experimental and Theoretical research on properties of condensed matters in surfaces, such as surface reconstruction, surface band structures and magnetic, thermal properties, phase transition phenomena and so forth are treated. This includes fields of interfaces, thin films, clusters.
Elective	PHYS651	Magnetism	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS651 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Magnetic phenomena in metals, nonmetals, semiconductors are treated. In this lecture, applications in various fields with fundamental principles of magnetism are also coverd.
Elective	PHYS652	Vacuum Physics & Technology	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS652 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : From physical basics on vacuum, methods and principles of construction, measurement of vacuum, and introductions to pumps with specific examples of pumps and vacuum equipments, the core concepts are treated.
Elective	PHYS653	Superconductivity	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS653 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Various contents are treated, such as BCS theory, which is fundamental concepts in superconductivity, Josephson phenomena, type Ⅰ, Ⅱ superconductor, Ginzburg-Landau theory, magnetic properties, fluctuation effects, superconductive effects described by field theory, and high-temperature superconductor.
Elective	PHYS662	Biological Statistical Physics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS662 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Introduce the basics of statistical, soft-condensed matter, and fluid physics essential for treating biological phenomena, and apply these to describe main biophysical topics. Study recent research work..
Elective	PHYS663	Phase Transition and Critical Phenomena	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS663 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : The course is about phase transitions, in particular "continuous phase transitions". The behaviors of various physical measurable quantities near the critical point of a phase transition are called "critical phenomena". We will understand critical phenomena within the framework of statistical mechanics.
Elective	PHYS665	Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos Theory	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS665 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Modeling dynamical phenomena occuring in complex systems in natures, we treats the origin of chaos, synchronizations and so forth with non-linear method. This includes network pattern formalism of coupled oscillator, stochastic resonance, nural netwroks, etc.
Elective	PHYS666	Physics of Soft Condensed Matter	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS666 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Various transition phenomena and dynamics in polimers, membranes, and liquid crystals, which represent the soft-matters in 1-dimension and 2-dimensions are introduced. This includes ideal chain theory, semiflexible polymer solution, melt, biopolymer, fluctuations of interface and interactions, self-assembled interfaces and membranes, biomembranes, and liquid crystals, and so forth.
Elective	PHYS667/IBIO612	Quantitative Theoretical Biology	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS667/IBIO612 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : This is an introductory courses to qualitative analysis and modelings based on theoretical undertrandings of biology. Especially methodologies of biostatistics, non-linear dynamics, bioinformatics, thermodynamics, biomechanics, bioelectronics, data analysis, data minings are covered.
Elective	PHYS670	Plasma Diagnostics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS670 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Fundamental theories and experimental applications of various diagnostic methods for measuring plasma parameters are treated. This includes probe method, optical, microwave, particle beam diagnostics, and so forth, and also accompanies some experimental demonstrations of plasma diagnostics.
	PHYS671	Low Temperature Plasma Physics	3-0-3
Classification : Course No. : PHYS671 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Basic theories and phenomena related to plasma processing which is applied to semiconductor manufacturing and surface modification processes. This includes the motions of charged particles in electromagnetic field, collisions, diffusions, various plasma generators, glow discharges using DC, RF, microwaves, plasma sheath, diagnostics of glow discharge, diverse processings using plasma, and plasma-wall interactions.
Elective	PHYS680	Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation Applications	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS680 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Principles of synchrotron radiation and various applications and experimental techniques using synchrotron radiations are treated.
Elective	PHYS681	Accelerator Technology	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS681 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Lattice design methods of particle beam acclerators and various techniques of important subsystems. This includes beam dynamics, and lattice design, high-vacuum, high-frequency, pulse modulation electromagnet and power supply, beam diagnostic, and system control techniques.
Elective	PHYS690	Advanced Optics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS690 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : The contents of this course include Imaging, Fourier optics, Coherence, Beam optics, Guided optics, Electro-/Acousto-optics, Optical telecommunications, and nonlinear optics. Also, we will study various optical components, their working mechanisms, and applications.
Elective	PHYS691	Laser Physics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS691 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Principles of laser operation, related theories and kinds of lasers are treated. This includes stimulated emmision, gain factor, rate equation, optical cavity theory, Q-switching, mode-locking, kinds of gain mediums and also applications of various fields of study.
Elective	PHYS692	Quantum Optics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS692 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : In this course, we will first study the basic tools of quantum optics and learn to apply these tools to various quantum optical systems. Subjects of recent interests, such as, quantum entanglement, quantum cryptography, quantum non-demolition measurement, quantum information, etc. will also be discussed.
Elective	PHYS701	Special Topics in Condensed Matter PhysicsI	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS701 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Research on material science is covered in depth.
Elective	PHYS702	Special Topics in Condensed Matter PhysicsⅡ	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS702 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Research on material science is covered in depth.
Elective	PHYS703	Special Topics in Condensed Matter PhysicsⅢ	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS703 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Research on material science is covered in depth.
Elective	PHYS705	Special Topics in Modern PhysicsI	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS705 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Research on modern physics is covered in depth. This includes studies on nucelar and particle physics, atoms and molecules physics, and astrophysics.
Elective	PHYS706	Special Topics in Modern PhysicsⅡ	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS706 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Research on modern physics is covered in depth. This includes studies on nucelar and particle physics, atoms and molecules physics, and astrophysics.
Elective	PHYS707	Special Topics in Statistical Physics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS707 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Research on statistical physics is covered in depth.
Elective	PHYS709	Speicial Topics in Mathematical Physics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS709 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Topics on mathematics for advanced theoretical physics research are treated.
Elective	PHYS710	Special Topics in Optics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS710 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Research on classical and modern optics is covered in depth.
Elective	PHYS712	Special Topics in Biological Physics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS712 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Research on biophysics is covered in depth.
Elective	PHYS715	Special Topics in Particle Accelerators	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS715 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Advanced particle accelerator theories are covered in depth. This includes accelerator beam optics, electron(positron) storage ring, insertion device, non-linear dynamics in linear accelerators and circular acclerators.
Elective	PHYS718	Special Topics in Plasma Physics	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS718 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Research on plasma physics is covered in depth.
Elective	PHYS720	Special Topics in Brain Science	3-0-3
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS720 Credits : 3-0-3 Professor : Overall fundamentals of structures and operations of brain. This includes various subjects such as sights, memories, emotions, biorythms, motor control, parallel processing, neural coding, language processing, non-destructive test method for brain opterations and so forth. In addition, basic problems about brain science and invitation seminars with specialists which cover latest trends of research are also included.
Elective	PHYS811	Special Topics in Advanced PhysicsⅠ	가변학점(1~3)
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS811 Credits : 가변학점(1~3) Professor : This covers some extra-subjects which is not specified in regular courses, or fields of studies which recently atrract researcher’s interest in and abroad. Contents and preliminaries depend on professor.
Elective	PHYS812	Special Topics in Advanced PhysicsⅡ	가변학점(1~3)
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS812 Credits : 가변학점(1~3) Professor : This covers some extra-subjects which is not specified in regular courses, or fields of studies which recently atrract researcher’s interest in and abroad. Contents and preliminaries depend on professor.
Elective	PHYS813	Special Topics in Advanced PhysicsⅢ	가변학점(1~3)
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS813 Credits : 가변학점(1~3) Professor : This covers some extra-subjects which is not specified in regular courses, or fields of studies which recently atrract researcher’s interest in and abroad. Contents and preliminaries depend on professor.
Elective	PHYS699	Master Thesis Research	가변학점
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS699 Credits : 가변학점 Professor : To conduct research on master thesis under advises of supervisor.
Elective	PHYS890	Extramural Research Internship	가변학점(1~4)
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS890 Credits : 가변학점(1~4) Professor : To encourage undergraduate and graduate students to participate research through international interactions so that they could grow their global capabilities.
Elective	PHYS899	Doctoral Dissertation Research	가변학점
Classification : Elective Course No. : PHYS899 Credits : 가변학점 Professor : To conduct research on individual doctoral dissertations under advises of supervisor.