Quantum Physics and Chemistry – Individual Research Studies, full-time, second cycle

The main concept of the studies consist in education through participation in scientific research related to quantum physics or chemistry.

Study programme:

• leading discipline: physical sciences, additional discipline: chemical sciences
• education in English
• education based on world-class scientific research conducted at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw and the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Warsaw
• education based on an individual study plan under the supervision of a scientific supervisor
• education without emphasis on passing of specific subjects, but largely through participation in scientific research, self-education and tutoring
• students’ own research budget
• a wide range of laboratory activities
• access to computer labs and well-equipped specialist libraries
• the possibility of making your own projects and prototypes in the Makerspace@UW studio
• internships as part of studies
• classes at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw (ul. Pasteura 5) and the Faculty of Chemistry (ul. Pasteura 1)

The profile of the g raduate:

The graduate has competences enabling independent and team solving of difficult and openly defined problems. Proficiency in quantum physics and chemistry enables him/her to participate in advanced scientific research, but these competencies are universal. The knowledge and ability to create mathematical models, combined with communication skills and the ability to analyze data, including using machine learning, allow the graduate to freely pursue their passion.

Admission rules for candidates with Polish diplomas

Qualification is based on a written exam and an interview. The number of recruitment points is the sum of the points from the written exam and the interview.

The written exam consists of 10 tasks scored on a scale of 0 to 10; the grade for each task is an integer. The candidate presents solutions to five tasks of their choice. The maximum score for the written exam is 50 points. If a candidate submits solutions to more than five tasks, all solutions are scored, but the results of the five lowest-rated tasks are included in the final score. The written exam is held in English. The thematic scope includes the issues from the list below, but not all issues must be covered in the exam tasks.

Physics topics at the level of the first-cycle physics studies.

1. classical mechanics
2. condensed matter physics
3. electricity and magnetism
4. nuclear physics and elementary particle physics
5. optics
6. oscillations and waves
7. quantum mechanics
8. thermodynamics.

Chemistry topics at the level of the first cycle-chemistry studies:

1. basics of theoretical chemistry
2. physical chemistry
3. quantum chemistry
4. spectroscopy.

The interview takes place entirely in English and is assessed on a scale of 0 to 50 points according to the following criteria. The score is calculated as the arithmetic average of the grades of the members of the examination board, rounded down to the nearest integer. The interview proceeds according to the following scenario.

1) The candidate presents the course of their studies to date, including activities in scientific clubs or student organizations, participation in research projects and scientific conferences - up to 5 minutes; from 0 to 10 points. 

2) The candidate presents a topic of their choice concerning quantum physics or chemistry at the popular science level, using a computer presentation - up to 10 minutes; from 0 to 20 points. The substantive content of the presentation, coherence of the presentation content, adjustment of the presentation level to the audience who are not specialists in the presented issues are assessed. If the candidate prepares no presentation, they receive a zero score from the interview. 

3) Discussion of the presentation with members of the examination board - up to 5 minutes; from 0 to 20 points. Members of the examination committee may ask the candidate both questions regarding the content of the presentation and additional questions aimed at deepening the content of the presentation or expanding the scope of the material presented.

4) End of the interview.

The necessary condition for admission is to obtain the final number of recruitment points not lower than 51, including at least 25 points from the written exam and at least 25 points from the interview. The candidates are qualified in the order specified by the ranking list based on the recruitment points within the applicable limit. The upper limit of recruitment points is 100.

Admission procedure for candidates with foreign diplomas

There are the same rules in place as for candidates with diploma issued in Poland.

Checking the candidates' competence to undertake studies conducted in the English language

The candidate should hold a certificate confirming their command of English at least at the level B2 according to the European System of Language Description of the Council of Europe, recognized by the University of Warsaw. 

Information on documents certifying knowledge of the English language. >> Check! <<

In the absence of such a certificate, the candidate’s command of English is verified in the course of the interview, which is conducted entirely in English. 

Date of the interview checking the knowledge of the English language (if applies to the candidate): 16th of July, 2024

Deadlines

Date of the written examination: 15th of July, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. - (the exam will take place at the Faculty of Physics - Pasteura 5 str., room 0.06; On a reasoned request of the candidate the exam may be conducted online on the platform Kampus-rekrutacja)

Date of the interview: 16th of July, 2024, 8:30 a.m. - (the interview will take place at the Faculty of Physics - Pasteura 5 str., room 2.24; On a reasoned request of the candidate the exam may be conducted online via Google Meet)

ATTENTION! In case of requesting to participate in the exam/ interview online, please contact the Recruitment Committee of the Faculty of Physics by sending an e-mail to: rekrutacja@fuw.edu.pl after the registration and payment of the application fee.

Announcement of results: 22nd of July, 2024

Reception of documents: 

• I round: 23rd-25th of July, 2024 and 25th-26th of September, 2024
• II round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during I round): 27th, 30th of September, 2024

Payments

Application fee

Student's ID payment (ELS)

The studies are payable for citizens of Non-UE/EFTA countries (EEA parties) and Switzerland - tuition fees

Required documents

List of required documents submitted by candidates qualified for studies

Additional information 

Find us on the map: Faculty of Physics