About the Department of Theoretical Physics

The department was set up in 2009 by decision of the Academic Council in order to train professionals in modern theoretical physics. It is one of the most important departments of the St Petersburg Academic University that provides up-to-date training in theoretical and mathematical physics.

The faculty is formed from highly skilled physicists-theorists who are well-known in the scientific world. Professors of the department work in leading research centres (Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute, St Petersburg Academic University etc.) and leading universities (St Petersburg State University, St Petersburg State Polytechnical University).

The main task of the department is to give students a consistent understanding of the methods of theoretical physics and to teach them how to use these methods in solving various scientific problems of physics. It is research work that helps students learn how to apply these methods in finding solutions to specific problems.

Main Programs of the Department :

• Physics of Low-Dimensional State
• Solid-State Physics
• Astrophysics
• Mathematical Physics

The Theoretical Physics study program in the St Petersburg Academic University can be divided into two parts. At first, students study all the necessary physics and mathematics theory, including additional chapters in statistical physics, physical kinetics, quantum electrodynamics, classical and quantum field theory, mathematical physics, modern geometry and topology and representation theory of linear algebraic groups and Lie groups. During the second part of the program students take optional courses and study the branches of theoretical physics that they major in and have not studied earlier.

The department does not offer courses that consist only of lectures, as it is necessary to know how to apply theoretical knowledge in order to learn to solve scientific problems. Thus, in the curriculum along with lectures there is also the same amount of workshops, so that students can learn to solve various scientific problems in practice. Each semester students should complete a certain number of unique scientific tasks prepared by the professors of the department, which is one of the most important integral parts of the educational process at the department of theoretical physics of the St Petersburg Academic University.