Characteristics of the field

Astrophysics is one of the major applications of physics. Thanks to its communicability and attractiveness it is often the gateway to other natural sciences and technical disciplines for a considerable part of the youth. The aim of the study in the field is to provide graduates with not only the basics of general, experimental and theoretical physical education, but also a thorough orientation in theoretical and experimental fields of astrophysics and the ability to convey an understanding of the results to the interested public.

Undergraduate studies

Astrophysics can be studied from the first year of undergraduate studies within the field of Astrophysics. In addition to general physics education students acquire basic math skills they will use in their future study physics. Students will also benefit from astrophysical subjects - in the first year the basics of astronomy is offered, which will be deepen in the next years with the knowledge of stars life and their final stages, ability of processing astronomical data, observing at the telescope and basic programming. The study is completed with bachelor's degree examinations in physics and astrophysics, including the defense of bachelor work.

Due to physical and mathematical basic of absolved program, the graduates may well apply in basic and applied research of national and sectoral nature of laboratory operations and businesses, specialized laboratories, metrological institutions, institutions using informatics, etc. Its dedicated focus in the area of astrophysics makes graduates suitable as a qualified demonstrator and popularizer of science observatories, as well as for research using astronomical observations and astronomical data processing.

If students want to continue in astrophysics studies, they can sihn up to either of the Astrophysics Bachelor's degree or Bachelor's degree also from general Physics. The difference between these fields is mainly in depth of general physics study. While the field of physics is devoted to basic physics subjects in depth, and its graduates have excellent mathematical skills, Bachelor degree in Astrophysics has less of hours on the subjects of mathematics and physics, but unlike the field of general Physics incorporates among its compulsory subjects the very astrophysics. Preferably a bachelor's degree in astrophysics is that the students get sooner the very astrophysics, on the other hand, graduates of bachelor degree in Physics are better equipped to follow a Master's degree in astrophysics.

Graduate studies - Master's degree

Stellar systems, the solar system, hot and cool stars, dynamics of galaxies, Big Bang and evolution of the universe are the main subjects of graduate studies. Students will substantially improve scientific work due to the astronomical observatory practise and also through writing their thesis. Acquire basic technology acquisition, evaluation and processing of scientific information, learn the results of their research to formulate and adequately present. The thesis is the focal point of the master's degree, so it is good to choose such a topic of work that students will not only entertain, but from which they can begin their next (Ph.D.) studies. Students can choose from a wide range of topics - from modeling of stellar atmospheres to research of galaxy collision. They work can benefit from university 60 cm telescope at Kraví hora or even a telescope at the Observatory in Vyškov. If students choose leaders from the Astronomical Institute, they may also attend observatory in Ondřejov.

Talented students are supported to study abroad (Erasmus), work placements (in recent years graduate students visited countries such as Spain, Turkey, Thailand or Chile) or possible participation in conferences. There are several working groups at the Department of Astrophysics, where students meet and work together on interesting projects.

The aim during the master's program is to prepare students for the follow-up doctoral studies either at the Faculty of Science or institutes of the Academy of Sciences, which qualifies them as a future scientists. They can also act as a leading researcher on folk observatories and planetariums, where they will use their skills to educate the public, employees and the employees of these organizations. If students acquire additional pedagogical education they can act as teachers in secondary schools. The teaching of some subjects and leading graduate theses is also offered by researchers of the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Graduate studies - Ph.D. degree

The doctoral program is intended for graduates of master's degree of physics. The study is focused on several key topics in astrophysics, like hot stars and stellar systems with hot components, especially the physics of stellar atmospheres of hot stars, stellar wind-driven radiation and chemically peculiar stars. Another area is the traditional astrophysical research of variable stars, including methodology, processing and interpretation of observational material of all kinds. On the implementation of doctoral studies is also involved Astronomical Institute, which is a training center. As a result, students can deal with other topics of modern astrophysics, the physics of the Sun, the solar system and the physics of galaxies.

Graduated students have a deep knowledge of astrophysics, which allow them to independently and creatively approach to solving difficult in Astrophysical problems from the formulation and solution using the appropriate mathematical tools to interpretive conclusions and present them before the scientific community. They can also apply as researchers at the Institutes of the Academy of Sciences, universities and other educational institutions dedicated to basic research, such as the observatory and planetarium.