Physical Chemistry

The physical chemist, a specialist in physical chemistry and related disciplines should have a broad spectrum of knowledge starting from the basics of chemistry disciplines and related interdisciplinary research fields and include practical skills in mathematics, statistics, physics, and frontier disciplines. The student should be able to master special theoretical and experimental physicochemical methods and to apply them in various areas of chemical and interdisciplinary research, to have a thorough knowledge of the relationships between the properties and structure of substances, materials, and complex systems. He/she should be able to theoretically describe experimentally obtained data, model simple and more complex chemical processes, use knowledge from the field of physical chemistry and related disciplines in various areas of social practice. Graduates of the Ph.D. program in the programme of Physical Chemistry should have in-depth knowledge of selected narrower chemical sciences, such as thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, reaction mechanisms, spectral methods, theoretical chemistry, electrochemistry, physical foundations of experimental methods, colloid, materials and biophysical chemistry. Education in the third level will also include courses in personality development, managerial skills, and competencies.

The graduate will gain practical skills and skills:
- use, develop and theoretically and practically improve methods of experimental and theoretical physical chemistry, materials chemistry, and interdisciplinary chemical disciplines;
- work with laboratory instruments and materials used in basic and applied chemistry research;
- analyze data obtained in experimental research using statistical and chemometric methods and develop methods of theoretical modeling of real chemical systems
- on the basis of the use of domestic and foreign scientific literature to plan and implement a scientific project
- process and interpret the results of scientific research into outputs - scientific publications in top scientific journals of the field
- present their results to colleagues and at scientific conferences
- be able to actively participate in the pedagogical process
- acquire the skills to engage in scientific collaboration and the basics of leading a scientific team and working in leadership positions.

Graduates of the doctoral study in the Physical Chemistry programme find employment in the academic sphere and industries in which a deep knowledge of the basics of chemistry, physicochemical methods, theoretical chemistry and modeling, independent creative scientific, and highly professional activities are required. It includes research and development professions in chemical laboratories, chemical, technological and pharmaceutical companies, in institutes of the Slovak Academy of Sciences focused on research in the fields of chemistry, physics, but also for special positions in institutes focused on biological and medical sciences, in some special expert bodies where chemical education is needed. Another application is in companies focused on the development and production of new chemicals, substances, and materials, industrial and pharmaceutical chemistry, in reference centers and laboratories. New applications are expected in private small companies, where new physicochemical methods are introduced and applied, and the development of new types of materials is expected. Examples are a start-up and spin-off companies. Specific occupations include researcher, independent researcher, senior researcher, assistant professor, university teacher, research and development manager, laboratory manager, product development manager.

Graduates of the doctoral study program Physical Chemistry find employment in employer subjects focussed on chemical and technology development and scientific research in which the highest criteria for expertise in the field of physical chemistry or the theoretical basis of other fields of chemistry are required. Examples are pedagogical and scientific research teams focusing on research and technology development (SAS, universities, departments of education, healthcare, industry, development, agriculture, materials research, pharmacy, food industry, environment, etc.). They are able to apply themselves in companies focused on new technologies, start-ups, and spin-off companies at home and abroad.

For individual study plans, the institution states the requirements for completing the individual parts of the study programme and the student's progress within the study programme in the given structure:
- Number of credits for compulsory courses:  20
- Number of credits for compulsory optional courses: 6
- Number of credits for optional courses: 169
- Number of credits for the dissertation exam and Number of credits for the dissertation defence: 15+30