KAIST PHYSICS
Department Introduction
Istiak Akib
Junior
Advanced Major in Physics
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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WHY PHYSICS? 01.
Why I Chose Physics and You Should Too
JOB, GRAD SCHOOL, INTERNSHIP 02.
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What Can You Do With a Physics Degree
ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT
Trust Me: We Are Better Than Gen Phy
03.
04.
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LABS AND COURSES
A Short Introduction
01.
WHY PHYSICS?
Why I Chose Physics and You Should Too
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WHY PHYSICS?
Physics is the core science - the
study of everything. Physics
tries to understand nature in its
full beauty. In that sense, the
physicists are an attempt by the
universe to understand itself.
Like most of the high school
students, I had a passion for
Physics that survived the
freshman courses.
“The most incomprehensible thing
about the universe is that it is
comprehensible.”
ALBERT EINSTEIN
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“Physics teaches people to accept
reality with awe and admiration; not
to mention the amazement and joy
that comes with it.”
LISE MEITNER
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“All science is either physics … or
stamp collecting”
ERNEST RUTHERFORD
WHY PHYSICS AT KAIST?
KAIST Physics is one of the
world leaders probing many areas
of experimental, theoretical and
technological research. KAIST’s
extensive focus on research
helps graduates in both academic
and industry career.
02.
JOB, GRAD SCHOOL,
INTERNSHIP
What Can You Do With a Physics Degree
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JOB, GRAD SCHOOL, INTERNSHIP
A Physics degree equips you with core
knowledge of almost all the fields of
science and technology along with an
unique set of problem solving skills.
Most physics graduates go on to join grad
school. For industry jobs, choose your
thesis and masters program focused in
application and industry involvement. A
research pathway usually features a PhD
followed by a few postdoc placements.
You can join physics research internships
during the summer after your 2nd/3rd year
depending on your profile.
03.
ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT
Trust Me: We Are Better Than Gen Phy
ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT
In the major courses, the class
size is small, the professor and
TAs are much more enthusiastic.
The course contents are world
class. But physics everywhere is
notoriously hard and the love of
physics will keep you going.
We regularly have seminars where
researchers from KAIST, Korea
and around the world talk about
their works. There are often get
together events (guessing from
online session and past photos).
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Assignments and Exams
Usually the courses give problem
sets every two weeks (6-8 per
semester). The lab courses mostly
have one experiment per week.
Apart from traditional closed
book exams, midterm and finals
are often open book depending on
the professor. Some courses may
feature assignment based midterm/
final too.
““Thermodynamics is a funny [Link] first time
you go through it,you don't understand it at
[Link] second time you go through it,you think you
understand it,except for one or two [Link]
third time you go through it,you know you don't
understand it,but by that time you are so used to
the subject,it doesn't bother you anymore..”
ARNOLD SOMMERFELD
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“What I am going to tell you about is what we
teach our physics students in the third or
fourth year of graduate school... It is my
task to convince you not to turn away because
you don't understand it. You see my physics
students don't understand it... That is
because I don't understand it. Nobody does.”
RICHARD FEYNMAN
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04.
LABS AND COURSES
A Short Introduction
RESEARCH AREAS
CONDENSED HIGH ENERGY COMPLEX SYSTEM
MATTER PHYSICS OPTICS PHYSICS AND BIOPHYSICS
Condensed matter Theoretical and Quantum Field Statistical
theory and experimental Theory and physics, complex
experiments in research in String theory, systems, non-
spin systems, light matter theoretical and linear dynamics,
nanomaterials, interaction, experimental biosensors,
magnetism, low lasers, quantum elementary biomedical optics,
temp. physics, optics and particle and biophysics,
superconductors, informations, astroparticle structural biology
crystals nanophotonics physics
COURSES TO BE TAKEN EACH YEAR
YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4
Basic required Mechanics, EM, Thermodynamics, Theis, Lab 3 &
math (LA, DE), Modern Phy, Math QM, Optics and other advanced
Gen Phy lab 2 Method, Lab 1 other courses courses
A POSSIBLE COURSE PLAN FOR INTERNATIONALS
21 FALL 22 SPRING 22 FALL
Gen Phy lab 2, DE, CM 1, EM 1, Modern CM 2, EM 2, Math
LA, App. Analysis, Physics Method 1
Prob and Stat
23 SPRING 23 FALL 24 SPRING
QM1, Thermal QM2, Stat. Mech, Solid State, Nucl.
Physics, Math Optics, Thesis & Particle, Gen.
Method 2, Lab 1 Relativity, Lab 3
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POPULAR DEPARTMENT COMBINATIONS
MATH EE CS
If you want to do If you want to do If you want to do
theoretical physics applied physics simulation or
many math dept research in modelling type
courses can help to condensed matter physics research
gain a rigorous physics/ optics with (e.g. complex
understanding of an industry goal, EE systems) then CS
corresponding is a suitable experience can
physics courses. choice. help a lot.
“Why suffer alone when we can
suffer together?”
ISTIAK AKIB
THANKS
Do you have any questions?
Ask away!
mail:[Link]@[Link]
Discord: akib#3851
Kakao: ihakib
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