Introduction

Based on the experimentally verifiable theories, the physics aims to understand, rationally explain, and predict the fundamental principles of natural phenomena. The physical science not only explores the basic natural principles governing the matters ranging from elementary particles to the vast universe, their properties and motions, but also leads to the research and development of semiconductors, lasers, particle accelerators and related cutting-edge scientific technology.

The departmental curriculum is designed for the majors students to grasp the fundamental and specialized concepts in physics through systematic instruction. Major subjects in the curriculum include solid state physics, semiconductor physics, applied physics, optics, nuclear physics, and elementary particle physics, etc. To strengthen the curricular program, each subject area is complemented with experimental and research laboratories such as semiconductor laboratory, biophysics laboratory, magnetism laboratory, optical science laboratory, nuclear physics laboratory, high energy physics laboratory and non-linear physics laboratory, each of which is well equipped to enhance the physics study in theory, experiment, applicability, and interdisciplinary collaborations with other fields including such industries as semiconductors, electricity and electronics, mechanical and materials, acoustics, optics, and the newly emerging interests in biotechnology (BT), nanotechnology (NT) and 4th industrial revolution.

Aims

The majors curriculum based on the broad theoretical and experimental approaches to the physics study and the expertise aims at cultivating the talents with the scientific knowledge and the ability to apply the physical principles in their research careers and industrial or teaching jobs. We also foster the educationally well-rounded persons capable of interacting with other scientists and engineers to meet the needs of the modern society for physicists not only with the technical expertise, but also with the ability to think rationally and creatively.

Careers

A variety of careers are accessible to the graduates of the physics majors, as physics is the basic science for other scientific and engineering fields. To choose careers in research, they may advance to graduate schools, government-sponsored institutes, industrial and private sector laboratories involving semiconductors, electronics, automobiles, information technology (IT), nanotechnology (NT), biotechnology (BT), environmental technology (ET), megatronics, and related frontier science and technology areas. The graduates may also work for the government as government service workers or technical experts.

History

1984.3: Established the Department of Physics within the College of Ocean Science, with 40 freshmen enrollment

1988.10 Realigned with the new College of Science and Technology

1989: Restructured the College of Science and Technology to the College of Natural Science

1989: Affiliated with the College of Natural Science

1990: Established M.S. degree program, Graduate College

1994: Instituted Ph.D. degree program, Graduate Collegel

2006: Selected for participation in BK21 Clean Energy Training Project (along with Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronic Engineering)

2007: Renamed as the Faculty of Energy Application System Physics Majors

2009: Awarded for academic program excellence, Korea University Education Association (2008)

2012: Participated in LINK High Efficiency Wind Power Electricity Track

2013: Selected for participation in BK21+Clean Energy Convergence/Fusion Training Project