Programme description

Biophysics is a study programme for people who want to acquire an education that harmoniously combines knowledge in physics, chemistry, computer science, and various fields of biology; and for those who wish to study fields that are likely to dominate civilization development in the 21st century. Biophysics as interdisciplinary studies allows getting acquainted with the latest achievements of science from physics, biology, and medicine. It provides a solid basis for work in medical diagnostics, environmental protection, and the design and construction of biomedical equipment. The wide range of courses offered at the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science allows each student to study individually, i.e., each student can partially modify the set of subject courses in terms of their scientific interests and specialization in the biophysics areas of their choice.

👉  Read more about this study programme

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science is one of the cutting-edge such units in Poland. It has the A+ scientific category in the rating of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and is a part of the Krakow Scientific Consortium named after Marian Smoluchowski awarded with the KNOW status (2013–2017). The faculty teaches in the scope of astronomy, astrophysics, physics, biophysics and applied computer science. It also offers interdisciplinary studies in mathematics and natural sciences and studies in the advanced materials and nanotechnology field of study. Fields of studies conducted at the faculty lead in rankings prepared by the Education Foundation 'Perspektywy' and talented students win the prestigious Diamond Grant programme.

The premises of the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science are located on the territory of the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival. Students gain a practical knowledge based on classes in laboratories and workshops equipped with modern research and measuring equipment, and specialized software which is crucial when it comes to further research work and participation in research projects or career in other jobs. The Faculty cooperates with many companies by conducting joint classes, research projects, and master's theses.

👉  Virtual walk through the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Positive evaluation of the study programme rating awarded by the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA)
• Scientific category A+ in the discipline of Physical Sciences awarded to the Jagiellonian University in Kraków by the decision of the Minister of Education and Science

Curriculum overview

In the programme curriculum, you may find information about the subjects you will attend while studying this programme. The programme indicates which subjects are scheduled for each semester of the studies, which are mandatory, which belong to the group of elective subjects (so-called optional subjects), which of them end with an exam, and which do not. Each subject in such a programme curriculum has its syllabus, which is a description of what students learn within the scope of that subject.

Student’s life

Time spent at the university is not all about education and class participation; it is also an excellent opportunity to develop hobbies and interests. Many research societies and student organizations work at the Jagiellonian University, including faculty- and university-wide ones. These societies allow students to spend their free time actively, gain knowledge, develop their talents, participate in engaging, unconventional projects, go on research and team-building trips, participate in conferences and meet fellow students outside the lecture halls. There are many student associations at the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science, f.e. Physicists Research Group, young scientists can apply for the Frank Wilczek Prize funded by the Faculty and the Kosciuszko Foundation, or for a scholarship and tutoring as part of the SciMat project.

Students interested in the international dimension of studying can participate in a wide variety of exchange programmes such as Erasmus+, Utrecht Network, exchange programmes within Bilateral Agreements or European university Una Europa, or participate in a domestic mobility programme called MOST.

More than just studies

• SciMat—scholarship programme
• Frank Wilczek Prize—for outstanding young researchers
• Student Government of the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science

From our lecturers

Dr Witold Zawadzki, Institute of Physics
The University provides unique conditions for studying - access to modern research equipment, scholarship programmes and what is most important: people - academic teachers and scientists.

Admission to studies

Admission to study programmes at the Jagiellonian University is conducted electronically in the Online Application System: irk.uj.edu.pl. If you have any questions related to admission, please contact the Admissions Office directly or visit the websites: welcome.uj.edu.pl and irk.uj.edu.pl.

Detailed information about admission to this study programme, including information on the method of calculating the result, qualification criteria, fees, deadlines, and a list of required documents are available on the Online Application System (IRK): irk.uj.edu.pl

Transfer from other university or study programme

Transfer from another university, including a foreign one, or change of study programme within the University is possible with the dean's consent after completing the first year of studies and fulfilling additional requirements established by the Faculty Council. For inquiries regarding transfer, please contact the unit responsible for the specific study programme directly.

Graduates

The rapid development of biological, pharmacology and pharmacy, and medical sciences is mainly due to an increasing understanding of the physical phenomena underlying life processes. This generates a growing demand for biophysicists – specialists who combine physics, chemistry, computer science, and various fields of biology.

Graduates of Biophysics are prepared to work in laboratories, in the IT industry (bioinformatics, modeling biological systems, creation of medicines) and nanotechnology industry, in teams engaged in projects in the scope of medical diagnostics, environmental protection and design and construction of biomedical equipment. Completion of the optional classes for teachers allows graduates to work at schools. Graduates of second-cycle degree studies are additionally prepared to work in the health care and medical planning sector; specialized research and development facilities, including pharmaceutical companies, companies producing new technology equipment, biomedical and pharmaceutical equipment software, in medical imaging laboratories in medical facilities, as well as in research and didactic units.

Further education possibilities

• Second-cycle programmes
• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences
• Post diploma programmes

Offer for school

The following events are conducted in Polish – to find out about the offer for English-speaking audience, please get in touch with the organizer directly. Additionally, due to the current pandemic, some faculty and university events may be canceled or conducted in a form other than that described below.

The Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science offers the following events:

• laboratory classes based on simple experiments from the scope of mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, and optics performed by students on their own under the supervision of experienced academics and doctoral students
• workshops in physics—for students interested in physics in the scope exceeding their school's curriculum. The programme consists of solving problems concerning physics in the form of multi-level theoretical tasks, classes in the physics workshop, and individual meetings of workshop participants with the Institute of Physics academics
• evenings with stars organized at the Astronomical Observatory—include popular science lecture, the exhibition of meteorites, a visit to the observatory domes, observation using a 35cm Maksutov telescope (if the weather is right)
• 'Women to science!' campaign; astronomy for everyone; physics high-school mock exam, and much more. 

More information about the evens is available on the Faculty's website.

We invite all schools to take part in the cycle of meetings "University Closer to You – visits to the Jagiellonian University". The aim of the meetings during the tours is to familiarize students with the history of our University through a rich educational offer (lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, etc.). The current programme of the event is available on the organizer's website – the Centre for Communications and Marketing of the Jagiellonian University.

The Jagiellonian Library offers tours of both the old and new parts of the building. The tour programme includes presentations on the history of the Library and the building itself, as well as a visit to the Department of Depositories. The offer of the Collegium Maius includes lessons on "The Trail of Science" and "The Trail of History and Art," as well as interactive online classes. We also invite you to explore the educational offer of the Botanical Garden, the Nature Education Centre, the Confucius Institute, and the Museum of Anatomy.

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science located in the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival, so-called the Third Campus, in Kraków’s district – Ruczaj. For more information, please contact:

wydzial.fais@uj.edu.pl

ul. Łojasiewicza 11
30-348 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 664 48 90

fais.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Physics (Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science) – programme in Polish
• Astrophysics and Cosmology (Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science) – programme in Polish
• Molecular and Cellular Biophysics (Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology) – programme in Polish