About US

• Physics has a major aim to find the fundamental principles of the nature, from the sub-nuclear to the universe, and to predict possible phenomena derived from such fundamental principles. Since the beginning of the history of the natural sciences.


• The goal of the Department of Physics here at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST) is to instill into her students deep physical insight and the ability to use such insights in creative way through a thorough and wide-ranging education in both theoretical and experimental subjects. In 1971, a time when Korean graduate education in physics was far behind the world standards, the groundwork was laid for foundation of Korea Advanced Institute of Science(KAIS), a special graduate institute of science and technology whose purpose was to produce manpower with higher education in science and technology. And in 1971, under the leadership of Dr. Sangsoo Lee(presently a professor emeritus at this department), KAIS started with 106 graduate students of whom 10 were in the Department of Mathematics and Physics. The students were given special exemption from the military drafts and awarded with full scholarships.


• In 1990, KAIS was merged with the former Korean Institute of Technology(KIT), a mission oriented undergraduate institute founded in 1985 for advanced undergraduate education of scientifically gifted students. Thus, KAIST in its present from was established as its main campus was located in Daeduk science town in Daejon.

Department of Physics

• Presently, the department consists of 32 full-time faculties with additional 6 professors emeritus, about 200 graduate students and 100 undergraduate students. About 670 alumni who have graduated from the Department of Physics with a graduate degree have succeeded to play leading roles in many educational and research institutes as well as in the industry. Furthermore, the demands for such graduates continue to grow. The undergraduate program begins with an introductory phase which emphasizes the basic physical under-standing in the fundamental fields of classical mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and mathematical physics. After completing the introductory courses, the students are introduced to more specialized fields such as solid state physics, optics, atomic and molecular physics, semiconductor physics, plasma physics, particle physics, astrophysics, and computational physics. In parallel with lectures, students are also encouraged to undertake individual research under the supervision of professors to further develop their own skills and interest in their fields.


• The graduate programs focuses on the fields of condensed matter physics, optics, plasma physics, and particle and theoretical physics in both education and research After completing the required courses in advanced classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and laboratory experiments, students are expected to choose a thesis advisor to start their own research and thesis program.


• The research program at the Department of Physics at KAIST covers many diverse topics, frequently in close collaboration with other universities, research institutes, or industry as well as other departments here at KAIST. The Department of Physics at KAIST is still growing for diversity to include nonlinear dynamics, soft matters, complex systems, biophysics, etc, as well as for continuous pursuit of excellence.