OLLSCOIL ISLES IDIRNÁISIÚNTA | ISLES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITYUniversity for Doctoral Studies, Postdoctoral Research & Publication
Established Since 2000 in the European Union
OLLSCOIL ISLES IDIRNÁISIÚNTA | ISLES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
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The DSc offers frontier research and educational programs in virtually all areas of contemporary science.
Science at DSc is unbounded. It is as vast as the imaginations of our faculty and students, who continually mandate new academic and research directions for the School. From quarks and gluons to the large scale structure of the universe, from individual neurons to the complex processes involved in language acquisition, from the mathematics of computer science to the fundamental concepts of logic, from the basic chemistry of copper and oxygen to the biochemical processes involved in Alzheimer’s disease … if it matters to the world, it’s being explored and re-defined in the DSc.
The DSc hosts five disciplines which are organised in four academic sections; each discipline performs under guidance of the Chair of Discipline and one section related to two disciplines is run by Deputy Head of Department of Science.
Mathematics and StatisticsAlgebra & Algebraic Geometry
Polynomial equations and systems of equations occur in all branches of mathematics, science and engineering. Understanding the surprisingly complex solutions (algebraic varieties) to these systems has been a mathematical enterprise for many centuries and remains one of the deepest and most central areas of contemporary mathematics. The research interests of our group include the classification of algebraic varieties, especially the birational classification and the theory of moduli, which involves considerations of how algebraic varieties vary as one varies the coefficients of the defining equations. The advent of high-speed computers has inspired new research into algorithmic methods of solving polynomial equations, with many interesting practical applications (e.g., to economics, genetics and robotics).
Analysis & PDEs
Calculus and the theory of real and complex continuous functions are among the crowning achievements of science. The field of mathematical analysis continues the development of that theory today to give even greater power and generality. Our faculty have made large strides in advancing our techniques to analyze partial differential equations of various types to understand the nature of their solutions. Our group in analysis investigates free boundary problems, dispersive equations, microlocal analysis with applications to differential geometry and mathematical physics (index theory).
Mathematical Logic & Foundations
Mathematical logic investigates the power of mathematical reasoning itself. The various subfields of this area are connected through their study of foundational notions: sets, proof, computation, and models. The exciting and active areas of logic today are set theory, model theory and connections with computer science. Set theory addresses various ways to axiomatize mathematics, with implications for understanding the properties of sets having large infinite cardinalities and connections with the axiomatization of mathematics. Model theory investigates particular mathematical theories such as complex algebraic geometry, and has been used to settle open questions in these areas. Theoretical computer science developed partially out of logic, and questions such as P =? NP are being pursued with techniques from logic.
Number Theory
The integers and prime numbers have fascinated people since ancient times. Recently, the field has seen huge advances. Recent advances in this area include the Green-Tao proof that prime numbers occur in arbitrarily long arithmetic progressions. The Langlands Program is a broad series of conjectures that connect number theory with representation theory. Number theory has applications in computer science due to connections with cryptography. The research interests of our group involve arithmetic algebraic geometry, or specifically: p-adic analytic methods in arithmetic geometry, p-adic Hodge theory, algorithms, and applications (cryptography, coding theory, etc.), analytic number theory in particular automorphic forms.
Probability & Statistics
Following the work of Kolmogorov and Wiener, probability theory after WW II concentrated on its connections with PDEs and harmonic analysis with great success. It deserves credit for some of the most delicate results in modern harmonic analysis; it provides the foundation on which signal processing and filtering theory are built in engineering; and it played a critical role in the mathematical attempts to rationalize quantum field theory. Combinatorial branches of probability theory were overshadowed during that period but are now returning to the fore. Probability theory lies at the crossroads of many fields within pure and applied mathematics, as well as areas outside the boundaries of the mathematics department. Statistics is a mathematical field with many important scientific and engineering applications.
Representation Theory
Symmetries occur throughout mathematics and science. Representation theory seeks to understand all the possible ways that an abstract collection of symmetries can arise. One fundamental problem involves describing all the irreducible unitary representations of each Lie group, the continuous symmetries of a finite-dimensional geometry. Doing so corresponds to identifying all finite-dimensional symmetries of a quantum-mechanical system. Research interests of this group include vertex algebras, quantum groups, infinite-dimensional Lie algebras, representations of real and p-adic groups, Hecke algebras and symmetric spaces.
Combinatorics
Combinatorics involves the general study of discrete objects. Reasoning about such objects occurs throughout mathematics and science. Researchers in quantum gravity have developed deep combinatorial methods to evaluate integrals, and many problems in statistical mechanics are discretized into combinatorial problems. Our department has been the nexus for developing connections between combinatorics, commutative algebra, algebraic geometry, and representation theory that have led to the solution of major long-standing problems. We've also been historically strong on the other parts of combinatorics, including extremal, probabilistic, and algorithmic combinatorics, some of which have close ties to other areas including computer science.
Physical Applied Mathematics
We've developed a theoretical framework to describe the induced-charge mechanism for nonlinear electro-osmotic flow. Our work in biomimetics focuses on elucidating mechanisms exploited by insects and birds for fluid transport on a micro-scale. These and other activities in digital microfluidics and nanotechnology have applications in biologically inspired materials such as a unidirectional super-hydrophobic surface, and devices such as the `lab-on-a-chip' and micropumps. Nanophotonics is the study of electromagnetic wave phenomena in media structured on the same lengthscale as the wavelength, and is an active area of study in our group, for example to allow unprecedented control over light from ultra-low-power lasers to hollow-core optical fibers. New mathematical tools may be useful here, to give rigorous theorems for optical confinement and to understand the limit where quantum and atomic-scale phenomena become significant. Granular materials provide challenging problems of collective dynamics far from equilibrium. The intermediate nature (between solid and fluid) of dense granular matter defies traditional statistical mechanics and existing continuum models from fluid dynamics and solid elasto-plasticity.
Computational Science & Numerical Analysis
Computational science is a key area related to physical mathematics. The problems of interest in physical mathematics often require computations for their resolution. Conversely, the development of efficient computational algorithms often requires an understanding of the basic properties of the solutions to the equations to be solved numerically. For example, the development of methods for the solution of hyperbolic equations (e.g. shock capturing methods in, say, gas-dynamics) has been characterized by a very close interaction between theoretical, computational, experimental scientists, and engineers.
Theoretical Computer Science
This field comprises two sub-fields: the theory of algorithms, which involves the design and analysis of computational procedures; and complexity theory, which involves efforts to prove that no efficient algorithms exist in certain cases, and which investigates the classification system for computational tasks. Time, memory, randomness and parallelism are typical measures of computational effort. Theoretical computer science is a natural bridge between mathematics and computer science, and both fields have benefited from the connection. The field is very active, with exciting breakthroughs and intriguing challenges. The P =? NP problem is one of the seven of the Clay Millennium Problems. The recent polynomial time primality algorithm received a Clay Math research award. Our group investigates active areas such as quantum computation, approximation algorithms, algorithms in number theory, distributed computing and complexity theory.
The department offers programs covering a broad range of topics leading to the Doctor of Philosophy. Candidates are admitted to the Pure or Applied Mathematics programs but are free to pursue interests in both groups. The programs offer basic and advanced courses in analysis, algebra, geometry, Lie theory, logic, and topology, astrophysics, combinatorics, fluid dynamics, theoretical physics, numerical analysis, probability and statistics and the theory of computation. In addition, many mathematically-oriented courses are offered by other departments. Students in Applied Mathematics are especially encouraged to take courses in engineering and scientific subjects related to their research.
Earth and BiologyGeology, geochemistry, and geobiology
To trace our planet’s history and better predict its future, we are developing highly accurate means of monitoring material and chemical fluxes through the Earth system, describing and imaging the Earth’s crust, and measuring time in the geologic record. Numerous opportunities exist within DSc for collaboration among scientists studying tectonics, geochronology, geodynamics, climate change, atmospheric dynamics, physical oceanography, and other related topics.
Although our scientists share many overlapping interests, we break ourselves into the following five categories:
Tectonics – Research in tectonics is performed to understand how the Earth’s systems—from the atmosphere to the core—influence each other as matter and energy are transferred among them.
Geochemistry and Petrology - Research in geochemistry and petrology is aimed at understanding the conditions, timing, and rates of igneous and metamorphic processes in the Earth and planets.
Sedimentary Geology - Research in sedimentary geology is important both for understanding the complex interactions that shape modern Earth surface environments, and for interpreting the geologic history of the continents and the oceans.
Geobiology – Our research involves the study of organic matter from microbes, environmental samples, and rocks in order to reconstruct ancient environments and understand how life evolved within them.
Surface Processes and Landform Evolution - Our research emphasizes the quantitative, mechanistic study of sediment production, erosion, transport, and deposition. Research projects range in scale from single bedforms to mountain belts and continental margins.
Geophysics
The goal of researchers in the geophysics program is to understand the interactions among the physical and chemical processes, occurring over a broad range of spatial and temporal scales, that lead to the rich behaviors of a variety of geosystems. Utilizing sophisticated instrumentation, including Global Positioning System (GPS) arrays and portable digital seismic networks, our geophysicists obtain and interpret observations in such places as the Tibet, Australia, and South America. We also rely on data from the scientific community, which we analyze in our state-of-the-art facilities.
Atmospheres, oceans, and climate
Seeking to describe and understand the basic mechanisms that control the evolution of the global environment, our scientists study fluid dynamics, physics, chemistry, geology, hydrology, and computer science. In all areas of research, we emphasize a combination of theoretical, observational, and modelling approaches. Through the Discipline’s research program, there exists great potential for the application of basic science to solving practical societal problems—which makes this research unusually compelling. In fact, our scientists constantly make significant findings about predictability of chaotic systems, the chemistry of the ozone hole, the physics of hurricanes, and the dynamics of ice ages.
Current research in the DSc includes the areas of cellular, developmental and molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology, classical and molecular genetics, plant molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, neurobiology, and computational and systems biology. Often, the research projects of any one laboratory involve more than one of these categories.
Biochemistry and Biophysics
Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes in living organisms. It deals with the structure and function of cellular components such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and other biomolecules. The biochemistry of cell metabolism and the endocrine system has been extensively described. Other areas of biochemistry include the genetic code (DNA, RNA), protein synthesis, cell membrane transport, and signal transduction. Since all known life forms that are still alive today are descended from the same common ancestor, they have similar biochemistries, even for matters that seem to be essentially arbitrary, such as handedness of various biomolecules. It is unknown whether alternative biochemistries are possible or practical.
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that employs and develops theories and methods of the physical sciences for the investigation of biological systems. Studies included under the umbrella of biophysics span all levels of biological organization, from the molecular scale to whole organisms and ecosystems. Biophysical research shares significant overlap with biochemistry, nanotechnology, bioengineering, agrophysics and systems biology. Molecular biophysics typically addresses biological questions that are similar to those in biochemistry and molecular biology, but the questions are approached quantitatively. Scientists in this field conduct research concerned with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis, as well as how these interactions are regulated. A great variety of techniques are used to answer these questions.
Bioengineering
Bioengineering (also known as Biological Engineering) is the application of engineering principles to address challenges in the fields of biology and medicine. As a study, it encompasses biomedical engineering and it is related to biotechnology. Bioengineering applies engineering principles to the full spectrum of living systems. This is achieved by using existing methodologies in such fields as molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, cytology, immunology and neuroscience and applies them to the design of medical devices, diagnostic equipment, biocompatible materials, and other important medical needs. Bioengineering is not limited to the medical field. Bioengineers have the ability to exploit new opportunities and solve problems within the domain of complex systems. They have a great understanding of living systems as complex systems which can be applied to many fields including entrepreneurship.
Cell Biology
Cell biology studies cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This is done both on a microscopic and molecular level. Cell biology research encompasses both the great diversity of single-celled organisms like bacteria and protozoa, as well as the many specialized cells in multicellular organisms like humans.
Knowing the components of cells and how cells work is fundamental to all biological sciences. Appreciating the similarities and differences between cell types is particularly important to the fields of cell and molecular biology as well as to biomedical fields such as cancer research and developmental biology. These fundamental similarities and differences provide a unifying theme, sometimes allowing the principles learned from studying one cell type to be extrapolated and generalized to other cell types. Hence, research in cell biology is closely related to genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology and developmental biology.
Computational and Systems Biology
Computational biology is an interdisciplinary field that applies the techniques of computer science, applied mathematics and statistics to address biological problems. It encompasses the fields of:
Bioinformatics, which applies algorithms and statistical techniques to the interpretation, classification and understanding of biological datasets.
Computational biomodeling, a field within biocybernetics concerned with building computational models of biological systems.
Computational genomics, a field within genomics which studies the genomes of cells and organisms.
Molecular modeling, which consists of modelling the behaviour of molecules of biological importance.
Systems biology, which uses systems theory to model large-scale biological interaction networks (also known as the interactome).
Protein structure prediction and structural genomics, which attempt to systematically produce accurate structural models for three-dimensional protein structures that have not been determined experimentally.
Computational biochemistry and biophysics, which make extensive use of structural modeling and simulation methods such as molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo method-inspired Boltzmann sampling methods in an attempt to elucidate the kinetics and thermodynamics of protein functions.
Microbiology
Microbiology studies microorganisms, which are unicellular or cell-cluster microscopic organisms. This includes eukaryote such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes, which are bacteria and archaea. Viruses, though not strictly classed as living organisms, are also studied. In short; microbiology refers to the study of life and organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Microbiology is a broad term which includes virology, mycology, parasitology, bacteriology and other branches. A microbiologist is a specialist in microbiology. Microbiology is researched actively, and the field is advancing continually. We have probably only studied about one percent of all of the microbe species on Earth. Although microbes were first observed over three hundred years ago, the field of microbiology can be said to be in its infancy relative to older biological disciplines such as zoology and botany.
Neurobiology
Neurobiology is the study of cells of the nervous system and the organization of these cells into functional circuits that process information and mediate behavior. It is a subdiscipline of both biology and neuroscience. Neurobiology differs from neuroscience, a much broader field that is concerned with any scientific study of the nervous system. Neurobiology should also not be confused with other subdisciplines of neuroscience such as computational neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral neuroscience, biological psychiatry, neurology, and neuropsychology despite the overlap with these subdisciplines
Faculty and students work at the DSc include cutting-edge research on cognitive neuroscience. Cognitive neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field of research that encompasses systems neuroscience, computation, and cognitive science. Its goal is to further our understanding of the relationship between cognitive phenomena and the underlying physical substrate of the brain. Using a combination of behavioral testing, advanced brain imaging, and theoretical modeling, the cognitive neuroscience research endeavors taking place within the department seek to elucidate how high-level functions, such as language and visual object recognition, relate to specific neural substructures in the brain.
Our PhD program offers students a learning and research environment that is unequalled in its interdisciplinary opportunities. PhD students interact with accomplished faculty and researchers and have access to world-class facilities.
We have developed unique PhD programs, based on a philosophy of training students broadly in modern earth and biology science. Our programs are designed for students with widely diverse academic and research experiences. By the end of their first year, our students have acquired both a strong foundation in the principles of modern earth and biology science and exposure to contemporary thinking in a wide variety of specific fields. Our students become directly involved in many of the most significant research accomplishments of the Department and go on to become leaders in their fields, both in academic and industrial settings, all over the world.
PhysicsContemporary research in physics can be broadly divided into condensed matter physics; atomic, molecular, and optical physics; particle physics; astrophysics; geophysics and biophysics. The DSc supports research in Physics education. The individual fields of physics have become increasingly specialized, and today most physicists work in a single field for their entire careers.
Condensed matter physics
Velocity-distribution data of a gas of rubidium atoms, confirming the discovery of a new phase of matter, the Bose–Einstein condensateCondensed matter physics is the field of physics that deals with the macroscopic physical properties of matter. In particular, it is concerned with the "condensed" phases that appear whenever the number of constituents in a system is extremely large and the interactions between the constituents are strong.
Atomic, molecular, and optical physics
Atomic, molecular, and optical physics (AMO) is the study of matter-matter and light-matter interactions on the scale of single atoms or structures containing a few atoms. The three areas are grouped together because of their interrelationships, the similarity of methods used, and the commonality of the energy scales that are relevant. All three areas include both classical and quantum treatments; they can treat their subject from a microscopic view (in contrast to a macroscopic view).
Particle physics
A simulated event in the CMS detector of the Large Hadron Collider, featuring the appearance of the Higgs boson. Particle physics is the study of the elementary constituents of matter and energy, and the interactions between them. It may also be called "high energy physics", because many elementary particles do not occur naturally, but are created only during high energy collisions of other particles, as can be detected in particle accelerators.
Currently, the interactions of elementary particles are described by the Standard Model. The model accounts for the 12 known particles of matter that interact via the strong, weak, and electromagnetic fundamental forces. Dynamics are described in terms of matter particles exchanging messenger particles that carry the forces. These messenger particles are known as gluons; W− and W+ and Z bosons; and the photons, respectively. The Standard Model also predicts a particle known as the Higgs boson, the existence of which has not yet been verified.
Astrophysics and Physical cosmology
The deepest visible-light image of the universe, the Hubble Ultra Deep FieldAstrophysics and astronomy are the application of the theories and methods of physics to the study of stellar structure, stellar evolution, the origin of the solar system, and related problems of cosmology. Because astrophysics is a broad subject, astrophysicists typically apply many disciplines of physics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, nuclear and particle physics, and atomic and molecular physics.
Physics Research in the DSc is continually progressing on a large number of fronts and Research Projects developed by the DSc Faculty and /or involving a substantial participation from our researchers and students through interdisciplinary or interuniversity projects include several topics and unsolved questions, which intensive research work is part of our PhD Programmes.
In condensed matter physics, an important unsolved theoretical problem is that of high-temperature superconductivity. Many condensed matter experiments are aiming to fabricate workable spintronics and quantum computers.
In particle physics, the first pieces of experimental evidence for physics beyond the Standard Model have begun to appear. Foremost among these are indications that neutrinos have non-zero mass. These experimental results appear to have solved the long-standing solar neutrino problem, and the physics of massive neutrinos remains an area of active theoretical and experimental research. In the next several years, particle accelerators will begin probing energy scales in the TeV range, in which experimentalists are hoping to find evidence for the Higgs boson and supersymmetric particles.
Theoretical attempts to unify quantum mechanics and general relativity into a single theory of quantum gravity, a program ongoing for over half a century, have not yet been decisively resolved. The current leading candidates are M-theory, superstring theory and loop quantum gravity.
Many astronomical and cosmological phenomena have yet to be satisfactorily explained, including the existence of ultra-high energy cosmic rays, the baryon asymmetry, the acceleration of the universe and the anomalous rotation rates of galaxies.
Although much progress has been made in high-energy, quantum, and astronomical physics, many everyday phenomena involving complexity, chaos, or turbulence are still poorly understood. Complex problems that seem like they could be solved by a clever application of dynamics and mechanics remain unsolved; examples include the formation of sandpiles, nodes in trickling water, the shape of water droplets, mechanisms of surface tension catastrophes, and self-sorting in shaken heterogeneous collections. These complex phenomena have received growing attention since the 1970s for several reasons, including the availability of modern mathematical methods and computers, which enabled complex systems to be modeled in new ways. Complex physics has become part of increasingly interdisciplinary research, as exemplified by the study of turbulence in aerodynamics and the observation of pattern formation in biological systems.
ChemistryBiological
Biological chemistry is in an exciting era. The confluence of new biochemical, genetic, and engineering methods allows an unprecedented view of the simultaneous changes of mRNA, protein, and metabolite levels inside cells. The ability to solve structures, prepare novel molecules combinatorially, evolve new biological activities, and make measurements on single cells has provided new insights into the relationship of biologically-important molecules and their physiological effects. Research in the Discipline of Chemistry at DSc covers a wide range interests and employs many of the most modern technologies. Our department offers something for everyone. Current research in biological chemistry at DSc includes development of new technologies and synthesis of molecules to measure metal ion concentrations and protein movement, protein interactions and enzyme activities inside cells; efforts to understand the structure and function of metallo-proteins with novel cofactors and macromolecular protein complexes involved in glycosylation, DNA replication and repair, and controlled protein degradation and signaling pathways; use of single molecule methods to study ion transport and protein movement within membranes and solid state NMR methods to examine membrane protein structure and function; development of new mechanism-based chemotherapeutic agents and monitoring the distribution of these agents in cells and tissues by novel mass spectrometric methods; Synthesis of molecules to study protein folding and catalyst design and use of proteins in organic solvent to make new materials.
Members of the biological chemistry groups also work in collaboration with other departments, labs, and centers including the Center for Magnetic Resonance of Lyon, the Discipline of Biology, and the Biological Engineering Research Group.
Environmental
The Discipline of Chemistry has joined in DSc resolve to be at the forefront of developing new technologies for an environmentally sustainable future. Current research topics include green chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, studies on the effect of environmental agents on human health, and the development of environmentally friendly methods for chemical synthesis. Our department is committed to fostering a multidisciplinary research atmosphere and many chemistry faculty members with interests in the environment and sustainability are associated with the Center for Environmental Health at Surrey in the UK.
Inorganic
The inorganic community at DSc is structured around seven primary faculty members whose research interests cover the spectrum from physical-inorganic to synthetic inorganic and organometallic chemistry. Ongoing research programs involve biological and medical applications of inorganic chemistry, transition metal and main group organometallic chemistry, coordination chemistry, photo-, heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, and solid state and surface chemistry.
The scope of our inorganic program provides a wide selection of thesis topics as well as a broadening graduate educational experience to be gained through exposure and access to many of the important areas of inorganic chemistry at the research level.
Materials
The design and synthesis of new materials is a major focus of research at DSc. Novel chemical principles are being applied (at the molecular level of detail) to create exciting new materials with novel sensory, mechanical, biological, electronic and magnetic properties. Materials chemistry differs from classical chemical research in that it is generally concerned with interactions that arise from organizing molecules, polymers, and clusters over length scales beyond typical small molecule dimensions (nanometers to centimeters). Research in materials chemistry disregards the barriers between chemistry's traditional sub-disciplines and combines organic, inorganic, polymer, physical, biological, and analytical chemistry. The DSc has one of the best academic materials research efforts in the world. Materials researchers in chemistry benefit tremendously from interactions with those in other disciplines and research projects at the School.
Nanoscience
Nanoscience refers to the science and manipulation of chemical and biological structures with dimensions in the range from 1-100 nanometers. Nanoscience building blocks may consist of anywhere from a few hundred atoms to millions of atoms. On this scale, new properties (electrical, mechanical, optical, chemical, and biological) that are fundamentally different from bulk or molecular properties can emerge. Nanoscience is about creating new chemical and biological nanostructures, uncovering and understanding their novel properties, and ultimately about learning how to organize these new nanostructures into larger and more complex functional structures and devices. Nanoscience is a new way of thinking about building up complex materials and devices by exquisite control of the functionality of matter and its assembly at the nanometer-length scale. Nanoscience inherently bridges disciplinary boundaries. The "nano" length scale requires the involvement of chemical concepts at the atomic and molecular level. Devices and other functional structures engineered at the nano-scale often use light or electrical signals either to interact with the macroscopic world, or because the devices are designed to process information, with photons or electrons. The vision of nanoscience ultimately combines the science and engineering of man-made and biological entities, controlled at the nanometer scale, and assembled into complex, engineered structures that can interact with their surroundings at dimensions ranging from that of molecules to that of humans and beyond.
Organic
Research in organic chemistry at DSc addresses a broad spectrum of important problems of current interest and includes investigations at the frontier of bioorganic chemistry, organic synthesis, and materials science. Specific areas of research include protein glycosylation and protein design, chemosensors, liquid crystals, supramolecular catalysis, the design of new organometallic reagents and catalysts, the invention of new methods for asymmetric catalysis, and the development of new strategies for the total synthesis of a wide array of biologically important natural products. A central theme in many projects is the study of structure-reactivity relationships of biological, organic, and organometallic molecules. Much of the current research in the department takes place at the interface of organic chemistry with other areas such as biology, medicine, materials science, and nanotechnology.
Physical
Experimental and theoretical work in the department features rapidly developing fields such as nanomaterials and devices, biophysical chemistry, atmospheric and environmental chemistry, single molecule and single quantum dot spectroscopy, and condensed phase molecular dynamics. Prominent research topics include chemical reaction dynamics in the gas phase, in solution, in the solid-state, and at interfaces; study of the physical properties and material applications of soft condensed phases, such as liquids, glasses, polymers, and liquid crystals; the solid state chemistry of semiconductor nanoparticles, ferroelectrics, and metal surfaces; and research into novel energy sources and storage. The highly interdisciplinary nature of the research has led to extensive collaborations among chemists in the department, and with groups in physics, biology, materials science, and electrical engineering. In the DSc’s highly interactive environment, many physical chemistry students become closely acquainted with researchers and methods used in other disciplines.
In learning how to do research, students not only will experience the exhilaration that comes with discovery but they will also prepare themselves for a variety of career paths. Our graduates are sought by recruiters from the chemical, petroleum, materials science and pharmaceuticals industries, by academic departments of chemistry, biology, physics and materials science, and by government laboratories and agencies. Moreover, through student’s Ph.D. thesis research each one of they will have become an independent scientist, capable of identifying areas of significance, and developing approaches to solving the major problems in chemistry. These accomplishments will prepare our PhD graduates for positions of leadership world-wide, not only in the above, more traditional arenas, but also in other developing fields as well.
DSc Books and Monographs
As a result of research work performed at the DSc and of research papers produced by students under Studies Validation process who have been supervised and guided at DSc through their research work, a great deal of high quality research publications have been fostered, including 14,548 written papers of which 277 refer to Pure Mathematics, 9,140 refer to Biology and Life Science, 3,819 deal with Earth and Environment Science, 660 refer to Physics and 315 to Chemistry (up to December 2008). These papers can be accessed and downloaded by our students from the IIU Press and Research Centre’s Database.
IIU Press Published Books and Monographs
DSc Journals
Including research articles and evidence based relevant findings from Faculty which have been qualified as outstanding and, in collaboration with the Kavala Institute of Technology; the University of Duisburg-Essen; the Max-Planck-Institute for the Study of Societies, Cologne; the Technical University of Dortmund; and with Eurojournals, DSc actively participates with the IIU Press and Research Centre on publishing three state-of-the-art academic and scientific journals: Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology Review (JESTR); Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (JSTIS) and European Journal of Scientific Research (EJSR).
Additionally, cutting-edge world class research works produced by Faculty are published in yearly editions of DSc sections at the SDS Journal and of the IIU-EU Journal.
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