Established in 2004, the Department of Physics at Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) launched its Master’s Program in Physics (with thesis) in the Fall Semester of 2008, following the graduation of its first undergraduate cohort. The PhD Program in Physics commenced student admissions in the Fall Semester of 2025. 

The Department of Physics, which hosts research groups actively engaged in a wide range of fields, including applied spectroscopy, atomic and molecular physics, nanotechnology, computational physics, biophysics, astrophysics, space sciences, astronomy education, and archeoastronomy, and the application of physical techniques to art and archaeology, enables its students to collaborate with industry, research institutes, and international scientific communities while ensuring that they are well-prepared for careers in academia and research alongside various other fields. 

The primary aim of the PhD Program in Physics is to provide advanced, specialized education in physics, fostering the development of highly qualified professionals and researchers. The program seeks to train experts capable of developing innovative ideas, methods, and technologies, while keeping pace with national and international scientific advancements. Graduates will uphold ethical values, communicate effectively with global stakeholders, and contribute to enhancing Türkiye’s research potential with a competitive and universal perspective. These researchers will conduct high-level studies in physics and interdisciplinary fields, enriching scientific literature through patents and original publications in reputable journals. 

Throughout the program, students will acquire a strong conceptual foundation to support their research, while receiving interdisciplinary training on the applications of physics in areas such as chemistry, materials science, biology, pharmacology, medicine, astronomy, and space sciences. In-depth discussions on current topics and the latest scientific developments will position students at the forefront of scientific innovation. 

The Department of Physics at IKU has cultivated a strong research culture by establishing state-of-the-art laboratories through both internal and external funding. These research facilities have significantly contributed to the department’s growing scientific output, reflected in the steady increase in publications indexed in international citation databases. Scientific studies conducted within the PhD Program in Physics are supported by national and international institutions and projects, including Istanbul Kültür University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (BAP), TÜBİTAK, Erasmus+, and the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Framework Program, among others. 

The "Spectroscopy-at-IKU" project, led by faculty members of the Department of Physics at Istanbul Kültür University (IKU), has been awarded funding under the WIDERA ERA CHAIRS call of the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Framework Programme. It is the first project in Türkiye to secure funding under this specific program. As part of this initiative, state-of-the-art spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction laboratories were inaugurated on January 1, 2025, significantly enhancing the department’s research capacity. Additionally, work has begun on establishing the Physics and Natural Sciences Application and Research Center at İstanbul Kültür University, focusing on physics and related fields, in line with the project’s work plan.

Students enrolled in the IKU PhD Program in Physics will have the opportunity to participate in such projects, provided they meet the necessary criteria. They will conduct both theoretical and applied research in various areas of physics and explore their practical applications.

Duration

4 (four) Academic Years (8 Semesters)

• The language of the program is Turkish.
• This is a doctoral program.
• The Program of IKU Physics Ph.D. consists of a total of 240 ECTS for students admitted to the program with a thesis-based graduate degree.
• For students who have not graduated from the relevant Department, a “Preparatory Program” may be required, with its content and duration determined by the Department.
• General application requirements: https://enstitu.iku.edu.tr/en/student/application-conditions-and-evaluation-criteria

Graduation Requirements

• To graduate, students must prepare a "Doctoral Thesis" in addition to the regular coursework.
• In order to graduate from the Program of IKU Physics Ph.D., before the submission of the doctoral thesis, students must have at least one article published or accepted for publication in a National or International Peer-Reviewed journal, or at least one full-text publication accepted for publication or published in the proceedings of a National or International conference. For further information, please click here.

Program Opening Periods

Applications for the program are accepted twice a year, in the Fall and Spring semesters.