The Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, ground-breaking in its profile and teaching methods, was founded in 1955; the early era of peaceful international use of nuclear energy. With the first nuclear explosions towards the end of World War II, the release of nuclear energy became a reality and the relation between energy and mass established by Einstein became generally accepted. This made international coordination of nuclear research a necessity. The first international conference on nuclear energy, convened in 1955 by the United Nations, was held in Geneva, with the active participation of Czechoslovak experts. Economically and ecologically, the use of nuclear energy in Czechoslovakia seemed quite tempting, mainly due to the shortage and disadvantages of other sources of energy. Moreover, Czechoslovakia was rich in uranium ore deposits. In fact, it was the Jáchymov (Joachimsthal) pitchblende that helped Marie Curie detect radioactivity.
The year 1955 was also important for several other reasons: several “nuclear” institutions were established, namely the then Commission of Atomic Energy and the Nuclear Research Institute in Řež, near Prague, housing a reactor and a cyclotron, and others. Also, a decision was made to establish a new, nuclear-oriented faculty, as part of the Charles University to educate experts in this field, while technicians were trained at the newly-opened Secondary Nuclear Technical School. The inauguration day – the date when the Government Decree was issued- of the new faculty of the Charles University named the Faculty of Technical and Nuclear Physics was August 25th, 1955, and inaugural classes started immediately on September 6th. It became a sister faculty of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of the Charles University, established shortly before, and since then both have had very close collegial relations.
The first Dean of the Faculty was Václav Petržílka, then one of the very few Czech experts acquainted with nuclear research abroad. Initially, there were only three departments: nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, and nuclear engineering, nuclear chemistry and dosimetry having been represented by František Běhounek, former student of M. Curie, and nuclear engineering both by Bohumil Kvasil, an expert in physical electronics, and later also by Jaroslav Němec, leading scientist in physical properties of materials.
Very soon, however, it became obvious that nuclear technology cannot be restricted to purely nuclear issues and that there should be an interrelation between natural sciences, i.e., physics, chemistry, as well as mathematics and applied engineering, namely in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and civil engineering. Thus, the Faculty has become an interface between our two oldest and traditional institutions of higher education, namely the University and the Technical University, having, in addition to its original function, begun to take on the character of a physical engineering institution. As of August 12th 1959, by Government Decree, the Faculty was transferred from Charles University to become the fourth faculty of the Czech Technical University. The first graduates were thus awarded the degree of Ing. (equivalent to today´s Master of Science). In formal recognition of the programmes offered by the Faculty, its name was changed to the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering (FNSPE). In 1967, some academics, more mathematically- or theoretical and nuclear physics-oriented natural scientists, returned to the Charles University, which enhanced the engineering character of the Faculty.
Gradually, the teaching and research profile embraced four main subject areas: mathematical engineering (including software engineering), nuclear engineering (oriented towards physics and technology of nuclear reactors and dosimetry), physical engineering (specialising in physical electronics, solid state engineering, and materials science), and nuclear chemical engineering. Moreover, since its foundation, the Faculty has been concerned with education in doctoral programmes (earlier referred to as the Candidate of Sciences programmes) and in special enhancement programmes (not degree-based) designed for engineers in industry.
The gradual profiling process was based on examples and experience of foreign universities and schools of similar character, both in the former Soviet Union and in the West, stressing the importance of course instruction that was broad in scope, grounded in natural sciences, physical and mathematical sciences, and chemistry. Education of this nature provides graduates with a good overview of the newly arising up-to-date fields in engineering, into which knowledge of physics is yet to be introduced. In fact, FNSPE is training engineers for fields yet to come.
Although the student numbers and graduate body fluctuated slightly in the past, at present the number of applicants to enter the programmes is quite high. The expected performance standards are quite high; in fact, students receive individual guidance, and, having mastered the fundamentals of mathematics and physics, they are oriented towards problem-solving skills and research on a step-by-step basis. A characteristic of the Faculty courses has always been the combination of coursework and involvement in research. Moreover, due to extensive relations and cooperation with partner universities and institutions fostered by the Faculty, students can now even enjoy the chance of joining courses and doing research abroad.
In addition to teaching, the research programme of the Faculty has always been very strong, and, in fact, the Faculty resembles a research institute. It cooperates with engineering institutions in mathematical solutions to engineering problems; the development of new physical methods of measurements, control and modelling; and the development of new technologies used, for example, for lasers, semiconductors, materials, physical chemistry, cosmic research, biomedicine; etc. The training reactor (commissioned in 1990), located on the school premises, is a unique facility for observing and studying physical processes under way in the core of the reactor and for carrying out experiments in neutron physics. It serves both for training experts in nuclear power engineering and for acquainting the public and young people with the concerns of nuclear physics today.
The Faculty (hereafter referred to as FNSPE) was established in 1955, and at that time its primary mission was to train new experts with a strong theoretical background for the emerging Czechoslovak nuclear programme. Gradually, however, its responsibilities were extended to cover a wider scope of fields and courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry so that, in keeping with its tradition, it can now offer excellent education with a personal approach to students' tuition. It also provides barrier-free access to its premises and up-to-date technology and teaching equipment for the visually impaired. As part of the academic programmes, students are involved in the activities of the departments and scientific teams, will master two foreign languages, and familiarise themselves with advanced computer technology and thus, in addition, quickly orient themselves as to interdisciplinary concerns. Many students can also join university programmes abroad. The graduates are thus perfectly prepared for the specialized occupational tasks required to embark on a successful career.