For the undergraduate students who wish to enroll in 'individual research' (개별연구) should have a solid understanding of the following subjects:
Quantum Mechanics
Thermal/Statistical Physics
Mathematical Methods in Physics
General Relativity (desirably)
Currently in KAIST physics graduate program, you have to choose your thesis advisor before beginning of the first semetster. Contact me ASAP if you're interested.
If you are seriously considering joining our group, I encourage you to take the following courses in advance:
Quantum Field Theory
General Relativity
These are not prerequisites, but will be very helpful.
Afer joining the group, the students should learn the following subjects thoroughly before actively participate in the research: (with recommended texts)
Quantum Field Theory - Peskin & Schroeder, Sredniki, Weiberg I & II, Coleman
General Relativity - Caroll, Wald
Geometrical/Topological methods - Nakahara
Lie algebra and its representation theory - Georgi, Zee
Supersymmetric field theory - Wess & Bagger, Argyres, Terning, Tachikawa
String theory - Polchinski, Becker-Becker-Schwarz
There is an oral qualifying exam 1.5 yr after entering grad school. You will need to carry out some (primitive) research along with learning basic toolkits.