Department of Physics

DEPARTMENTAL PROFILE

Established in 1955, Physics Department is one of the few departments, the university has started with. Since then, it has continued to be a hub of leading physics education and research activities in the whole of the North Eastern India. The department has three Bhatnagar awardees among its distinguished list of alumni. The Physics Department operates the only astronomical observatory (GUO) of the region.

HISTORY

Established in 1955, the department of Physics is one of the few departments, the University of Gauhati initially started with and is the one of the largest (in terms of faculty members and students). It, at present, has fourteen faculty members, about 90 postgraduate students (M. Sc.), and about 35 research scholars (Ph. D.). Among the major facilities, the department has as Astronomical Observatory known as Gauhati University Observatory (GUO), which houses three astronomical telescopes, where active research in astronomy is carried out and also the only academic institution in the whole northeastern India, offering research opportunity in Observational Astronomy.

The faculty members of the department are engaged in active research with collaborations with various national and international agencies and institutions. In recent years, the department was offered financial assistance by UGC (SAP Programme) and DST (FIST Programme).

COLLABORATION

Assistance received from S & T organizations in the last five years

Special Assistance Programme (SAP, Phase-II) of UGC (2007-2012): Rs. 49 Lakh
UGC (DRS-II) : Rs. 20 Lakh
Development Grant, GU : Rs 35 Lakh
Special Assistance Programme (SAP) of UGC (2002-2007): Rs. 39 Lakh
Fund for Improvement in Science & Technology (FIST) of DST (2003-08): Rs. 32 Lakh
Associations of the Department

Professional associations established in/functioning from the department-

Astronomy and Space Science Association (ASSA) - popularises Astronomy education.
Assam Physical Society (APS) - works for improvement of Physics education in Assam.
Electronics Scientists' and Engineers' Society (ESES) - popularises Electronics.
Physics Academy of North East (PANE) - facilitates interaction of physics researchers of the north eastern region of India.
Thermophysical Society of India (TPSI) - organises meetings/conferences on thermophysical properties.
FACILITIES & ASSETS

Computer Laboratory

The Physics Department houses its own computer laboratory with 24 hours highspeed, fibreoptic Internet connection. It facilitates all major commercial and opensource physics softwares (both Linux and MS Windows). The department also has a small cluster dedicated for parallel computation.