The Department of Physics at Jahangirnagar University (JU) is one of the leading Physics department in Bangladesh, with an average annual intake of about 70 undergraduates and it has 37 faculty positions in the department. The Department of Physics was established in 1973 and from then it successfully engaged in teaching and research activities. From those pioneering days and throughout the illustrious history of the department, the students and faculty members have aspired to contribute significantly to JU’s reputation as one of the premier institutions for higher study in the country by conducting many types of research and developing the careers of the next generation of physicists.

Teaching and Research Activities

The Physics department offers the four-year B.Sc. (Honors) degree programme where students are taught courses in Physics and other basic sciences (Chemistry, Statistics), computer programming as well as English Language course. The department also runs a 1.5-year M.S. in Physics degree programme as well as an active PhD programme with specialization in many major and frontline areas of Physics. Sharing a strong tie with Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and other major research institutions of the country, research students work to develop experimental techniques and theoretical methods to investigate nature. The department conducts research on condensed matter physics, material science, plasma physics, computational physics, nuclear physics, radiation and health physics, bio- and medical physics, atmospheric physics and electronics. These represent the main areas of research carried out in the department. Students and faculties of the department have authored numerous articles published in international peer-reviewed journals and preceded on international conferences and seminars. They have regularly worked in many academic institutions and research facilities abroad as well.

Resources and Locations

The Department is located in the Physics buildings on the north side of the newly established Wazed Miah Science Research Centre (WSRC) and south side of the central Shaheed Minar, a monument established in memory of those who were killed during the 1952 Bengali Language Movement demonstrations. The main entrance to the Physics building is directly opposite to the Chemistry building. The Physics building is surrounded by a well tendered beautiful garden. There are 5 lecture rooms in the building, the lecture gallery is on the ground floor left to the main entrance. All the undergraduate practical laboratories are in the Physics building. The seminar library at the Physics building is well stocked with the recommended physics textbooks. The central library at JU also has a comprehensive collection of physics books and journals and physics student may use this library with their library card. There are numerous computer workstations in the computer laboratories on the third floor of the Physics building. Students can use the computers at any time during office hours as well as use the computers to save and analyze data taken during practicals.

Student Support and Guidance

Student support and welfare are primarily University responsibilities: tutors, proctors, and other advisers make up a sympathetic and effective network of support for students. The Proctor and Assistants provide general information on welfare, health and recreation, as well as on student conduct and on the running of University examinations. In particular, complaints, appeals and advice on illness during examinations is provided. In addition, the University has a Counselling Service available to help student for personal development planning and also a Careers Service which provides careers advice for both undergraduates and graduates, both based in the Teacher and Student Center (TSC) Office, and the Physics department has dedicated faculty member for working actively to promote student support and welfare. Students are encouraged to make an appointment to the responsible faculty member for further information and to ask any of the academic staff for help regarding Physics courses and practicals. Information on research opportunities is also available from the faculty members. Faculty members may also be contacted by telephone or by e-mail. A list of telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and research affiliations are given in this booklet.

Student Engagement and Interaction

To enhance student engagement and interaction, the Department of Physics holds a wide range of events associated with the undergraduate/postgraduate student journey including, Welcome Week, Study Tour, Physics events and Graduation celebration events. Physics students are encouraged to participate in Physics conferences and professional events to build up their knowledge of the science community and enhance their professional development. Students can also take part in:

• the department’s Physical Sciences Colloquia, a popular series of talks given by internal and external experts on relevant and current topics
• the student-run Physics Societies, which organize talks with a renowned physicist, practical demonstrations and social events

To ensure the student's voice is heard and appropriate feedback obtained, the department holds informal meetings with the Undergraduate and Postgraduate representatives who are elected across all years. Student reps facilitate communications between faculty members and students. Student feedback is also provided via student surveys and we encourage students to take part in these when they are invited to do so.