The Department of Physics of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata has been identified as one of the ‘Star Performers’ under the CPE program of the UGC.

The Department traces back its origin to the great Western Missionary, Father Eugene Lafont, who joined the St Xavier’s College on December 07, 1865 and was associated with it for 43 years. He taught here Jagadish Chandra Bose and many other illustrious students. Under his guidance, the College established meteorological and astronomical observatories and a physical laboratory. Father Lafont played an instrumental role in persuading the Calcutta University to initiate undergraduate course in science. He is remembered for his legendary lecturing abilities and excellent experimental demonstrations.

This tradition has been maintained by a brand of dedicated teachers, who have produced outstanding students all through the years. Our students have been admitted to premiere institutes in India and abroad and a number of them have received distinguished scholarships. Today, the teachers are actively engaged in research work and Ph.D guidance, in addition to teaching.

The Department is among the first in the college to open up a M.Sc. course. This course provides option to specialize either in Astrophysics or in Space Science. The Department also provides an excellent undergraduate program in Physics. There is a separate departmental library for the Undergraduate Honours students, as well as for the Graduate Physics (M.Sc.) students. There is an on-campus Astronomical Observatory for student research which is being renovated. The College also has a general lending library with an extensive collection of undergraduate textbooks, journals, special collections and study areas. Extensive computing facilities and laboratories are also available.

The Department of Physics of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata has been identified as one of the ‘Star Performers’ under the CPE program of the UGC. The Department traces back its origin to the great Western Missionary, Father Eugene Lafont, who joined the St Xavier’s College on December 07, 1865 and was associated with it for 43 years. He taught Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose and many other illustrious students here. Under his guidance, the College established meteorological and astronomical observatories and a physical laboratory. Father Lafont played an instrumental role in persuading the Calcutta University to initiate undergraduate course in science. He is remembered for his legendary lecturing abilities and excellent experimental demonstrations.

This tradition has been maintained by a brand of dedicated teachers, who have produced outstanding students all through the years. Our students have been admitted to premiere institutes in India and abroad and a number of them have received distinguished scholarships. Today, the teachers are actively engaged in research work and Ph.D guidance, in addition to teaching.

The department provides an excellent undergraduate program in Physics. There is a separate departmental library for the Undergraduate Honours students, as well as for the Graduate Physics (M.Sc.) students. There is an on-campus Astronomical Observatory for student research which is being renovated. The College also has a general lending library with an extensive collection of undergraduate textbooks, journals, special collections and study areas. Extensive computing facilities and laboratories are also available.

The Department of Physics has a student-run Physics Club which needs induction of fresh blood. The annual event ‘SPECTRUM’ is held in February. The event is marked by public lectures delivered by distinguished physicists, followed by students’ presentations. Special Lectures are also organized all through the year, which are delivered by scientists of international repute from National and Foreign Universities. The annual magazine, ‘HORIZON’, is a document meant to project the creativity of the department.

Among the meritorious alumni of the department are Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Dr. Swapan Chattopadhay (University of Liverpool, Manchester and Lancaster), Dr. Dipankar Chakraborty (Ex-Director, IACS Kolkata and many more .

Intake

• B.Sc. General (for students with honours in other subjects) - 160
• B.Sc. Honours - 45
• M.Sc. - 16

Infrastructural Facilities Available

1. U.G and P.G Laboratories
2. U.G and P.G Seminar Libraries
3. On-campus Astronomical Observatory
4. P.G Computing Center
5. P.G Extended Campus (at Bose Institute) with Classroom, Laboratory and Library

Admission

Physics Honours: On the basis of the marks obtained in Physics and Mathematics in the board examination.

Physics General: Mostly on the basis of the preference given by the students at the time of admission. Allocation made by the Dean’s office.

M.Sc. Physics: On the basis of an admission test on MCQs, followed by an interview.