“But still try, for who knows what is possible?”……………Michael Faraday.
"Try" – is the word that has ignited human being since time immemorial to arise an utmost desire to know the unknown, to reach the unreached, to turn the "apparently" impossible to "I'm possible". Remembering the words fromW. H. Davies,
“What is this life, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare”
Truly identifying the loss of essence in life without having time to stand and stare, to observe critically what is happening and thus to generate a passion to follow dreams and that probably stimulated Einstein to say,
“I have no special talent,
I am only passionately curious.”
"Passion" - is the enzyme that in turn motivates to brush the dusted corners of our minds and pushes us to turn the page to a quote from the legend Sir Isaac Newton, “I do not know what I may appear to the World, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.” This is exactly how the human race since aeons ago has continued journey through ages. The quest to see the unseen, observe the unobserved, and finally to explain the unexplained, “to follow knowledge like a sinking star, beyond the utmost bound of human thought”, in the words of Tennyson’s Ulysses, acted as an impulse to help them stride forward.
From students’ perspectives:
Not always does the length of the word reflect the depths of the waters it sails through. 'Physics' is one such word. Its seven letters never suffice to put across the dictionary of comprehension it offers. Now, it is time for us to look with care, to walk with care so that we can understand what Physics is. It is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and behaviour through space and time and the related entities of energy and force at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Physics concentrates upon the forces having an impact upon matter, that is, gravitation, heat, magnetism, electricity and others. It is also the science of matter and energy and interactions among them, at atomic and subatomic levels.
In order to understand the fundamental principles of the Universe, Physics utilises many workings from the other natural sciences. Because of this overlap, phenomena studied in Physics, conservation of energy for example, are common to all material systems and are often referred to as the laws of Physics. Since any natural system adheres to the laws of Physics, this is often referred to as the fundamental science. In the undergraduate courses of Physics (Honours), we initially touch upon the fundamental aspects of the subject in order to motivate the students for digging further deep to acquire in-depth knowledge: knowledge of not only theoretical aspects of Physics, but also of experimental understandings and computational simulations.
As we all know, Physics emerges completely when the theoretical predictions merge with experimental observations. To stay concurrent, starting from basics of elementary Classical Mechanics, we move on as the course progresses, to enriched topics of Modern Atomic Physics, Nuclear Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Solid State Physics and so on. Experimental aspects of them also stay under concern for us to elaborate. Throughout this journey, often we need to utilise mathematical tools and computational abilities. To this end, Mathematical Physics and “Python” programming language play pivotal roles to accomplish the mission.
The Department of Physics :
Since its establishment in 1963 under the mentorship of Dr. Jayanta Banerjee, the Department of Physics, Uluberia College has been working towards the direction of uplifting students? mindset in order to prepare them for future challenges. The plan to introduce Honours course in Physics was gradually made and executed in 1973 under the able guidance of Prof. Nirmal Chatterjee. Since then the Department has always been for the students and by the students. Presently there are six faculty members who are working together with the same vision and agenda for the betterment of students under the efficient leadership of Dr. Debashis Pal, Principal, Uluberia College, supported by the guidance of HOD Dr. Biswajit Saha.
As one unit, the Department always emphasises on the academic environment most suitable for the benefit of the students. Under the clear vision and curriculum mentioned in previous column, a wide spectrum of future prospects get opened up before the students. Higher studies and Research in any of these topics become accessible for the students, comprising of not only the theoretical arena but also the experimental regime. One of the largest experimental set-ups World-wide as we know, is being run at CERN, LHC, an inevitable part of which incorporates detailed knowledge on Nuclear and Particle Physics, computational ability and technical expertise. Future avenues to reach beyond the potential barriers of the Earth, travelling the galactic distances by investigating the terrestrial objects through theoretical and observational Astrophysics and Cosmology, become viable for the students. Hands-on experience of electronics enable the students to further pursue their career in Technologies. An initial perception on Computational aspects of Physics can help them to gradually reach the territory of Robotics to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Incorporation of technical tools like “Gnuplot” or “Latex” further provides a student necessary impetus for future Research works. Industrial regimes of Quantum Optics, Cryptography and Nanotechnologies also become accessible to the students. Interdisciplinary fields like Biophysics, Physical Chemistry, Environmental Sciences also open up with enormous opportunities.
In order to achieve requisite expertise, the students are offered various facilities,
A Departmental library containing over 150 books on varying topics along with a Central Library.
Well-equipped laboratories for all sections including Classical Mechanics, General Properties of Matter, Optics, Modern Physics, Electronics, Electrical etc.
A computer laboratory for performing “Programming” together with other curriculum based courses on “Latex”, “Gnuplot” etc.
Digital Classroom for presenting electronic materials.
Detailed discussion sessions and individual interaction sessions, whenever needed.
Blended mode of teaching and learning has been successfully implemented during the period of pandemic around the Nation.
o Centrally subscribed “Zoom” platform has been extensively used for communication accompanying necessary uses of “Google meet”.
oUse of electronic boards and other relevant gadgets have been made for better explanation and clarification with help of user friendly softwares from students? points of view.
o Along with theoretical classes, dedicated sessions on Computational aspects are also allotted. Experimental methodologies are also explained vis-a-vis.
o Regular electronic communications are maintained among the students and teachers.
o In case of Online mode of education, Project files and assignments are collected electronically.
Seminars on various topics relevant for the future prospects of students are organised from the Department(s).
Cultural Programmes on numerous occasions are arranged as part of co-curricular activities.
All the faculties being involved in Research activities in respective fields, students stay adequately updated with recent developments in research activities from various perspectives like Particle and Nuclear Physics, High Energy Physics, Condense Matter Physics and Nano technology, Fibre Optics etc. and also in interdisciplinary fields.
Assessments of students through assignments, tutorials, extra classes, and discussion sessions are regulated by the Department.
This in turn helps to develop among students the skills of group working, individual thinking and critical observation.
With the efforts from the Department and engrossing reciprocation from the students, we have been able to produce very encouraging results throughout all the semesters. An inspiring percentage of students secure first division with a few of them achieving topper positions in the University merit list. Every year, we have a number of students opting for higher studies and some of them aspiring for research and teaching professions. We have a number of students involved in active research works at various Institutions in India and abroad. We are pleased to mention that the alumni of this Department hold prestigious positions in various administrative, academic and scientific fields globally like faculty positions in Max Planck Institute, SMART, MIT(CSAIL), BioSym, MIT(UMASS), Harvard Medical School, IACS, ISI, Jadavpur University, Ben-Gurion University of Negev, Israel and so on.
This is only a modest attempt to glance through the story of the Department of Physics, Uluberia College which always stays dynamic in its journey by breathing deep into the fields of the subject of Physics and that of life by letting the students to intend “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
…………..…Robert Frost
Let us all believe from our heart that we have miles to go before sleep.
(Estd. 1948)
