B.Sc Physics

Under Graduate program

B.Sc PHYSICS

About the Department

The Physics Department, established in 1972, has been a hub of academic excellence and research in the field of physics. Over the years, the department has witnessed significant growth and accomplishments, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the nurturing of scientific talent.

Educational Offerings:

Since its inception, the department has been dedicated to providing quality education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The department offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to foster a deep understanding of fundamental physics principles while also encouraging critical thinking and analytical skills among students. Programs offered include:

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Physics (Since 1972): A foundational undergraduate program that equips students with a solid grasp of core physics concepts.
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Physics (Since 2011): A postgraduate program designed to further students’ knowledge in specialized areas of physics and prepare them for advanced research and careers.

Research Excellence:

The Physics Department has garnered recognition for its research contributions in various domains of physics. Our faculty members are actively engaged in cutting-edge research that spans a wide spectrum of disciplines, including theoretical, computational and experimental physics, condensed matter physics, crystal growth and crystallography, nanomaterials, polymer and rubber and more. The department’s commitment to research is evidenced by its publication record in esteemed national and international journals.

Noteworthy Achievements:

Ph.D. Program: The department was elevated to a research department in 2015, introducing a Ph.D. program that has attracted scholars from across the nation. A total of 34 research scholars (Full-Time and Part-Time) have registered for their Ph.D. at the University of Madras under the guidance of our five experienced faculty members: Dr. S. Selvakumar, Dr. S. Senthil, Dr. A. Kala, Dr. S. K. Geetha, and Dr. P. Balamurugan. Of these, 21 scholars have already successfully obtained their degrees, including eight mentored by Dr. S. Senthil, seven by Dr. A. Kala, two by Dr. P. Balamurugan, three by Dr. S. K. Geetha, and one by Dr. S. Selvakumar. Our research students have participated in various conferences in India and presented more than 60 research papers and obtained awards for best presentation.
Research Publications: The faculty and research scholars of the department have collectively authored numerous research papers (150+ publications) that have made significant contributions to the scientific community. These publications reflect the department’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

Infrastructure and Facilities:

The department boasts state-of-the-art laboratory facilities equipped with advanced instruments to facilitate both teaching and research activities. Additionally, our well-stocked library provides students and researchers access to a comprehensive collection of books, journals, and resources in the field of physics.

Faculty Expertise:

The department’s strength lies in its diverse and accomplished faculty members. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom and research endeavors, fostering an environment of academic rigor and innovation.

Future Endeavors:

As the Physics Department continues its journey of excellence, it remains committed to producing competent graduates, conducting impactful research, and contributing to the global scientific community. The department envisions further collaborations, breakthroughs, and advancements that will shape the future of physics and its applications. In conclusion, the Physics Department stands as a beacon of knowledge, inquiry, and discovery, playing a vital role in shaping the landscape of physics education and research.

Courses Offered

UG (Shift I): B.Sc Physics (EM & TM) (3 years)

Eligibility: As per Government of Tamil Nadu guidelines.

S.No.	Name of the Programme	Year of Introduction	Sanctioned Strength / Number Registered
1.	BSc PHYSICS	1972	Sanctioned Strength (2025–2026 onwards) Total – 60 (EM – 30, TM – 30) Number Registered I Year: EM-22; TM-26 II Year: EM-17; TM-20 III Year: EM-18; TM-21

PG (Shift I): M.Sc Physics (EM) (2 years)

Eligibility: As per Government of Tamil Nadu guidelines.

S.No.	Name of the Programme	Year of Introduction	Sanctioned Strength / Number Registered
1.	MSc PHYSICS	2011	Sanctioned Strength Total – 20 (EM) Number Registered I Year: EM-18 II Year: EM-21

Eligibility for the Programme as per DCE Guidelines and University of Madras

——As per Government of Tamil Nadu guidelines—–

Teaching, Non-Teaching, GL & PTA Staff information

S.No.	Name and Designation	Qualification
1.	Dr. S. AMALA JAYANTHI Associate Professor & Head	M.Sc., M.Phil., SLET., Ph.D.,
2.	Dr. J. PADMANABHAN Associate Professor	M.Sc., SLET., M.Phil., Ph.D.,
3.	Dr. S. ARUNA Associate Professor	M.Sc., M. Phil. Ph.D.,
4.	Dr. S. SELVAKUMAR Associate Professor	M. Sc., M. Phil. Ph.D.,
5.	Dr. B. CHIDAMBARANATHAN Assistant Professor	M. Sc., M. Phil. Ph.D.,
6.	Dr. S. SENTHIL Associate Professor	M. Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., D.Litt.,
7.	Dr. A. KALA Associate Professor	M.Sc., M. Phil., Ph.D., M.A., (YHE)
8.	Dr. T. RAVISHANKAR Associate Professor	M. Sc., M. Phil. Ph.D.,
9.	Dr. J. BALAJI Associate Professor	M.Sc., Ph.D.,
10.	Dr. S. K. GEETHA Associate Professor	M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.
11.	Dr. P. BALAMURUGAN Associate Professor	M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., B.Ed.
12.	Dr. L. RUBY NIRMALA Assistant Professor	M.Sc., M. Phil., Ph.D.,
13.	Dr. V. YOGESH Guest Lecturer	M.Sc., Ph.D.,
14.	Dr. P. ELAYARANI Guest Lecturer	M.Sc., M.Ed., M.Phil., Ph.D., PGDCA.
15.	Thiru. M. MURUGESAN Training Instructor (Spl. G)	GOI-NCVT-NTC Certificate – 2 years (Electrician-Trade certificate), “B” Licence Holder, GOI-NCVT-NAC Certificate – one year (Electrician), MA (ECO).
16.	Tmt. S. SELVI Lab Assistant-SG	BA (ECO)

Departments

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Students, Staff and Department Achievements

Staff achievements:

Dr. S. Amala Jayanthi, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Physics from academic year 2025 June, demonstrating dynamic leadership and academic excellence. She specializes in the synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles, with a strong research focus in advanced functional materials. Currently, pursuing research on the preparation of graphene quantum dots from sugarcane bagasse, contributing to the field of sustainable nanomaterials. She has published six papers in international journals. She has filed four patents on “Novel synthesis of carbon quantum dots and Graphene quantum dots from sugarcane Bagasse”. During the current academic year 2025-26, she has successfully organized one National Seminar on “Reflectance Spectroscopy of Biological Materials (NSRSBM-2025)” and one International Seminar on “Biological and Emerging Applications of Materials Science- ISBEAMS-2026″, in collaboration with ISPA (Indian Spectra Physics Association) fostering knowledge exchange and research collaboration. Under her guidance, the department actively engages in various academic initiatives, including area-specific studies, invited lectures, and other scholarly activities, thereby promoting a vibrant academic environment. To date, she has guided 13 M.Sc. students in the successful completion of their research projects.

J. Padmanabhan is an Associate Professor of Physics with over 27 years of extensive experience in both academia and research. As a recipient of the prestigious TANSCHE Academic Visitor (UK) award, he participated in the Study Abroad Programme in the United Kingdom in 2013, a milestone that underscores his international academic standing. His prolific research career is evidenced by 29 publications in reputable journals, garnering a significant citation count of 3,047 according to Google Scholar. His expertise spans specialized computational and theoretical fields, including conceptual Density Functional Theory (DFT), QSAR, machine learning, molecular docking, and pharmacokinetic studies. Beyond his individual research, he is a dedicated mentor who has successfully guided 15 M.Sc. Physics students through their research projects. Furthermore, he has demonstrated strong leadership through his administrative tenure as the Additional Controller of Examinations (2013–2016), effectively blending rigorous scientific inquiry with institutional management.

Dr. S. Aruna, Associate Professor of Physics, specializes in crystal growth and thin film technologies, contributing significantly to advancements in materials science. With 35 years of dedicated service in academia, she has consistently demonstrated excellence in teaching and research. She has published 15 papers in reputed peer-reviewed journals, reflecting her sustained research contributions. In addition, she has presented her work at various national and international conferences, fostering knowledge exchange and academic collaboration. She has also guided 16 postgraduate students in their research projects. Furthermore, she serves as the in-charge of the department library and actively supports postgraduate students in their extension activities, enhancing their academic and community engagement. These accomplishments demonstrate her continued commitment to research excellence, effective teaching, and dedicated academic service.
Dr. S. Selvakumar, Associate Professor has been awarded Dr. S Gunasekaran ISPA award (2026). His current research focuses on growing morpholine and piperazine based derivative single crystals using the slow evaporation method and investigating their structural, optical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties for potential technological applications. He is also actively involved in synthesizing nanomaterials through the hydrothermal method for use in supercapacitor and solar-cell technologies. Previously, I successfully grew and characterized thiourea-, thiosemicarbazide-, borate-, and amino acid-based crystals for nonlinear optical applications. Together, these research efforts contribute to developing advanced functional materials with enhanced performance for energy and photonic devices.
Dr. B. Chidambaranathan specializes in Crystal Growth and has contributed 6 research publications in peer-reviewed international journals. He is also a dedicated mentor, having successfully guided 14 M.Sc. students in the completion of their research projects to date.
Dr. S. Senthil is a highly accomplished academician, researcher, and administrator serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics. He holds M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., D.Litt. degrees in Physics, demonstrating his strong academic foundation and dedication to excellence. With over 25 years of teaching experience and more than 23 years of research expertise, he has made significant contributions to higher education and scientific advancement. His research areas include nanomaterials for solar cells and supercapacitors, nanocrystalline thin films, and nonlinear optical single crystals, placing him at the forefront of advanced materials research. He is instrumental in initiating Ph.D. programmes in his department and has successfully guided Eight Ph.D. scholars, with several more pursuing research under his mentorship. Dr. Senthil has received several prestigious awards, including the Asia’s Best Researcher Award, Educational Star Award, College Best Researcher Award, and the Ariviyal Muthumunaivar Sethu Gunasekaran Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to research and education. He is also known for having the highest number of research publications in his institution. In addition to his academic achievements, he holds key administrative and leadership positions, serving as the Institutional Nodal Officer for various UGC Research Fellowships, Institutional Nodal Officer for State Research Scholarships, and Nodal Officer for the YI-YUVA Club. He was honored with the Best Liaison Officer Award for the years 2023 and 2024 by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), Government of Tamil Nadu. Beyond academics, he serves as the State Nodal Officer for the Anti-Drug Club in Tamil Nadu, demonstrating his strong commitment to social responsibility, student welfare, and community engagement.

A. Kala, an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Government Arts College, Nandanam, has contributed significantly to holistic student development through her leadership of Personality Development and Yoga programs. Since 2014, she has overseen the training of approximately 600 students annually. Notable among her achievements was a week-long Yoga training program organized in collaboration with the World Community Service Centre in July 2019. This initiative focused on mental well-being, discipline, and self-enhancement, equipping hundreds of first-year students to face real-world challenges with confidence. Beyond student welfare, Dr. Kala extended these wellness programs to non-teaching staff to foster a healthy and peaceful work environment. Her commitment to academic excellence was further demonstrated in September 2019, when she coordinated a specialized “Yoga for Academic Excellence” workshop for postgraduate students. Her dedication to value-based education and institutional service has earned her high regard, culminating in her receipt of the ISPA Dr. S. Gunasekaran Award on October 7, 2021. This honor followed a previous collaboration with Dr. Gunasekaran, an ISPA Scientist Award recipient, who delivered an inspiring valedictory address on human values and discipline during her 2019 program. Dr. A Kala, Dr. T. Ravishankar and Dr. J. Balaji has been chosen as the members of National Task force (NTF) team by college authorities.

Dr. Ravishankar T. specializes in X-Ray Crystallography and has published 19 research articles in peer-reviewed international journals, while successfully guiding 12 M.Sc. students from GAC Nandanam through their research projects to date.

J. Balaji is a dedicated researcher and academic specializing in the field of Molecular Spectroscopy. With a strong focus on the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation, his work contributes to the fundamental understanding of molecular structures and properties. To date, he has published seven research papers in esteemed peer-reviewed platforms, including five in national journals and two in international publications. Beyond his personal research, he is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists. At Government Arts College (GAC) Nandanam, he has successfully guided 16 M.Sc. students through their research projects, fostering academic excellence and practical expertise within the department.
S. K. Geetha is a dedicated researcher specializing in the growth and characterization of semi-organic crystals tailored for nonlinear optical applications. Her current research primarily focuses on the cultivation of pyridine derivative single crystals via the slow evaporation method, coupled with a comprehensive investigation into their structural, optical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties to determine their suitability for advanced technological use. In addition to her work in crystal growth, Dr. Geetha is actively involved in the synthesis of nanomaterials through the hydrolysis method, aiming to develop innovative solutions for energy storage and electronic applications. Through this dual focus, she effectively bridges the gap between fundamental material science and practical electronic engineering.
P. Balamurugan is a dedicated academician and researcher with over 30 years of teaching experience in higher education, including 15 years in government colleges and 16 years in private institutions. His expertise lies in Physics, with research interests in crystallography and nanoscience and nanotechnology. He has successfully guided 2 Ph.D. scholars and is currently supervising 3 research scholars, in addition to mentoring around 20 M.Sc. Physics students in their projects. He has published more than 17 research papers in national and international journals and has actively participated in conferences and scholarly engagements. His teaching approach emphasizes the integration of theoretical concepts with practical applications, fostering critical thinking and innovation. He has also been actively involved in curriculum development and academic initiatives. He also serves as the College Coordinator of the Anti-Drug Cell, organizing numerous inter-departmental and inter-collegiate activities to promote awareness against drug abuse. He is one of the authors of the Physics textbooks prescribed for XI and XII standard students under the Tamil Nadu State Board curriculum. With a strong commitment to teaching and research, Dr. Balamurugan continues to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of science and higher education.
Ruby Nirmala L specializes in Material Science with a core research focus on Crystal Growth, a field in which she has published 11 research articles in reputable international journals and successfully mentored 6 M.Sc. Physics students through their project work.
Yogesh V is a Guest Lecturer who completed his Ph.D. at the University of Madras’s Department of Theoretical Physics.
P. ELAYARANI (Guest lecturer) has published three papers in springer nature (scopus indexed), presented three papers at international conferences and attended a workshop in materials science.

Student achievements:

Student Training: Three II M.Sc. Physics students—Lokesh Raja E, Nithyanandam A, and Prabha K—were selected and participated in TANSCHE Basic Science Promotion Programme held at SRM Institute in two sessions (December 2025 and January 2026).

Prominent Alumni details

Ms. S. Arulmani, Research Scholar (Ph.D research Guide: Dr. S. Senthil) has been awarded Rajiv Gandhi fellowship for doing Ph.D (2015-16 onwards) and completed her Ph.D degree successfully.
Mr. R. Ayappan, PG student has cleared UGC-NET (Lecturership) in 2016-2017.

PG students (Apr 2025 passed out) – Higher Studies/JOB

S.No	Name	Course/Job	Institute/Company
1	Parthiban T	Ph.D Physics	SRM Institute of Science & Technology
2	Poovarasan K	B.Ed	Institute of Advanced Study in Education
3	Tamilarasi M	Ph.D Physics	SRM Institute of Science & Technology
4	Hemanthkumar S	Trainee	AGS Health Pvt Ltd
5	Sheela S	Trainee	Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre
6	Gokul R	Counter Assistant	TRR Automobile
7	Jayashree D	B.Ed	Institute of Advanced Study in Education
8	Parthiban T	Trainee	HDB Financial Services

UG students (Apr 2025 passed out) – Higher Studies

S.No	Name	Course/Job	Institute/Company
1	ABINESH G	M.Sc. PHYSICS	MADRAS UNIVERSITY
2	BALAMURUGAN D	M.Sc. PHYSICS	GAC, Nandanam, Chennai
3	JEYASARAVANAVELU V	M.Sc. PHYSICS	GAC, Nandanam, Chennai
4	BOOBALAN P	M.Sc. PHYSICS	GAC, Nandanam, Chennai
5	VIKRAM M	M.Sc. PHYSICS	GAC, Nandanam, Chennai

Department Latest or remarkable Event, Specialized Laboratory Photos – maximum 5.

Association Activities (2025-2026):

The Physics Association, SPARK, remained highly active throughout the academic year:

Inaugural Function (24-09-2025): Officially inaugurated by Chief Guest Dr. R. Venkatesan (President, Breakthrough Science Society; Retired Head, RESD, IGCAR). The event featured the formal release of the departmental Academic Calendar.
Invited Talk (10-01-2026): Ms. Jalaja Madan Mohan (Head TCPAS, IGCAR) delivered a lecture titled “Career opportunities in the Department of Atomic energy” to guide students on professional pathways. 3. Seminars and Conferences

The department hosted two major seminars in collaboration with the Indian SpectroPhysics Association (ISPA):

National Seminar (NSRSBM-2025): Held on 23-12-2025, the “National Seminar on Reflectance Spectroscopy of Biological Materials” attracted approximately 100 participants. Key sessions included ATR FTIR techniques by Prof. S. Gunasekaran and spectroscopic thyroid diagnosis by Dr. P. Janani.
International Seminar (ISBEAMS-2026): Conducted on 10-02-2026, focusing on “Biological and Emerging Applications of Materials Science.” Distinguished speakers included Prof. Jiban Podder and Prof. Shyamali Saha from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Institutional and Community Engagement

Alumni Meet: The department hosted its Alumni Meet on 29-09-2025 to foster networking between former and current students.
General Assembly: On 12-01-2026, the department conducted the College General Assembly at MGR Auditorium to commemorate National Youth Day. The event featured academic updates and a Principal’s address emphasizing the value of education as “imperishable wealth.”
Science Exhibition: A Science Exhibition was successfully organized by the department on 27-02-2026.