Physics is a basic science that examines the relationship between matter and energy, which can be investigated experimentally, measurable and defined mathematically, depending on general or temporary laws, apart from changes in the chemical structure of matter.
Our physics department started its education life under the roof of Istanbul University, which was established within the scope of the University Reform based on the law numbered 2252 in 1933.
Starting from the 2020-2021 academic year, our Physics Undergraduate Program is conducted over two different curricula, 100% Turkish and 100% English. In the first two years, our students who choose our department take basic courses such as physics, mathematics and chemistry, as well as basic information technologies, computer programming and electronics courses. In the third year our students take theoretical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, quantum physics, atomic/molecule physics and thermodynamics courses. They complete their curriculum by taking nuclear, solid-state, particle physics courses as well as many elective courses and courses offered on topics of interest in the last year.
In our depertment we have six divisions as, Atomic and Molecular Physics Division, General Physics, Solid State Physics, Mathematical Physics, Nuclear Physics and High Energy/Plasma Physics. Our department continues its research activities with many collaborations nationally (TUBITAK, TENMAK (TAEK), MAM, and many national universities) and internationally (CERN, GSI, DESY, FNAL, foreign universities).
We perform theroretical studies as well as research acitivites in our Atomic and Molecular Physics Chemistry, Environmental Radioactivity Measurement and Research, Dielectric Spectroscopy, Sustainable Energy Research, Advanced Lithographic Methods, Thin Films and Defect Characterization, Infrared Spectroscopy and Simulation, Laser Spectroscopy, Molecular Simulation, Molecular Spectroscopy, Nano and Optoelectronic Research, Nanotechnology Research, Dedector Design, Gamma Spectroscopy, Radon Measurement, Environmental Radioactivity Measurement and Research, Particle and Radiation Dedectors Research and Development, Renewable Energy and Oxcide Hybrid Systems, High Magnetic Field and Low Temperature Laboratories.
Our students, who are successful in the Master's and Doctorate admission exams held twice a year, can conduct research that adapts and contributes to the changing and developing world, with the priority of our country's needs, within the framework of the opportunities we have.
HISTORY OF DEPARTMENT
Mehmet Emin (Chemist Derviş Pasha), who gave the first lecture in "Dar-ül-fünun" established on January 13, 1863, explained the subject of electricity. During the foundation years, the Minister of War Academy, Saffet Pasha, Major Ahmet Efendi and Aziz Efendi continued the physics lessons. In the first years of the 20th century physics lectures were taught by Salih Zeki Bey and Cevdet Bey under the name of Physics and Science of Ahval-i Cevviye.
Although Dar-ül-fünun had some innovations with the 1908 revolution, it could only pass into a university structure in the western sense in 1911. In 1911, Dar-ül-fünun was divided into five different branches. One of these five branches is the Sciences branch that will form the Faculty of Science today. In Inas (Girls) Dar-ül-fünun which gave its first graduate in 1917, the important part of the physics lectures was given by Sait Gelenbevi. With an arrangement made in 1919, the semester system was introduced instead of the class system, and the name "Science Madrasah" was used instead of "Fünun Branch".
With a regulation on October 7, 1925, Dar-ül-Fünun gained scientific and administrative autonomy, and the madrasahs were named "Faculty" and the "Science Madrasa" was transformed into today's "Faculty of Science". One of the 10 institutes established that year in the Faculty of Science was the Institute of Physics. This formation can be accepted as the first Physics Department of Turkey in accordance with its examples in Europe.
Between 1919-1924, physics courses and instructors were formed as follows: Salih Zeki Bey, Head of Fünun Madrasah (Mathematical Physics), Muderris Said Bey (Experimental Physics), Muderris (Humpback) Tevfik Bey (General Physics), Teacher Mehmed Refik (Fenmen) Bey (General Physics and Electricity), Teacher Burhaneddin Ferid Bey (Experimental Physics Electric Section). Mehmed Refik (1882-1951) wrote a book entitled “Aynştayn Nazariyesi” and published in 1922 (2nd edition 1924). It was about Einstein’s Theories of Relativity. Hüsnü Hamid studied relativity theories in his book entitled “Aynştayn Nazariyelerinin İlmi Kıymet“ (1926).
In 1925, Prof. Fleury (General Physics and Director), Prof. Hovass (Physicalchemistry), Prof. Duscio (Electromechanics) and later Prof. Marcel Cau (1929, in place of Prof. Fleury), Assistant Professor Dr. Fahir Yeniçay (1931) and Prof. Marcel Fouche (1932) were appointed to the Department of Physics which was the Institute of Faculty of Science.
Dar-ül-fünun was abolished, the University Reform was made in 1933 and Istanbul University was established on July 1, 1933. With the reform, the Department of Physics was divided into two Institutes. Prof. Marcel Fouche was appointed as Head of General Physics Chair, Prof. Harry Dember from Dresden was appointed as Head of Experimental Physics Chair. Prof. Dember’s lecture was translated by Assoc. Prof. Nusret Kürkçüoğlu and Prof. Fouche’s lecture was translated by Assoc. Prof. Celal Saraç. Science Alemi, the continuous science journal of Darülfünun, started its publication life again in 1935 as the Journal of the Faculty of Science. Prof. Fahir Yeniçay was appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Science in 1939. In 1940 Prof. Dember went to the USA. Assoc. Prof. Adnan Sokullu (Prof. Dr.) managed the Experimental Physics Chair until 1943. In 1943 Prof. Kurt Zuber (Zurich) was appointed as Head of the Experimental Physics Chair. In 1953 the Atomic and Nucleus Physics Chair was established. Prof. Fahir Yeniçay was appointed as Head of this chair. Prof. Dr. Fahir Yeniçay was the first Turkish physicist to have a doctorate degree. After his graduation from Dar-ül-Fünun (1927), he went to France (Sorbon, Paris). He completed his PhD. in 1930. This is the first PhD. degree earned by a Turkish. Fahir Yeniçay took his Professorship in 1938. He was Dean of the Faculty of Science between 1938 and 1948 and Rector of Istanbul University between 1953 and 1955. Prof. Cahit Arf was appointed as Head of Theoretical Physics Chair which was established in 1954. The first theoretical physicists of Turkey, Prof. Dr. Feza Gürsey and Prof. Fikret Kortel were in this chair. Later Prof. Dr. Ahmet Y. Özemre, who was the first atomic engineer of Turkey, joined this chair.
When Professor Dember went to America in 1941, Assoc. Prof. Adnan Sokullu managed the Experimental Physics Chair until 1943. In 1944 Prof. Kurt Zuber was appointed as the head of this chair. Prof. S. Akpınar who was the first solid state physicist of Turkey studied as assistant of Professor Harry Dember in 1943. Turkish Physical Society (TPS) established (1950). Prof. Dr. Fahir Yeniçay was selected as the first chairman of TPS. Leaving our department in 1949, Prof. Zuber returned to Turkey in May 1951 and started working again as the Head of the Experimental Physics Chair. In these years, he trained Turkey's first doctoral physicist women (Belkis Özdagan, Disat Elburs and Remziye Akpınar).
In 1981, with the 2547 Higher Education Council Law, the existing chairs of Experimental Physics, General Physics, Atomic and Nuclear Physics, and Theoretical Physics were abolished and Department of Physics consisting of 1) Atom and Molecular Physics, 2) Nuclear Physics, 3) Solid State Physics, 4) General Physics, 5) Mathematical Physics, 6) High Energy and Plasma Physics Divisions was established.
Our professors who served in IU Department of Physics from 1933 Reform to 2012:
M. Fouche, H. Dember, F. Yeniçay, C. Arf, K. Zuber, A. Sokullu, S. Karaali, H. Benel, S. Tunakan, S. Akpınar, R. Akpınar, C. Ener, T. Oğuzer, S. Yücel, A. Dember, D. Mendelss-ohn, M. Öğder, A.Sümer, İ. Özdoğan, B. Özdoğan, C. Saraçoğlu, H. Budak, N. Kürkçüoğlu, N. Pusat, N. Taşköprülü, S. Gürsey, F. Gürsey, F. Kortel, S. Barkan, C. Karadeniz, İ. Fındıkoğlu, D. Elburs, M. Küçük, B.Yaramış, N. Sülün Dinçer, Ö. Sülün, İ. Ertaş, M. Akagün, B. Akdemir, D. Tiryaki, A. Ferendeci, Ö. Akyüz, A.Y. Özemre, H. Demiryont, N. Tarımer, S. Sinman, A. Sinman, Ş. Özkök, Ü. Haznedaroğlu, S. Gökgör, G. Yeniçay, A. Erginsav, Ş. Erk, B.Aksoy, Ç. Cansoy, Ç. Bolcal, T. Bulat, A. A. Çilesiz, B. Görgez. Akseki, Ü. Can-türk, T. Sencer, Y. Skarlatos, E. Gültekin, A. Taymaz, S. Akyüz, A. Girgin, T. Armağan, Ş. Zebitay, Z. Akdeniz, N. Erduran, S. Sağlam, E. Rızaoğlu, K.G. Akdeniz, M. Ç. Arıkan, N. Öncan.
The current staff list can be accessed on the web page of Department of Physics.
References
● İstanbul Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi’nde Çeşitli Fen Bilimi Dallarının Cumhuriyet Dönemindeki Gelişmesi ve Milletlerarası Bilime Katkısı, Editör A. Yüksel Özemre, İ.Ü. yayınları No. 3042, Fen Fakültesi No. 176, 1982.
● İstanbul Üniversitesi Tarihçesi (1900-1946), Sevtap İshakoğlu-Kadıoğlu, Üniversite Yayın No: 4106, Bilim Tarihi Müzesi ve Dokümantasyon Merkezi Yay. No: 1, ISBN 975-404-501-1, 1998.
● K. Gediz Akdeniz; “Cumhuriyetin 75. yılı Anısına İstanbul Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Fizik Bölümünde 1933-2000 yılları arasında yapılan eğitim, öğretim ve bilimsel çalışmaların değerlendirilmesi”, Editör Türker Özkan, İ.Ü. Projesi, İstanbul, 2004.
