HISTORY / GENERAL OBJECTIVES

HISTORY

The year 1947 gave birth to the Department of Physics.

• It was first located at the ground floor of the building facing Doroteo Jose in Sta. Cruz, Manila.  
• The Department used to share with the Athletics Department and the Electronics Department the area now being occupied by the Shop Department.  
• The late  Prof. Cirilo C. Magtira was the first head of the Department with concurrent position.  There were four physics subjects then, two 3-unit lecture subjects and two 2-unit laboratory subjects.  
• Prof. Jose C. Calderon worked as laboratory assistant from 1951 to 1970 but at the same time, he applied for a teaching position in 1957.  

In a decade span, the Department of Physics underwent relocations at the height of student activism and burgeoning enrolment in the 1970's.

• In 1968, the Department moved to the 2 nd Floor of the Building above the main gate of Doroteo Jose.
• In 1973, the Department was relocated to the 3 rd level of the North Wing of MIT Intramuros.
• In 1977, it then later moved to its current location, at the 3 rd level of the West Wing.

In April 1979, Prof. Jose C. Calderon held a concurrent position as the Subject Chairman and Laboratory Head.

• He initiated the improvement of the laboratory rooms and facilities.
• He was responsible in increasing the number of physics units from twelve to fourteen for engineering students, six units for architecture students, and three units for industrial design students.
• He authored four laboratory manuals.
• He started the improvement of strategies and methodologies in Physics teaching by requiring the faculty members pursue graduate studies.
• He facilitated the faculty's graduate courseworks via consortium with the De La Salle University under the assistance of Prof. Melecio C. Deauna, subject chair of the Department of Science Education.
• In 1985, the effort bore fruit as eight faculty members of the department graduated with the degree of Master of Science in Teaching Physics.

In summer 2000, the Department of Physics underwent a total facelift.

• The eight laboratories which used to be too hot and humid were provided with either 3 or 5 ton air-conditioning units to provide an atmosphere conducive for learning.  

In April 2000, Prof. Eugenio P. Daen and Prof. Jesus Feliciano C. Reyes were appointed Subject Chair and Laboratory Head, respectively.  The tandem gave way to the following:

• The physics curriculum was revised as per agreement with the Institute's academic council.  The Department is now offering  two 4-unit lecture subjects and two 1-unit laboratory subjects for general engineering student, two 2-unit lecture subjects and two 1-unit laboratory subjects for architecture students, one 2-unit lecture subject with one 1-unit laboratory subject for industrial design students, and modern physics for EE-ECE-CoE students.
• Creating of various committees to facilitate the implementation of the plans and program of the Department.
• New laboratory equipment were acquired to augment the existing laboratory equipment.
• Additional laboratory equipment were also purchased due to the curriculum revision.
• Two laboratory manuals were developed by twelve authors.
• The faculty room and restrooms were also refurbished according to the needs of the faculty. 

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

• To upgrade the faculty force thru extensive faculty development and continuing education program.
• To develop and enhance the research capabilities of the faculty.
• To further improve the quality and methodology of instruction of the Department of Physics.