Aberystwyth University Department of Physics

The University of Wales, Aberystwyth was established in 1872, and Physics was taught from the start as part of Natural Philosophy, Astronomy and Mathematics, under the tuition of Professor N R Grimley. In 1877, the Physics Department was founded as a separate entity, and was under the responsibility of geologist, Professor F W Rudler. 1885 saw the appointment of the first physics professor, D E Jones.At first, the Physics Department was based in the south wing of the main college building, now the old college. But this part of the building was destroyed by fire in 1885. Rebuilding was undertaken, and from 1888 to 1962 the Physics department was based in the new south wing. In 1896, the department had 51 students out of a total of 355 studying at Aberystwyth. By 1961, this had risen to 219. This led to a need for new, expanded accommodation. This need was met in 1962, with the completion of the Physical Sciences building on the Penglais campus, officially opened by Sir Graham Sutton in 1963.

The department has always had a tradition of both theoretical and experimental research. Early work by staff was undertaken largely in Germany, but the advent of the First World War put a stop to this. During the first years of the twentieth century, research concentrated on electrical conductivity and quantum theory, and in the 1920s focused on thermal conductivity amongst other subjects. This period also saw work appear in the Welsh language in the form of Professor Gwilym Owen's lectures on acoustics. In 1931, the department hosted a Faraday Centenary Exhibition, 2which involved lectures on various topics, including x-rays and wireless transmissions. It attracted over 600 visitors. The 1930s also saw the development of the first research school under Professor R M Davies.

...