The Department of Physics at the City University of Hong Kong was officially launched on July 1, 2017. The Department builds on the excellent tradition of the physics faculty in the former Department of Physics and Materials Science.

A rigorous curriculum is a hallmark of the Department of Physics. The goal of our teaching is to equip students with knowledge and critical thinking skills that will enable them to tackle difficult problems throughout their career, and in their life. Our curriculum teaches not only foundational courses in physics, but also technology driven courses such as computer modeling and advanced instrumentation.

Our curriculum is internationally benchmarked. It has allowed our students to enrol in joint degree programs with top universities in the world, such as Columbia University in the USA, to obtain degrees from both universities.


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CityU Physics

Our Vision

"The Department of Physics aspires to become a leading physics department in the Asia-Pacific region, known for our professional curriculum and signature research."

Prof. REN Yang, Head & Chair Professor of Physics
Prof. REN Yang
Head & Chair Professor of Physics

Faculty members at the Department of Physics are committed to excellence in research. The department’s research focuses on the following themes:

  • Theoretical and Computational Physics
  • Spectroscopy and Imaging
  • Quantum Materials
  • Soft Matter and Biophysics
  • Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
  • Astrophysics and Particle Physics

Our focus reflects the growing trend of physics research today.  In a recent editorial, the editors of Physical Review Letters remarked, “today’s physics research is much more about interwoven disciplines—physics with chemistry, biology, materials science, and others.”

 
Our mission
  • To provide rigorous training that prepares students for competitive job opportunities or advanced studies.
  • To become a recognised international leader in specific areas of reserch.
  • To serve as central resources for physics education at the University.

 

Read more about us

CityU Department of Physics

" Physics is Cool, Come to CityU ! "

Prof. REN Yang, Head & Chair Professor of Physics
Prof. REN Yang
Head & Chair Professor of Physics
Our Inaugural Logo

To celebrate the new establishment of Department of Physics, an inaugural logo was designed on the basis of Dr. Sunny Xin Wang’s interpretation of the Traditional Chinese character of “PHYSICS” – 物.

Psi (Ψ, ψ), the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet, denotes the wave function.

Tau (Τ, τ), the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet, is typically used in Physics to represent various kinds of time (e.g. electron travel time between collisions in Drude model, imaginary time in for Matsubara Green’s function, dimensionless time for the usual theory practice, some kind of broadening in scattering problems etc.). Psi and Tau signify the core subject of Modern Physics.

勿, the Chinese character, traditionally means a knife and using a knife to dismember a cow, yet, it also carries the meaning of “analyzing according to its nature/character”.

On the other hand, it looks like a person. The presence of human being has substantial meaning in Quantum Physics. When we observe a state, we change the state forever. One of the foremost Physicists of the 20th century, Niels Bohr, has this famous saying:

"For a parallel to the lesson of atomic theory..., we must in fact turn to … that kind of epistemological problems with which already thinkers like Buddha and Lao Tzu have been confronted, when trying to harmonize our position as spectators and actors in the great drama of existence.”

It signifies the relationship between science and humanity, which may reflect in different ways for various people.


CityU Department of Physics Logo
Career at CityU Physics

Strengthen our Department

Join the Department of Physics at CityU

We are always looking for talents. If you think you are good fit, please check our CityU e-Recruitment System to see our open positions!

CityU e-Recruitment System