The departments of Interfaculty General Physics (established in 1969), Methodology and History of Physics Teaching (established in 1976), and Atmospheric Physics (which began its activity in 1955) were merged in 2005 into a single department entitled “General Physics, Methodology of Physics Teaching and Atmospheric Physics.” Since 2011, the department has been functioning under the name “Department of General Physics.”
From the day the University was founded, the Physics Department began its academic activities. Distinguished scholars such as N.N. Zlatovratsky, A.E. Levashev, N.V. Krimenevsky, and L.N. Dobretsov made significant contributions to the development of the department.
The formation of the Department of Physical Electronics was strongly influenced by prominent scientists A.N. Dobretsov, S.V. Starodubtsev, U.A. Arifov, and G.N. Shuppe. The department was established in 1936 and at different times was known as Experimental Physics, Electronics, and Electrophysics. Since 1957, it has been called the Department of Physical Electronics.
The Department of Physical Electronics was headed by: 1957–1966 — G.N. Shuppe; 1966–1972 and 1980–1991 — Prof. V.I. Veksler; 1972–1980 and 1991–1993 — Assoc. Prof. A.A. Adilov; 1993–1995 — Acad. U.Kh. Rasulev; 1995–2009 — Assoc. Prof. N. Norqulov; 2009–2011 — Prof. U.Sh. Begimkulov.
From 1969 to 1991, the Department of Interfaculty General Physics was headed by the distinguished scientist in the field of solid-state physics and chemistry, Prof. M.A. Marupov. His contribution to improving physics education at universities and in higher education institutions as a whole deserves special recognition. Under his supervision, about ten Candidates of Sciences were trained, and a distinct scientific school was formed.
In 1976, on the initiative of Prof. E.N. Nazirov, the Department of Methodology and History of Physics was established for the first time in Uzbekistan. Prof. E.N. Nazirov was appointed Head of the Department and led it devotedly until the end of his life (1976–2004).
The Department of General Physics was headed by Prof. U. Abdurahmanov from 1991 to 2012, by Prof. A.V. Umarov from 2012 to 2013, and since 2013 it has been headed by Assoc. Prof. D.A. Begmatova.
The academic staff of the department teaches the course “General Physics” to students of the faculties of Physics, Astronomy, Medical Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Technologies, Biology, Geology and Soil Science, and Philosophy.
Alongside research activities, the department’s faculty members pay special attention to improving the methodology of physics teaching, developing scientific and methodological work, creating new laboratory experiments and implementing them into the educational process, as well as using modern technical teaching tools.
In recent years, the institute of senior research fellows has been successfully operating within the department. In particular, under the supervision of Prof. U. Abdurahmanov, 4 Candidate of Sciences dissertations were defended; under Prof. K.A. Tursunmetov – 9 Candidate of Sciences dissertations; under Prof. M. Kurbonov – 7 PhD dissertations in Pedagogical Sciences and 1 Doctor of Sciences (DSc) dissertation; under Assoc. Prof. D.A. Begmatova – 3 Candidate of Sciences dissertations.
Currently, the academic staff of the department conducts research activities with 12 doctoral students and independent researchers based on the “mentor–mentee” system.
The department places special emphasis on the preparation of textbooks, teaching manuals, and methodological materials. From 1990 to 2026, the department has published 10 monographs, more than 20 textbooks and teaching manuals, and around 30 methodological guides, as well as developed new laboratory equipment for educational purposes.
