The history of the department begins from the establishment of Kharkiv University in 1805. The department of theoretical and experimental physics was one of the subdivisions of the branch of physical and mathematical sciences.

Long ago such famous scientists and lectures as O.I. Stoykovych, V.S. Komlishyns`kyi, V.I. Lapshyn, Y.I. Morozov, O.R. Shymkov, A.K. Pohrelko, M.D. Pyl`chykov, A.P. Hruzyntsev, D.A. Rozhanskyi were heads of the department.

If in 1805 the department counted 4 persons (head, his assistant ? junior assistant, overseer and tool master, then in 1916 it counted 13 co-workers.

Physical science upturn in Kharkiv University began from its renewal in 1933. The first head of the department and dean of physics and mathematics school in 1935 became Full Professor A.V. Zhelikhovskyi. 1936 at the head of the department was young Full Professor Landau who studied the course of general physics and began to develop and read his famous course in theoretical physics.

1940 the department of general physics separated from the department of experimental physics.

Beginning from 1950-1960 the most powerful at the physics school that counted 6 departments was the department of experimental physics.

Further the work of the department was governed by academician K.D. Synel`nykov, corresponding member V.H. Khotkevych, academician B.I. Verkin, Full Professor Andronov. From 2001 Full Professor Lebedev V.P. (the dean of physics school in1993-2005) held an appointment of the head of the department.

Opening and formation of the Physics and Technics institute of low temperatures promoted separation in 1779 a specialization of physicist of low temperatures into an independent organization ? department of physics of low temperatures. Now the structure of department consists of school, research team, testing laboratory, auxiliary personnel.

School of the department

1. Hapon Elvira Vasylivna ? Associate Professor, PhD in Pedagogy, head deputy in studying tel. (057) 707-52-85
2. Poyda Volodymyr Pavlovych ? Full Professor, DSc in Technics, head deputy in research work.
3. Letyaho Volodymyr Oleksandrovych - Associate Professor, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, the head of the methodological committee
4. Dubovyk Volodymyr Mykolayovych - Associate Professor, PhD in Physics and Mathematics
5. Yehorenkov Volodymyr Dmytrovych - Full Professor, DSc in Physics and Mathematics
6. Ivanov Yevgen Dmytrovych ? senior teacher
7. Lebedev Sergii Victorovich ? senior teacher (by-worker)
8. Ovcharenko Vyacheslav Ivanovych - Associate Professor, PhD in Physics and Mathematics
9. Sklyar Vyacheslav Vyacheslavovych ? senior teacher
10. Sukhov Volodymyr Mykolayovych - Associate Professor, PhD in Physics and Mathematics
11. Khyzhkovyi Vasyl Petrovych - Associate Professor, PhD in Physics and Mathematics
12. Sharapov Anatolii Ivanovych ? senior teacher
13. Yunash Viktor Maksymovych ? senior teacher
14. Shekhovtsov Oleh Valeriyovych ? Associate Professor, PhD in Physics and Mathematics
15. Churilov Igor Heorgiyovych ? assistant
16. Zetova Tatiana Rasimovna ? assistant
17. Vovk Ruslan Volodymyrovych - Associate Professor, PhD in Physics and Mathematics (by-worker)
18. Samsonik Oleksandr Lukych - Associate Professor, PhD in Physics and Mathematics (by-worker)

Research team

1. Andronov Volodymyr Mykhaylovych ? leading research worker, Full Professor, DSc in Physics and Mathematics
2. Dukarov Sergii Valentynovych ? senior research worker, PhD in Physics and Mathematics
3. Samsonik Oleksandr Lukych ? senior research worker, PhD in Physics and Mathematics
4. Bryukhovetskyi Vasyl Vadymovych - senior research worker, DSc in Physics and Mathematics (by-worker)
5. Rokhmanov Mykola Yakovych - senior research worker, DSc in Physics and Mathematics (by-worker)

Testing lab consists of 7 persons with Valiyov Borys Mykhaylovych at its head.

The department does the great amount of work (lectures and seminar lessons, laboratory works) that is connected with a teaching of fundamental course of study ? ?general physics? for students of the 1st-3d years of study from the schools of physics and mathematics type: physics and radiophysics schools. Acquiring of theoretical statements by students is confirmed by obtaining the skills of experimental work at physical practical works in all parts of the course.

Enumeration of parts that form a normative course in ?general physics?:

• mechanics
• molecular physics
• electricity and magnetics
• optics
• atom physics
• nucleus and elementary part physics

Basic trends of methodical and scientific researches of the department:

• development of educational and methodical literature
• planning and introduction of two-level education to the studying process
• physics of fine-grained systems
• localization of plastic flow
• overplasticity of constructional materials
• instability of plastic stream of metals and fusions in low temperatures
• low-temperature deformation of normal and superconducting metals