History

SJTU was one of the first few universities introducing fundamental physics courses from the West. Since its establishment in 1896, Shanghai Jiao Tong University has always had physics education as a core part in its development. In 1900, teaching labs were opened for the students to do experiments with chemical and physical instruments. It was renamed as physics laboratory after expansion in 1906. China's first PhD in physics, Mr Li Fuji got his undergraduate degree from SJTU more than one hundred years ago.

The Department of Physics was established in 1928. It was one of the earliest physics departments in China. In 1930, departments of mathematics, physics and chemistry were expanded and united to form the College of Science.

The First Department Chair, Prof. Weiyu Qiu (1930)

China's first Doctor of Physics, Mr. Fuji Li

Professors of the School of Natural Science of Jiao Tong University (1935)

Physics Laboratory in 1931

Physics Laboratory of the optics in early period

The Department of Physics was closed in 1952 due to the nationwide restructuring of universities and colleges, leaving only the teaching and researching office for the whole school faculties and students on the General Physics and Laboratory Division.

Professors and students of Department of Physics, Jiao Tong University (1951)

The Department of Applied Physics was reconstructed in 1978 and renamed as the Department of Physics in 2001. Department chairs after 1978 include the following professors:

Cheng Shouzhu (department chair from 1978~1983, picture not available)

Chen Yixin (department chair from 1983~1985)

Xie Shengwu (department chair from 1985~1992, president of SJTU from 1997-2006)

Pang Qianjun (department chair from 1992~2001)

Zheng Hang (department chair from 2001~2009)

Ji Xiangdong (department chair from 2009~2014)

In 2013, the name of the department was changed to Department of Physics and Astronomy. In 2017, School of Physics and Astronomy is established.

Wang Xiaoqun (school dean from 2014~2017)

During its century long development process, the Physics Department of SJTU boasts a lot of renowned faculties and students, gathering and cultivating Qiu Weiyu, Zhou Ming, Zhao Fuxin, Hu Gangfu, Ye Yunli, Zhou Tongqing, Fang Junxin, Wu Youxun, Cheng Shouzhu, Cai Jianhua, Lei Xiaolin, Li Jiaming, Wang Daohan, Qian Jiaqi, Hu Guoding, Qian Gaoyun, Hua Zhongyi, Kuang Dingbo, Wu Hangsheng, Gong Changde, Fang Shouxian, Gu Min, Zheng Jie, Ye Jun, Ding Hong and many other brilliants.